Genshin Impact: The Daily Life of Inazuma's Youkai

"Alchemy's about transformation, synthesis, and sublimation, right?" Reisen Riou said.

"Correct," Rhinedottir replied.

"Then it's no different from forging. We transform iron into steel, synthesize iron, crystal, and gemstone into one, and imbue weapons with spirit and meaning—sublimation. Forging already encompasses alchemy."

Reisen Riou was bending concepts, but debates favored momentum over precision. The Yashiro Commission's craftsmen and samurai grinned, sensing his upper hand.

Rhinedottir wasn't fooled. "Alchemy explores the world's mysteries, transmuting the seven elements (Elemental Gems) and even thoughts or beliefs (Artifacts)—elegant, refined. Your crude forging isn't on our level. Alchemy births life through Creation and builds colossal machines—feats forging can't touch."

Reisen Riou smirked, radiating disdain, as if her tech wasn't worth mentioning. The craftsmen beamed, his words outshining her in spirit.

Rhinedottir fumed but cooled quickly, recognizing his tactic. Clever bastard, she thought. As the guest, she was at a disadvantage. She pivoted, listing real forging flaws and challenging Reisen Riou to answer.

His forging skill, at LV6 (99.9/100), was bolstered by Shoryou forbidden texts, pushing his theoretical knowledge to LV8. Countering Rhinedottir's alchemy-based critiques was easy. His alchemy, though weaker than hers, let him read her logic. For every flaw she raised, he offered solutions—high-end and basic.

The flaws persisted outside because craftsmen lacked skill, not because forging itself was flawed. The Yashiro's craftsmen, empiricists uninterested in theory, soaked up his practical fixes, reaping unexpected gains.

Rhinedottir nodded inwardly. Not just talk—this guy's got substance.

"Does the Fifth Scribe know of Ritou's One System, Ten Thousand Divine Machines?" she asked.

"Coincidentally, I invented it," Reisen Riou said. "A failed one, at that."

He wasn't joking. After seeing Raiden Ei's Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine, he deemed his One System a self-indulgent flop. Still, it excelled at training low- to mid-tier forces and patching high-tier weaknesses, though it paled next to Ei's device and was clunky to use.

"You jest," Rhinedottir said. "A machine that accelerates learning isn't a failure."

Their debate shifted to dense alchemy and forging theories, incomprehensible to most. Deadlocked, they agreed to inspect Ritou's One System in days.

Reisen Riou knew this was her true goal and didn't resist. Ritou wasn't restricted, with heavy foot traffic and known One System thefts—useless off-island, they were always returned.

…

Rhinedottir toured the Yashiro's industries, barely hiding her contempt despite Reisen Riou's presence. He had no counter—Khaenri'ah's tech outstripped Inazuma's in most fields, a fact he couldn't spin.

On the ship to Ritou, her expression turned serious, clearly prioritizing the One System. "Lady Rhinedottir, no need for such gravity," Reisen Riou said cheerfully. "Ritou welcomes guests—just don't wander or cause trouble."

Her face darkened, recalling her fallen knights. She considered summoning Rifthounds to bite him but restrained herself, representing Khaenri'ah on foreign soil, where godless nations held less sway. With a cold huff, she disembarked, her entourage scrambling after. Reisen Riou, smiling, led the Shogunate officials behind.

At the shore, fishermen used a One System for assessment. "My Life Level's 11!" one cheered, leaving the machine. "No wonder I nabbed that tuna!"

"Tarou, you're killing it!" others envied.

"Tarou, join the Shogunate army. Your build's as good as a trained recruit," an elder fisherman said.

"Haha, I love fishing," Tarou laughed. "My fishing skill's LV4. Who's next?"

"Me! Me!"

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