Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino

Seeing that Arlecchino was done with her questioning, Lu Li, knowing he now had a new mission to keep him busy for the next few days, prepared to take his leave. He had been busy all day and needed rest.

But just then, Arlecchino suddenly spoke, stopping him. "Wait. Now that I have the chance, let me ask you: who taught you the method of elemental manipulation you were practicing in the training ground this afternoon?"

Lu Li was startled. He realized that since he had spent the entire afternoon training, it was not surprising that Arlecchino had seen him.

"It was Clorinde who taught me," he said. "She gained her Electro Vision during a duel as a Champion Duelist. Her development of elemental power has reached a very high level. That's why I chose to ask her for guidance. I spent the afternoon practicing according to her methods and made good progress."

Arlecchino said flatly, "I thought you would come to me. Never mind. So, how far has your progress with elemental manipulation come?"

Lu Li felt a bit awkward, having sought help from an outsider instead of the person closest to him. But he was relieved that she didn't seem to want to pursue it. "According to her explanation, she divides the levels of elemental proficiency as follows—"

"The most basic is elemental release, the advanced version is elemental infusion, and the master level is large-scale elemental burst attacks. Above that, in her judgment, there are two more advanced paths."

"One is large-scale elemental shaping, forming objects or animals to attack the enemy. The other is to merge elemental power with one's own martial arts to a state of perfect unity, returning to the essence to achieve the ultimate annihilation."

"When I first unlocked my power, I already had the ability to perform large-scale elemental bursts. I was just not as good at fine control as other experts of the same level. However, after an afternoon of practice with her notes, my proficiency has improved a lot."

Arlecchino's eyes flickered. "Show me. To what extent can you control your elemental power now?"

"Here?!" Lu Li asked nervously.

"Of course. But don't misunderstand. I only want to see your fine control," Arlecchino said calmly.

Lu Li paused, remembering the scene from earlier—the rose made of her own flame. He certainly couldn't achieve such an exaggerated level of elemental shaping. Such lifelike mimicry was not something an ordinary elemental user could accomplish. But he had an idea of how to demonstrate his current level.

He looked around the room and his eyes fell on the decorative swords hanging on the wall. After receiving a nod of approval from Arlecchino, he walked over and took one down.

The next moment, as he began to chant, Arlecchino immediately felt the disturbance in the elements in the air and raised an eyebrow. As a descendant of the Crimson Moon, with the power of fire flowing in her veins, and possessing both a Pyro Vision and a Pyro Delusion, sensing the movement of Pyro elements was second nature to her. She understood exactly what was happening with Lu Li's power. It wasn't his own talent, nor was he channeling elements through a Vision or Delusion. He was communicating with and exciting them through language?

Arlecchino's gaze sharpened as she watched Lu Li complete the Pyro infusion on the sword in his hand. "Well done. Worthy of praise. Elemental infusion is not an overly advanced skill, but being able to do this proves you have passed the beginner's threshold. Combined with your previous report that your elemental burst can destroy a factory, your current strength has officially reached the 'Elite' rank."

Lu Li was stunned.

Arlecchino continued coolly, "Your friend Clorinde's classification of elemental strength is a bit general, but the basic idea is correct. As for the actual ranking system, it was established by 'The Jester' at the founding of the Fatui and disseminated throughout the ranks. There's no harm in telling you now."

"An 'elemental user' is a general term for those born with elemental abilities, Vision holders, Delusion holders, or those who wield weapons that can channel elemental power. According to the Fatui's military ranking, they are divided into five levels: [Fledgling], [Elite], [Commander], [Harbinger], and [Archon-level]."

"Your control of Pyro allows you to perform elemental infusion and bursts powerful enough to collapse a factory. The rank of 'Elite' is well-deserved," Arlecchino said flatly. "So, Lu Li, let me ask you: do you pursue power for its own sake? Or do you see it as a means to an end, like Lyney, who uses it merely as an embellishment for his magic tricks, to pave the way for his strategies?"

Lu Li paused, then said softly, "I... I am probably the type to pursue power. But I will not lose my fundamental humanity or abandon the things I hold dear because of it."

Arlecchino fell silent. Lu Li's heart remained heavy. He didn't know why she had asked, but he had added the latter part of his answer to prevent her from making him an offer he couldn't refuse. It seemed she was lost in thought. Was she thinking about her own past?

After a moment, he felt her gaze return to him, and he quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Lord 'Father,' by that ranking, does that mean all the Harbingers are at the 'Harbinger' level of strength?"

"Not just that. The top three Harbingers have surpassed the 'Harbinger' level and reached the 'Archon-level'," Arlecchino said coolly. "And even within the same rank, the difference in strength can be vast."

Lu Li's eyes flickered. "Mm... then, how is one judged to have advanced in rank?"

Arlecchino looked at him for a long while. "It's a bit complicated to break down, but I have a rough theory. When your elemental power can affect the weather, you have reached the 'Commander' threshold. When your full-power burst can cover or destroy a small valley, you have reached the 'Harbinger' threshold. And when you can fully release your elemental power to form a separate space, a 'Domain' that seals everything, you have reached the 'Archon-level' threshold."

"What, are you so interested in becoming powerful?" Arlecchino asked with amusement.

"Ahem, just as a soldier with ambition wants to climb the ranks for more glory," Lu Li said, "since I've started down this path, I want to know where it leads."

"Very reasonable," Arlecchino said, taking a sip of her tea. "You are very different from Lyney and the others. They do not walk the path of pursuing power. Among the children, you are the only one who has shown your ambition and desire so openly before me."

Lu Li was taken aback.

Arlecchino then pulled open a drawer, took out a folded set of clothes, and placed it on the desk. "But that is a good thing. It proves I was not mistaken in my judgment of you, and you have not disappointed me."

Lu Li's breath caught in his throat as he saw the uniform pressed down by her black hand, its fingertips adorned with red nail polish.

It was... a Debt Collector's uniform! Along with the matching weapon and a Pyro Delusion! Could it be...?

"Here. This is the other reason I kept you behind. Since you have proven your worth to me, I will not be stingy in rewarding your will to pursue power."

Lu Li met Arlecchino's crimson, X-shaped pupils and fell silent for a moment. "So, you want me to become a Debt Collector and wield the power of a Delusion?"

"It's just another identity. You will still report directly to me. Is there a problem with that?" Arlecchino asked coolly. "Besides, since you pursue power, a Delusion is a necessity for you."

Lu Li scratched his head. How could a Delusion, which severely drains a person's lifespan, be a necessity? But he was in no position to refuse. He sighed inwardly and prepared to take the uniform.

Seeing his complex and slightly disgusted expression, Arlecchino paused, then said flatly, "You're thinking... you can already control elemental power, so why am I giving you a Delusion, correct?"

Lu Li froze. He then saw Arlecchino take a pendant from her suit pocket. The crimson gem and the insignia on it clearly marked it as a Pyro Delusion.

"As you can see, I not only hold a Vision and was born with the ability to control fire, but I also requested this Delusion and carry it with me, occasionally activating its power. Why do you think I do that?"

Lu Li was completely bewildered. He looked at her, then shook his head blankly.

"Because there is more than one way to channel elemental power. By channeling the same element in different ways, one can unleash even greater strength," Arlecchino said coolly. "Were you thinking just now that I, your 'Father,' would harm you, my 'child'?"

Hearing the slight anger in her tone, Lu Li's face changed. He quickly knelt on one knee and apologized profusely. "My deepest apologies! I did not know! Lord 'Father,' how could I ever resent you?!"

"Your expression just now said otherwise," Arlecchino said, rising emotionlessly from her chair. She walked around the desk and stood before the kneeling Lu Li. "It is precisely because you seek power that I am teaching you my method. Yet you seem ungrateful, even resentful?"

Lu Li's head was bowed, his back drenched in sweat. A single drop fell from his brow and hit the floor as he stared at the sharp-toed high-heeled boot just inches away. A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean, especially a high-ranking Harbinger's. He could only tremble, the years of training having beaten any thought of resistance out of him.

"A Delusion does indeed cause damage to the body, but that is for ordinary people. It overdrafts their bodies and consumes their lifespan as fuel. But for those who can already control elemental power, its harm is not so severe. As long as you control the duration of its use, aside from fatigue afterward, there is no risk of shortening your life."

"For those who wish to go even further, holding and activating a Delusion can bring more possibilities and a higher ceiling of strength. Now, do you still think I am trying to harm you?" Arlecchino asked, looking down at the kneeling Lu Li.

Lu Li shook his head vehemently. "I wouldn't dare!"

"Is that so? You understand your mistake now that you know the truth? Even so, your defiance and your mistrust have greatly disappointed me."

The next moment, Lu Li felt a soft sole press down on the back of his head. He was slammed face-first onto the floor. A foot clad in a black stocking pressed his cheek against the ground, contorting his face into a comical shape. Arlecchino looked down at the trembling Lu Li with indifference. "Do you understand your mistake now?"

Lu Li swallowed hard, his eyes catching a glimpse of the high-heeled shoe that had been kicked aside. "I... I was wrong, Father. It won't happen again," he stammered.

"Is that so? Good. But I am still displeased." Arlecchino kept her foot on his cheek. "Kneel, and lick until I am satisfied. That is your punishment."

"...Yes..."

(The remaining chapters will be provided in the next response due to length constraints.)

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