Genshin Impact: Curiosity Blessed the Cat
Summary: In which Alhaitham meets an academic rival worthy of his attention. (Or the reader wants to find their way back home, the old-fashioned way)
Pairing: Alhaitham x Neutral! Creator! Reader!
Note: Slight SAGAU themes, y'know, gold blood and worship.
Warning: Mentions of blood
"Did you hear? The new kid scored incredibly high on the Haravatat entrance exam and was immediately accepted into our Akademiya."
"They also seem to be quite knowledgeable despite coming from Liyue Harbour. Perhaps they were a merchant."
"It's not just their score, but also their creativity and feasibility in the essay portion that has impressed other scholars and professors. The higher-ups are saying that it's the birth of another talent like Alhaitham and Miss Lisa!"
Alhaitham strategically chose to ignore the pointed looks and the scattered conversations around him.
It's meaningless to listen to anyway.
Besides, this book in front of him was much more intriguing than some new student. In fact, he spent most of his days in the library, surrounded by ancient texts and scholarly articles rather than people.
Luckily, the librarian silenced them with a pointed glare, and peace was restored once again.
However, while he was lost in thought, a burst of whispers brought him back to the present. He begrudgingly looked in the same direction as others, and noticed a new face in the library.
"It's the new Liyue student."
Alhaitham rolled his eyes at his fellow classmates. But just as he was about to return to reading his book, the librarian was walking towards him with the new student.
"These shelves store academic journals of various topics, but for studies on engineering, astronomy and chemistry, those shelves contain what you are looking for."
"Thank you."
When the new student walked past his table and towards the large shelves, Alhaitham slowly became amused by the sight.
Compared to the research journals and published articles, the new student seemed small in comparison. Though he was slightly impressed (or even doubtful) that a person could read, or even understand the sheer number of research material they were collecting in their arms.
"Hello, do you mind if I sit here?" Alhaitham nods solemnly without another word, and they sit down diagonally from him with their stack of books.
"Thank you."
It was then did Alhaitham noticed that there were multiple languages in that one stack.
Oh? Do they understand them all?
It took one full day at the library for him to learn that the new student is quite interesting.
Always reading books that nobody else seemed interested in and their grasp of the languages was impressive. He could read their translated notes from a glance.
When they finally finished their pile of research material, they unexpectantly let out a sigh.
"Damn, they don't have what I was looking for." They murmured in disappointment before stretching.
Alhaitham blinked in surprise behind his book.
What were they looking for? From his knowledge, the Akademiya has the largest collection of knowledge and research, despite this, they were unable to find what they were looking for?
"Hello, sorry to disturb you." Alhaitham looks up from his book slowly and sees a sheepish smile.
"Do you mind helping me put some books back? My legs have gotten stiff."
"Alright."
So the two returned the books back to their original position in a quick and organized manner.
"Thank you. My name is (Y/N) by the way, nice to meet you." They held out a hand for a handshake.
"Alhaitham." He introduced himself briefly, and shook their hand.
"Then, I'll see you around Alhaitham."
Alhaitham watched them leave, and suddenly felt his vision pulse by his shoulder.
Oh? Why is that? It was as if it was telling them to leave the library.
Curious, he picked up his vision and inspected it, but after a few minutes, it returned to normal as if nothing happened.
But Alhaitham knew it had something to do with (Y/N).
Alhaitham was surprised when he saw them the next day in his class. They introduced themselves as a traveler and a previous merchant who dealt with rare and exotic items.
The other too seemed surprised to see him, but offered a polite smile in response.
Before he knew it, (Y/N) became his seatmate and naturally, whispers follow.
Especially since (Y/N) seemed to do exceptionally well in their academics, so much so that Alhaitham was suspicious and annoyed at how much others were comparing them.
"(Y/N)." They look up in surprise.
"Oh, Alhaitham. How are you?"
"Are you trying to graduate early?" Alhaitham asks bluntly because at the rate they are succeeding in their academics, they may as well be.
"Yes I am actually."
"Why?"
"Well, I want to gain access to more records, the general library doesn't have what I want. I believe the easiest and more efficient way is to gain merits and succeed in academics."
That certainly makes more sense, and proves one of his predictions.
"And what exactly are you looking for?"
"Hmm, I want to see if there was a way to utilize the power of visions and help people travel to countries faster."
Alhaitham knew there was more to that, or else, why would they also look into astronomy?
"I also want to see if I can go home." Another murmur, and Alhaitham felt a chill go down his spine, his vision pulsing stronger this time.
"What?"
"Oh would you look at that? I have to go. I'll see you around Alhaitham."
"Wait-"
(Y/N) was gone in a flash, leaving behind scattered notes.
When Alhaitham picked up one, he was surprised to see notes on the Creator, the almighty being that created their world and one worthy of worship and loyalty.
But this was something everyone knows by heart, why would a student like (Y/N) have to learn, much less note about such an obvious thing?
Alhaitham immediately left to search for (Y/N), his curiosity got the best of him.
From that moment on, Alhaitham became even more fascinated by the (Y/N), trying to learn everything he could about them. However, who knew that in the process that he would find himself becoming more ambitious and competitive?
Always trying to beat them in academics and finding ways to make them reveal their secret.
Especially as to why his vision is reacting to them so.
But until then, he has grown to enjoy their presence and curious nature, questioning everything around them, and suggesting ideas he never thought of.
Alhaitham realized that they were truly a scholar in their own right, someone who is not corrupted or power-hungry, but someone...perhaps similar to him.
Graceful, kind, knowledgeable and hard-working, this is who (Y/N) was like from the beginning to the present.
They may not be a vision user, but still understands quite a bit about visions. As such, when Alhaitham asked them about his pulsing vision, they were curious about it too.
"May I inspect it?"
Alhaitham was surprised at how easily he agreed to their request, after all, the act of touching another's vision meant you had immense trust for them.
The moment they touched it, Alhaitham felt warm, as if he was in a mother's embrace.
Alhaitham took a step back instinctively at the strange feeling and almost tripped over a long vine that grew from his vision, but a hand grabbed onto his wrist to stabilize him.
"Oh crap!" (Y/N) is not one to swear, but when they do, Alhaitham knew there must be a reason.
(Y/N) quickly let go of his wrist, and before they could cover it, Alhaitham saw something extraordinary.
Gold blood.
It seems that they injured themselves on the same vine.
Regardless, only the Creator would have gold blood!
Everything started to snap together in place.
"You are-"
Without another moment of hesitation, their hand covered his mouth before pushing him against the wall. Their eyes darted around nervously and then laughed nervously at the bewildered and flushed faces around them.
Their graceful image was suddenly replaced with a flustered and panicked one.
Ah, this was their secret.
"You can't just say my crush's name out loud. That's so embarrassing!"
What? Why are they hiding?
Alhaitham saw their hand, that should have been bleeding, but is not. It was completely healed.
Before Alhaitham could say anything, they whispered beside his ear.
"I don't know what you saw, but keep it a secret."
Alhaitham felt his vision pulse again, and he swallowed slowly, before nodding. He realized it was an order from the Creator.
It had to be, or else why would his vision and himself, be so willing to listen to their request?
They slowly let him go before returning his vision, dragging him away and sprinting down to the library.
This time, they led the way while his mind is drawing many conclusions at once.
Then he flushed in embarrassment.
This person...is the Creator! And he followed them for weeks just to satisfy his curiosity!
How would they ever look at him again if they found out?
And he's holding their hand.
He is not worthy of such a privilege.
Despite the chaos in his mind, he doesn't show it even as the duo found themselves in the silent library. They walked between two rows of tall ancient books.
When they let go of his hand, he felt something left him briefly, and it wasn't the greatest feeling in the world.
"Before you make conclusions, I will ask you to keep everything you saw a secret." Alhaitham blinked as he processed the implications behind their words.
"There is only one person that has golden blood, and healing powers of that extent." He remembers what the stories told.
"The Creator." They flinched, but didn't back down, in fact, they crossed their arms. With just one look at their eyes was enough to almost send Alhaitham to his knees.
"That is quite a prediction. Without any evidence, Alhaitham?" Alhaitham felt his breath quicken as a giant pressure descended on him. His vision is pulsing too quickly, as if panicking.
"No, your highness. I could never." He responded robotically as he knelt in their presence.
"Highness? Where did you get that from? And why are you kneeing, get up." Two hands held his shoulders, sending shivers down his spine that jolted him awake, and made him reached out to hold hers.
"You are the Creator." He states firmly, without any doubt.
"I'm not. And you can be committing a crime right now-"
If that's what it took, then Alhaitham will bear the consequences.
With a quick movement, his nail scratched the skin of their hand, and before they could cover it, Alhaitham stopped them and watched as gold appeared for just a second before disappearing as if it never existed.
That was all he needed before he knelt again.
"Please punish me as you see fit your highness."
They're the Creator.
The saviour of this world.
Was that why they were conducting research? To find a logical way to save Teyvat? Was there a danger?
Also...did they want to go home?
Ha.
"Alhaitham, stop this. I don't need you to act any different than before." They groaned a bit before deciding to accept their fate.
Why are they hiding the fact that they're the Creator?
No, the real question is, why is he questioning their requests? As a devout believer, he should not doubt them at all.
And since he did, he is ready to take on any punishment.
He takes their hand and places a gentle kiss, watching them turn into a stuttering mess.
A reward for his curiosity and pursuit of knowledge.
Just how many people know that the very deity they worship is right beside them?
"What are you-"
"Your highness, please command me as you see fit."
The other sighs and rubs their temples, muttering something about how "Zhongli" was like this too, and how they shouldn't have let their curiosity get the best of them. Alhaitham furrowed his eyes in the mention of another name and wondered if this was perhaps their friend in Liyue.
"One, don't act any different than before with me. Two, keep my identity a secret. Three, don't question nor interfere with my goals. That's an order."
Alhaitham does not understand why the Creator is adamant in hiding their identity or living like a normal person, but he will obey their wishes. However, there is one thing he will not allow.
"I will heed your order."
That is to allow the Creator to leave, and "go home".
