Thunk.

"I'm impressed," Childe applauded as I lowered my bow. "That's three for three. Are you sure you haven't practiced archery more in the past?"

I rolled my shoulders back. "I prefer the sword, but maybe I should consider archery more. I could be naturally good at it."

"Beginner's luck. That, or you have an excellent teacher."

"Nah, I think I'm just better than you. I didn't even have to throw any of my arrows."

Though I hit the hilichurl target three times in a row, none of the arrows struck the mark I had in mind—its mask. A headshot was best to deal the most damage—everyone knew that—and with hilichurls being the most plentiful of mobs in Teyvat, it was necessary to hone skills that would take them out the fastest.

"Turn in your weapons," Xiao announced to the whole class. "You've done well today. We will pick this up again tomorrow. Class dismissed."

After hanging my bow back on the weapon rack, I jogged over to the hilichurl target to retrieve my arrows. I grasped the first arrow, lodged in the hilichurl dummy's midsection, and pulled. Nothing.

With a huff, I braced my left hand on the dummy and gripped the arrow firmly with my right, and yanked hard. I felt the tip give, and the shaft shifted outwards by a fraction.

"What is this thing made of?" I muttered to myself. "Steel?"

One last aggressive pull and the arrow finally popped out of the hilichurl, but I overestimated the amount of strength needed, and the excess force knocked me backward. I stuck out both arms behind me to break the fall, but that wasn't necessary.

"Careful," Childe oofed as my back collided with his chest, his arms wrapping around securely. "Trying to catch yourself like that with an injured wrist? I thought you were smarter than that, girlie."

I angled my head to look up at him. "Thanks."

"I'll grab the other two," he murmured before slipping away.

Using just one hand, Childe effortlessly removed the remaining arrows from the dummy and turned to face me with laughing eyes. I rolled my eyes and took them from him, dropping the arrows into a quiver.

"Lumine, I would like to have a word with you," Xiao called over from the main fighting ring, and I faltered in surprise before jogging right over.

"Someone's in trouble," Childe snickered from behind.

I ignored him and carried on.

"Yes, Instructor Xiao?"

"I'm disappointed. Would you care to enlighten me as to why you spent the entirety of today's class with two injuries?"

My eyes widened at his observation. I didn't think Xiao would have noticed anything, especially since he was at a distance from me the whole time. It took both Thoma and Childe direct confrontation for them to sense something was off, but not Xiao.

"I am injured, yes." I bowed my head slightly before facing him. "But I thought it would be best to not let it get in the way of my progress. I planned to go to the infirmary earlier, but I had some trouble finding it, and I didn't want to miss your class."

Xiao stared at me in silence before releasing a sigh. "Your dedication is praiseworthy, but I cannot allow you to worsen your condition. I expected you to back down during your swordplay, but you did not. I expected you to take a break before resuming archery, but you did not. As dedicated to progression you may be, it does no good if you are crippled."

"I understand."

Xiao nodded at my admission. "Your health comes first, Lumine. Now tell me, what do you plan to do now that class is over?"

The right answer would be to go straight to the infirmary, that much was clear. However, I did have Vision Studies right after, and I wouldn't want to show up late without any forewarning.

"I will go to my next class and let my professor know I have to stop by the infirmary."

He sighed again before calling out. "Thoma."

Only a brief moment passed before Thoma showed up, visibly nervous as nearly any student would be if Xiao had something to say to them.

"Show Lumine the way to the infirmary. I'm sure you are aware of the condition of her ankle and wrist."

"I am," Thoma stated. "We have our next class together, but I will take her straight to the infirmary and inform Professor Minci of the situation after."

Xiao, seemingly satisfied with Thoma's response, gave a slight nod before stepping away. "You may leave."

Thoma and I returned to the area where our belongings were. I bent down to grab my bag, but Thoma beat me to it and swung both his and my things over his shoulder. "You didn't tell me you hurt your wrist, too."

"I forgot about it," I admitted sheepishly as he motioned for me to show my injured wrist—it had deepened from a light pink to a rosy red. "It only started acting up when I was sparring with Childe."

Thoma halted. "Did he do that to you?"

"What?" I blinked. "No. It was from before."

"Lumine," he pressed his lips together in concern. "You don't have to cover for him. I thought you two got along pretty well, but if Tartaglia is secretly causing you any harm then—"

"Seriously, Thoma. He had nothing to do with it. My wrist got a little worse because of the extra force I exerted. Childe would never intentionally harm anyone."

He looked unconvinced, and I couldn't blame him. "Are you sure?"

"Okay, he wouldn't intentionally harm me."

"Are my allergies acting up, or am I sneezing because people are gossiping behind my back?" The man in question walked into the conversation.

Childe looked at me with an easygoing smile, but it soon faded as he faced Thoma. A moment of deja vu struck me as I recalled their interaction from earlier, which also regarded my injury. Perhaps Xiao was right, if I just went directly to the infirmary—even if I had to spend extra time searching for it—both the issue of my physical and mental pains wouldn't be here right now.

I frowned. "Do you guys need to talk something out? Here, I'll be the mediator to prevent bloodshed."

"Where are you two headed, Lumi?" Childe turned to me. "Normally, you and the Kamisato lackey go to Vision Studies after this class, no? Are you skipping together?"

"Instructor Xiao asked me to take her to the infirmary," Thoma responded in my stead. "We're going there now. My name is Thoma, and I am no one's lackey."

"I see," Childe murmured before taking my good hand. "Well then, Thoma. Thank you, really, for going this far. I can bring her from here."

Thoma still had a hand on my wrist, and he lightly tugged me towards him. "I'd like to make sure Lumine gets there all in one piece, if you don't mind."

"And why wouldn't she?"

"You knew she was hurt in two places." Thoma took a step toward Childe. "Yet you continued to spar."

"It's what she wanted."

Thoma's frown deepened. "Really, Tartaglia? Archery with her wrist like that?"

Childe's hold on my hand tightened by a fraction. "Watch it. Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds?"

"I've heard enough." I shrugged off both their hands. "Thoma, don't be so hard on him. I knew my limits and chose to ignore them. Xiao already chastised me for that. And you." I cut a look at Childe. "What are you so insistent for? Thoma can relay a note from the infirmary to Professor Minci for me."

Neither of them said a word for a moment. Thoma looked to the ground, as if ashamed of his words. Childe, on the other hand, only cast an angry glance at Thoma. I was ready to knock some sense into the instigator, but he suddenly flashed a smile at me.

"Gotcha, girlie," Childe scratched his head and backed away. "Gee, I sure am relieved you've got such a great friend to take care of things for you. I'll be out of your way, then."

Thoma's head flicked up, and his surprised expression mirrored my own. I hadn't expected Childe to give in so quickly. I mean, the points I made were solid, so there was no reason for either of them to have an objection. Childe just seemed like he would have put up extra resistance because of who he is as a person.

I snagged his sleeve before he could take off. "Just like that? You're not planning something, are you?"

Childe looked at my hand on his sleeve with a fond smile. "Your lack of faith in me is staggering. Wipe that worried look off your face. I have my own places to be."

"Okay," I let go. "See you tomorrow."

He didn't say anything to that, only darted one last glare in Thoma's direction before turning at his heel and walking away. I watched Childe go, curious at his behavior. Character development can sneak up on you when you least expect it, I suppose. Thoma was also keeping an eye on Childe's retreat.

It was time to move on. "To the infirmary."

There was no one in the infirmary.

Thoma brought me to the administrative building, informing me that a large section of the east wing was comprised of the infirmary. I was probably unable to find it because the directory board was inside of the building, rather than out front. Nevertheless, he led me inside and we found ourselves in the reception area with a tall desk that blocked off a hallway.

"Um," I stepped up to the desk, looking for a bell I could ring. "Is anybody here?"

"Hi," a dull voice answered.

How odd. The response came from right in front of me, but after spending a few seconds scanning the area, there was still no sign of anyone. Thoma spared me an amused smile and pointed down at the desk.

Following his gesture, I looked over to the other side and caught a glimpse of a small purple hat. It meandered from side to side for a moment before hopping up onto a chair, revealing a little girl with tired eyes and a talisman partially hanging over her face.

Thoma smiled. "Hello, Qiqi. I'm here to drop off a friend. She needs some care for her left ankle and right wrist."

The girl, Qiqi, stared dubiously at me for a moment before rummaging around the desk, procuring a heavy book and feather pen. "Sign your name here, please. Date and time."

I followed her instruction and she looked over my work with a satisfied nod. "Nice to meet you, uh, Lumine."

"Qiqi, may I bring a note from you to Professor Minci?" Thoma asked. "Lumine will be missing part of class for her treatment."

"I can do that," she answered before scribbling down on a piece of paper. "Here you go."

Thoma accepted the note and looked it over. "This is perfect, thank you. I'll get going now, Lumine. Unless you want me to stay?"

"I can take it from here." Qiqi hopped off her chair and walked around to the front of the desk. "Follow me."

I bid Thoma farewell and let the small receptionist take me down a small hallway that opened up to a larger room. This section of the infirmary was very clearly meant for patient care. About two dozen beds lined either side of the wall, and sunlight streaming through the tall windows shone onto the empty sheets.

"Please wait here while I call for your healer." Qiqi pointed to the closest bed and disappeared back down the hallway.

I sat on the edge of the bed and glanced around the room. It was quite large, and I couldn't see why the Academy would need so many beds. Unless students are getting injured left and right, which isn't something I'd noticed, these healers must have a lot of time on their hands.

"You must be Lumine!" My healer appeared with a clipboard in hand. "I've never seen you in here before, so I'm guessing you're either a first-year or indestructible."

"The former," I smiled. "I don't think anyone here is indestructible."

"You'd be surprised. My name is Barbara, and I will be caring for you today! Let's see…Qiqi wrote that you've injured your ankle and wrist?"

I held out both appendages for her to observe.

"Oh my!" she gasped. "Yes, they are quite inflamed. I'll get right to it, then!"

Barbara knelt to hover her hands around my ankle, and a bubble of water began to form at her fingertips. She directed the water to my injury, and the entire area was submerged. Immediately, I could feel the nagging pain begin to fade away as Barbara hummed a light tune.

"Are you a student here?" I asked as she worked, for couldn't help but notice how young she was.

Her blue eyes blinked. "Me? No, I work for Celestia. I did have the opportunity to study here, but I opted for an apprenticeship, instead. I do some other work on the side, so it would be difficult to keep up with the Academy's workload."

An apprenticeship? I didn't realize that was an option. "What kind of work?"

"It's a bit embarrassing to say out loud." She blushed. "But I'm something of an idol. You might hear some of my songs if you pass through Mondstadt. Alright, your ankle is fully healed! May I see your wrist?"

I let Barbara use her Hydro Vision to repair my wrist. It didn't take long for her to finish, and she handed me a fluffy towel to dry off once the procedure was complete. I felt like new.

"Thank you, Barbara. You're amazing."

She blushed again. "I'm just doing my job. Please, take care of yourself! If you ever find yourself in need of healing in the future, do not hesitate to visit."

Now that I know where to find the place, I assured her that I would stop by first thing—not that I intended to get hurt again anytime soon. Barbara walked me back to the reception desk where Qiqi was waiting.

"Sign out, please." Qiqi pointed to the same book and pen from before.

"Are you an apprentice, too?" I asked the girl while filling out the page.

It was surprising enough to me that someone as young as Barabara would be a part-time apprentice and part-time idol, so I can't imagine how Qiqi found herself in this role of a receptionist.

She yawned. "I am a zombie. Have a good day."

Not knowing how to respond to that, and not wanting to show up any later to Vision Studies, I simply smiled and waved goodbye. This school was constantly surprising me, and I was starting to get used to it.