"Come on darling, could you please tell me how you learned that spell again~? I wouldn't mind hearing how it's done~"
"Miss Lisa, I already told you this twice. Can we please get back by teaching me Mondstadt's text?"
Naofumi was currently in the library inside the Knights of Favonius headquarters. He was doing his best to answer her questions with her usual tone of flirtation. But to Lisa, it was like she knew Naofumi was hiding more than he seemed.
She has fair skin, green eyes, and wavy, shoulder-length light honey-brown hair tied in a loose ponytail. Her outfit is a purple and white dress with open slits at the sides and gold embroidery, along with black gloves with pale purple trim, a large witch's hat, black lace stockings, and black high heels, and an earring is visible on one ear.
She wears a gold necklace with her Electro Vision clasped to the collar of her dress. There is a pale purple rose pinned to her hat, and a similar one on the tie of her ponytail. Additionally, a large ornamental golden rose is attached to her belt at the hip.
"Come on, Naofumi, even with my knowledge, I'm still curious about how someone with only a strange shield can learn such an amazing spell that can improve strength, durability, and speed from the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero."
He was there today, on the second day of the festival, because Lisa requested him to visit her today, as it seems Amber told her about Zweite Aura. And that Naofumi wishes to continue learning Mondstadt's word text as it turns out his shield can translate other languages to him.
"Lisa, I said like how I said it in the last two explanations. I touch the tree, use Anemo, and learn the spell out of instinct."
"And you said it was also used by the previous owner of that shield?"
Naofumi nodded his head as Lisa hummed. She drank her tea as she gazed out the window.
"Out of anything I got to learn from the Akademiya, never had I learned anything about that shield. To think it grants you the power to wield the element of Anemo without a Vision, grants you powerful durability, and changes your shield into different forms depending on what you put inside of it."
"Well, that's the legendary shield for you."
"To be honest darling, those researchers from that place would have done anything in their power to learn everything about that shield. But for your sake and safety, don't let them. A lot of them are willing to uncover the secrets of what has remained hidden at the cost of their sanity. Too many dark secrets surround the name of knowledge. No doubt your shield is something that shouldn't be uncovered deeply to its origin."
Lisa said with an unusually serious tone. Naofumi was surprised by this, but he nodded as this was one of the occasions where she was truly serious.
"Now then darling, let us continue with your learning."
With that, she continues teaching Naofumi the texts. It was like how you expect in their first meeting, flirting right off the bat. Lisa found Naofumi fascinating when they first met when Eula and Amber showed him around headquarters, especially the clothing and the shield.
She even wonders if the shield is truly related to that one man she had researched when Eula came to see her the week before. At first, she wasn't too interested as the information she was able to gather didn't provide much about that man or the shield.
But now that she has heard of what the shield can do, she wonders just how limitless it can truly be. That shield is connected to the tree the first Grand Master left behind when she ascended to Celestia. So perhaps, whoever had that shield must have left behind spells or maybe more special abilities that only the shield can uncover.
"If you wish darling, you can check out the book we're using if you wish to learn on your own. You have proven that you can "
She spoke in a lazy tone, obviously seeing that her teaching this learning session would be pointless as she sees Naofumi can easily learn the texts on his own. Naofumi, too, realizes this as he nods.
"I guess you're right, I can finish this after the festival, I did promise to spend time with everyone."
"Aww, does that include me? Do you wish to spend the day with me, darling?"
Lisa asks with her seductive tone as Naofumi blushes. He wonders just how easily she made him blush and wonders how many heard her talk that way before he met her. But he did think about it, he guessed he could have hung out with her and with someone else like yesterday.
"Sure, if you want."
"Wonderful! Give me a few minutes finishing up checking the books here, there is a chance that someone forgot to return their book on time. While I'm at it, you can check out the book. Please make sure to return it one time, okay darling?"
This time, she spoke with a smile that made Naofumi shiver down his spine. He remembers the warning from Amber. He did not want to experience her wrath after witnessing her electrifying someone who had damaged one of the books while being drunk. Even if he has a shield with a high magic defense stat, he does not want to feel the electricity throughout his body.
"I'll make sure to return it in good condition!"
"Thank you~"
So Naofumi waited for Lisa to finish with the returned books, and he read another book on the shelf as he was able to read it. He read up that some plants have similar effects to herbs that can be used to make potions. He noted it down as he has a few of those plants in his shield, maybe he can make a potion himself.
He thought about it and figured he would need tools to make potions. He could ask Lisa where he would find the tools, as he had heard from Eula that she could make potions with the right plants. Perhaps she can give him advice and pointers when making potions.
"Okay, darling, we can head out now. You don't mind if we make a few detours during the day?"
The sweet smile that held intense air was shown on her face again. Which meant there were a few books that weren't returned. Naofumi was now silently praying to Barbatos that whoever still had the books was still in good condition to be spared from Lisa's wrath.
And with that, the two then left the library and the headquarters as they went around the festival. There was an interesting activity that the two wanted to participate in, mainly Naofumi. It is an activity where you can make music while using a harp. And to Naofumi's surprise, he saw Barbara.
She was singing for those who are trying to make the sounds equal or at least be linked to Barbara's voice. Neither Naofumi nor Lisa wanted to interrupt, so they waited while hearing the amazing tone of Barbara.
Soon enough, she finished as everyone around her cheered. Naofumi clapped his hands while he was looking around; he didn't see Albert anywhere. So that's good for Barbara. A few people left as they wished to head somewhere else while some stayed to continue listening to Barbara's singing.
Barbara herself was praising the ones who were playing the harp, after she praised the last one, she noticed Naofumi and Lisa. A bright smile formed on her face as she quickly walked towards the two.
Naofumi remembers the day he met Barbara. It was when the explosion occurred after spending the day with Bennett. Barbara was thankfully nearby as she immediately treated Bennett to his wounds. Naofumi came running as he saw the state Bennett was in and asked Barbara if he was going to be alright.
It turns out the explosion was caused by a little girl named Klee, who apparently has bombs that she used which she accidentally hit Bennett. From what he heard, Klee was sent to solitary confinement to self-reflect on trying to use a bomb in a public area.
Barbara assures Naofumi that Bennett will be fine once she fully heals him with her Elemental Skill with her Hydro Vision. She admits that she was waiting for Bennett to come by and have his injuries treated but he didn't show up for the whole day.
She assumes that he was taking a day off today, as she came by to the Adventurers' Guild to check up on him, only to be informed that he was out, along with a newcomer with a strange shield. Once Barbara saw the shield on Naofumi's arm, she realized that he was the newcomer of Bennett's team.
So after an introduction to each other, the two of them look after Bennett, with Naofumi showing the abilities of his shield process, as he unlocks medicine-related shields. She is amazed by the shield's abilities as she notices Naofumi didn't suffer any injuries, as if he weren't affected by Bennett's bad luck.
Naofumi notices this and informs Barbara of the shield that was unlocked by Bennett's bad luck, which can actually ensure he doesn't endure the worst luck he normally dealt with. Barbara was in pure shock that his shield could actually nullify Bennett's bad luck.
"Naofumi, Lisa, it is wonderful to see you both! Are you both here to rhyme with us? We still have an opening spot if one of you is interested."
Barbara greeted them and asked the two of them if they would be joining the next music session. Lisa simply smiled as she politely declined, while Naofumi seemed willing as he told Barbara he'd like to join. Barbara smiled as she led Naofumi to a seat and handed him a harp. She asked him if he knew how to use a harp, to which he replied "No."
Barbara then teaches him how to use a harp. It took a bit of effort, but he was able to get the hang of it, and he was able to make a tune as Barbara clapped for his efforts. She even asks Naofumi if he likes to make a few tunes while she sings, which he agrees to.
So throughout the entire session, Naofumi, along with others, made a perfect music background with Barbara's song. Lisa watched in astonishment at how well everything was going as she listened to the music she was hearing.
It ended up gathering more attention because of how effective the music and lyrics were. Soon it ended with a huge applause as Naofumi decided it was time to move on to the other activities as Lisa praised Naofumi.
"That was wonderful darling. The music truly matches the song Barbara was singing."
"Thank you, Miss Lisa, I'm glad you enjoy the song. And thank you, Naofumi, for participating."
Barbara came by, which surprised Naofumi. He thought she was still helping more people to learn how to play the harp, as there are more people here now. But he guessed that she needed a break.
"You're welcome, Barbara. Are you enjoying the festival?"
"Yes! It was quite fun like all the other years I've participated in. I'm glad I was able to make everyone happy as well as get the chance to make music."
Barbara then nervously looked at Lisa, whom she immediately knew why.
"Jean is doing okay, I'm making sure she is not working too much in her role of Master of the Knights. But that doesn't stop her from trying her hardest in her job. I'll make sure she has time for you during the festival."
Barbara nods as she sighs. Naofumi can understand, after all, he does have a younger brother. Barbara has an older sister who is the Master of the Knights. He found that out one day when he brought Bennett to the cathedral to ensure Bennett had his injuries fully healed by Barbara, whom he saw talking to Jean.
Barbara was happier when she was with Jean, which made Naofumi wonder if the two of them had any connection at the time. That was when he was introduced to Jean who herself greeted Naofumi. He then learned that the two sisters' parents had separated, with Jean going with her mother and Barbara with her father.
The mother, Frederica Gunnhildr, the Alder Knight, has been a knight since the moment she joined with Jean, following in her footsteps. The father was Seamus Pegg, the Seneschal of the Church of Favonius, also the Cardinal of Daybreak, Barbara learned how to work her way around the church thanks to her father's help and support.
Even if the parents are divorced and separated, that doesn't mean the love for their daughters was forgotten. Both mother and father still met with Jean and Barbara offering their support and guidance whenever the two sisters needed some encouragement or advice.
The sisterly bond between Jean and Barbara is something that cannot be broken. But that doesn't mean there are personal problems within themselves. Barbara felt that she was inferior in power and strength to Jean when helping Mondstadt. Jean felt like she hadn't been doing much to make the people happy as Barbara could with her cheerful personality.
It was things like that that made Lisa want to ensure the two would meet up at least every day just to be clear from the burdens the sisters held. As well as having a good amount of rest instead of trying to push their limits in their wellbeing.
"Hey, Barbara, do you want to take a walk with us? I'm sure a walk around the city will do you good. Even though I should be saying this to Jean."
Naofumi mutters the last part as Barbara thought for a moment before nodding as she thought a walk would be good for her. With that, the three of them walk again, along the way, the three stop when Barbara has to sign a few autographs as well as greet her.
But it wasn't just that, Lisa also took the chance to speak with people who hadn't returned their books with each of them saying they'll return them straight away. There was a close call where a man couldn't remember where he left his book until, at the last second, he remembered. He bolted as soon as he remembered where he last had the book.
"Hey, Barbara, how's Rosaria?"
Naofumi asks her while Lisa is busy talking to a woman about her unreturned book.
"She's been doing great! Although I wish she would stop smoking, it is bad for her health. Especially since you told me what smoking can do to her body. Not only that, I even wish she would attend church activities she has to do as the rest of us sisters."
Barbara once again sighs as she recalls how many times she tried to get Rosaria to attend her duties as a nun only for her to disappear in the shadows. Naofumi instantly felt eyes pierce onto him; he knew it was Rosaria, as this wasn't the first time she had been watching him. Naofumi didn't personally meet her, at least until he did a few days ago, but during that time it didn't mean he was going to ignore why he was being watched.
Once he learned about Rosaria from Barbara and others who knew her, he figured that she was trying to see if he was a threat to Mondstadt. Though he seriously doubts that he is even a threat, especially with his low attack power, even if it is now at 6 points. He doubts he can do much damage to Mondstadt.
"By chance do you think she might be watching us right now?"
Naofumi's words made Barbara look around trying to find Rosaria. And speaking of the devil, she came out of her hiding spot and approached the two. She was slightly irritated with Naofumi.
She has ghostly pale gray skin, pale magenta eyes with narrow white pupils, and choppy wine-colored hair cut short in the back with a shoulder-length fringe and some strands of her bangs colored a darker red. Wears a form-fitting nun's habit consisting of a long white and black coif with red lining, a white sleeveless turtleneck top, long white gloves, and a long black and red slit skirt that partially reveals her right leg and completely reveals her left.
She wears black belts around her left thigh, along with black fishnet tights and silver high-heels. Her outfit is adorned with multiple silver and white gold accessories embedded with red gems; including a silver tiara on top of her coif, a silver pendant on her white top, a white gold brooch on her left shoulder and left hip, multiple silver claw rings on her fingers and a small silver censer tied to her right wrist with a long piece of black cloth.
Her Cryo Vision hangs off her waist on her lower back. She is always seen with her coif on, which is dark red on the inner surface, the soft contrast with her hair color, at first glance, leads anyone to assume that her hair is much longer at the back than it actually is.
"You know you could have kept quiet about me. But no, you just had to say I was nearby."
"Hello to you, too, Rosaria. Anything about me that I should be concerned about?"
Naofumi casually asked, and Rosaria simply sighed as she shook her head no. Naofumi never showed any bad intentions to anyone, as well as witnessing the compatibility Naofumi process which prompted Rosaria to believe he was just an ordinary man who had gained a mysterious shield.
"Rosaria! Was this where you were? In Angel's Share? How much did you drink?"
Naofumi then realized where they were, the tavern where it was busier than ever, much as you expected from a place with its finest wine.
"I don't always go there during the day, Barbara. You don't have to be concerned about me, I can handle the effects, unlike our Cavalry Captain, he's inside fully drunk right now."
"I honestly expect Kaeya to be there today, you further convince me, Rosaria. Still, other than myself, was there any suspicious person or activity around the city?"
This causes Rosaria to look at Naofumi before speaking.
"Just some inexperienced thieves trying to steal from people who are distracted by the festival, but they were easily dealt with by others discovering them, or were quickly captured when the knights were informed of thievery. Other than that, there isn't much that would be considered a threat."
"Got it."
Before anyone could say something a knight quickly approached the three of them. It was clear that he ran across the city just to find someone. And that person was Barbara.
"Miss Barbara… We… Need your healing abilities. Bennett…"
Barbara heard the words before hearing Bennett's name as she immediately told the knight where she needed to be as he pointed her in the direction. With that, she looks towards Naofumi and Rosaria.
"I have to go! Bennett needs my help!"
The two nodded as Barbara left in a hurry while the knight was trying to catch his breath. Rosaria looks at Naofumi with curiosity.
"Not going with her? Isn't Bennett your leader of his adventurer team?"
"He is, but with Barbara healing him so it isn't much of an issue. Plus, he was supposed to spend it with his dads today, so I didn't want him to focus on me instead of his guardians. Besides, aren't you supposed to be watching over Barbara to make sure Albert isn't tailing her?"
Rosaria let out a huff as she vanished in the shadows. Naofumi smiles, as much as it doesn't seem like it, Rosaria is protective of Barbara. Even if Barbara coincidentally tries to get her to attend to her duties, she is always friendly with Rosaria.
"Guess, I can continue the day with Lisa. At least until we run into someone else. Maybe I should visit Bennett just in case."
With that Naofumi continues his day with Lisa, until he reaches the church to check up on Bennett, who apparently got himself into trouble outside the city with Mitachurls. Just another day in the City of Freedom.