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Chapter Text

Zhongli had no idea how they ended up in the situation they found themselves in now. Well, he had a rough clue of how everything happened but not what was happening at the current moment. Why were there two adults and a bunch of teenagers dressed up in funny costumes looking at them with fighting stances.

Let’s go back to where it all started. Venti had followed the light breezes that encouraged him into any and all adventures from Mondsdadt all the way to Liyue, where he hoped to hang out with his old friend. Once there, both of them had agreed on paying the Electro Archon a little visit, after all, the Sakoku decree had been lifted and so had the vision hunt decree, which meant that the God of Eternity had come to terms that the way of eternity she hoped to achieve was simply childish and put a stop to all of it.

Knowing that the kagemusha was very strict with herself, they hoped to be able to lift some of the regret that she felt for stealing the ambition of many of the vision bearers in her nation and trapping her people in the islands that formed Inazuma.

Once there, they managed to willingly take (drag) the kagemusha outside Tenshukaku, the three gods went for a stroll in Chinju forest.

Venti, the one leading the trio, was jumping around, observing the flora of the forest while letting the wind guide them. “Barbatos, do you have any clue on where we are going?” The electro archon questioned. She was still familiar with the landscapes of her nation even after all those centuries inside her plane of Euthymia, but she had never been one to venture into Chinju forest, as it had no appeal to her. It was her friend, Kitsune Saiguu that came into the forest to play with her friend.

“Nope!” Venti answered, happy tone never wavering. Zhongli sighed and Ei glared towards the back of the head of the wind-borne bard. Venti could feel himself sweating. “Then why are you the one leading us Barbatos?” Zhongli asked. Venti turned around, spinning. He had a wide smile on his face. “I’m not, the wind is!” As if on reflex, the Geo Archon face palmed. “I should send a boulder in your direction.” Venti sweatdropped. “Please don’t.” He said, laughing nervously.

The god of freedom spun around, feeling a light breeze redirection him. He pointed his finger towards the new path like a child. “That way!” He said, happily running off. “...I will hit him with a boulder.” Zhongli said. “I don’t think that would work.” Ei sighed out, following the elder god to make sure he wouldn’t wreak havoc in her nation. Zhongli followed both of them, to make sure that they did not end up creating an elemental reaction and causing a storm that would make people run for their lives. He was so glad that the Hydro Archon wasn’t there, or else it would be a full on storm.

Venti abruptly stopped, causing the other two to halt. “What is it Barbatos?” The Electro Archon asked. “Well, Ei, I’m sure you’re familiar with Warp Holes, you know, like the one that leads you from Mondsdadt to Musk Reef.” He stated. “..Yes, get straight to the point.” She demanded. “Was there always a Warp Hole over here on the ground?” The God of Freedom asked. The other gods looked at the floor, noticing the swirl of black and purple, with white dots that appeared to be stars on it.

By the look on the Electro Archon’s face, she had never been notified of the existence of such portal in the middle of the forest they found themselves in. “I never knew this Warp Hole was here. Maybe it is linked to the one at Jinren Island and it leads to the Perpetual Mechanical Array?” She posed. Zhongli shook his head. “I’ve never heard of two Warp Holes being connected. This one probably leads to a completely different location.”

Suddenly, Venti burst out laughing. The lighthearted laugh managed to irritate the Electro Archon somehow. “What is so funny for you to be laughing your leyline connections out?” She said, placing her hand on her hip. The Anemo Archon wiped a tear out of his eye and composed himself. “It’s funny how The Electro Archon knows nothing about her nation.” He said, smiling. That struck a nerve on Ei.

“You spend most of your godhood sleeping underground with an anemo seal protecting you or drinking at a tavern, what makes you think you know more about your own nation than I know of my own?” Venti took out his warbow. “You should watch your mouth Kagemusha.” Ei summoned her polearm. “I recommend the same to you, drunkard.”

Ignoring the childish fight that was happening behind him, Morax kneeled down, inspecting the Warp Hole. Passing his fingers through it, he noticed that the portal was growing in size as if trespassing it was a switch button for it to get bigger.

Morax got up, placing a boulder in the middle of the fight, geo energy emitting from it. Venti, in the ready to create an anemo vortex and Ei, in the middle of taking her sister’s sword from the interdimensional pocket on her breast both stopped and looked at the Elder God with annoyance.

“Is something the matter Morax?” Ei questioned. Venti, less polite, also showed his uncomprehension for having the fight stopped. “Yeah, why did you stop us old man?” Morax, looking rather stressed, answered. “Sorry to end your petty fight-” Venti argued, saying that it was not petty “- but the Warp Hole is growing-” Just as he finished giving out the warning, the wormhole reached their feet, making them fall through it.

Back to where this story began, Venti and Ei were bickering in the background while Zhongly looked around the room of teenagers. After that, he ispectioned the establishment they found themselves in. It was like a round dome, with various different planes with different natural disaster themes scattered around the place, all thrown in a disastrous cacophony of horribly customised landscapes. It looked way worse than the first time he went into the traveler’s teapot, and that’s saying much. Zhongli thought. He shivered at the memory of the horribly decorated teapot, it was much better now, thankfully.

“What are you doing here, villain?” Zhongli looked at who had spoken. A spiky blond haired kid with a black mask on his face. “Keep quiet.” The older man told the teen, eyes glowing red while his hair floated above him. Zhongli pulled Ei and Venti by the hair, making them stop their childish bantering. “I think you are mistaken we are not villains-” “That’s what every villain says!” THe same kid said. “Keep quiet Kacchan..” A green haired kid hushed his classmate. “DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO DEKU, I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Venti looked at the kid with distaste. “Shut up.” The older man said again. He looked back at the gods, signaling for them to explain. “We were having a stroll through the forest when we noticed a Warp Hole, old man here went to touch it and now we’re here.” Venti explained before Zhongli could say anything.

The black haired man signaled for the other adult, a malnourished blond man to call someone, he quickly excused himself, leaving the place. “While the police don’t arrive for you to explain yourself, we’ll have you restrained so that you don’t try anything funny.” The God of Freedom let out a long and loud whine, already against the idea of being restrained. Zhongli hit the top of his head.

Chapter Text

Venti tugged at the gray bounds that held his hands together. He pulled with more force, subconsciously adding the power of anemo to his hands. “Barbatos, stop it, we do not need conflict.” They were sitting on the stairs, gray fabric binding their hands together while the teenagers stared at them curiously, too afraid to question them.

Venti whined, leaning back. His decline accidentally made him fall down onto the floor, his head hitting the concrete. “Ow…. Why can’t I just rip this thing apart? It’s so annoying and besides, if they try to attack us, Ei can hit them with a Musou no Hitotachi and we would be free to do whatever the heck we want!” Venti explained, jumping back up, the wind helping him.

The Electro Archon shook her head, refusing the proposal. “I shall not harm anyone with the Musou no Hitotachi unless they have lost a duel before the throne. And besides, I find it pointless to use violence against others unless they have provoked me.” She explained. The God of Freedom looked at her disappointingly.

“You call this-“ the Anemo Archon raised his binded arms “- not provoking us?” He looked at her incredulously. Zhongli nudged his shoulder, signaling for him to stop complaining. “I understand that you are against the idea of being restrained unwillingly but have patience Barbatos.” Venti whined. “But it’s so annoying! My braids are on my back and I can’t move them back to their place.” Venti explained, resting his head on Ei’s shoulder.

———

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Mina questioned, curious. “Who knows, why don’t you go see?” Jiro suggested. “What, are you crazy! I just go next to those cuties and listen in, it would be super weird.” The pink girl crossed her arms. “ Hah! So you admit that you are a simp for them!” Hagakure joined the conversation.

“Oh, come on! You can’t deny that they are super sexy, and besides, it’s not only me, look at Aoyama, he’s been drooling over them since they arrived!” Mina pointed at their shiny classmate. He did not seem to notice all the slander that was happening behind his back.

Momo sighed. “You’re all so irresponsible, I hope you don’t marry someone at first sight in the future.” Iida nodded, agreeing with her. Izuku just shrugged, joining the friendly chatting that was happening in between everyone.

All Might walked into the USJ with a member of the police, someone they had met before. He walked towards the newcomers, bowing down and introducing himself. “Greetings, I am Naomasa Tsukauchi and I’ll be the one interrogating you. I have been notified of the situation already and we would appreciate it if you let us escort you without any struggle, any objections?” The Geo and Electro Archons shook their heads, happy with the conditions, except for Barbatos.

The God huffed, unsatisfied. “I accept the conditions but take this thing from my hands before I break it myself!” Venti cried out. Naomasa looked at Aizawa, who shook his head no. “I apologise but we have to keep those on until we arrive to be sure that you won’t attack us.” Venti let out a very long ‘noooo’ but it was mostly ignored by his peers.

——

The three gods and the detective walked into a soundproof room, Aizawa and All Might lingering at the closed door, but not walking in. The door closed and the interrogation started.

“Please, sit down, make yourselves comfortable.” Naomasa said. The three Archons sat down, Venti grumbling about having his hands tied together. Naomasa sat down, organising the papers that were on his hands and placing them on top of the table near them. He cleared his throat, preparing himself to ask the strangers questions.

“You will be interrogated. My quirk is lie detection-“ The archons looked at each other, confused. “-so if you lie I’ll know. Let’s start with something simple. What are your names?” He asked. “My name is Thoma!” Venti said, testing to see if what the detective said was true. Naomasa shook his head. “That’s a lie.” Venti smiled, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, I know, I was seeing if what you said was true. Well then, people call me Venti.” The anemo archon said, testing a little more.

The detective nodded his head and looked at the other Archons expectantly. Zhongli hummed. So you could bend the truth to some extent. After all, people did call Barbatos ‘Venti’, but it was not his true name. Zhongli, humming again, answered “People call me many names, but I tend to go by Zhongli.” The detective nodded again, now looking at the Electro Archon.

“I’m Ei.” She said simply. The detective nodded once more before picking up a paper from the small mount on the table and checking it. “Where are you from?” Baal took it upon herself to answer that. “We’re from Teyvat.” The detective quirked an eyebrow but said nothing, meaning that it was true. “Last question, what were you doing inside the USJ?”

Zhongli, assuming that the USJ was the round dome they were in before, answered. “It was an accident, as we explained to your coworkers, I assume they are-“ Naomasa nodded. “- we were taking a stroll through the forest when we found a Warp Hole and after we went through it we were at what I presume is the USJ.” Naomasa nodded.

“Well then, sorry for the inconvenience. We will release you now and you are free to go-“ Venti stopped him before he could say anything else. “Wait! We kind of don’t know where we are and how we could get back to where we came from, could you help us?” He said, leaving both Zhongli and Ei surprised. “That was… surprisingly responsible of you Bar- Venti.” Zhongli praised. Venti puffed out his chest, smiling brightly.

The detective pondered for a bit before giving them an answer. “I’ll try and talk to Nezu, he might be able to help you, I cannot promise anything.” Ei bowed her head. “Thank you.”

He freed them from their bindings. As soon as Venti was free, he raised his arms and left the room in a hurry, shouting ‘woohoo’ through the corridors. Aizawa almost went after Venti if not for Naomasa stopping him from pursuing the god. He called the two heroes inside the room they were previously in, telling the gods to go get Venti and not to stray too far away from that area.

Once they got Venti to stop running away, the three Archons settled down near the door, sitting on the floor , silence filling the air. Venti summoned his lyre, strumming the chords along in a soft Fontanian tune. Zhongli played Theater Mechanicus (that he had taken out of nowhere), Ei giving him tips from time to time.

They stayed like that for some time, waiting for some kind of information about what they could do next. After some time, the three men exited the room. “We have been informed of your situation. We called Nezu and you are allowed to stay at UA in class 1-A until you have your situation sorted out.” Aizawa said. The Gods looked at each other, confused.

“Pardon me, but what exactly is UA?” Zhongli questioned. The black haired man rolled his eyes and explained. “UA is a highschool with different curriculums, but the most noticeable of them all is the Hero course, where you’ll be staying.”

Three seconds passed. “No! I’m not going to school, I’ve had enough people telling me that it’s a prison to know that I don’t wanna go there!” Venti argued. Zhongli smacked his head. “Even though Venti’s reason is… childish, I believe that he’s right, aren’t we a bit too old to attend highschool?” Ei stated. “You’ll have to bear with us. You do not need to attend school as students but it would be recommended that you do, you’ll be able to live in the dorms and have everything you need provided to you until you solve your situation.”

Zhongli pondered for a moment before agreeing. “I suppose it’s a fair contract, we do accept your conditions.” Aizawa nodded. “Well then, let’s take you to the principal of the school, Nezu, and he’ll tell you the details of our agreement.”

Venti hugged Ei and sulked into her chest. Ei, albeit hesitantly, wrapped her arms around Venti. She sighed loudly at the childishness that the older god was exhibiting. “This is going to be a long day…”

Chapter Text

Venti looked around the cupboards for a wine cup that he could use. They had been taken to UA and assigned their dorms where they would be living until they sorted their situation out. Zhongli was the one who offered himself to talk to the principal of the school on their behalf while Ei and Venti were left to explore the building that they would be staying in.

Snatching a clean wine cup, he poured liquid into the cup from the red wine bottle that he had managed to get after telling some tales to Charles, the usual bartender at the Angel’s Share. He swirled the drink around, looking at its red color and sighing. It was not his favourite but it would do for now.

Entering the living room, he looked at Ei who was playing the Theater Mechanicus that Zhongli had brought. She looked at him, then at the cup of wine on his hand and sighed. “Where did you get that from Barbatos?” Venti smiled, swirling the cup in his hands. “That’s a secret.” He put his finger to his lips in a hush movement. Ei looked at him incredulously. “You are a bard not a magician now spill.”

Venti rolled his eyes, taking a sip from his cup. “You’re no fun. Alright then, I sometimes perform to people and they give me free things.” Ei sighed, returning to her game. Venti plopped down on the loveseat opposite of her, staring at the gameboard that was set on the coffee table. “What are you doing?” He asked. Without looking up from the game, the Electro Archon responded. “You have eyes, I think you know what I’m doing.” Venti rolled his eyes.

Venti gulped his wine, not taking his eyes off the game. Noticing a group of mini Samachurl and hillichurl pieces approaching the leaving point, he put his finger above their position, creating a mini vortex. The pieces were forced to stay put, the mechanisms hitting them until they were destroyed. He smiled at the tactic, raising his cup of wine to his mouth.

“That’s cheating.” Ei pointed out. Venti shrugged. “I saw the Acting Grandmaster Jean do it once and wanted to try it out. Besides, there was never nothing about stopping the pieces from going further with our visions, we just can’t destroy them by using elemental abilities.” Ei shook her head. “Still cheating.” She said, but did nothing to stop the other god from helping her.

They played other rounds like this, waiting for the Geo Archon to come back. Venti finished the bottle he had brought when Zhongli came into the room looking rather puzzled. The other two gods stared at him, concerned. Ei paused the game and turned her attention to Zhongli. “You ok Morax? You look a little bit….confused, and since you almost always know everything it’s weird to see you like this.” Venti asked.

“I spoke with a mouse. Quite weird. Talking dragons are not that uncommon, especially since most of them are gods, but a mouse?” He said, leaving both gods concerned. Shaking off his stupor, he focused on what his coworkers were doing. “Pardon me for what happened now. Are you playing Theater Mechanicus?”

“Yeah, wanna come and help us?” Venti asked. If Morax said he was fine, then he was fine. Zhongli nodded and joined the other gods in their game. Not too long after, someone knocked at the door and came in. It was a lady with navy black hair, looking to be in her mid thirties.

“Hello, I’m Nemuri Kayama but people know me mostly as Midnight. Aizawa sent me here to check on you and see if you needed anything.” Venti perked up from his spot, ready to ask for gallons of wine. “Do you perhaps have any dandelion wine?” She looked at the wind-borne bard confused. “Dandelion wine, the heck is that? How do you make wine out of a dandelion? Also, aren’t you too young to drink?” She said.

Venti looked like a kicked puppy, knowing that there was no dandelion wine wherever they were. Zhongli put a hand on Venti’s head, patting his hat. “Don’t mind my friend over here. Would you be so kind as to bring me some bottles of tequila please? Oh, and leave them in the mini fridge of the last room on the top floor.” Nemuri nodded, leaving the room.

Zhongli could almost see sparkles all over the place with how happy Venti was. “Thank you so much Morax, I owe you one!” He said, hugging the elder god tightly. Zhongli, annoyed, tried to push him away. “Yes you do, now get away from me.” Zhongli pushed some more but Venti didn’t budge. He sighed, stopping his struggle against the hug. Since when had Venti become so strong that he couldn’t push him away?

Ei laughed at Zhongli’s misery, unpausing the round of Theater Mechanicus.

—-

Venti laid asleep, head on Ei’s lap, feet on Zhongli’s. It was 4pm and if Venti was not drinking himself until wasted then he was performing or sleeping. Zhongli and Ei talked casually about the political problems of their nations while waiting for the teenagers they had met some hours before. The black haired man they had met a while ago - Aizawa his name - told them that the teenagers were going to be their classmates until they had found out a way to return from where they had come from.

Twenty minutes later, people started arriving, some gave them strange looks while others didn’t even notice them, too tired to do anything and walking straight to their dorm rooms. The pink energetic girl that they had seen before approached them, crossing her arms and setting them on the top of the couch, next to Zhongli’s head.

“So, we heard from Aizawa-senses that you were going to stay with us as classmates because of “confidential reasons.” She rolled her eyes. “Well then, I have a question,aren’t you a bit too old to be our classmates? Really, only she looks like our age.” Mina pointed at Venti.

Both gods burst out laughing, leaving Mina startled. “Uh, did I say something wrong?” Zhongli shook his head. “You’ve done nothing wrong, it’s just that Venti is male.” He said, smiling. Mina blinked. Once she understood what they meant, she flushed red, even though it wasn’t noticeable with her skin colour.

“Also I’ve been meaning to ask, if it’s not too rude. Why do you look like that?” Ei asked politely. “Oh, it’s my quirk!” The pink girl said cheerfully. Zhongli looked at Ei, signalling her something. Ei nodded.

“This chat has been pleasant but we are very tired and would like to return to our rooms. Farewell uhh-“ “Mina! My name is Mina.” She said, quite dumbfounded with the formal speech. She gave a bright smile as the archons got up, Zhongli carrying Venti on his back, and going into Zhongli’s room.

Once the door was closed, the two archons started to talk. “Do you think Barbatos theory is correct?” Ei asked, a frown on her face. “He said that jokingly, I’m sure, but maybe he got it right accidentally.” Zhongli confirmed.

“Well then, if we are in another world, then this may be way more complicated than we thought, especially since we don’t have our gnosis and Celestia can’t track us and bring us back.” Zhongli pondered for a bit. “Maybe we can do what the Traveler does? After all, he jumps from world to world.” Ei looked at her idol incredulously. “Yeah, let’s jump from world to world while travelling through space and time and hope that we don’t get lost along the way, that obviously makes a lot of sense Morax.”

The Geo Archon sighed. “It was just an Idea Ei.” Before The Electro Archon could retort, Venti got up, his sleep disturbed by the Archons petty fight. “What’s going on here?”

—-

Venti took a sip from the bottle of whiskey that Nemuri had brought into Zhongli’s dorm. “So you’re telling me that-'' another sip “- we are possibly stuck in another world and we can’t get out until they come look for us?!” Zhongli nodded. “No way. As much as I love Mondsdadt, I’d prefer to be stuck in another world rather than see the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles again.” He shivered when the name fell off his lips.

“Barbatos, none of us like the Her but you need to understand that it may be our only option to return.” Zhongli said. Venti crossed his arms and pouted. “I need to return to my duties as an Archon as soon as possible, Barbatos. While you are free to do however you like, I am not retired like you two.” Venti sighed.

“Fine, but if I lose my temper with her you both need to give me the finest wine you have!” He said, laying back down on the bed. The other two Archon’s sighed. “You and your booze Barbatos… I wouldn’t be surprised if you got angry at her on purpose.” Ei pondered for a bit. “Now the only problem that we have is.. how will we contact Celestia?”

“One problem at a time-“ Zhongli said. “-Let’s rest for now and think about that later.” Venti didn’t need to be told twice. He was already out of the door, bottle of whiskey left on the bed. “Good night!” He said, closing the door shut. The two gods listened to the footsteps directing to the other gods room until they faded away. “Barbatos doesn’t take this seriously, does he?” Ei questioned. Zhongli sighed. “No he doesn’t.”

Chapter Text

Venti tugged at the tie. Zhongli had done it for him as they were forced to use uniforms to attend school. They made some for their heights and sizes. Venti whined, undoing the tie. He decided there and then that he was going with the unmade tie around his neck, he refused to actually go with it made up as if he was some kind of businessman, it was too constricting.

It seemed as if the Electro Archon had the same idea, the red tie undone around her neck, looking more like some kind of ribbon left hanging there instead of being tied up or wrapped around like a scarf. Zhongli glared at them. The man was dressed up to the hair, not a single past of his clothing out of line. Venti shrugged and rolled his eyes.

Hey, it’s not my fault that you’re always so dressed up. I can’t handle it!” Zhongli was really inclined to send a boulder flying in the direction of Venti. “You fight wearing a corset, don’t go around telling me that a tie is too constricting! And you… Well, Baal, whenever you fight it looks like you're about to flash someone at any moment, at least get a bigger kimono.” Ei gasped in shock. “Well, it seems that someone wants to get hit with the Musou no Hitotachi today. Ehe, do you wanna get turned into Signora or something like that Morax?” Venti said, an innocent smile on his face.

“No, I’m merely stating a fact.” Venti made a cup float in the air before setting it back down again. He smiled again, pointing at Ei who was halfway into taking the Musou Isshin out of her breasts. “Too late.”

——-

To say they arrived late at school was an understatement. Zhongli’s previously immaculate hair was now dishevelled and he was panting. Ei’s shirt was open two buttons from the top, her tie still undone around her neck. She had her skirt ripped a bit. Venti looked just as he was that morning.

“Sit in the back , there are new seats for you there.” Said Aizawa from his yellow sleeping bag. They looked at him for some time before directing themselves to their assigned places. “He acts like Sayu.” Venti said, Zhongli looked at him confused. “You know Sayu?” Ei asked. “Yup, I saw her around the Irodori festival and Yae Miko told me some things about her.”

“Why would you want to know about her, I mean, I’m aware of her existence because she’s part of the Shuumatsuban and has a vision, but why?” The Electro Archon whispered. Zhongli still had no idea of who Sayu was. “Well, as you said, she has an Anemo vision, and I’m always interested in people with anemo visions.” He said happily. “Oh right, you don’t know who Sayu is, Morax.” Ei turned to him. “Well then, Sayu is a ninja working for the Shuumatsuban under the jurisdiction of the Yashiro commission, one of the tri-commissions of Inazuma.”

Venti giggled. “You should come to Inazuma more when you have the time.” Zhongli glared at him. “I was there visiting before we got roped into this mess, dumbass.”

——-

Morning classes ended and lunch break started. The archons looked at the teenagers talking and eating happily. Venti munched on an apple while Ei ate tricolored dango and Zhongli sipped his tea, both made by Venti on the Adepti stove. “Ah, kids. How innocent. Their freedom is something that deserves to be preserved.” Venti said, taking another bite of his apple. Zhongli hummed and Ei paid no attention to the bard while she enjoyed her dango.

Venti layed down onto the shade, letting out a content sight. “I could sleep right now.” He said. “Don’t.” Zongli advised. “Too late.” Ei said. Venti had his eyes closed, laying against the tree they were using as shade. His breath evened, meaning he was asleep. “He sleeps for thousands of years, how is he still tired?” Zhongli asked no one in particular. Ei shrugged.

——-

Hero classes were after lunch, everyone had changed into their hero costumes while Venti, Ei and Zhongli were in their usual attires. Some people eyed them suspiciously, others didn’t even bat an eye.

“What are we supposed to do again?” Venti asked. He hadn’t been paying attention to the instructions, still half asleep. “It’s a free lesson, we’re just supposed to train our ‘quirks’ or whatever that is.” Zhongli said. Ei observed as the split haired boy used his powers to make a mountain of ice. “I guess we just use our elemental powers.” “Oh, ok.” Venti said, before deflating, remembering what happened early that morning. “Oh no.”

——-

Not even twenty minutes and it looked like another archon war could start. (Even though it was just what the Archons would call “Friendly bantering”)

Lightning striked through the clouded skies. The clouds formed when Venti joined the fight after being hit with a meteorite on the head.

“I WILL HAVE ORDER.” “AH, RUN” Venti screamed, floating up in the air and avoiding the huge boulder from falling on top of him. Ei, as fast as lightning, left in a flash before the rock hit her. “Inazuma shines eternal!” “Time for takeoff.” An anemo vortex appeared. Once Ei’s burst was unleashed, it infused with electro, eliminating anything and everything that came its way.

“STOP.” The Archons stopped their petty fight, looking at who had spoken. Venti floated around in the air with his windglider, using the currents he made to propel himself into the air while sending anemo charged arrows left and right. Ei and Zhongli standed at the top of a rock that Zhongli had let fall down around five minutes before, Ei ready to strike Zhongli with the Musou Isshin while the older was in the middle of creating a jade shield.

“YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO KILL EACH OTHER AND THE ONES AROUND YOU, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO TRAIN.” All Might shouted. Venti looked at him confused. “But we aren’t even training? You can call this a warm up.” He said, gliding down. Ei and Zhongli followed him, jumping down the rock and joining him.

The look on All Might’s face was of pure shock and horror. How could they be so powerful? “Yeah, that was around 1% of our power.” Ei explained. They had realised that the laws of their world regarding Celestia didn’t work that well. Even without their gnosis, they were as powerful as they were during the Archon War, or Khaenri’ah, in Ei’s case. They could still see the elements with their elemental visions and use their elemental powers though.

The three Archon’s turned around, hearing a thud. Mineta had fallen over and blacked out due to fear. The rest of the students were speechless. “Oops.” Said Venti.

Chapter Text

—-

Albeit difficult, the atmosphere in the classroom returned to peace. After the training grounds got… run down (absolutely pulverised) by the show the Archons had made earlier, everyone returned to the classroom to have theoric lessons rather than practice ones. Even though class 1-A had become weary, they relaxed when they saw that their three new classmates had made no moves to hurt them.

Two lessons before the end of the school day, Venti started sulking on his seat, the other Archons getting up from theirs and checking on the alcoholic while the next teacher didn’t show up. “What is it with you now Barbatos?” Zhongli asked, a little meteor circling him before disappearing into thin air.

“I don’t want to do this anymore!” He cried out. He raised his head from the table and sighed. Who knew school could be so hard? “Oh come on now, it hasn’t even been a full day.” Ei said, hitting the top of his head. “Attaa.. No need to hit me so hard..” Venti said. Ei simply chose to ignore. “I know how the Akademyia works so I thought I knew what to expect but this is even worse! How do those Haravatat and Amurta students even graduate without giving up? It feels as if I was trapped in a cage.” He complained, pouting and crossing his arms over his chest.

The Geo Archon shook his head. “I don’t think that Haravatat students focus their thesis in this field of knowledge. I don’t think any of the Darshans actually focus on maths except for maybe Kshahrewar, though it’s mostly technology if I remember correctly.” He said, casting a glance at the board covered with numbers. Everyone in Teyvat had a basic understanding of maths. Whether learned outside while exploring or inside by parents or relatives, it was a skill everyone would need for life. The Akademyia was for the gifted ones who possessed more knowledge than the Akasha Terminal, and only the best of the best could enter. When Venti thought of Lisa, the, for the most part, nice librarian that used to be a scholar in Sumeru, he could only think of how quickly she could solve whatever was on the board. To him, it didn’t really matter, the wind whispered to him all the answers for his curiosity and that was enough.

“Though I usually don’t agree with the bard-” Ei pointed to Venti “- This place is really unamusing. Even those intricate machines that the Fontanians like to make are more interesting. But-” She turned abruptly to Venti, who paled and gave a smile to the Electro Archon. “- You shouldn’t be throwing tantrums left and right Barbatos, it looks like you’re more of a child than an Archon.”

Venti shouted a ‘hey!’ in protest but the next teacher had already entered the room and the gods all went back to their seats. “Oh please, Celestia above, I know I haven’t been the best Queen in your Chess game but please bring me back to Teyvat! I’ll even accept it if you bring me to Murata and make us fight!” Venti pleaded to the skies above, looking up to the ceiling. Unfortunately his prayers weren’t answered and only brought out some weird looks from his new classmates and teacher and unamused looks from his fellow Archons. He put his face on his hands and started sulking again. “Even listening to Lesser Lord Kusanali’s lectures through the Akasha is better, or the freezing cold of Dragonspine. I should just wipe off that mountain when I have the chance..” He muttered the last part to himself. Zhongli, who was just next to him, sent him a weary glance. ‘Right, Teyvat terraforming bit is over, I sure as the Abyss don’t want to listen to the Hydro Archon’s scolding again, she never ends and I always fall asleep.’ He thought to himself as he propped an elbow on the table and leaned his face against his hand, sighing again.

This was gonna be a long lesson.

—-

Venti kicked his shoes off and laid on the bed, grabbing his lyre, treating it with such delicacy as if it were a baby. Strumming it with no apparent tune, he sighed in satisfaction. “Ah, my sweet lyre, how much I missed you.” He said to no one in particular. Soon, the mindless strumming turned into well timed notes that formed an entire music, the wind-borne bard started singing his heart out, a long gone music coming to the tip of his fingers and tongue and his body moving with it.

Oh, how much he missed Mondsdadt, the music always echoing through the streets, the grumbling Diluc at the Angel’s Share Friday night shift, urging him to get out after closing time though never throwing him out, ending up always bringing him to the Dawn Winery with him. The always worked out Jean who he ended up lulling to sleep with his songs after a hard day of work, the ever so devoted Barbara who never stopped praying, making him feel bad for not being the Archon his nation deserved. The unlucky Bennet, who he always found in the weirdest situations. How he missed the lunches Sara from Good Hunter always offered him for free when she saw him on the streets that he always accepted even though his body didn’t need to eat. Noelle who was either reading at the Knights of Favonius library or helping people in the city without asking for anything in return. Amber, the energetic Outrider who was always lending out a helping hand to everyone. Fischl, the little girl who never disclosed her real name and he often trained with, aiming for the targets, how he’d let her win when in their little competitions just to see her happy face and Oz’s, the raven always beside her, approval nod. How he missed playing to Xiao when he was sad or afraid, though never saying anything about his presence when he was at the Stone Gate. He missed singing at his statue late at night when he didn’t feel like going to the tavern. He missed that and so much more and it hadn’t been even a day. Oh, how the chains of relationships kept him from his absolute freedom, yet he refused to let go of them.

The flow of song and tune stopped as the door abruptly opened. He expected his fellow Archons but got surprised when a girl with pink skin and yellow eyes with black sclera burst into the room with a bright smile. “Hello! We’re playing truth or dare and your friends already agreed so I thought you’d like to come too!” She said, bouncid at the door but never coming in the room recently decorated with cecilias dandelions and windwheel asters, the smell of Valberrys all over. Of course Venti always had his nation’s specialties with him at all times!

The girl sniffed the soft aroma in the air but said nothing, keeping herself at the door. “The old man and Ei accepted? Then sure, why not. A game is always fun!” He said, smiling. He got up from the bed and walked over to the door, leaving his lyre on the bed. The two energetic teens (one of them actually a god) walked from the room to the living area, smiling brightly at each other but not forming a full conversation.

—

“Ok, Uraraka, spin the bottle!” The brunette did as told, spinning the bottle. It slowed down and landed on Ei, who hadn’t understood the concept of this mortal game. “Uhh- Ei right? Truth or dare?” Ei looked at the two archons subtly who either looked away, not knowing what to do either or gave her a mischievous smile, not saying anything else. “..Dare.” She said after a while. Uraraka pondered for a bit before her eyes flashed with inspiration and she raised her head. “I dare you to cook snacks for us!” She said. While she would prefer if Sato made them, he headed early to his room, complaining of a headache.

The Electro Archon paled and looked at the floor. Thank Celestia above that the design of the puppet wasn’t made to blush or else she would be as red as a pyro slime. “I- shall not respond to that command.” She mumbled, sounding devastated. Venti, not being able to hold in his laughter anymore, fell to the floor as he laughed his lungs out. Not even the glare Ei gave him made him shut up. “I-I can’t this is s-so f-hunny!” He said in between his giggles. The Electro Archon would have returned to her Plane of Euthymia and completely shut out the outside world for another five hundred years if it weren’t for the warning glance Zhongli gave her, signalling that that wouldn’t help their situation at all.

The 1-A students looked dumbfounded at Ei, who apparently couldn’t cook. Wanting to get out of the awkward situation, Zhongli spoke up. “How about we stop this.. Have any of you ever played Theater Mechanicus?” Almost everyone shook their heads. “Genius Invokation TCG?” Venti, who was back from his laughing fit, asked. Everyone shook their heads again. Venti looked at them incredulously. “Looks like we have some teaching to do… Which one do we start with?” He asked the older Archon. “Theater Mecanicus since that’s the only one we have right now.”

“I’ll go get it.” Ei said, raising from her seat and going back into the dorm room area. “This sure is gonna be fun..” Zhongli said sarcastically. “Since when did you grow balls old man?” Venti asked. “Mind your language, you alcoholic.” He retorted