Having finally made it to Teyvat and even obtained a Vision, Ellin naturally wanted to make her mark on this world and enjoy some adventures.
So she came to the Adventurers' Guild, hoping to find a suitable commission that would let her test her strength.
However, members of the Adventurers' Guild were ranked from level 1 to level 60. Every new adventurer started at Adventure Rank 1, and could only raise their Adventure Rank by completing enough commissions or taking on higher-ranked ones.
Meanwhile, the guild's commissions were graded by difficulty, from lowest to highest: E, D, C, B, A, and S.
The lowest, E-rank commissions, were usually boring tasks like finding lost cats and dogs or helping wash dishes at the Angel's Share tavern.
D-rank commissions generally involved physically demanding work, such as delivering goods or climbing mountains to gather herbs.
Only C-rank commissions involved combat, and even then, it was just fighting a few small Hilichurls or two or three Slimes.
B-rank commissions generally involved tasks on the scale of clearing out Hilichurl camps.
As for the highest, S-rank commissions, the opponents involved were at least as powerful as the Fatui Harbingers.
Out of concern for its members' safety, the Adventurers' Guild only allowed newcomers to accept the lowest E-rank commissions, regardless of their strength.
But Ellin wanted to test her strength in combat. She had no interest in boring jobs like finding cats and dogs.
"What should I do?" Ellin furrowed her slender white brows.
"O white-haired maiden, wherefore dost thou linger beneath the light that extinguishes divine punishment?"
Suddenly, a lovely voice reached her ears.
Ailin turned toward the voice and saw a blonde, green-eyed girl approaching. She wore an eyepatch, a purple-and-black outfit adorned with raven feathers, and black stockings. A purple-and-black raven perched on her shoulder.
The moment Ellin saw the girl and the bird, her face lit up with familiarity and delight. Weren't these Fischl and her familiar, Oz, from the game?
"Ahem. What mein Fräulein means is: hello, is something troubling you? Also, please don't stand in the sunlight. You might get sunburned," Oz the night raven translated.
But the instant Oz finished speaking, Ellin held out a hand and said, "No need to translate. I understand!"
"What? You understand what I'm saying?"
Surprised delight spread across Fischl's face, but she quickly remembered that she had to maintain her melodramatic persona. After clearing her throat twice, she spoke again.
"Ahem! Maiden, thou canst comprehend my sacred words? Thou... art worthy of praise!"
Then she deliberately looked the white-haired girl over with an approving gaze. That would have been fine if she hadn't taken a closer look, but once she did, Fischl's eyes widened.
The white-haired girl before her was simply too beautiful. She wasn't wearing a trace of makeup, yet her features were so exquisite!
Oh my gosh, how... how can a girl be this cute?
She looks so soft... I really want to pinch her cheeks!
Wait, why is she glowing with holy golden light? Is she an... angel? Oh, no, it's just sunlight reflecting off her white hair.
Her hair is so beautiful, too. With the sunlight falling on it, it's like the first ray of spring sunshine touching the snow on Dragonspine. It's gorgeous!
How can there be such a beautiful girl in this world? She's dazzling! I really want to touch her hair!
Fischl trembled with excitement, forgetting even to maintain the elegant bearing expected of a princess.
After finally calming down, she looked at Ellin again, only to find herself unconsciously feeling inferior before Ellin's radiance.
Just as a weak kitten might yowl loudly to prove its strength, Fischl, feeling inadequate in Ellin's presence, instinctively struck a melodramatic pose and laughed.
"Ohoho! I am Fischl, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung! That we should meet here today must surely be the intertwining of fate. O white-haired maiden, declare thy name! This princess shall engrave it upon her soul, never to fade through a thousand cycles of reincarnation!"
Oz said, "What mein Fräulein means is: nice to meet you. May I ask your name?"
Fischl already felt embarrassed after delivering that melodramatic speech, and Oz's translation made her blush even harder.
But then, something utterly unexpected happened!
As Fischl and Oz watched, the white-haired girl immediately struck the same kind of melodramatic JoJo pose!
"I am the Sound-Seeking, Prayer-Answering, Demon-Slaying, Calamity-Delivering Immortal Venerable, known in this world as Ellin. O Prinzessin der Verurteilung, thou speakest true. That we should meet here today must surely be the guidance of fate!"
"Ah...!"
The white-haired girl's reaction caught Fischl completely off guard. Not just her-even Oz hadn't expected there to be anyone in this world more melodramatic than his mistress.
Girl and bird alike froze, neither knowing how to react for a moment.
If it's her... surely it'll work!
Fischl's beautiful green eyes lit up, and undisguised delight filled her face as she looked at Ellin.
It was the joy of someone with a flair for fantasy finally meeting a kindred spirit.
Yet, happy as Fischl was, she had been alone since childhood and had no friends, let alone experience talking normally with others.
She had no idea how to respond and could only stand there stammering.
Ellin, however, was different. With a boy's soul inside her, she had no inhibitions whatsoever. Brimming with social confidence, she walked straight up and took Fischl's hand.
Ah! This adorable girl, she-she-she... she's holding my hand!
Feeling the warmth and softness of Ellin's hands, Fischl became so excited that her blood pressure shot up, and she nearly fainted.
"Fischl, something's been troubling me. Could you help?"
Ellin leaned close to Fischl, the tip of her nose less than two centimeters from Fischl's cheek. Her beautiful blue eyes glimmered as she gazed at Fischl pleadingly.
Aaah, too close, too close! I'm going to faint!
Yes, yes, I'll agree to anything!
Fischl could only feel her little heart pounding wildly. She really couldn't worry about anything else now. Whatever this unbelievably adorable girl asked of her, she would agree.
After all, who could bear to disappoint such a cute girl?
Soon afterward.
"So, thou art troubled because thou canst not accept a suitable commission. Very well. Allow me to resolve this through the authority of the Prinzessin."
After hearing Ellin's explanation, Fischl immediately took her hand and led her to register at the Adventurers' Guild.
"Oh? Miss Ellin, you're joining the Adventurers' Guild? I thought your ambition was to join the Knights of Favonius and become a full-fledged knight."
Katheryne, the receptionist, looked a little surprised.
"Hehe, this year's knight selection hasn't started yet, has it? I want to become an adventurer first and train a little to prepare for the Knights of Favonius' exam. I can earn some money for my family at the same time."
"I see. You're very thoughtful toward your family, Miss Ellin!"
Katheryne smiled and nodded, then efficiently completed Ellin's registration. From that moment on, Ellin was officially an adventurer.
New adventurers could accept higher-ranked commissions by teaming up with more experienced adventurers, so Fischl, who was currently Adventure Rank 23, easily secured a C-rank commission for Ellin.
"Come. This princess shall keep thee safe."
Fischl gave Ellin a sweet smile, took her hand, and headed out of the city.
Before you continue