Chapter Text
May 1st, 2026. 7:15 A.M.
Today's duty was to depart for Liyue. According to Jean, there have been some elemental disturbances there that the Millelith have been struggling to keep away from Qingce Village. Liyue's population is plentiful, so quite frankly I fail to see why the Millelith's composition is so incompetent. If it means I can be blessed with some moments of tranquility though, I can hardly complain about the assignment.
I folded back the quilt and jumped out of bed. Indeed, if I can escape this rowdy ensemble already, what am I waiting for?!
I withdrew my uniform from my wardrobe before stripping off my nightwear and changing into my knight attire. I must depart swiftly, before Barbatos forbid a nuisance calls upon my chamber. I grabbed the strap of my satchel and draped it over my shoulder. I felt it was lighter than when I picked it up last evening. Ah, that must be because I had removed some unnecessary documents. As frustrating as it is to admit, I do need to work on that fault of mine. I've been here for almost two years, yet I'm still so disorganised... How atrocious.
I suppose I can set out on my way then. I lifted the key from my desk, and slid it into the keyhole, before twisting the doorknob and pushing forward. I perceived an atmosphere of stillness beyond the door. Yes! No one is here to disturb me! Ah, no, I mustn't allow myself to feel so elated just yet. I haven't even stepped out into the corridor after all. I tiptoed forward and turned around to cautiously lock my door before shelving the key into my bag. I unhooked the chain of my pocket watch from my cape and pressed the pad of my index finger onto the crown. I drew my eyes toward the elongated hand, which pointed at a 240 degree angle. I have five more minutes until people should begin making their way to the refectory. I have no time to spare. This was more serious than any stealth mission.
I steadied my breathing and inched closer to the wall, my fingers grazing against it for reassurance. Every step felt as if it was inching me on towards impending doom: Lohen. He was due back from his expedition to Nod Krai overnight, so there's no way that he wouldn't harass me first thing in the morning. It's okay. I can do this. I can get out of here safely. I summoned my resolve to take the final step around the corner, gripping onto the wall with both of my hands. All of that for nothing... Okay, salvation is now in sight! The door to freedom! Now that no one stands in the way between me and a week's worth of peace, acting so timidly is all in futility. Straightening my shoulders with refreshed composure, I advanced towards guaranteed relaxation with long strides. I wrapped my fingers around the ring of the knights quarters' doorknob. Gosh, I'm so thrilled that I'm shaking a little... Nervously, I pushed the door forward, and was met with an empty scene outside of the quarters. Considering the time, there won't be any knights lingering in Mondstadt. It looks like I really am free! Taking my sweet time, I leisurely pushed the front door to a close, and turned on my heel to leave.
After a short walk in the warmth of the spring morning, I reached the gate of Mondstadt. I was greeted by Swan and Lawrence, who seem to have been on overnight duty. I greeted them back, before quickening my pace to avoid excessive catch-ups. They were good people, but I never understood the necessity of fostering bonds with every person you came across. For example, me and Eula never had such pleasantries with our parents. They had always told us what they needed of us, and we would obey their orders. There was no need for any sugarcoating. That's the one compliment I'd give them.
I reached the far side of the bridge, careful not to disturb the pigeons, and reached into my bag. Huh? There was an uncomfortable vacancy. Actually, I did observe that my bag was rather light... I slid my bag off my shoulder and rested it atop the stone wall. I flipped open the buckles properly, and frantically dove my hand inside. Damn. I had forgotten my water bottle. Subconsciously, I looked back towards Mondstadt. No. I am not risking it. I am not risking running into Lohen the lunatic. Regrettably, I let out a sigh. It's fine. It's not like there's not any lakes on the way. I'll stop at Windrise before I head to Qingce Village. I re-buckled my bag and set it on my shoulder, before setting off once more - just in a different direction than planned.
...
After what felt like a considerable time, I reached Windrise. I strode past the statue of Barbatos, and towards the lake. I crouched and cupped my hands together, sinking them slightly beneath the lake's surface before rising them to drink the water. The cool taste spread throughout my mouth, and with just a small sip I already felt so much more revitalised. I drank some more, before my eyes widened in horror. From the corner of my right eye, I saw that familiar teal hair. I had began to choke on the water. My brain screamed one thing at me over and over again: HIDE! Before he hears, I have to hide. I staggered up some rocks to hide behind a tree, choking into my arm in an attempt to muffle the sound. I chose the perfect spot to hide, so that he wouldn't be able to see me, but I would be able to see him. He strolled past the tree as my choking eased up. In that moment, I felt as if I had a revelation: Barbatos was real! He protected me because I went to Mass for the first time on Barbara's birthday! I knew I was right to believe in you, Barbatos. I heaved a sigh of relief.
"BOO!"
I let out an embarrassingly loud scream, and my foot slipped forward. ...Into the lake. Or so I thought. I felt something, that's for certain. But it wasn't the chill of a lake. It was the unforgiving rigidity of rocks, cold against my legs. Lohen's bratty laughter reverberated through the uninhabited meadow. Why is this brat here...? Did he follow me? Or did he take a fighting detour or something on the way back from his expedition? I swivelled my head around to glare at him.
"Haha, did that scare you?"
"No. It didn't. I threw myself on the floor for fun. What do you want? Why are you here?"
"Oh I was just passing through. I guess the rocks here really are as treacherous as the legends claim, huh?" He outstretched his hand. "Looks like someone got left in the dust again. C'mon."
"No thank you. I haven't quite fallen to the level where I require your help."
I grabbed my bag and placed it on the floor beside me as I stretched my legs out to assess the damage. There was some light grazing along my legs, and some bleeding on my knees. I should treat this before it becomes infected. I sighed exaggeratedly, and unbuckled my bag to access my first-aid kit. I pulled out a disinfectant solution and poured it onto a small piece of cotton, holding back a wince as I dabbed my knees with it. Suddenly, Lohen sat down beside me.
"You don't have to do all that, y'know. It'll heal by itself like Mother Nature intended it to. Or do you like the stinging?"
"Certainly NOT. Besides, Lohen. Nothing would need healing if you didn't decide to come along and scare me."
"Ahh, you're the same boring Y/N as always! Learn to loosen up a little! I for one think wounds feel pretty damn good!"
...Because you're a masochist... I remarked in my head.
"Hey, Lohen. Would you like to go somewhere together?"
He didn't say anything. I acted indifferent towards him, whilst beginning to bandage my left knee. I fully bandaged it, and he still hadn't said anything. Puzzled, I looked in his direction.
"YOU actually wanna go somewhere with ME?! Seriously?! Can I choose?! Let's go fight over there!" He eagerly pointed towards the open meadow beyond the lake. He's getting ahead of himself again. This is why I can't stand him.
"Uh, no. I'm having a physical examination next week. I was just thinking that you could come with me and have a mental examination." I replied flatly, continuing to bandage my other knee.
"Aw hey, you're just a sore loser! Luckily for you, I actually did come here to ask you to accompany me somewhere."
"No thanks."
"I haven't even said where!"
"I've been dispatched to Liyue. I'm already late, so I don't have the time to deal with you now." I finished bandaging my other knee, and started packing my medical supplies back into my bag.
"What for? Fighting?"
"It's to deal with an elemental disturbance. So unfortunately for you, I think you'll have more to entertain you here in Mondstadt. Or wherever you're off to." I began to stand up, but alas I couldn't even do that around this brat.
"Lohen, let go of me."
"I'm coming with you."
Ridiculous. "No, you're not. Now let go."
"There'll be a ton of fighting on the way, right? Sounds pretty dang fun to me."
His persistence is his greatest flaw. Ahead of his impulsiveness, pettiness, overconfidence and borderline insanity. ...Actually, I think I may have an idea of how to rid of him. He's of a higher rank of me, so he doesn't have to listen to me. But he does have to listen to Jean. If he's going to tag along, I'll make it a little convincing first.
"You'll be in my way."
He broke out in a smile, and started laughing. "That's why I wanna come so bad! Well, secondary to fighting of course."
I've got him. Now it's my chance to get back at him and humiliate him... I'll show him that two can play that game. I let out another sigh, and lowered the tone of my voice. "Fine then... I suppose you can come along. I'll have to let Jean know though, or we'll share responsibility for this. I absolutely refuse to share responsibility with you."
Lohen responded with a disinterested "Fiinneee", before wandering off somewhere. I wish he wouldn't come back, but I'll take advantage of the situation if he does. I circled the tree to lean against the front of it, beside the statue of Barbatos. Curse you Barbatos. I'm never attending Mass again. I withdrew a sheet of letter paper from my bag, along with a pencil and a clipboard to lean on. Looking around for Lohen, I saw him in the distance in a separate river. I squinted my eyes in an attempt to gain a clearer view of what he was doing. He seemed to be... repeatedly freezing hydro slimes...? So even the slimes can't escape this brat's antics... I refocused my attention back to the letter. I wonder what I should write on this... I fixed my grip on the pencil, and begin to write to the flow of my thoughts.
"To Acting Grand Master Jean,
Lohen has insisted on joining me on my expedition to Liyue. I fear for his subordinates, for he seems to be neglecting them in order to invite himself to Liyue and fight. He is tormenting hydro slimes as I write this. If my progress is slower than expected, that is the reason. I have tried my very best to convince him not to, but alas, he is the Vice Captain, so I cannot go against his word. I do hope you'll attempt to discipline him more strongly in the future.
Regrettably,
Y/N."
I read over the letter again, checking my spelling and grammar.
Pop!
...A cold wetness cascaded down my body. And at the same time, a mad laughter erupted. Blinking slowly, I turned around to the source of the racket. There stood Lohen, and beside him a large hydro slime. "That's it...!" I threw the now-soaked letter to the ground and charged at him, to which he deflected me.
"Ahahaha! That's more like it. Come at me!"
This little rascal, he did that on purpose... I really want to beat some sense into him. But that would be giving him exactly what he wants. But beating him sounds incredibly pleasurable right now...
"No." I decided to reply, sitting down with a touch of hesitance. Honestly, it wouldn't take him much more to convince me to actually fight him. Against all reason, I felt almost restrained by that rage. Though only by a slight margin, I still had the sense in me to not give him what he wanted. I still had control here. I won't bother with rewriting the letter, I just won't contact Jean about Lohen coming along, and he can face the consequences himself when we come back.
"Aawwwww are you serious? You totally looked like you were about to kill me just then! You sure you don't wanna?"
Oh, I wanna. I want to so badly, but I have something called reason. A concept utterly foreign to Lohen. I placed my bag back upon my shoulder, and stood up with my back to him, shaking the droplets from my hair.
"I'm setting off. Tag along if you can catch up." I told him, before running off in an almost futile attempt to make up for my lateness.
"You got it!" I heard him chuckle as he exclaimed that, and I heard his footsteps chasing after me towards Springvale.
Farewell, freedom.