Trainee Forest Ranger

Watching Lin Feng wolf down his food, Tighnari smiled as well.

"Actually, I've always felt an inexplicable sense of closeness toward you. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the elements have always been highly active around you. Are you a Vision holder?"

Feeling the elements stirring within him, Tighnari asked Lin Feng.

"No, I'm not." Lin Feng shook his head.

"I've always been able to sense the elements, but I've never been able to control them. Not a single type."

Lin Feng showed a somewhat regretful expression.

"You can sense the elements? All types of them? That's truly unusual!"

It was as though Tighnari had heard something fascinating. His eyes lit up, and the ears atop his head twitched involuntarily.

"In fact, although most ordinary people know that elements exist, they cannot sense them at all. Even among Vision holders, many can only sense elements of their own affinity. Yet you can sense every element without a Vision, and even form Elemental Sight? This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing."

Tighnari made no effort to conceal his curiosity and interest.

Only then did Lin Feng realize that he had fallen into a misunderstanding. Since players in the game had always acted from the Traveler's perspective, they often thought that Elemental Sight, which could be activated with a click of the middle mouse button, was an entirely ordinary ability.

But many background stories made it clear that even among Vision holders, such clear and comprehensive Elemental Sight was an exceedingly rare ability.

"You mean people like me are rare?" Lin Feng asked curiously.

"Of course! I've never seen anyone without a Vision who could sense Elemental Power through their own abilities. I've only heard that the Adepti of Liyue seem particularly fond of this sort of constitution, but that's merely hearsay."

Tighnari's desire for research seemed to be burning fiercely.

Seeing the blazing look in Tighnari's eyes, Lin Feng could not help swallowing. Good thing this was not Europe, and Tighnari was not a priest, or Lin Feng would have had to consider what position to take tonight.

"Come to think of it, what are your plans after this? I mean, after leaving here."

Setting aside his urge to research for the moment, Tighnari asked about Lin Feng's Follow-up plans.

"To be honest, I don't have any. After all, I no longer have a home, and I don't really have a destination in mind." Lin Feng spoke honestly.

"A journey needs a starting point and an endpoint. What I'm doing can only be called wandering."

A trace of sorrow that did not belong on someone his age appeared on Lin Feng's youthful face.

"Then would you consider staying here and becoming a Forest Ranger?"

Tighnari seemed to have prepared for this long ago and immediately made his suggestion.

"I noticed it the moment I met you. You've always carried a sense of confusion and exhaustion about you. I simply cannot stand by and let a child so young wander across the continent."

Looking at Lin Feng's face, which made him appear no older than thirteen or fourteen, Tighnari recalled the children he had seen at the orphanage when he was still a Scholar.

"I can teach you to read, provide you with a salary sufficient for your Daily Life, and help analyze your constitution in my spare time. What do you think? Would you like to consider it?"

Tighnari looked expectant, his tail behind him swaying unconsciously.

That was right. Although Lin Feng could understand the language, when faced with Teyvat Common Language, which clearly did not resemble any writing system from Earth, he had no choice but to admit that he was illiterate.

"Let's be clear beforehand: I'll have to leave eventually." Lin Feng found Tighnari's enthusiasm a little overwhelming.

"My dream is to one day travel through the Seven Nations and, along the way, search for the meaning of why I came here."

For the first time, Lin Feng told someone other than Xiao Bai about his plans.

"So I might leave before long. Is that really okay?"

Seeing that Tighnari's enthusiasm had not diminished, Lin Feng hesitated.

"Of course. Trainee Forest Ranger was originally a temporary position offered to travelers passing through."

Tighnari nodded.

"When I feel that you have the ability to set out on your own, I'll prepare a farewell gift for you."

"After all, stars belonging to the High Sky cannot be caged, right?" Tighnari smiled.

Lin Feng was suddenly a little moved. He did not understand why Tighnari was willing to spend so much effort on someone whose identity was as questionable as his.

He had always believed that no matter how wonderful the world in a game seemed, it would become cruel once it turned into reality. Yet Tighnari's actions allowed Lin Feng to truly feel the selflessness and warmth deep within his heart.

"Mm. Since you've put it that way, what reason do I have to refuse?"

Looking into Tighnari's expectant eyes, Lin Feng agreed with complicated feelings.

"But please make sure to give me some work that I can handle. You've already helped me too much, and I also hope to do something for the people here."

Lin Feng looked into Tighnari's eyes and spoke earnestly.

"Of course, but we'll have to start with literacy. Otherwise, I won't be able to assign you any work."

Looking at the serious Lin Feng, Tighnari laid out his plan.

"Rest today. You can stay here for as long as you want. It was only one of my temporary residences to begin with, and from now on, it belongs to you." Seeing that Lin Feng had agreed, Tighnari unconsciously began displaying his efficient side.

"And take this copy of the 'Teyvat Literacy Compendium' first. I used it to learn to read when I was little. It's mostly illustrations, so you can preview it on your own."

Tighnari took a thick book from the pack behind him and handed it to Lin Feng with his left hand.

Seeing that Tighnari had clearly come prepared and had been planning this for a long time, Lin Feng could only silently accept the kindness in his heart.

"All right, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll introduce you to everyone tomorrow. Don't worry, the Forest Rangers are all easy to get along with. They'll definitely be happy about your arrival."

Tighnari stood and waved at Lin Feng, who wanted to see him off.

"Go back inside. See you tomorrow, Trainee Forest Ranger Lin Feng."

Watching Tighnari walk away, Lin Feng hugged the "Teyvat Literacy Compendium" to his chest and returned to his first little home in this world.

After previewing the lesson material, Lin Feng leaned against the bed and groomed Xiao Bai's fluffy fur.

"A Forest Ranger, huh? That's not bad. I just wonder where Collei is right now."

Lin Feng muttered to himself.

One year before the story began, Cyno had brought Collei from Mondstadt to Sumeru and entrusted her to his friend Tighnari. Since he had not seen that green-haired girl yet, it meant that the time left to him was not yet so urgent.

Thinking of the disasters this land would face in the future, the worried Lin Feng held Xiao Bai in his arms and entered a dream that belonged to him.