writing this fanfic is my take on resinless behavior

I snapped my head around to see who approached.

There stood Cicin, with a smirk planted on her pale lips. A frosty blue lantern hung from her hand, even though there was plenty of light in the morning for her to have no need for it.

"What are you doing here, Cicin?" I narrowed my eyes. "I've already had enough pests bothering me today."

She giggled. "Oh? I see you've become familiar with my pretties."

Holding up her odd lamp, she shook loose more of those icy blue bugs from earlier. They zipped out from the lamp and darted in every direction, staying close to their master. Cicin gestured forward and they all fluttered to encircle their target—me.

"Ambushing after underhandedly injuring a fellow student." I clenched my fists. "Wow, you're a real fighter."

"We warned you." She tilted her head. "You shouldn't have rebuked our offer."

I scoffed. "To get so-called stronger? This isn't strength."

"You're right. This is a reminder to mind your place."

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything to you. I haven't done anything to anyone."

"You shouldn't be associating yourself with Tartaglia," she tsked. "He is far too powerful to hang around with the likes of a Visionless student like you. Signora has plans for him, and she doesn't want to entertain the thought of you as a distraction."

This was because of Childe? I wouldn't have guessed that he had any connection with the Twin Mages, but that goes to show just how much I don't know about him. His playful, albeit sometimes unhinged, nature around me goes against what other students have to say about his character.

"If this Signora has an issue with me, she should tell me herself. Better yet, why don't you just tell Childe off instead of sneaking up on me? Oh, don't tell me you're scared."

Cicin scrunched her nose before stepping backward, her bugs following in retreat. "Hmph, I've done my job. If you don't want to heed our warning, so be it. I wouldn't mind letting my pretty little cicins reduce your body temperature to zero. Watch yourself." With one final glare, she turned and walked off into the trees, melting in with the foliage until she disappeared.

A sigh escaped from me, and I unclenched my fists. I hadn't actually planned on fighting her right then, not with my wrist and ankle being out of commission. If she really continued to attack with those…cicins…I'm not sure what would have happened.

Focusing on getting to the infirmary, I took a left turn in the path and kept close attention to my surroundings—lest another person tries to ambush me with their power complex. Luckily, I had a break this period after switching Physical Combat classes. There was plenty of time for me to look for the infirmary, but my movement was slow as I tried to avoid straining my ankle any further.

My stomach growled.

Well, I couldn't expect to be healed while on an empty stomach. A detour to the dining hall was in order, and while I found the Teyvat Fried Egg and Lighter-Than-Air Pancakes appetizing, I only had enough time to scarf down a Sunsettia before the period was almost over.

I considered whether or not my infirmary search should continue, or if I should head to Physical Combat. Thinking of Instructor Xiao, I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate any student showing up late—let alone not showing up at all.

"I have no mercy," he once said during class. "If you cannot stand your ground alone, forget it."

Yeah, I should get going.

Panting, I kept a straight face as I participated in the warm-up laps around campus. I took care to step lightly with my left foot on the way to class, but I couldn't afford to cut any corners under Xiao's watchful eye. Though just a warm-up, he treated every aspect of Physical Combat as a vital component of one's fighting ability. Building and maintaining stamina was a foundation to one's skill.

"What's the matter with you today, Lumi?" Childe slowed his pace to speak to me. "You're normally tripping over roots trying to get ahead of me."

I twisted my face in a scowl and huffed. "Liar. I've never tripped over a root."

He'd noticed that I was off my game, then.

I mustered up the physical energy to increase my speed and the mental energy to block out the steadfast throbbing in my ankle. Refusing to back down, Childe sped up once more and caught up. We were several paces ahead of the rest of our class, for each of these warm-up laps seemed like an invitation for a challenge rather than practice for Childe.

"If you're not tripping over roots, then you're slipping in puddles," he egged on. "Seriously, you look like you should take a break. It's alright if I'm a natural winner. I'm used to it."

"Please," I huffed. "One more lap. I'll beat you. You'll see."

Childe laughed at my declaration and gave me a look that said we'll see about that. He lingered for a few moments longer, doubt crossing his eyes for a second before he shook it off and followed with a sprint. I was left in his dust, and I could hear the footfalls of my peers approaching.

Pushing forward, I didn't notice the gnarly tree root sticking out of the ground. My left foot caught the root and I winced as a stab of pain shot up my leg. Thankfully, I was able to avoid falling over, and I was even more thankful that Childe went ahead. If he'd seen me actually trip over a root…I would never hear the end of it.

Reluctantly, I decided it was best to not run too hard—for now. I continued at a steady pace, allowing my ankle to recover and catching my breath. While students passed on my left and right, I paid no heed to them. As long as I performed well during today's activity, I'm sure Xiao wouldn't call me out.

"Hey, you doing alright?"

I spared a glance to the side to see Thoma running alongside me.

"Oh," I panted. "Yeah, just taking it easy today."

"Are you sure?" his concern deepened. "You're normally going head-to-head with Tartaglia during these warm-ups. Plus, you seem really spent for just a run."

"I'm fine, really."

Thoma looked down. "You're limping. What happened to your left leg?"

I squeezed my eyes tight as one particularly uneven step jolted my ankle. Thoma noticed this, of course, and his frown only deepened. "Lumine."

"I know, I know. Just—let's finish this final lap. It's hard to run and talk for me right now."

He nodded silently and kept the same pace for the rest of the way. I appreciated the thought of keeping me company, but the waves of concern coming off of Thoma left me feeling too scrutinized.

At last, we reached the fighting ring and slowed to a stop. There were still a few students who needed time to catch up, so the rest of us were allowed to take a break for the moment. I spotted Childe doing push-ups alone, unsurprisingly.

I found a soft patch of grass and sat down, carefully massaging my ankle as inconspicuously as possible.

"See, I knew it." Thoma sat beside me. "Your ankle, can I see?"

I sighed, pulling out my leg anyway. "It's not much. Rough landing earlier in Beginner's Gliding, that's all."

"Why didn't you go to the infirmary?" He reached out to feel the slight swelling on my ankle. "This looks like a sprain, Lumine. I'm sure Instructor Barbatos would have let you go."

"Well, he did. I just couldn't find it."

Thoma sighed. "You could have asked someone to help you find it. Better yet, you should have opted out of going to class today. Rest is a priority."

"I'm here now," I shrugged. "Call me a dedicated student."

"You really are something else." He looked at me with a mix of awe and exasperation. "I can take you to the infirmary before Vision Studies to get that ankle checked out. Oh! I just remembered. I have some bandage wraps in my bag. Let me get them for you."

Thoma stood up and jogged over to where students stored their belongings. I watched as the remaining students began to file in, each one looking a bit worn. Pulling at the grass, I flexed my ankle once more and was surprised to find it didn't hurt so bad anymore.

Someone's shadow fell over me.

"Thanks, Thoma. I think I'm feeling better now. You don't have to do all that for me."

"Do what for you, exactly?"

I looked up to see that it was Childe, not Thoma, who approached. He was standing with his arms crossed, and his eyes were trained on mine before flicking to my injured leg.

"Nothing," I pushed myself off the ground and began walking towards the fighting ring. "Looks like Instructor Xiao is here. We should get with the rest of the class."

Childe stopped me and looked back down at my leg. "Is that why you were slower today? You should have told me."

"It's fine now."

"Really?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, really. Now c'mon, let's go."

"Hop on one leg, then." He nodded at me. "Go on."

Why couldn't he just believe me? I stared at him, his serious expression was unwavering.

"Fine," I stood on my left leg. "See? Just one hop and—"

I hissed as my knee buckled at the unexpected wave of pain, but I managed to straighten it out before I could fall over. Placing my right foot firmly on the ground, I coughed lightly and avoided Childe's eyes. "Anyways, we should get going."

"Girlie, if you're hurt, just tell me. You need to be in perfect shape in order for my victories to be well won."

Is that what this was all about? Of course, it was. "Back to calling me girlie again?"

"Does it bother you that much?" He frowned, and I considered his expression.

"Well, it's not my name," I stated. "But I wouldn't say I mind—"

"Perfect," he clapped me on the shoulder. "Now, don't go off thinking we've changed topics. I'll carry you to the infirmary if you're so stubborn."

I backed away. "You will not."

It was then that Thoma returned, a bundle of white bandages in one hand. He smiled as he approached, but that quickly faded once he took in Childe standing at my side.

"Lumine," he turned to me and renewed his cheerful expression. "I brought the bandages. Do you know how to wrap it, or I can if you want?"

"She's fine." Childe stepped forward and held out a hand. "I can take the bandages."

"Um," Thoma scratched his head. "Lumine, are you sure your ankle—"

Childe interrupted. "I said she's fine."

"She can speak for herself." I stepped around him and took the bandage from Thoma. "Thank you, Thoma. My ankle is—was feeling better. That was before someone made me put it to the test."

I plopped myself down on the grass and began to hastily wrap it around my heel and ankle. Over the years, I'd gotten my fair share of injuries, many of which I earned during solo adventures not privy to Madame Ping. That meant I'd had to learn to take care of myself, otherwise, I'd be subject to an earful—a fate worse than the injury itself.

"There," I finished with a satisfied grin and stood up again. "Now we can finally get to…"

I lost the rest of my sentence after noticing the silent staring contest I found myself standing in the middle of. Thoma stood expressionless, unyielding against Childe's cold, harsh glare. What was going on with them?