A Voyage into the Spiral Abyss

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***

The following day.

A considerable crowd had assembled in front of the gate of Mondstadt.

Everyone from Yomite's party was present, and Kaeya also came to bid farewell.

"Hm. There are considerably more people than I had initially anticipated," Lisa sighed as she looked over the group.

Yomite nodded back and replied, "Yep, everyone agreed to go so I brought all of them. Either way, you don't look too comfortable, is it still because of that illness?"

"Handsome, the 'illness' you speak of, does not trouble me whatsoever." Lisa responded to Yomite with an wry smile on her face.

"What troubles me is...the number of people here...ah dear me, I should have stayed indoors today after all..."

Lisa's eyes started darting around as she muttered that. She was a person who preferred to remain indoors, as she rarely left the library. Even when "Stormterror" or monsters assaulted the city, she did not appear...

Yet this time, she was dragged into going outside by Yomite.

Lisa genuinely disliked the company of others. She didn't fear them, they were just annoying.

And suddenly, she was surrounded by such a vast crowd with no means to escape...was she an introvert?

Perhaps?

"Come on, Lisa, don't be such a neet. Jean told me you used to study in Sumeru, right? Doesn't that mean you used to meet quite a lot of people there whether you wanted it or not? This shouldn't be comparable to that, right?" Yomite questioned her in a playful manner.

He knew Lisa loathed stepping outside since she frequently told him so.

Yomite found it ridiculous, however, that someone as powerful as her would stay cooped up inside for years going outside once per month at most while doing nothing but sleeping on a couch or behind a desk...

The only time she ever ventured outdoors was when she ran out of food...

Several times before, he attempted to get her to move her sluggish body, but his attempts were unsuccessful.

This time, though, he was successful. After three weeks, he had finally persuaded this slothful woman to take a shower and step outside.

"Handsome, I'm afraid you are ignorant of how the Akademiya operates. Although there were a large number of students, we were alone while studying, observing, and preparing thesis papers. We did not find meeting people throughout our study to be common or beneficial. We desired privacy to conduct study in a secluded area." Lisa responded with her arms crossed across her chest in a defensive manner.

Oftentimes when Yomite mentioned the city of Sumeru, Lisa's expression changed.

She appeared distant and icy. Perhaps it was because she had spent so much time there and learnt things she desired to forget, but he may have simply looked into it too much.

"But you see...this is different. There's around 7 or 8 of you...and I can't help but feel a bit awkward right now. I would love to indulge in sleeping until noon and then make myself a cup of herbal tea if only it weren't for this." Lisa murmured, looking away from him.

"You're probably the laziest woman I know...Well, I can't say I blame you because I am also lazy, but not to this extent...Anyway, and what's the plan? Are we going to train at a unique facility in Mondstadt? Like an echo chamber that would significantly increase our power?"

Though he doubted Mondstadt was in possession of anything like that, Yomite figured it wouldn't hurt to ask, so he prodded her.

"No. Unfortunately, Mondstadt lacks such facilities; as a result, we will train in a location that has been hardly explored, not even by adventurers. The Abyss is a location where Knights of Favonius fear to tread," stated Lisa.

"... the Abyss... Like the Abyss Order? Those irritating mage creatures with their elemental shields and other crap? Is it like their home base?"

"Precisely. The entrance is near the territory of Mondstadt. You'll get to experience the true power of the abyss within. Crawling with monsters and Abyss Mages at every corner, this place is one of the most dangerous and least mapped out areas of the entire Teyvat. Oh, and I hope you all brought your wind gliders with you."

***

**

*

A couple of hours prior.

"Lisa...you're out of your mind! They cannot possibly accompany you! This location is too dangerous!" Jean reprimanded Lisa strongly as she walked back and forth in her office.

The Abyss was a location she wouldn't investigate with an entire platoon, yet they wished to go with only a few individuals?

Outrageous!

Jean was a reasonable and kind individual, but Lisa's recklessness today appeared to have exhausted her patience.

"Now, now, Sweetie, calm down. You'll ruin your pretty face. Besides...it isn't my fault they wished for me to train them. I'll do whatever I want with them until they'll start begging for mercy. Particularly your little sister. I'll make sure to ruin her hopes and dreams. I would then leave her in tears and tell her to beg for forgiveness."

"Lisa, stop kidding...please ensure she's safe with you...if I lost her, I would never forgive myself..."

"Hm, considering you told her she wasn't important compared to the city of Mondstadt, I would say you—"

"—That's enough, Lisa!"

Jean quickly turned away from her after saying her piece and walked off while rubbing her temples, in order to avoid hearing what Lisa would say next.

Not long after her difficult exchange with Barbara, she spoke to Lisa, but now she wondered if she should have...as Lisa seemed ready to wage war against Barbara, labeling her a brat with an impulsive personality who couldn't even take care of herself and was annoying to be around.

As a result, Jean felt compelled to feel responsible for and protect her younger sister, as she had previously been unable to do so.

"No need to worry. I'll make sure everyone survives the ordeal. You know me, right? There aren't many people out there who can trouble me. As for Barbara, well...Regarding Barbara, I suppose I'll have to accept the fact that she made my dear friend cry. Hmph."

"Lisa...I was the one at fault, I shouldn't have said that to her. She's my precious little sister... I'll make sure to work harder than ever before to make up for it..."

"Of course, I was merely joking. Teasing you is one of my hobbies, you know? Besides, I'm not the type to let someone die so easily." Lisa chuckled.

Jean felt that something was off with that statement, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Lisa had always been a trustworthy and a dependable ally, but her present "condition" was slowly deteriorating her health, and perhaps mind as well...