[Start of the chapter] “Huh?!” Toki’s eyes lit up the moment he heard that.
A grin instantly spread across his face.
He was practically beside himself with joy.
“I knew it!” “How could someone who got transported to another world not have some kind of system or cheat ability?!” “And now it’s finally here!” He suppressed the excitement surging in his heart and hurriedly asked in his mind.
“System, tell me.
What exactly can you do?” [System Notice: After successfully binding a partner…] [The Host will permanently possess combat strength one level above that of the bound partner!] [Furthermore, the Host will obtain specially enhanced versions of abilities based on the partner’s own powers!] “Combat strength one level above my partner?!
“And I can even get enhanced versions of their abilities?!” Toki’s heart stirred.
He immediately thought of Furina, whom he had just bound as his partner, and couldn’t resist asking further.
“Then, since the person I’m currently bound to is Furina…” “What’s my combat strength?” [Successfully bound ‘Furina’ as Partner.] [Host has obtained Elite-Tier Mortal Combat Strength!] [Additional ability unlocked: Erosion-Proof ‘Curse of Immortality’!] Toki: “…” The moment he saw the system notifications, most of Toki’s excitement instantly vanished.
The smile on his face froze.
The good news was that his system had awakened.
He had even obtained a Curse of Immortality that would never be affected by Erosion, so he no longer had to worry about dying of old age.
But the bad news was equally obvious.
Furina had yet to obtain a Vision.
Her combat strength was still only at the level of an ordinary mortal.
In other words, his current strength was only one level above that of a normal person— An elite-tier mortal.
With that level of strength, here in Teyvat…
He probably couldn’t even defeat a Mitachurl.
Never mind powerful Vision wielders, gods, or adepti.
As Toki reached that conclusion, the way he looked at Furina instantly changed.
The teasing look in his eyes vanished without a trace.
In its place was determination—and the intense expectation of someone determined to see her become exceptionally strong.
He silently made up his mind.
If that was how things worked, then it was time to put Furina through some serious training!
He had to make her increase her combat strength as quickly as possible!
Only when Furina became stronger could he grow stronger alongside her and establish himself in Teyvat.
Furina immediately noticed the change in his gaze.
There was no killing intent in it.
No teasing, either.
And yet…
Looking at him somehow filled her with an inexplicable sense of unease.
Furina’s heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively took a step back.
Fear began rising inside her once again.
She knew it!
This guy really had come specifically for her!
Maybe he was even planning to use her for something!
Just as Toki was about to step forward and have a proper “talk” with Furina about increasing her combat strength— BANG!
A deafening crash shattered the silence of the room.
The wooden door of the suite was kicked open.
The door slammed into the wall with a heavy thud.
Even the crystal chandelier hanging inside the room trembled slightly from the impact.
Toki saw only a blinding flash of Electro.
A tingling numbness instantly spread throughout his entire body.
It felt as though he had been struck by an electrical current, leaving him completely unable to move.
Then, almost instinctively, he lowered his gaze.
A gleaming longsword was already resting steadily against his neck.
The cold blade pressed against his skin, sending waves of chill through him.
At the same time…
An exquisitely crafted pistol was pointed directly at his head.
The dark muzzle carried an unmistakably lethal threat.
That equipment.
That sharp, overwhelming presence.
Toki barely needed to think before realizing who it was.
Fontaine’s Champion Duelist and Furina’s personal bodyguard— Clorinde!
His eyes subconsciously shifted toward the person beside him.
His gaze landed on her tightly fitted uniform.
Then he noticed the button that looked as though it might burst free at any moment.
That made him even more certain!
Yep.
Definitely Clorinde!
Only she could be busty enough to stretch a uniform that tight!
Clorinde’s gaze was bone-chillingly cold, utterly devoid of warmth.
She first swept her eyes over Furina, who was huddled to one side.
Only after confirming that Furina was unharmed did she slowly speak.
Her voice was filled with guilt.
“Lady Furina, my apologies.” “I arrived too late and allowed you to be frightened.” After saying that, she turned her attention back to Toki.
Her gaze became even colder, and her voice seemed to freeze the very air.
“I don’t know how you managed to slip past layer upon layer of guards.” “Or how you entered Lady Furina’s room.” “But I’m afraid your assassination attempt ends here!” Faced with a sword against his neck and a pistol aimed at his head, Toki had absolutely no intention of resisting.
He understood his situation perfectly well.
Right now, he was only an elite-tier mortal.
Forget fighting an Electro Vision wielder as powerful as Clorinde.
Even an ordinary guard from the Palais Mermonia would be difficult for him to deal with.
Resisting would only make things worse for himself.
It wasn’t long before hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.
More than a dozen Fontaine guards rushed over after hearing the commotion.
Every one of them carried a weapon, their expressions grave.
They quickly surrounded Toki from every direction.
Madeleine, one of Furina’s trusted guards, strode forward.
She grabbed Toki by the arm, squeezing so hard that it almost felt like his bones would break.
Her voice was cold.
“You’re coming with us!” Toki didn’t struggle.
He allowed Madeleine to restrain him.
His gaze subconsciously shifted toward Furina.
Even now, his mind was still working.
He was already thinking about how he could explain everything to her later…
And how he could get her to cooperate with him so they could increase their combat strength.
Clorinde put away her weapons.
She quickly walked over to Furina’s side.
The coldness in her voice faded, replaced by concern as she carefully looked Furina over.
“Lady Furina.” “Are you all right?
Were you injured?” Hearing her voice, Furina suddenly raised her head.
When she saw Clorinde and all the guards around her, the fear on her face immediately disappeared.
She quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and straightened her back.
In an instant, she switched into “Hydro Archon mode.” Pride entered her voice as she loudly declared, “I…
I’m obviously fine!” “I am the mighty Hydro Archon!
How could an ordinary person without a Vision possibly hurt me?!” Clorinde frowned slightly.
There was a trace of confusion in her voice.
“But…” “Just now, while I was in the corridor, I distinctly heard you screaming for help…” (End of Chapter)