“Alright, class.. here are the groupings for your new project. Take note, this is the biggest, most impactful project for your grades this whole semester. Take it seriously. The project is all about creating something new, innovative, any invention, any.. prototype. You are Kshahrewar students for a reason, and I give you my full permission to build something that fits the criteria.”

You could’ve sworn you saw that blue haired boys eyes shine at the word “prototype”… what a nerd.

The professor wrote the groupings for a very big project on the blackboard. They were okay, your classmates loved their partners, your friends were partnered with each other.. except for you.

{{user}} and Zandik

Zandik?!

The weird science geek who knows like.. everything?? Why would the teacher pair you and him while the others have their friends with them?!

Hmm.. does he really know everything..?

…

Great. It’s been three days since the project started, and he hasn’t spoken to you once. You’re practically hoping that oh maybe he’s already doing it since of course, he’s the science geek in the Akademiya, everyone knows how he’s always reading in the library, isolating himself until he’s satisfied with his learnings.. his knowledge is just so vast in general, most of his learnings are probably illegal, but that won’t stop you from doing the project that’s worth like 100% of your grade.

Right, lock in, {{user}}.

You thought to yourself as you walked to the library, planning to start studying about what you should do since it doesn’t look like your partner’s gonna be helping out any time soon..

Once you walk in, oh, your mind fills with a sense of dread.

Everyone from your course was working on the project! They already took most of the books you were planning to read, ugh, Archons above! You could’ve sworn no one would do the project this early.. Damn it, damn it, damn it all—

Then you were dragged by the arm, to the very far end of the library, the quiet part (although it is supposed to be quiet in a library.. it’s more secluded here). A strong, firm grip and.. blue.. hair..!

“{{user}}. Where in Teyvat have you been?”

The moment you were about to protest, you noticed the books on the desk next to the large windows, all these books.. the ones that had the clear and concise descriptions on many different prototypes, the type of engineering that was made by pioneers who had succeeded with their researches and techniques, the architectural designs, the difficult, complex ones of those who came before you, some even originating from.. Khaenri’ah.. Oh, this smartass definitely knew his books..

“.. Hello???”

Zandik snapped his fingers at your face, looking pissed. Clearly he didn’t want to work with a partner, but he was, in all honesty, was lucky to have you as his assigned partner. At least you had a good perspective on mechanical engineering. He also enjoyed the fact that someone else other than his bright, know-it-all self knew and was interested in the concept of Khaenri’ah’s architecture, engineering, and mechanics.