Genshin Impact: The Crit Archon

Aether stood in a sharp suit, its fabric fitting him perfectly, while Eula donned an elegant dress that accentuated her grace. They shared a moment, gazing into each other's eyes, feeling the weight of their shared journey.

Aether broke the silence, his voice soft yet firm. "Eula, when I said I'd stick by your side and face everything with you, I meant it. Remember that."

Eula nodded, a hint of a smile forming on her lips as she glanced down at Luminis, who was dressed in his own charming outfit. The young dragon boy fidgeted with excitement, oblivious to the tension between the adults. Eula turned her attention back to Aether.

"Yes, I remember," she replied, her tone steady yet laced with concern.

Aether sighed, a mix of anticipation and dread bubbling within him. "I didn't think I'd be joining some family power struggle meeting today."

Eula let out a resigned sigh. "It was Sairaorg's idea."

"Of course, it was," Aether muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "He's doing this on purpose. He's still mad at me for what happened."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Aether's voice was devoid of hate or anger. He understood the protective instincts of a brother and the complexities of family dynamics, especially given his own experiences.

Eula placed a reassuring hand on Aether's shoulder. "Sairaorg can be overbearing, but he means well. He just wants to ensure that you're worthy of being part of the Lawrence Clan."

Aether chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Worthy? I'm just a guy who stumbled into your life and somehow ended up with a dragon child. It's a bit surreal."

"Surreal is one way to put it," Eula said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But you've proven yourself time and again. Besides, you're not just a guy. You're Aether, someone who fights for those he loves."

The sincerity in her words warmed Aether's heart. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the upcoming meeting. "Alright, let's get this over with."

As they prepared to leave, Luminis tugged at Aether's sleeve, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Papa, are you really going to meet the family? Will they like me?"

Aether knelt down to Luminis's level, offering a comforting smile. "Of course, they will. You're special, Luminis. And if they don't, I'll make sure they do."

Eula watched the exchange, a mix of pride and affection swelling within her. "Let's go then. The sooner we get this meeting started, the sooner we can all relax."

With that, the trio set off towards the Lawrence Clan's stronghold, the air thick with anticipation and the promise of challenges ahead.

---

Upon arrival, the atmosphere was tense. The Lawrence Clan's estate loomed before them, grand and imposing. Aether couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intimidation. Eula sensed his unease and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"You'll do great," she whispered, guiding him inside.

As they entered, the clan members turned to observe them. Sairaorg stood at the forefront, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His presence commanded attention, and Aether felt the weight of scrutiny from the gathered nobles.

"Ah, the prince finally arrives," Sairaorg announced, his tone both teasing and serious. "And with the dragon, no less. You're in for quite a show today, Aether."

"Thanks for the warm welcome," Aether replied, maintaining his composure. "I'm ready for whatever your family has planned."

Sairaorg gestured for everyone to take their seats. "Let's see if you can survive the Lawrence Clan's unique way of family bonding."

Aether looked at Sairaorg, his brow furrowing in concern. "So, um, how many people are in this meeting?"

Sairaorg's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the situation. "Just the heads of each branch of the Lawrence Clan. As for Luminis, he'll just be with the other kids."

Aether's eyes narrowed as he considered Sairaorg's words. "How many branches are there?"

"Let's see," Sairaorg replied, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance. "Twelve head branches and forty-two minor branches."

Aether felt a tick mark appear on his forehead. "You're doing that on purpose, Brother-in-law."

"Of course," Sairaorg said, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I want you to truly appreciate what it means to be part of the Lawrence Clan. It's not just about being family; it's about dealing with a multitude of personalities, ambitions, and a bit of drama." He glanced over at Eula, who rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile.

"Wonderful," Aether muttered, shaking his head. "Just what I wanted to hear. I can't wait to be interrogated by twelve heads and forty-two minor heads."

Eula squeezed Aether's hand, her expression supportive. "You'll do fine. Just remember, they're all family, and they're protective. They might challenge you, but it's because they care."

Aether nodded, trying to absorb her words. "Right, family bonding and all that. Just like a friendly sparring match, except with more political intrigue."

Sairaorg chuckled, his voice booming in the quiet room. "You're catching on! Just remember to keep your cool. If you can handle a few questions, you'll earn their respect. And if you can impress them, it might just be worth your while."

Before Aether could respond, a figure stepped forward—a stern-looking woman with long, silver hair tied in an elaborate braid. "I am Seraphine, head of the Silver Branch," she introduced herself, her tone commanding respect. "I expect nothing less than excellence from you, Aether. If you are to marry into our family, you must prove yourself worthy."

Aether swallowed hard, sensing the weight of her expectations. "I understand, Lady Seraphine. I'm here to support Eula and protect our family."

Another voice chimed in, a jovial man with a thick beard and a warm smile. "And I am Magnus, head of the Bronze Branch! Just remember, it's not all about fighting. We value loyalty and camaraderie here."

"Great," Aether muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mounting. He glanced over at Eula, who looked back with encouragement.

"Don't worry," she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. "You have us. And remember, you're not alone in this."

Sairaorg clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Let's get started, shall we? We have much to discuss, and Aether here has a lot to learn about what it truly means to be a Lawrence."

The meeting commenced, and Aether found himself inundated with questions ranging from his past experiences to his views on family and leadership. Each head of the branches presented their perspectives, challenges, and expectations.

Aether listened intently, occasionally interjecting with his thoughts, carefully navigating the fine line between asserting himself and showing respect. Luminis was led away to play with the other children, leaving Aether with a strange mix of pride and worry.

As the discussions continued, Aether felt a sense of camaraderie building with the clan members, despite the initial tension. He realized that beneath the formalities, there was a genuine desire for unity among the branches.

Eventually, after what felt like hours, Sairaorg stood again, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Now that we've gotten the formalities out of the way, let's see how well you fight. Aether, step forward."

Aether's stomach dropped. "What? Right now?"

"Yes," Sairaorg said, a challenging smile on his face. "I want to see if you can back up your words with action. A friendly spar, of course."

The other clan heads murmured their approval, some excited, others skeptical. Aether took a deep breath, glancing at Eula, who nodded encouragingly. "You can do this."

With a determined nod, Aether stepped into the makeshift arena they had cleared in the meeting room. Sairaorg's smirk was almost infuriating, but Aether reminded himself of his resolve.

"Alright, then. Let's see what you've got!" Sairaorg shouted, his voice booming.

Aether summoned his energy, feeling the familiar flow of power coursing through him. "I'll do my best to impress," he replied, and as the fight began, he reminded himself that he was not just fighting for his own honor but for the family he had chosen to protect.

The clash of their abilities echoed through the room, setting the stage for Aether's true test among the Lawrence Clan.

Aether moved his sword to block Sairaorg's incoming punch, the clash of metal ringing through the air. A smirk played on his lips as he quickly countered with a swift kick aimed at Sairaorg's midsection. The larger man grinned, anticipating the move. He blocked it with his left arm, muscles flexing under the pressure.

In an instant, Sairaorg leaped into the air, slamming his fist downwards. A powerful blast of fire erupted towards Aether. Reacting quickly, Aether summoned a gust of wind to deflect the flames, his agility allowing him to jump away from the blast's trajectory.

"Water Magecraft, Water Blast!" Aether shouted, channeling his energy.

The system then spoke to Aether as Aether saw the screen only he can

[ Host has Crit on Magic, Damage has been multipled, 1 million Times Crit effect has been actived, Damage has been Multipled ]

The air shimmered as he cast the spell, and a massive torrent of water surged forward, crashing into Sairaorg. The impact sent him flying across the arena, his laughter echoing even as he landed in a roll, clearly enjoying the challenge.

Sairaorg got to his feet, brushing off the water. "I didn't expect you to use magic, Aether, but that did hurt! This is fun! Also, I should tell you, the Bael Clan focuses on lion taming," he said, his eyes glinting with excitement as he summoned two fiery lions from his Pyro Vision.

The lions roared, their bodies flickering with flames, ready to charge. Aether took a moment to assess the situation, realizing Sairaorg was not only strong but also had a flair for theatrics.

Meanwhile, in the audience, a girl with long black hair and wearing a striking green suit stood out among the onlookers. She looked somewhat out of place, her sparkly eyes glued to Aether's every move.

Eula noticed the girl's fascination and leaned in, curiosity piqued. "Is everything okay, Cousin Serafall?"

Serafall's eyes sparkled with excitement as she responded, "Your husband, Aether, is so cool! Where did you find him?"

Eula blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by her cousin's enthusiasm. "Uh, well, we… met in The Knight Of Favonius," she stammered, trying to process the sudden interest Serafall was showing in Aether.

As the two lions charged at Aether, he couldn't help but focus on the fight. He knew he had to be careful. "Alright, lions. Let's dance!" Aether exclaimed, raising his sword as he prepared to meet the fiery beasts head-on.

With a swift motion, Aether dodged the first lion, its flaming body grazing past him. He countered with a horizontal slash, using the momentum to launch a wind blast towards the second lion. It howled as the gust sent it spiraling off-course.

"Come on! Is that all you've got?" Aether teased, adrenaline pumping through him.

Sairaorg laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Not even close! You've got spirit, Aether! But let's see how you handle this!" He commanded the lions to attack again, their roars echoing through the arena as they lunged at Aether with renewed vigor.

Aether tightened his grip on his sword, channeling his energy. "Water Magecraft, Aqua Shield!" he declared, summoning a swirling barrier of water around him just as the lions collided with it.

The force of their impact sent sprays of water everywhere, and Aether used the distraction to push himself forward, slashing through the first lion with his sword. The magical shield absorbed the flames, but Aether could feel the heat radiating around him.

"Now, for the second!" Aether shouted, pivoting on his heel to face the remaining lion. Drawing from the strength of his crit system, he whispered, "Let's finish this!"

With a powerful thrust, he unleashed a torrent of water, amplified by his magic, that crashed into the last lion. It roared in surprise as Aether's attack sent it tumbling backwards.

From the sidelines, Eula and Serafall watched in awe. "He's incredible!" Serafall exclaimed, her admiration for Aether growing. "How did you get so strong?"

Eula smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "He's been training hard. Not just in combat but also with magic. He's dedicated to protecting us."

As the dust settled, Aether stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion. He looked over at Sairaorg, who was grinning widely. "Not bad, Aether! You might just fit in around here after all!"

"Glad to hear it," Aether replied, returning the smile despite his fatigue. "But I'm not done yet. Let's keep going!"

Sairaorg nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Bring it on! The real fun has just begun!"

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the onlookers cheered, eager to see what Aether would do next in his quest to prove himself to the Lawrence Clan.

Sairaorg's eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at Aether, determination radiating from him. "I guess it's time to use my Burst—my ultimate attack!"

Aether blinked, a sudden thought flashing in his mind. "Please don't let it be a Phoenix." The memory of Diluc's fiery transformation crossed his mind, and he shuddered at the idea of facing something similar.

"Balance Breaker!" Sairaorg declared, his voice booming.

Aether's instincts kicked in. Something about that term felt familiar, but he couldn't place it. As he began to prepare for the impending attack, he quickly turned his focus inward. "Um, System, what should I do?"

The familiar golden screen of the Crit System materialized in his mind, offering guidance amid the tension.

[You have two options:

1. Use a powerful Barrier or shield magecraft, maybe even the elemental ones, while at the same time using your Anemo powers.

2. Use the 5th Through Magic Blue. Do this if you want to, but I'm 99% sure that it will open a Pandora's box of questions. Unless you choose to change a small part of reality, the world will just fix itself ]

Aether weighed the options. The first was straightforward and would provide immediate protection, while the second was a gamble—one that could have unforeseen consequences.

"Alright, let's play it safe for now," he muttered to himself, feeling a surge of resolve. "I'll go with option one."

Aether closed his eyes for a moment, centering his energy. The air around him began to shift as he channeled Anemo magic, feeling the wind swirl in response to his call. "Aqua Shield, Anemo Barrier!" he shouted, combining his elemental powers into a protective dome.

As he finished casting, a bright light enveloped him, and the barriers formed a vibrant shield of swirling water and air, shimmering like a crystal in the sunlight. He could feel the tension in the air as Sairaorg prepared for his ultimate move.

"Here we go!" Sairaorg roared, raising his fists high as flames began to gather around him.

With a burst of energy, he unleashed his Burst attack, flames igniting into a massive firestorm that took the shape of a colossal lion, roaring to life with power and ferocity. The fiery beast surged towards Aether, its eyes filled with the raw intensity of Sairaorg's strength.

Aether braced himself, watching the fire lion close the distance. "Now!" he commanded, pushing his magic to the limit.

The fire lion collided with Aether's barrier, an explosion of fire and wind erupting around him. The heat was intense, and for a brief moment, Aether felt like he was being engulfed. But the barriers held firm, absorbing the impact and swirling the flames harmlessly away.

"Is that all you've got?" Aether yelled over the roar of the flames, determination in his voice. He felt the adrenaline coursing through him, the thrill of battle pushing him forward.

Sairaorg's expression shifted from confidence to surprise. "Impressive! But you're going to need more than that!" He clapped his hands together, summoning even more flames.

With the fire lion still attacking, Aether thought quickly. He channeled the wind around him, infusing it with the power of water and creating a powerful cyclone that spiraled outwards. "Aetherial Storm!" he shouted, the winds carrying the water magic in an impressive torrent.

The cyclone clashed with the fiery lion, creating a spectacle of steam and light as the two elemental forces collided. Aether gritted his teeth, pushing through the intense heat, the storm absorbing the flames and converting them into harmless vapor.

Meanwhile, the crowd watched in awe, gasps echoing from the audience as they witnessed the battle between Aether and Sairaorg reach new heights. Eula stood alongside Serafall, eyes wide in amazement. "He's amazing!" Eula exclaimed.

Serafall nodded vigorously. "He's like a hero from a storybook!"

As the cyclone gradually diminished, Aether found an opening. "Now's my chance!" he declared, gathering the remaining power of his Anemo magic into his sword.

With a swift motion, he lunged forward, slicing through the dissipating flames of Sairaorg's attack and closing the distance between them. "This ends now!"

Sairaorg, still reeling from the power of his own attack, could barely react. Aether's blade gleamed with energy as he struck, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the arena.

The impact resonated like thunder, and Sairaorg staggered back, eyes wide with admiration. "Alright, you've got my respect, Aether!" he admitted, breathing heavily.

As the dust settled and the spectators erupted in cheers, Aether stood tall, catching his breath. "I'm just getting started!" he declared, feeling a rush of exhilaration.

Eula stepped forward, pride glowing in her eyes. "You did it, Aether! You proved yourself!"

Serafall grinned, bouncing on her heels. "You were incredible! You've got to teach me some of those moves!"

Aether chuckled, glancing back at Sairaorg, who was nodding in approval. "Anytime you want, I'm happy to help!"

With a newfound camaraderie between them, the tension in the arena transformed into excitement, paving the way for the next chapter of their journey in the Lawrence Clan.

To be continued

Hope people like This Ch and sorry for not uploading yesterday and the day before, but enjoy this