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On a sunny day, Lumine returns to Mondstadt. Albedo stands by the crafting table, holding his chin. “Ah, Traveler. Perfect timing. I haven’t made any progress at all with an experiment. Mind lending a hand?”
“Thank you, Lumine, for helping me with my experiments,” nods Albedo. “I’m struggling with a side project of mine: growing life on Dragonspine. Or we could always continue where we left off with my experiments on you. What’s your preference?”
Lumine and Albedo head to Dragonspine to create vegetation that could survive the harsh environment. Albedo poses, “We could either make a self-watering garden with Scarlet Quartz pipes to prevent freezing or try to synthesize an entirely new plant species. Your thoughts?”
Page 7) Synthesize new species
After a week’s worth of effort constructing and installing the Scarlet Quartz pipes, the garden is almost ready. “Now our last concern is protecting the flowers from monsters,” explains Albedo. “But what method would be best?”
Thanks to the monster repellant, the Frost Bearing Tree is surrounded by ethereal blue flowers. Seeing Albedo happy, filled with hope that the desolate Dragonspine could teem with life one day, is the best reward.
Unfortunately, a nearby Mitachurl broke through the garden’s barricade and trampled the flowers. Albedo is disappointed, but failure is only a pitstop on the pathway to success. Time spent with Albedo is never a waste. Time to hit the books and learn more from Albedo!
Albedo and Lumine’s repeated attempts to synthesize a new plant to survive DS winters end in failure. “I wonder if the corrosion is killing off the seedlings we create. We could add corrosion to boost its immunity to it, but that could backfire. It’s risky, but it could work.”
After planting the corrosion infused seeds, Albedo and Lumine let them grow. After a few days they came back to a field of Whopperflowers! At least they’re friendly. Task failed… successfully?
No matter what methods Albedo and Lumine try, no sprouts last for long in Dragonspine’s eternal winter. Albedo seems disappointed, but Lumine promises to stick by him. One day they’ll realize Albedo’s dream to make Dragonspine teem with life!
Albedo presents Lumine two different potions. “This red potion I developed to increase understanding of relationships. This blue one enhances hearing after I studied Kätzleins. Both highly experimental. Mostly safe.”
“That’s reassuring,” quips Lumine. Still which to choose?
“I’ve followed the steps from an ancient book to create a relationship potion. However, some parts are too faded to read. Our best estimate on the last ingredient will have to do. I have slivers of a Sumeru mushroom that induces visions. Or maybe ground up windwheel asters?”
“This is the first time I’m creating a potion to enhance one’s hearing,” explains Albedo, “so the exact formula is up for experimental trial-and-error. What would you think would be best? Add Kätzleins whiskers or ground bat meat?”
At first when Lumine drinks the potion, nothing happens. Then Lumine’s heart races and face flushes—it’s an aphrodisiac. Smirking, Lumine presses Albedo to the wall, trapping him with a hand. Strangely enough, Albedo doesn’t seem to mind.
At first when Lumine drinks the potion, nothing happens. Then Lumine’s face scrunches up and she starts crying. She wails, “I don’t understand why you never pay attention to me!” Albedo is at a loss. Perhaps once the potion's effects wear off, this could serve as an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart?
Much to Albedo’s and Lumine’s surprise, after Lumine drank the potion she grew cat ears! Intrigued, Albedo feels how soft the fur is. Lumine’s hearing hasn’t increased, but Albedo being so close to her… This outcome isn’t so bad!
After drinking the potion, Lumine’s hearing becomes so sensitive that every noise is physically painful. Apologetic, Albedo vows to watch over Lumine until she recovers. Being pampered for once is actually kinda nice!
Lumine insists on Albedo taking a break for once. “Why not Sumeru?” she suggests. “I just came back from there, so I know all the sights. Would you like to head to the rainforest or the desert?”
Albedo and Lumine arrive at Gandharva Ville. There they meet Collei who asks, “I know you’re on vacation, but mind doing me a favor? Could you deliver a letter to one of our forest rangers in Sumeru City? It’s no rush, so you can wait until after you enjoy the rainforest first!”
After delivering Collei’s mail in Sumeru City, Albedo draws up an itinerary of places to visit. “I’d really like to stop by the Akademiya’s library at some point.”
Lumine suggests, “Or we can go wherever our feet take us!”
“I’m good with either. So where should we head off to?”
Albedo and Lumine head to the rainforest. Gasping, Albedo cranes his head up. “To think mushrooms could grow to be so large! And the fauna is quite mystical, too.”
During their trek, they find a campsite and tracks leading deeper into the forest. Which should they investigate?
While at the House of Daena, the Akademiya library, Albedo is accosted by researchers who recognize him. They implore his help with their papers. Lumine grabs Albedo’s hand and runs out of there. Quite the eventful trip!
Lumine and Albedo find themselves at Lambad’s Tavern. When the scheduled storyteller doesn’t show, Lumine cajoles Albedo into helping out. Lumine can never get enough of listening to Albedo’s stories and the other patrons enjoy it, too!
PAGE TWENTY-THREE - 11th Ending
While Albedo and Lumine investigate the campsite, Tighnari approaches. He had been patrolling the area. Together the three of them explore Sumeru rainforest and have fun sharing in its delights, all the while certain creatures watch them from afar.
PAGE TWENTY-FOUR - 12th Ending
Following the tracks into the forest leads Albedo and Lumine to Aranara! Albedo never saw one before and is at first overwhelmed by their requests to play games, taste their food, and play instruments, but soon he and Lumine have a magical time with them!
Albedo and Lumine head into the desert, hoping to explore some ruins. The oppressive sun bears down on them, but they’re still a long way off from ruins. Gasping, Lumine points. “Look, there’s a Sumpter Beast! I can try to tame it. Should I give it food or jump on its back to break it in?”
Lumine successfully tames the Sumpter Beast and they reach the ruins in record time. Once inside, they find themselves trapped in a room. “Don’t panic,” urges Albedo. “Look, there’s ruins on the wall. I could try deciphering them. Or we could try elemental powers on this device here.”
Lumine fails to tame the Sumpter Beast and now they’re even more hot and fatigued. Albedo points in the distance. “Did you see that? In between the two sand dunes. I saw something sparkle. It could be water!”
Lumine bites her lip. “But what if it’s a mirage? Should we go for it?”
PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT - 13th Ending
It seems like it could take years for Albedo to understand the runes. Hopefully not 100 years like Faruzan was! Actually, Lumine thinks, being trapped in a room with Albedo for an extended period of time doesn’t seem like too bad of a break…
PAGE TWENTY-NINE - 14th Ending
Solving the puzzle, Lumine and Albedo find a hidden room. Gasping, Lumine runs to the chest. Piles of mora, yay! And Albedo is preoccupied with the significance of historical scrolls. All in all quite the adventure!
Lumine reluctantly lets Albedo lead to where he thinks he spied water. It’s an oasis! “Race you to the water!” cries Lumine. Overjoyed, Lumine and Albedo jump into the water and, laughing, splash each other.
Albedo and Lumine continue to trudge through the desert sand, and just as they’re about to collapse, they hear a voice. “Is that… the Traveler?”
“Jeht!” cries Lumine.
After introductions, Jeht takes them back to the group of people she's visiting where they have a rousing feast!
