Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

"You did really well. Keep it up," Elliot praised again.

"Eula, how did you manage to make so many wave sounds with such a tiny thing?"

Amber was practically bouncing with excitement.

"It's not that hard."

"Teach me, teach me! I want to learn too!"

"Sure, I'll teach you tomorrow."

"Yay! Awesome!"

On the way back, the air was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter.

Before they knew it, they were home. Amber and Eula shared a bed, while Elliot slept alone.

...

The next morning.

As sunlight slowly spread across the sky...

"Hah...!"

Elliot sat up abruptly, eyes wide, panting hard.

"A dream..."

"That dream again..."

Plagued by karmic affliction, Elliot would often have nightmares.

And every time, the dream was the same.

Forget.

Forget everything.

He shook his head, trying to cast off the lingering images, then looked over at Eula and Amber.

Seeing them still sound asleep, he exhaled deeply and quietly stepped outside.

Behind the small house, he removed his sweat-soaked clothes and poured disinfectant over his back.

The sting of the solution on still-healing wounds felt like countless needles piercing straight into his bones.

He gritted his teeth, silently enduring the pain.

But just as he was struggling through the searing burn, his body trembled.

"Ugh..."

Elliot doubled over, collapsing to the ground and clutching his head, groaning in pain.

The karmic affliction.

That cursed force was invading his mind again, trying to seize control of his consciousness.

It always struck when he was at his weakest—because that's when it had the highest chance of success.

Now, his eyes were wide, his head pressed against the ground, his whole body curled like a shrimp.

He wanted to scream, but reason forced him to suppress the urge.

Face contorted, jaw clenched, he fought desperately against the encroaching corruption.

...

A pair of widened eyes quietly watched the scene unfold.

"Teacher...?"

As he came back to his senses, a familiar voice called from behind.

Elliot turned around to see Eula, her face filled with shock and anguish.

His back was covered in bruises, blue and purple, crisscrossed with cuts of all sizes.

Even his waist and torso were marred with wounds.

The sight left Eula completely stunned.

She had never imagined that Elliot could be this badly hurt.

Just last night, she'd naively assumed he'd only suffered a minor injury.

As his student, she knew how strong he was. She never thought someone like him could end up like this...

"So you saw it after all..." Elliot said softly as he slowly stood, forcing a faint smile.

Seeing that smile, Eula's eyes welled with tears.

She didn't understand what she had done to deserve such sacrifice from him.

She didn't understand what she could possibly offer him, for him to go this far.

She didn't understand why he cared so much about her offhanded words.

Tears streamed silently down her cheeks. She didn't know what to say, what to do—she could only stand there, crying.

"Don't cry. It's fine. Just a scratch."

Elliot gently rubbed her head with a warm smile.

But instead of calming down, Eula burst into louder sobs.

"Teacher..."

"Why... Why did you do this...?"

"Eula doesn't deserve this... I'm a sinner, a noble's descendant..."

"Everywhere I go, I'm hated. Why, Teacher...?"

"Teacher, I don't want the bone whistle anymore... Let's return it... Let's go buy medicine... get you treated..."

"Please, Teacher... Let's go to Mondstadt... I don't want the waves... I just want you to be okay..."

Hearing her words, pain filled Elliot's expression.

He gently stroked her short blue hair and wiped her tears.

"There, there. Eula, you're not a sinner. No matter what anyone says, to me, you're not. You're my best student—my only student."

"And the bone whistle can't be returned. It's a gift from your teacher. Keep it."

"I'm getting older, and one day I'll be gone. When you miss me, blow the whistle."

"Besides, I'm strong. These minor injuries are nothing. They'll heal in a few days. Don't worry."

"Come on, don't cry. Don't wake Amber. I don't want that little rascal worrying about me. She's at her cutest when she's full of energy."

At that, Eula covered her mouth. Though the sobs stopped, tears still flowed freely.

Elliot quickly got dressed—he didn't want Amber stumbling in and seeing him like that.

For others, Elliot always had endless patience and kindness.

But for himself—no matter how injured or burdened—he never said a word.

"Eula, remember this: no matter what others say or think, you are still you. Don't let anyone shake your thoughts or steer your will."

"Whether it's me, your family, or your future friends—anything we say, any suggestions we give, all come from outside your own heart."

"You should take in about eighty percent of what we say. The remaining twenty—leave that to your own reason, and make your own decisions."

"This life is yours. You should be the one steering it. We're all just passersby on your long journey."

"Because no matter how much people say 'it's for your own good,' it's always from their own perspective."

"And if their advice turns out wrong—if it fails—they won't bear any of the consequences. In the end, you'll be the only one paying the price."

"Eula, think carefully about your path. What you carry. How you survive. And the effort you've never stopped putting in."

With that, Elliot ruffled her hair and turned back toward the house.

Eula stood frozen, his words still echoing in her ears.

"My path... my way of survival... what I carry... the effort I've never stopped..."

She repeated his words under her breath.

The haze in her heart began to lift, and a clear path slowly came into view.

Her eyes lit up—as if she had finally found her answer.

"I will have my revenge."

She wiped away her tears and said it with unwavering resolve, her eyes shining bright.

...