"We are about prepared to depart." Lisa announced and looked around, seemingly searching for someone.     

Her gaze landed on Barbara, who immediately shrank back in fear.     

The respect she held for Lisa was still present, and it appeared that the scolding she experienced during their last encounter was still fresh on her mind.     

Telling her she had no talent and no future would hurt anyone, especially if it came from someone esteemed like Lisa, whom many held in high regard.     

"There you are, Cutie." Lisa smiled sweetly. "Jean told me to give you this."     

Lisa handed Barbara a thick book, and Barbara's eyes widened momentarily.     

"What is this book? I've never seen it before...is it something she reads?"     

"It's an artifact. Jean specifically told me to hand it to you. She's afraid something would happen to you."     

"Oh..."     

Barbara's expression changed for the worse upon hearing that.     

"That's why she didn't give it to me in person, right...? Because she cares...what a joke." Barbara muttered to herself before looking down, "I guess I shouldn't have been surprised...it's like this every time. She never cares."     

Immediately after she stated this, Lisa clicked her tongue and grabbed her by the collar, pulling her close.     

Barbara yelped in surprise and instinctively attempted to pull away, but she was unable to.     

"I think that's enough with your pathetic behavior. If your parents didn't beat it out of you, then I will. You're going to become a student of mine, which I only accepted due to request of Yomite. And you're going to prove yourself. As my student, whether you like it or not, you're going to represent me, and don't you dare bring me any shame. Just being my student should be an honor for you, so quit whining and crying or else I'll leave you in The Abyss for all eternity."     

Lisa glared at Barbara, who was frozen with fear.     

Then, with a flick of her wrist, she threw her aside.     

Barbara flew through the air and landed hard on the grass near the riverbank.     

"Ow..."     

She picked herself back up, clutching her butt and letting out a small groan.     

"Great, I have a headache now...stupid little brat..."     

She rubbed her temples as she slowly walked towards Barbara, her face twisted in disgust.     

It appeared that Lisa's seemed to have had enough.     

Barbara was simply too stubborn—unable to accept responsibility or criticism. It was hard to imagine that she was the same shy little girl who begged Lisa to teach her magic all those years ago.     

All that remained now, was watching her burn herself out from the inside due to the inferiority she felt towards others and especially Jean.     

Lisa was one of those people who knew why Barbara acted the way she did with one look, but she chose to ignore it.     

Her behavior towards Barbara was nothing short of cruel, but Lisa was simply doing what was best for her.     

She saw it many times in Sumeru, the scholars from Akademiya, being entitled and jealous over research.     

Those types of people were always driven by jealousy and envy. The only thing they valued was their research itself, and that was why they were so hateful toward others.     

However, Lisa wouldn't give Barbara what she wanted, she hated people who thought the whole world was supposed to be revolving around them, so she forced her to come to terms with reality and realize life was never fair to begin with.     

Being reminded with the mad scholars left a bad aftertaste in her mouth.     

And she didn't want Barbara to turn into someone like that.     

"Sweetie, don't be a brat and listen. Jean is my dearest friend, and I know her more than you do, even if you two are related. She really does care about you. So it would be in your best interest if you kept your mouth shut when you know nothing about how hard it is to lead the Knights of Favonius, especially when most of the forces who abstained from going on the expedition were failed products who did nothing all day."     

"Whatever..." Barbara murmured.     

"Good girl. Now hurry up and take it. We're not here to play a house with family issues, but to train. Get over it and focus."     

Barbara frowned and reluctantly took the book from her hands, gazing at its cover.     

'Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers? What a dull title...is this truly an artifact?'     

Lisa then turned to the others, noticing that they were all standing there awkwardly after watching their exchange and overhearing something they shouldn't have heard.     

Yomite knew Barbara's mental state was bad, and she was close to collapsing which was why he wanted to go slowly with her to stabilize her mental state somewhat, but Lisa just might have completely reset the progress bar...     

"Let's head out now. I would like to be there before nightfall."     

Everyone nodded and followed behind Lisa, with Yomite in the back.     

He made sure to stay at the rear, so he could quickly make Barbara feel better if she started to cry. He took a look at the book she clutched in her arms and sighed quietly.     

"Are you okay? I'm sorry about what happened... Lisa seems to be on edge for some reason. Maybe she's not so tough inside and the trip to the Abyss is making her anxious."     

"N-No, I'm fine!"     

Barbara flinched at Yomite's sudden question and hastily shook her head.     

Yomite knew that wasn't true, but there was nothing he could say to change her mind.     

"So...what's the book about?"     

"It's called...Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers. I don't know much about it, though."     

"Hmm..."     

Yomite raised his brows and opened the book to read.     

As he flipped through the pages, he noticed that it contained quite a few drawings of people fighting dragons. Many of the pictures depicted a young woman with her friends, wearing a red dress and holding a sword, along with a large dragon in front of her.     

At least, that was what Yomite assumed based off of the illustrations alone.     

'Looks like a normal fairy tail...nothing too special...let's check it out with my ability. I want to know.'     

———————     

Name: Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers     

Rarity: 3* Artifact     

Description: A fictional story of a band of five heroes who went off on a dragon hunt. It is poorly written and structurally incoherent. Its value lies in the many lessons that can be learned from failure, and the nevergiving up aspect of the story. Perfect for someone to realize their own true worth.     

Active Ability - The ATK of all alies nearby is increased by 24% for 10s. This effect can only occur once every 20s. User has to read a short passage from the book in order for the effect to occur. Effect cannot stack.     

———————     

'Many lessons that can be learned from failure...This book could actually be good for Barbara...and the buffs on ATK are pretty great... So artifacts like this also existed.'     

Yomite closed the book and looked at Barbara, who was staring blankly ahead.     

"This is actually pretty amazing. You should definitely read it. You can even use it in a combat."     

"In combat?...but it's just a book..."     

"Just give it a try later. Trust me."     

Barbara looked at him suspiciously.     

"Fine, I'll read it, but only because you are the one who said so," eventually she relented, taking the book over from Yomite without another word.