In the old observatory, a faint aroma wafted gently through the air.
Looking up at her smiling master, Mona took a deep breath.
"Alright, alright," she said, pulling her hand away. Tossing her hair, Mona added, "I knew you wouldn't just make food for me out of kindness, you stingy old lady."
"But since I've eaten your food, I'll agree to this task."
With a confident smile, Mona tilted her head proudly and declared, "And to think you'd claim you don't expect me, the great astrologer Mona, to defeat your lifelong rival."
"That's simply unacceptable."
Slapping her chest, Mona proclaimed with determination, "Even if your rival Alice was a genius in all arcane knowledge, so what? I'll definitely defeat her heir and eventually surpass Alice herself."
The elderly woman chuckled gently, her eyes reflecting the stars above.
"Very well, I look forward to the day you surpass Alice," she said, her tone kind yet teasing. "Now, hurry and set off."
Waving Mona goodbye, she added, "And Mona, you're absolutely forbidden from peeking at the [Fifty-Year Agreement]. If you do, I'll be furious."
"Hmph!" Crossing her arms, Mona picked up her hat from the table. Turning towards the door, she smiled confidently. "Just wait for my good news, old lady."
Bang.
With a crisp sound, Mona closed the door and walked out, head held high. Looking at the setting orange sun in the west, she placed the hat on her head with a dramatic flourish.
"Hmph, stingy old lady. I'll make sure to amaze you."
Meanwhile, a streak of light shot across the sky above Mona, speeding towards Mondstadt. The glow disappeared as it left the lands of Liyue.
A cerulean light shimmered before her, as strands of water coalesced into a starlit veil of fate. Placing her hands on either side of the veil, Mona carefully divined the information she sought based on her master's instructions.
"The heir to great knowledge and lineage, a distinguished knight of the Knights of Favonius, just returned home from a distant journey."
"Hmm." Mona rested her chin on her fingers, furrowing her brows slightly. "She seems formidable, as expected from the heir of my master's rival."
"Even with my talent as the great astrologer Mona, I can only glean this much from her fate."
"But," she smirked, "that won't stop me. I'll uncover everything about your destiny!"
Stretching her hands over the cerulean veil, the small divination screen expanded several times in size. Staring intently, Mona's breaths quickened.
"Now, there's no escape for you!"
As the stars deep within the veil began to emerge one by one, Mona's expression grew increasingly tense and excited.
"It's coming into view! Almost there!"
Clenching her fists, Mona watched as the veil revealed silvery starlight that gradually became clearer. Suddenly, threads of golden light intertwined with the silver, filling the entire veil with a radiant glow.
"What?!" Mona exclaimed as the golden veil overwhelmed her vision. She instinctively dove forward.
Bang!
As she hit the ground, the golden veil exploded into shimmering mist. Mona clutched her forehead, wincing as she stood.
Looking at a tiny rainbow in the mist, Mona muttered, "I didn't expect to lose this round by a fraction. I acknowledge you, heir of my master's rival."
"But," Mona smiled confidently, looking towards Liyue Harbor, "I've still uncovered part of your fate."
"The sun, luck, and explosions."
"And I've seen who will lead me to you."
Stepping onto the shimmering veil below her, Mona declared, "Let's meet in Mondstadt. There, I will settle this once and for all!"
At the gates of Liyue Harbor, Mona emerged from the veil, drawing curious glances from passersby. Keeping her composure, she walked into the city.
Growl~
Her stomach grumbled audibly, and her confident stride faltered. Searching her pockets, Mona bit her lip.
"How careless of me," she muttered. "I spent all my Mora."
"That stingy old lady probably foresaw this. She sent me out here knowing full well I'd be broke."
Covering her stomach, Mona frowned. "And why was there no fish in that soup earlier? No wonder I'm hungry again."
Her eyes widened in realization. "That stingy old lady probably wanted the fish for herself! She only sent me to Mondstadt so she could enjoy it alone!"
"How infuriating!" she cried, stomping her foot on the wooden bridge, drawing the attention of the Millelith and passersby.
"Excuse me, miss," a Millelith soldier holding a White Tassel spear approached her politely. "Is there a problem?"
Blushing, Mona quickly stopped stomping and apologized. "I'm sorry. I just remembered something upsetting and got carried away."
"I understand," the soldier replied, nodding. "But this is Liyue Harbor's main thoroughfare. Please refrain from doing this again."
"Yes, yes, of course," Mona said, nodding quickly as the soldier walked away. She sighed in relief and patted her rumbling stomach.
"That old lady will owe me when I get back," she grumbled. "But what do I do tonight?"
Looking towards Liyue Harbor, Mona's eyes lit up. "Maybe I'll find that little Klee again."
"Even if I don't, fishing sounds like a good idea."
Nearby, Lumine and Keqing passed by, hand in hand. Lumine said excitedly, "Keqing, let's visit Wanmin Restaurant tonight. Hiroshi said Klee caught a giant fish called Haishan. They left plenty of fish at Wanmin Restaurant; let's try it out!"
"I've been craving it ever since I saw Klee's food photos in the group chat," she added, her stomach growling.
"Haha, let's hurry then," Keqing replied.
"Paimon wants a big bowl too! Paimon's super hungry!"
Watching them, Mona's eyes sparkled. "Found them!" she whispered to herself.