In the end, Gu Sanqiu didn't get to return to his cozy slumber. Barbara had effectively turned the luxurious suite into a flooded mess with her newly learned [Tidal Surge] spell.
The aftermath? A room so waterlogged it would take the hotel staff an entire day to restore it to normal.
Sure, Gu Sanqiu could use fire to dry things up, but doing so might be interpreted by a certain enthusiastic student as "Teacher's counterattack". And if that happened, the flooding wouldn't be limited to just one room.
Barbara, meanwhile, seemed to be enjoying her newfound freedom from clingy fans. Skipping and humming alongside Gu Sanqiu, she radiated a lightness that was impossible to ignore.
So, freedom from annoyances equals a massive power-up? That might explain how she managed to pull off that move earlier.
"Who taught you that spell?" Gu Sanqiu asked.
Barbara turned and beamed at him. "Oh? Teacher noticed! It's my newest spell. Isn't it amazing?"
Gu Sanqiu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, you decided to test your new spell on me? Should I be accusing you of betraying your master?"
Barbara giggled and latched onto his arm. "Hehe, but Teacher is so kind. You wouldn't hold a grudge, would you?"
"It was Miss Lisa from the library who taught me. I went to her for advice on combat techniques. She told me your teachings were spot-on, but for someone my age without real battle experience, clever tricks could still count as legitimate tactics."
Gu Sanqiu nodded. "That's fair. For Hydro combat, you could reference Childe's dual-dagger approach or condense high-pressure water blades—sharp enough to cut through anything. But both methods require considerable melee skill."
"For you, as someone with no prior combat experience, a purely mage-like approach does seem more suitable."
Can't hit your target?
Then obliterate everything in their vicinity!
That was the essence of overwhelming firepower: as long as your attacks were strong enough, nothing short of divine intervention could save your target.
As for dealing with melee combatants up close?
You think mages don't take "dealing with melee threats" as a core subject?
"Miss Lisa suggested I focus entirely on becoming a mage. She even lent me some advanced notes on spellcasting," Barbara explained with a sheepish smile. "But those notes are classified as semi-restricted texts—only available to those who've made significant contributions to Mondstadt. They're difficult to understand."
"She also said that if I could one day control the entire Cider Lake to drown my enemies, I wouldn't have to worry about conventional threats anymore."
"That sounds… unorthodox," Gu Sanqiu remarked. "Knowing you, I'm surprised you agreed to something that bends the rules. How exactly did Lisa convince you?"
Barbara's face turned crimson, and she lowered her head, mumbling.
"She said… that since I bring so much joy to Mondstadt, my smiles are more valuable than most people's contributions. So, it's fine."
…Wow, that's one way to frame it.
Gu Sanqiu felt a pang of envy. He suddenly wanted to lock Aether in the library for a week and have Lisa teach him how to talk like that.
Maybe then we'd have a Traveler capable of charming anyone, from toddlers to the elderly.
"Teacher! What's with that expression?"
Barbara puffed up her cheeks in mock anger. "Just now—you made a face!"
Expressionless, Gu Sanqiu pointed at his own face. "Take a good look. My expression hasn't changed. How exactly did you see anything?"
"It's obvious!" Barbara huffed, glaring at him. "Teacher, are you saying Barbara isn't cute?"
Ah, the quintessential trap question from a girl.
Without hesitation, Gu Sanqiu nodded. "Yes, yes, Barbara is very cute. Extremely cute."
The blatant insincerity in his tone was impossible to miss.
Barbara clenched her teeth. "You—!"
"Hmph! A grown-up doesn't hold grudges against the petty. I'll forgive you this time."
Barbara turned with a huff and skipped ahead, where a young woman clad in a maid's armor awaited her.
Gu Sanqiu glanced up, his gaze falling on Noelle.
Hmm, classic Geo-color hair. Nothing unusual there.
He pulled a strand of his own black hair into view and stared at it with a complicated expression.
Am I a traitor to my own lineage? Aside from Yun Jin, I might be the only one with this odd hair color.
"Mr. Sanqiu, thank you for taking the time to come here."
Noelle placed her hands together and bowed deeply. "I'm Noelle, a maid of the Knights of Favonius. I'm honored to have your guidance today."
Barbara, not missing a beat, wrapped her arms around Noelle with a pout. "Don't let him fool you! This so-called busy Teacher of mine spent last night drinking and feasting. Don't be too polite with him!"
Betrayal of one's master—this is definitely betrayal.
Gu Sanqiu sighed and rubbed his temple. "Alright, let's hear it. What do you want to know? Or do you want to spar?"
"Spar?" Noelle asked, surprised. "Am I allowed?"
"Of course. How about we head to the training grounds? That way, I can evaluate your combat abilities as well."
"Then… I'll do my best!"
Noelle bowed again, this time so deeply that Barbara, still clinging to her back, was lifted off the ground. The sheer strength of her bow was enough to leave Gu Sanqiu momentarily speechless.
No wonder they call her the walking fortress. She's practically a rival to the Stonehide Lawachurls in raw strength.
At the training grounds, Noelle gripped her Favonius Greatsword tightly, her expression serious.
Barbara cheered from the sidelines. "Go, Noelle! Teach my Teacher a lesson for me!"
Gu Sanqiu sighed. Maybe I should've played the aloof, dignified mentor around Barbara.
He reached into his storage space and drew a heavy sword. This wasn't some flimsy branch—he couldn't risk underestimating Noelle. Unlike poor Aether, who was often drained to the bone, Noelle's strength demanded respect.
"You take the first move," he instructed.
"Understood! Forgive me!"
Noelle let out a spirited cry as she stepped forward. Her boots slammed into the ground, leaving a crater beneath her. Using the momentum, she thrust her sword forward like a cavalry spear aimed straight at Gu Sanqiu.
A simple thrust in form, but the power and speed behind it were anything but. The sheer force felt like a mounted knight's lance charge.
Clang!
Gu Sanqiu raised his blade, parrying the strike. The clash of steel rang out, and cracks spiderwebbed across the stone beneath his feet.
"Ha!"
Even in a spar, Noelle didn't rely on brute force alone. She pivoted gracefully, swinging her blade in a horizontal arc aimed at Gu Sanqiu's waist.
"Good reaction," he remarked, pulling his sword back in a defensive stance. The heavy blade blocked her strike, and with a calculated shove, he disrupted her momentum and forced her back.
"Your attacks are straightforward, but not overly rigid. That's rare for someone with a textbook style."
He offered her a nod of approval. "Now, let's see how well you can defend."