Genshin Impact: A Fool

After eating and chatting for a while, Diluc turned to Heins and asked, with a competitive glint in his red eyes, "I saw how you trained. You looked very strong! Why don't we spar? I am pretty good myself!"

The owner of the winery, Diluc's father, Crepus Ragnvindr, a handsome man with long red hair tied in a ponytail with a bit of red beard on his chin, laughed as he patted Diluc's head, "Hahah! Diluc, this boy killed an Abyss Mage on his own! You still got a long way to go!"

But Diluc insisted, "You don't know it until you try it, right?"

After a back-and-forth banter between son and father, Heins finally chuckled as his crimson eyes narrowed, "Diluc, my sword... It was meant to kill. If you really want to spar with me, Mr. Crepus must supervise the spar. Otherwise..."

His voice turned grim, "I may accidentally kill you."

Not to mention Jean and Kaeya, even Mr. Crepus felt a bit shiver on his own. The man knew that the boy was not joking around. His sword was meant to kill, once unsheathed.

Crepus looked at his son seriously, "It may be chilling for you, Diluc, but sparring with the boy indeed has its merits. You could hone your instinct so you would be ready for the outside world. Are you still going to spar with him? Don't worry, as he said, I'll supervise the spar."

Diluc met Heins's grim gaze, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before his competitive spirit reasserted itself. He nodded slowly, a determined set to his jaw.

"You're right, Fool. Your sword is a weapon honed for battle, not sport. I understand the risk, but... I still want to spar with you." Diluc turned to his father, his red eyes blazing with resolve.

"Father, I appreciate your concern, but I believe this could be an invaluable opportunity to test my skills and push my limits. I'm ready to face whatever challenges the outside world may bring."

Crepus regarded his son with a mix of pride and trepidation. He knew Diluc's potential was immense, but he also recognized the danger of underestimating an opponent like Heins. After a long moment, he gave a solemn nod.

"Very well, Diluc. I will supervise your spar with Fool to ensure both your safety and control. But remember my boy - this will be a true test of your abilities. Approach it with respect, caution, and unwavering focus."

Jean and Kaeya watched the exchange with bated breath, a mix of excitement and apprehension in the air. Jean knew all too well the devastating power of Heins's sword, while Kaeya couldn't help but feel a thrill at the prospect of seeing Diluc pushed to his limits.

Heins, sensing the tension, offered Diluc a small, reassuring smile. "I admire your courage, Diluc. It's rare to find someone so eager to test themselves against a blade like mine." He paused, his grip tightening slightly on the hilt of his sword.

"But I must warn you - I won't hold back. If we spar, I will fight as if my life depended on it. Are you truly prepared for that?"

The tavern fell silent, all eyes on Diluc as he considered Heins's words. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, a crossroads where the young knight would either prove his mettle or be humbled by the harsh reality of Heins's skill.

In that charged silence, Crepus stepped forward, his voice ringing out clear and strong. "Very well, I have witnessed your determination, Diluc. As your father and the owner of this establishment, I hereby grant permission for this spar to take place. I will supervise and ensure that both of you adhere to the rules of honorable combat."

He turned to Heins, his expression serious. "Fool, I ask that you fight with the same control and restraint you have shown thus far. Push my son, but do not break him. And you, Diluc... prove to yourself and all of us the strength of your conviction."

With those words, the stage was set for a spar that would be remembered for years to come - a battle between a proud knight and a wanderer with a blade that thirsted for blood.

In a field cleared specifically for the training ground, people from the tavern and many bystanders who wanted to join the fun gathered around the periphery. Jean and Kaeya stood, their immature face was filled with excitement and tension. In the middle of the field, stood Crepus, his handsome face solemn as he looked at the two boys.

On his right, stood Diluc, with his greatsword gripped tightly in his hands as he took a stance. His red eyes were determined as he stared at his opponent seriously. He already activates his Pyro Vision, his blade blazing with the element.

On Crepus's left, stood Heins. His crimson eyes, usually calm and gentle, were cold. As he unsheathed his sword, the watchers could feel a chilling sensation as the boy's murderous intent shot up. His sword was crackling with his Electro Vision as his sharp, handsome face, despite being so young, turned indifferent.

On the watcher's side, Kaeya shivered, "Fool... He is so scary when he wields his sword!"

Jean nodded in agreement as her little beautiful face showed a grim look, "Fool may be the strongest boy I've ever seen. The sheer pressure of his killing intent... I can't even handle it if he targeted me with that. Not yet. This also showed Senior Diluc's strong will."

Other watchers also commented the same. For young girls, however, their big eyes were locked on Heins with a blush on their faces. Some men shook their heads, wondering why their daughters were so vain.

In the field, Crepus said solemnly, "Are you two ready?"

Heins and Diluc stood facing each other, the tension between them palpable and electric. The air seemed to crackle with the energy of their focused intent, the weight of the impending battle pressing down on the cleared field.

The crowd watched with bated breath, a mix of excitement, tension, and a hint of fear permeating the atmosphere. Whispers of awe and trepidation rippled through the onlookers as they beheld the two young warriors, so different yet equally matched in their resolve.

Jean and Kaeya stood at the forefront, their immature faces etched with a heady blend of anticipation and unease. Jean's eyes widened as she took in the sheer power radiating from Heins, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of being on the receiving end of his wrath.

Kaeya, too, felt the weight of Heins's killing intent, his heart pounding in his chest as he marveled at the wanderer's terrifying aura.

Crepus, the solemn arbiter of this impromptu tournament, looked from one combatant to the other. He saw the fire in Diluc's eyes, the ice in Heins's heart, and knew that he was witnessing a clash that would be remembered by many.

With a deep, resonant voice that carried across the field, he spoke the fateful words:

"Very well. I hereby declare this spar officially begun. Fight with all your skill, but remember - no lethal blows. I will intervene if necessary to maintain the safety and integrity of this contest."

With those words, Crepus took a step back, leaving the two warriors to their battle. The crowd held its collective breath; the world seemed to slow as Heins and Diluc began to circle each other, blades at the ready, each waiting for the perfect opening to strike.

Heins's voice cut through the charged air, low and dangerous. "I won't go easy on you, Diluc. If you want to prove yourself, you'll have to earn it through blood and sweat."

Diluc met his gaze, undaunted. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Fool. Let's see what you've got."

Diluc's red eyes bulged as Heins disappeared in a heap of purple currents. He instinctively turned behind, and his greatsword met Heins's sword. The red-haired boy was shocked to find that he was thrown back by the exchange. Heins's cold voice sounded out, "Too slow, Diluc."

Feeling the murderous aura that sent a chill through his spine, Diluc abruptly turned back, only to find trails of crackling purple. He widened his eyes and before he could respond, a ruthless glint of a blade could be seen in his peripheral vision. He tried to duck, only to be met with a harsh kick to the chin.

The kick was strong enough to send him sprawling as he grunted. He was sent away tens of meters before he laid down face-first to the ground. With difficulty and determination, young Diluc panted as he stood up slowly, his greatsword served as a support.

There, he saw Heins standing coldly before him. His Electro Vision thundered as currents of purple covered his figure. The crimson eyes held utter coldness as he said, "Diluc, if this was the wilderness, you would've been already dead the moment the match began."

At the side, Crepus sighed in relief as he looked at Heins with gratitude. This is a very important lesson for Diluc. At the same time, he couldn't help but be amazed. Fool... Just how could he be so strong at such a young age? What had he experienced to attain such a capability in such a short time?

Kaeya was muttering incessantly, "Woah... This is the first time I've seen Diluc get beaten up so badly."

Jean was observing the spar with sheer focus, her blue eyes never leaving Heins. A boy one year older than her... Easily beat up Senior Diluc? She was awed and amazed and also humbled.

After a few pants, Diluc burst out in Pyro element as his red eyes hardened, "I know I am way weaker than you, but I would not stop until I pass out!"

Heins nodded coldly, "Very well. We may continue."

He watched as Diluc struggled to his feet, a flicker of respect glinting in his cold eyes.

The young knight was bruised and battered, but his spirit remained unbroken, his determination undiminished. It was a rare quality, one that Heins could appreciate even as he prepared to extinguish it like a candle in the wind.

As Diluc charged forward, his greatsword blazing with Pyro energy, Heins stood his ground. He waited until the last possible moment before sidestepping the wild swing, allowing the blade to cleave the air mere inches from his face.

Before Diluc could recover, Heins struck, his electro-charged sword leaving a trail of crackling purple light as it sliced through the knight's defenses.

Diluc cried out in pain as the blade bit deep into his shoulder, drawing a line of blood across his armor. Heins's attacks were relentless, each one faster and more devastating than the last.

The young knight fought valiantly, but he was no match for the wanderer's preternatural skill and speed.

Heins's voice cut through the chaos, cold and pitiless. "You have heart, Diluc, but heart alone is not enough. You lack the ruthless precision and merciless focus required to wield a blade like mine."

Despite the pain and exhaustion, Diluc refused to yield. He gritted his teeth, his red eyes blazing with a manic intensity as he redoubled his assault. But for every blow he landed, Heins countered with three of his own, his sword a blur of electro energy as it danced around the knight's desperate defenses.

The crowd watched in awe and horror as the battle unfolded, a one-sided affair that nonetheless showcased the incredible tenacity and courage of the young knight.

Jean and Kaeya stood with bated breath, their hearts pounding in their chests as they witnessed the brutal efficiency of Heins's swordsmanship.

Crepus, too, watched with a mix of pride and trepidation. He knew that Diluc was learning a harsh lesson today, one that would shape him for the rest of his life.

The pain and humiliation of defeat were never easy to bear, but they forged a warrior's spirit in the crucible of adversity.

As the spar reached its climax, Heins's blade pressed against Diluc's throat, the electro energy sizzling and popping as it awaited the command to end the young knight's life, Crepus stepped forward, his voice ringing out with authority.

"Enough! The victor is clear, and the lesson has been learned." He turned to Diluc, his expression solemn and filled with a father's concern.

"Are you alright, my boy? I know the pain of defeat is bitter, but it is a necessary part of growth and self-discovery."

Heins stepped back, his sword disappearing into its sheath with a soft, almost mocking sound. He looked at Diluc, his crimson eyes glinting with a cold, appraising light.

"Remember this day, Diluc. Remember the taste of defeat and the price of complacency. Let it fuel your training, your discipline, and your relentless pursuit of perfection. Only then will you have a chance against a true master of the blade."

"I will await your challenge any time."

After his cold words, Heins sheathed his sword, and his indifference melted away, as always, leaving a soft-eyed, handsome boy. Heins sat beside the battered Diluc and chuckled, "Well, how was it? Let me tell you, that's exactly how my Mistress trained me. She would beat me until I couldn't breathe. Haha..."

Jean and Kaeya, who had just come over, shivered as they looked at Heins incredulously. Crepus laughed in disbelief and couldn't help but state, "Well, boy, you must have one hell of a Mistress! You're also impressive, surviving such a cruel training regime."

Jean sat beside Heins and nodded; her blue eyes shone in admiration. As a soon-to-be-knight, nothing is more attractive than a boy who trained so hard and desperate. There was just a certain charm to it.

Kaeya couldn't help but smack Heins's back and said in disbelief, "You, my friend, are one hell of a guy!"

Diluc himself was speechless. In the end, he just smiled wryly, "It seems... My defeat is inevitable. Fool, you are worthy of your current strength."

Heins nodded, but even with all he had told, his eyes were filled with longing, "She is my beloved Mistress. Unfortunately, there are certain reasons I cannot meet her. Until my strength reached a certain threshold, I was forbidden to meet her."

Heins sat there, his soft gaze drifting over the concerned faces of his new companions. Their awe and admiration were palpable, a heady mix of respect and disbelief that hung heavy in the air. He could see the questions dancing in their eyes, the curiosity that begged for answers to the enigma he presented.

Heins's mind wandered back to the countless hours he had spent in the icy ground of the training spot behind the House of the Hearth, the unrelenting training that had honed his body into a weapon and his spirit into an unyielding blade.

Arlecchino had been a stern mistress, her expectations as frigid as the Snezhnaya's winter and her punishments as brutal as the bitterest cold. But through it all, she had forged him into something extraordinary, a testament to her unyielding will and unwavering dedication.

Heins's heart ached with a sudden, fierce longing for his beloved Mistress. The weeks of separation had been a trial, a test of his resolve and his love. But he knew that every ounce of pain, every moment of agony, had been worth it. For he would return to her stronger, faster, and more worthy of her affection.

For some, it is but a blink of an eye. But for him, it felt like it had been years.

As he sat there, lost in thought, Heins felt a hand on his shoulder. Startled, he looked up to see Jean's concerned face, her blue eyes shining with a warmth that threatened to melt the ice around his heart.

"How strong do you need to be?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Heins met her gaze, his own eyes filled with a fierce, almost desperate determination. "Strong enough to be worthy," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion. "Strong enough to stand by her side, to protect her, to love her with every fiber of my being."

Heins's heart raced as he spoke those words, a fierce longing surging through his veins. He knew that the path ahead would be difficult, filled with trials and tribulations that would test the very limits of his strength and his resolve. But he was ready, eager even, to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

For he was Heins, the wanderer, the prodigy, the one destined to stand tall among the Harbingers. And he would stop at nothing to prove himself worthy of his beloved Mistress, to claim his place at her side for all eternity.

Heins felt the weight of their astonishment, the sheer disbelief that hung in the air like a palpable thing.

He could see the gears turning in their minds, the realization dawning that the ruthless, unyielding warrior before them was not driven by mere ambition or a thirst for power, but by something far more profound and consuming: love.

Jean's blue eyes shone with a newfound understanding, a softness that spoke of a heart blossoming with admiration and empathy. She reached out, her little fingers brushing gently against his hands, albeit shyly, a tender gesture that earned a gentle look from him.

"You fight for love," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of admiration and reverence. "I never would have guessed that such a tender thing could fuel such incredible strength and skill."

Diluc and Kaeya exchanged a glance, their expressions a mirror image of stunned disbelief.

The young knight, still battered and bruised from his one-sided defeat, shook his head slowly, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"To think, I faced the blade of a boy my age who wields his sword not for glory or power, but for the sake of love," Diluc murmured, a note of grudging respect coloring his words. "I am honored to have crossed swords with you, Fool. It seems... Like I still have a lot to learn, like what my father said."

Crepus, the venerable owner of Dawn Winery, let out a soft, wry chuckle. His red eyes, so like his adopted son's, shone with a warm, approving light as he looked upon the handsome wanderer.

"Boy," he said, his voice filled with a fatherly warmth, "you have a rare and noble cause. To fight for love, to dedicate oneself wholly to the service of another... that is a path of great sacrifice and even greater reward. You have my utmost respect, young Fool. May you find the strength and the means to make your beloved Mistress proud."

Heins felt a lump form in his throat, a sudden tightness that made it difficult to breathe.

The acceptance, the understanding, the sheer, unadulterated respect that poured from these people... it was a balm to his weary soul, a soothing salve to the scars etched into his flesh and his heart.

He knew that the road ahead would be long and fraught with peril, that the trials he would face would test the very limits of his love and his devotion.

But he also knew, with a bone-deep certainty that settled in his very marrow, that he would not falter. He would not waver.

No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, he would see it through. For, in the end, all that mattered was her. Always and forever, her.

Soon, Crepus, Diluc, and Kaeya bade farewell and left for the Dawn Winery. As for the spectators, they had left long ago. Perhaps it won't be long before his deeds were spread to the rest of the Mondstadt civilians, though Heins did not mind.

He planned to stay in Mondstadt for a while, and building prestige in Mondstadt would be doing him nothing but good.

However, he was somewhat surprised when Miss Jean was still here, sitting beside him peacefully. He looked at her face and asked curiously, "Miss Jean, do you have anything you wish to talk with me?"

Jean hesitated. She grasped the green grass with her little hands as she fidgeted. In the end, she relented and stammered, a stark contrast to her usual stern and determined visage, "F-Fool, when you said that you fight for love, you... Earned my full trust and admiration. S-So I was wondering if you could train me? You are very strong, even stronger than Senior Diluc, and I am also very comfortable with you. You are my age, so I don't have to care about bothersome things. D-Do you... Mind?"

Heins blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Jean's sudden request. He had not expected the young knight to be so forthcoming, so trusting and open in her admiration for him. It was a rare thing, to be seen so clearly and accepted without reservation, especially by someone so pure and innocent as Jean.

He looked into her blue eyes, seeing the earnest plea shining within their depths. She was offering him her trust, her faith, and her desire to grow stronger under his guidance. It was a heavy responsibility, but one that Heins felt compelled to accept.

A slow smile spread across Heins's face, softening the hard lines of his boyish features and making him look even more handsome in the dappled sunlight.

He reached out, gently taking Jean's small hand in his own, marveling at the softness of her skin and the way her fingers trembled slightly in his grasp.

"Of course, Miss Jean," he said softly, his voice warm and reassuring. "I would be honored to train you, to help you grow stronger and more skilled with your sword."

Heins's heart swelled with a sudden, fierce protectiveness. He knew that Jean was a rare gem, a shining beacon of hope and innocence in a world that could be so cruel and unforgiving.

He wanted to help her stay that way, to forge her into a warrior who could face the darkness of the world with courage and conviction.

"But I must warn you," he added, his expression turning serious, "the path of a knight is not an easy one. It requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to push oneself to the very limits of their endurance. Are you prepared for that, little one?" Heins said, as if he was not just an eleven years old boy but an experienced warrior.

Jean nodded solemnly, her blue eyes shining with determination. "I am," she said, her small voice filled with a strength that belied her years. "I want to be strong, like you. I want to protect the people of Mondstadt, just like you who wished to protect your Mistress."

Heins felt a rush of emotion at her words, a fierce surge of pride and affection. He squeezed her hand gently, a silent promise sealed between them.

"Then let us begin," he said softly, rising to his feet and offering Jean his other hand. "We have much work to do, and not a moment to lose. Come, my young apprentice. Let us see what you are truly capable of."

As they stood there, hand in hand, Heins felt a sense of purpose and belonging that he had never known before.

He was no longer just a wanderer, a prodigy fighting for love. He was a mentor, a guide, and a friend to a young girl who needed him. And he would not let her down.

He couldn't help but think that perhaps this is what his Mistress felt when she stood with him hand in hand back in the cold December of Snezhnaya three years ago.

It was very... Warm and fascinating.