Chapter 36: Knight Exams.
Aether just looked at Jean. "So this exam is so that we get new knights in the Knights of Favonius"
Jeane looked up from ehe fiels. "Ye Aether, do to the recent attack our numbers need to rebuild, and asking Shadow Guard to give up some member is a stupid ideas".
Aether then looked at her. "Right about that, when will I join Shadow Guard"
Jean just looked at him. "Give me some times, unthle there here is the knight you need to help"
Aether looked at the file and saw who it was. "Noelle, I mean she did wanted to be a knight and she did fight bravely when Mondstandt was attack, why is she not already a Knight"
Aether just looked at Jean. "So this exam is so that we get new knights in the Knights of Favonius"
Jeane looked up from ehe fiels. "Ye Aether, do to the recent attack our numbers need to rebuild, and asking Shadow Guard to give up some member is a stupid ideas".
Aether then looked at her. "Right about that, when will I join Shadow Guard"
Jean just looked at him. "Give me some times, unthle there here is the knight you need to help"
Aether looked at the file and saw who it was. "Noelle, I mean she did wanted to be a knight and she did fight bravely when Mondstandt was attack, why is she not already a Knight"
Jean sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Noelle is one of the most dedicated individuals in Mondstadt. Her heart and determination are undeniable, but the exams aren't just about physical prowess. They test a knight's balance between combat ability, strategy, and understanding of Mondstadt's values. Noelle struggles with overexerting herself—she always tries to do everything alone."
Aether nodded, flipping through Noelle's profile. "She's like me in some ways... trying to carry everything on her shoulders."
Jean smiled softly. "Exactly. That's why I'm assigning you to help her through this exam. She needs someone who understands the weight of responsibility but knows how to work with others."
Aether looked up from the file, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll do my best to guide her. She deserves this."
Jean handed him the rest of the exam details. "I trust you, Aether. The exams start tomorrow. Make sure she's ready."
Aether took the files and left Jean's office. As he made his way out, Paimon floated by his side.
"Wow, Noelle really wants to be a knight, huh?" Paimon said. "But she's already done so much for Mondstadt! It's a little unfair she has to go through all of this."
Aether glanced at Paimon. "It's not just about her combat skills. Jean wants to make sure Noelle knows that she doesn't need to do everything alone."
Paimon crossed her arms. "Well, that's where you come in! You'll help her pass for sure!"
Aether chuckled. "I hope so. Let's find Noelle and see how she's feeling about all of this."
They found Noelle practicing with her claymore near the training grounds, relentlessly perfecting her swings. Her face was set in deep concentration, sweat dripping from her brow, but there was also a hint of anxiety.
Aether approached her, waving. "Noelle!"
She stopped mid-swing and turned around, her face lighting up. "Aether! Paimon! What are you doing here?"
Aether smiled. "I'm here to help you prepare for the Knight Exams."
Noelle's eyes widened. "Really? But... you're my knights teacher. You don't need to trouble yourself with this."
Aether shook his head. "It's no trouble at all. Jean assigned me to help, and besides, you've already shown your strength and dedication. You just need to believe in yourself—and learn to rely on others when you need to."
Noelle looked down, her grip tightening on her claymore. "I don't want to fail. The Knights of Favonius mean everything to me. But… I'm worried I'm not enough."
Aether placed a hand on her shoulder. "You are more than enough, Noelle. I've seen how much you care for everyone in Mondstadt. You've already proven yourself time and again. Now, let's focus on what you need to work on, and you'll pass this exam with flying colours."
Paimon floated around encouragingly. "Yeah! We'll help you! You're gonna be an official knight in no time!"
Noelle smiled, though it was still tinged with uncertainty. "Thank you, Aether, Paimon. I'll do my best."
Aether nodded. "Let's start preparing, then. We'll go through everything they might throw at you in the exam."
As the day went on, they trained together, focusing on teamwork and strategy. Aether made sure Noelle understood that being a knight wasn't just about strength—it was about knowing when to trust your allies and how to lead without burning yourself out.
As the sun began to set, Noelle looked more confident, though still nervous. Aether gave her a reassuring nod.
"Tomorrow's the big day. Get some rest, and we'll continue in the morning."
Noelle smiled brightly. "I will. Thank you again, Aether. I won't let you down!"
Aether watched her leave before turning to Paimon. "She's got this. We just need to make sure she believes it too."
Paimon nodded. "Yeah! With you helping her, she's bound to pass!"
Aether looked at Noelle he activated the skill leadership and charm. "Just be your self and think of passing Noelle, and you will not only pass but become a knight"
Then Aether saw the system, as he crushed himself mentally, because of what it said
[ Host has crit on charm, 1 million times crit effect has been actived, Multiplying the charm Crit with the already to actived skills ]
Aether just looked at Noelle who was blushing and what shocked him was um for a brief second he saw her eyes turned into heart.
Aether hesitated, seeing Noelle's blushing face and the brief flicker of hearts in her eyes. He quickly suppressed his surprise, trying to stay composed. "Um... Noelle, are you feeling okay?" he asked, hoping to keep the situation from becoming awkward.
Noelle blinked, snapping out of whatever trance she had briefly fallen into. "Ah! I'm fine, really!" she stammered, her face still red. She looked down, clutching her claymore tightly. "I just… I'm really grateful for your encouragement, Aether. I feel so much more confident now, thanks to you."
Aether gave her an awkward smile, mentally cursing the system. Why does it always have to do this at the worst possible times?
Paimon floated beside him, eyeing the situation suspiciously. "Uh… Aether, what's going on with Noelle?" she whispered.
Aether glanced at Paimon. "It's… complicated," he muttered under his breath. He cleared his throat, looking back at Noelle. "Well, I'm glad I could help. Just remember, you're already capable—you just need to believe it. And tomorrow, you'll show everyone that you're ready to be a true Knight of Favonius."
Noelle nodded eagerly, though her blush hadn't entirely faded. "Thank you again, Aether. I'll do my best to make you proud."
As Noelle walked off to prepare for the next day, Paimon hovered closer to Aether, her voice low. "What was that about? She was acting super weird!"
Aether sighed. "It's the system. It activated some ridiculous charm effect without warning. I didn't mean for that to happen…"
Paimon crossed her arms. "You've really got to get that thing under control, Aether! You're gonna end up with half of Mondstadt blushing at you!"
Aether pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tell me about it… Let's just hope things stay normal tomorrow."
But as Aether watched Noelle disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of worry. The exams are tomorrow, but something tells me this is just the beginning of more complications.
The next day, Aather, Amber, Eula, Paimon and Luminis were ready to cheer on Lisa and see her will do her thing.
Luminis then looked at Aether. "Papa is Mana Noelle going to Pass"
Aether looked at Luminis. "Yeah Noelle will... Did you just call her Mama Noelle"
The young dragon boy just Looked at him. "Yeah why, doesn't she also like you like Miss Lisa, I mean I heard of this thing called harem and Uncle Kaeya says you already have with Mana Eula and Amber in it"
Aether just looked at his son. "Luminis no, not every female in my life is romantically involved with me"
Luminis just looked at him and spoke. "I doubt it"
As Aether then saw the system. [ Damm host even you own kid ]
Eula just looked at her son. "I knew we shouldn't have our Kaeya in Baby seating duity"
Amber looked at her. "Who were the other option, also why not your brother"
Aether sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to make sense of the chaotic conversation. "Luminis, you're too young to be thinking about things like harems, alright?" He glanced at Eula, who simply smirked knowingly, and then at Amber, who was trying her best not to burst out laughing.
Eula nodded toward Amber, continuing, "My brother? He's hardly the type for babysitting. Besides, I trust Kaeya, but clearly... maybe not for giving life lessons."
Amber chuckled, nudging Eula. "Yeah, Kaeya's... advice might not always be the best for a growing kid."
Luminis just shrugged, his dragon wings fluttering a little as he looked back at his father. "I dunno, Uncle Kaeya said he was helping me understand how things work. And isn't Mama Lisa joining too?"
Aether groaned, facepalming. "Luminis, no. Focus on the fact that we're here to support Noelle, alright?"
Luminis grinned cheekily but nodded, turning his attention toward the exam grounds where the trial for the Knights of Favonius was about to begin. Lisa was overseeing things, and Noelle stood ready with her claymore, determination in her eyes.
Paimon floated closer, trying to defuse the awkwardness. "Look! Noelle's starting her test! Let's cheer her on!"
Aether took a deep breath and nodded, focusing on the moment. "Yeah, let's see how she does."
As the trial began, Noelle's strength and discipline were on full display. She swung her claymore with precision, fending off simulated enemies and handling every obstacle with grace. Aether, Amber, and Eula watched with pride as Noelle passed each challenge with flying colours.
Amber leaned toward Aether. "Told you she'd do great. She's got the heart of a true knight."
Aether smiled, his earlier worries easing. "Yeah, I knew she had it in her."
Luminis cheered excitedly. "Go Mama Noelle! You're the best!"
Aether sighed but couldn't help smiling at his son's enthusiasm. At least he's focused on the right thing now, he thought, feeling relieved.
The trial ended with Noelle standing tall, victorious. As she received her official Knight's badge, she looked up toward Aether and the others, her face glowing with pride.
Eula smiled, crossing her arms. "Looks like Mondstadt just gained a powerful new Knight."
Aether nodded, feeling a surge of pride for Noelle. "Yeah, she earned it."
And as Noelle walked toward them, beaming with joy, Aether felt a deep sense of relief that, for once, things were going smoothly. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder what other surprises the future held—for both him and the people he cared about.
As then another knight came, as his name was announced as everyone looked at, Aether looked at what he was weairng it didn't look like it belonged to Mondstandt, it looked Japanese.
The boy looked at people. "My name is Issei, I come from Inazuma and I here to show Mondstandt what I got". He then holded his Pyro vision. "Let's show them Ddrake"
Aether just looked at him. "I thought Inazuma was in lock down"
Eula looked at him. "It is could be have escaped"
Aether narrowed his eyes as he watched the boy, Issei, step forward confidently. The crowd was murmuring in curiosity and confusion—most people in Mondstadt knew about Inazuma's isolation due to the Vision Hunt Decree, so seeing someone from there, especially wielding a Pyro Vision, was unexpected.
Aether turned to Eula. "If Inazuma is still in lockdown, then how did he manage to get out? And who is this 'Ddrake' he's talking about?"
Eula shrugged. "Inazuma is a land of mysteries, especially with the Archon enforcing the Vision Hunt. It's possible he escaped before the decree tightened, or... he might have connections we're not aware of."
Paimon floated closer, eyeing Issei suspiciously. "This guy seems a bit... cocky. And what's with that outfit? It doesn't look like something an Inazuman samurai would wear."
Amber, standing next to Aether, added, "It looks more like something from a distant land. Definitely not Mondstadt, that's for sure."
As Issei held up his Pyro Vision, a faint crimson aura surrounded him, and from nowhere, a deep voice resonated in the air, startling the crowd.
"Partner, let's show them our power," the voice said. Aether realised it must be the mysterious "Ddrake" Issei had mentioned.
The voice was coming from a red gauntlet that appeared on Issei's arm, glowing with an ominous power. The gauntlet had a dragon motif etched into it, and the energy it radiated was far stronger than any normal Vision Aether had encountered.
"Is that... a part of his Vision?" Aether muttered.
Eula's eyes widened. "I've never seen anything like that before. That gauntlet—it's as if it's alive."
Aether nodded in agreement. "Yeah, something's definitely different about him."
Issei then unleashed a wave of fire in a demonstration, the flames forming into the shape of a dragon before dissipating. The crowd was awestruck, but Aether remained cautious. There was something about Issei's power that didn't sit right with him.
Issei smirked as he looked at the crowd, then at Aether, as if challenging him directly. "Mondstadt may be free, but Inazuma isn't the only land that can produce powerful fighters."
Aether clenched his fists slightly, but kept his cool. "We'll see about that." He had a feeling this newcomer would stir things up, and not necessarily in a good way.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones