“Really? It’s a deal, then. No going back on your word!”
Venti’s eyes lit up as he heard Jax’s promise. He downed the glass of dandelion wine Jax had set out to bait him, then eagerly took the meteorite fragment from Jax’s hand. Examining it closely, a knowing smile crept across his face.
“Ah, I see now… So, this fragment comes from that person’s Constellation. No wonder so many people have been falling into deep sleep,” Venti said, his tone playful but edged with intrigue.
Seeing Venti’s expression, Jax knew the bard was holding back something significant. “Venti, quit stalling. Spill it—whose Constellation is this?”
“And what’s the deal with that snowy mountain in the dream? Everyone I’ve asked says it isn’t Dragonspine.”
“Well…” Venti placed a finger to his lips and gave Jax a mischievous wink. “I’ve changed my mind. If you want to know about this person, it’ll cost you two nights of unlimited drinks at Angel’s Share!”
“Deal.”
Without hesitation, Jax agreed. “Now, talk. What’s the story behind this Constellation?”
Leaning on the table, Jax watched Venti expectantly. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement.
The lore I missed before… I don’t mind paying a steep price to uncover it now.
Venti blinked, slightly taken aback by Jax’s immediate agreement. He sighed, shaking his head.
If I’d known he’d be this quick to agree, I should’ve raised the price higher…
But then again, Venti reasoned, Jax often footed his bar tabs anyway. For a god who’d gone centuries without a steady supply of wine, this was still an excellent deal.
Settling into his chair, Venti steepled his fingers under his chin and began his tale.
“This Constellation belonged to a great adventurer—a former citizen of Mondstadt who left a lasting impression on me.”
He paused for effect before asking, “Jax, have you heard the legend of the Wind Gliders?”
“The Wind Gliders?” Jax raised an eyebrow. “A little. Lumine and Amber mentioned it once.”
“Long ago, the Anemo Archon taught the people of Mondstadt how to craft Wind Gliders,” Venti explained. “But the inspiration for the gliders came from birds who learned to soar through the skies.”
Jax squinted at him suspiciously. “What’s this, Venti? Are you just bragging about one of your old accomplishments?”
“What? No! I’m just an ordinary, humble bard—the best in the world, of course,” Venti replied with a cheeky grin. “But here’s the thing: the idea for Wind Gliders? That wasn’t mine.”
“Humanity’s ability to fly… That vision, that dream, that hope for the future…”
Venti placed the meteorite fragment back on the table, his fingers lightly spinning it before pushing it toward Jax.
“All of that belonged to a man named Leonard—a great adventurer.”
“Leonard? And he’s the one who envisioned the Wind Gliders? What’s the story there?” Jax asked, intrigued.
“Well…” Venti hesitated briefly. “Normally, I wouldn’t share this tale. But for you, Jax, I think it’s fine. After all, you’re not the type to let fear stop you.”
“Fear?”
“Sometimes, even the bravest souls lose their way when faced with insurmountable challenges,” Venti explained. “But I believe you’re different. That’s why I’ll tell you Leonard’s story.”
The bard’s expression turned uncharacteristically somber as he continued.
“Two thousand years ago, Leonard was a legendary adventurer. By the age of forty, he had explored nearly every domain on this continent. But in the last years of his life, he dedicated himself entirely to one goal.”
He looked down at the table, his gaze softening. “To conquer the peak of a mountain known as Pinnacle Cap.”
“The name might not sound impressive, but back then, it was considered the most treacherous summit in the land. Its peak was thought unreachable by mortals.”
“Time and time again, Leonard attempted the climb. Time and time again, he failed. The setbacks drained his courage, and for a while, he abandoned his dream…”
Then Venti smiled. “But in the end, he didn’t give up entirely.”
“I’ve always admired humanity,” Venti said, his voice filled with quiet reverence. “From the primitive wilderness to this age of progress, people have transformed the land and conquered nature. This world deserves to be a place where humans can pursue their freedom.”
“Leonard embodied that spirit. He believed in the freedom to chase one’s dreams, to test one’s limits, and to envision a better future. His ideals…”
Venti’s fingers danced, conjuring a gentle breeze that swirled around the fragment. It began to glow faintly, illuminated by the wind.
“…survived to this day, preserved within this fragment.”
“Jax,” Venti said, locking eyes with him. “That’s the story of this Constellation’s owner. A man who relentlessly pursued the unknown, and who sought to pass his dreams on to future generations.”
Jax let out a deep breath, processing the tale. “It’s… inspiring.”
“Inspiring?” Venti tilted his head in surprise. “Why do you think so?”
“Because dedicating your entire life to a dream, leaving behind a legacy of hope, is something worth admiring,” Jax replied.
A slow smile spread across his face. “But my future won’t lose to his. I’ll give everything I have to seize the future I want.”
He picked up the meteorite fragment, holding it tightly. “This future… this fate… belongs to me.”
“And to everyone I choose to share it with.”
At that moment, far above Teyvat, a faint and flickering star began to solidify in the night sky.
Within seconds, it blazed like a brilliant torch, radiating light across the heavens.
—
This is a fan translation of 武器大师在原神绝不死于徒手 by 徐人双 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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