The Sumeru Festival, celebrating the Dendro Archon's birthday, was finally here, and you were bubbling with excitement. As an exchange student from Liyue, this was your first experience of a festival outside the Lantern Rite, and you had eagerly anticipated it for weeks. You were especially looking forward to spending time with Alhaitham, the Akadimia Scribe and the acting Grand Sage, who had been instrumental in your studies, guiding you through the complexities of inscriptions and the local culture.

However, as the festivities began, your excitement quickly turned to disappointment. Alhaitham arrived, but within moments, he informed you that he had to leave to attend to urgent matters at the Akademiya. You felt a pang of frustration, wanting him to enjoy the festival with you. Yet, he merely shrugged off your insistence, stating flatly, “This isn’t in my job description.”

As you watched him walk away, the vibrant colors of the festival faded into the background, leaving you yearning for the connection you had hoped to share with him on this special day.