"What's this?" Diluc asked, looking confusedly at the energy cube Takashi handed him.
"This is Bagon's exclusive food, a high-level energy cube," Takashi explained. "Every sprite can eat energy cubes to increase their potential. The effect varies depending on the level of the energy cube."
Acting Grand Master Jean curiously asked, "How much does one of these cost?"
"A basic energy cube is four thousand Mora per portion, an intermediate one is eight thousand, and a high-level energy cube is twenty thousand. As for the super-level energy cube, it's still under research."
Jean's eyes widened—these little creatures sure cost a lot to feed.
Takashi picked up the Pokédex and showed Diluc how to scan a sprite.
[Bagon]
[Dragon-Type Sprite. It repeatedly dreams of flying in the blue sky and often smashes its head into rocks to train itself, making its head as hard as steel.]
"From now on, if you encounter an unknown sprite, you can use the Pokédex to check its information."
"Sprites can also be used in battles. Trainers can have an unlimited number of sprites, but only six can participate in a battle at any time."
[Bagon's Skills: Leer, Take Down, Dragon Breath, Headbutt]
Satisfied, Diluc put away the Pokédex. "Shopkeeper, give me two hundred portions of high-level energy cubes and deliver them to my winery."
"Alright, that'll be four million Mora," Takashi replied.
Diluc thought for a moment before handing over his deposit slip. Jean and Klee watched quietly from the side.
Suddenly, Klee asked Diluc, "Big brother Diluc, Klee wants to buy one too. Can you lend me some money?"
"Klee," Jean gently stroked Klee's forehead, "let's wait until your mother agrees before buying, alright?"
Klee smiled. Although Oshawott was cute and she wanted to take it home, she didn't want to trouble Jean over it.
Seeing Klee's innocent eyes, Diluc couldn't help but feel moved. "Alice might take a while to respond, why not make the decision for her?"
"Well..." Jean looked troubled.
Klee's backpack suddenly slipped, and a bomb rolled out, ready to explode.
In a flash, Oshawott's stomach inflated, and it shot out a Water Gun, extinguishing the bomb.
Jean and Diluc's expressions froze—thank goodness it hadn't exploded on the spot. Otherwise, the shop would have been destroyed, and the compensation alone would have been astronomical.
"Klee!" Jean held her forehead, exasperated.
"It fell out by itself! Klee wouldn't lie!" Klee wiggled innocently, looking at Jean with puppy eyes.
Diluc looked back at the defused bomb—turned into a dud by the sprite—how interesting these creatures were.
Jean thought carefully. This sprite could spray water, and if it followed Klee around when she sneaked out again, it might reduce the trouble she got into. It was better than worrying about her all the time.
So, Jean gritted her teeth and spoke to Diluc, "Senior, could you lend her the money for now? I left in a hurry and didn't bring enough with me. I'll have someone bring you the deposit slip later."
Diluc nodded, "That works. I'll be away from Mondstadt for a while. If anything happens, come to the winery. What about you, Jean? Should I cover it for you as well?"
"No need. I'll consider it after I return."
"Also, I'll need you to gather twenty Small Lamp Grass, Sergeant's Insignia, and Everflame Seed for me."
"Alright."
Jean also bought some basic energy cubes for Klee's Oshawott, then took Klee back to the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
After Jean, Diluc, and Klee left, some residents of Mondstadt gathered at the shop's entrance, watching and discussing the scene.
"Master Diluc spent thirty million Mora to buy a pseudo-legendary sprite! They say it's even more impressive than Dvalin!"
"Acting Grand Master Jean spent a fortune to buy Klee a talking plush toy?"
"Oh my, this Teyvat world has gone mad..."
The common folk, upon hearing these exorbitant prices, were immediately dissuaded. The novelty soon wore off, and they returned to their daily routines.
At sunset, Takashi closed the store, and a system notification appeared:
[Beginner Task Settlement Available]
The system name: Popularize Sprites in the Genshin World.
Alone in the land of Teyvat, with just one sprite shop, and surrounded by the Fatui, Abyss Order, and Treasure Hoarders watching with malice—to survive, one needed enough strength and capital.
With power to protect oneself and the sprite shop, and with capital for the foundational infrastructure of spreading sprites—such as a sprite center, nursery, and department store.
Takashi decisively clicked on settlement.
[Total sales exceeding twenty million Mora—complete. Rewards are being distributed.]
[Congratulations! You've received a Beginner's Tenfold Draw]
[Would you like to start the draw?]
As soon as the prompt sounded, Takashi made an immediate decision, "Draw, let me have some luck for once!"
He remembered back before the transmigration, spending tens of thousands of hours grinding for a five-star "wife," constantly hitting the worst-case scenarios and almost crying out of frustration.
The so-called guaranteed five-star beginner tenfold draw—it was all a scam!
But now, with the system, everything was different. He was the sprite creation god of Teyvat!
Arceus said so!
Treecko, Groudon, Kyogre, and the ancient sprites—all to the bowl!
No, bring Ho-oh!
Better yet, give me a Master Ball so I can capture Suicune.
The bottom line is Altaria!
"Shush shush shush..."
Takashi watched as nine purple beams of light and one golden beam shot up into the sky—that familiar feeling, a five-star "wife" was about to appear.
"Congratulations, you've drawn [Xerneas]!"
"Congratulations, you've drawn..."
Takashi stared at the golden text, hardly paying attention to what else he drew. This was a legendary sprite from the sixth generation—basically a mythical beast!
After the golden light flashed, it transformed into a purple Master Ball, seemingly already tamed. Takashi picked up the Master Ball and called out, "Come on out, Xerneas."
A deer-like sprite with eight antler-like branches on its head appeared.
Each antler was beige, adorned with orange, red, purple, and blue decorations, contrasting symmetrically on both sides.
Takashi walked forward and gently stroked its antlers. "Pleased to meet you."
Xerneas, who had just awoken after a thousand-year slumber, softly muttered and raised its front hooves slightly, a proud expression on its face.
"It's said that when Xerneas' antlers emit a rainbow glow, it grants eternal life."
"Cultivators would be drooling."
"Pleased to meet you."
Lost in thought, Takashi suddenly heard a gentle mature woman's voice by his ear.
Takashi looked at Xerneas, surprised. Its antlers were faintly glowing. "Was that you speaking?"
"Yes."
Takashi examined Xerneas closely.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" The voice remained gentle, still feminine.
"I'm thinking about what kind of energy cube I should feed you to lock in your loyalty. But, unfortunately, I don't have any super-level energy cubes."
"It's alright, I can make do with basic energy cubes."
So frugal—how could he not love it?