"Your Highness, I don't want to be a priestess anymore. I want to be a knight like my sister!"
"Oh? It seems you've finally realized that studying medicine can't save Mondstadt. That's a good thing."
Leon gave Barbara an approving pat on the head.
He thought this was excellent.
It seemed the girl had finally understood that, no matter what profession one currently held, the times had changed. The so-called best treatment was to eliminate all enemies.
That way, no one on your side would get hurt.
"So you've been secretly practicing swordsmanship?"
Barbara nodded and hugged the knight training helmet to her chest with a hint of embarrassment. Her cute, well-behaved, and thoroughly unheroic appearance didn't really match that armor.
Although the armor was as light as a feather to Leon, it was already quite heavy for Barbara.
"Does your sister know you want to change professions?"
"I haven't told her yet. I'm afraid she'll oppose it."
"Yes, after all, Jean has always cared deeply about you."
Regardless of appearances, Leon was certain that, deep down, Jean didn't want to see Barbara give up healing to become a knight.
After all, that sister was a bit controlling.
Jean didn't want Barbara to face any danger. As a healing priestess, she could remain safely in the rear.
But if Barbara changed her profession and became a knight, she would have to face real danger and stain her hands with blood.
A priestess only needed to sing hymns and pray—something far easier than the harsh training of knights. As the older sister, Jean definitely didn't want Barbara to suffer so much.
"Well, don't worry about Jean's thoughts for now. Barbara, how's your training going? Want me to take a look?"
"Really? Thank you, Your Highness!"
Barbara's eyes lit up. She had been worried about her progress. If it was Leon, he could certainly offer professional advice.
She immediately picked up the blunted sword used for training.
"Your Highness, please watch carefully."
Then Barbara performed a vigorous sequence of sword strikes.
After a few minutes, the girl was sweating and looked full of anticipation.
"Your Highness, what do you think?"
"Hmm… there's plenty of room for improvement."
"Please teach me."
Barbara asked sincerely and humbly.
"All right. First of all, we need to change your appearance. A nun's outfit simply doesn't match your determination. At the very least, you need to change your look first."
Leon pointed at the cute nun's uniform and said, "But I have to admit, that outfit is quite stylish."
In neither of his two previous lives had he ever seen a white dress—or a nun's uniform—paired with white tights…
"So… that's how it works?"
"Come on, let's start with your hairstyle. Those twin ponytails are very cute. How about switching to a single ponytail, like your sister's?"
"Like my sister's…"
Barbara blinked, decided to undo the twin ponytails, and tied her hair into a simple, ordinary single ponytail.
She shook her head, and her light-blonde ponytail swayed gently. Though she was still cute, there was now a faint hint of heroism about her.
Leon found himself interested as well.
"Now put on a knight's uniform."
"Huh? I have to change clothes too? But—"
"Just borrow a set from Jean's wardrobe. Barbara, if you don't want to wear it, I can find another one later."
"I'll wear it! Please let me wear it!"
Barbara immediately changed her mind.
Jean wasn't just a controlling sister—she was also a fashionable one.
So Barbara finished changing in front of Leon.
"Your Highness, what do you think?"
"Well, not too cute and not too provocative… it's good."
Leon gave a thumbs-up as he appreciated Barbara's different appearance. It was completely unlike her usual image. It felt as though there might be a new kind of fun that night… sisters swapping outfits.
He then took out a full-length mirror and placed it in front of Barbara. Her eyes sparkled as she saw her reflection.
In the mirror, Barbara wore the same form-fitting knight uniform as Jean, with a single ponytail and a blunted sword in her hand. She looked like a genuine rookie knight.
There was a wonderful balance between cuteness, dignity, and striking beauty.
If any writer saw Barbara at that moment, they could easily write a Tales of the Knight Maiden with her as the protagonist.
"Very well, Barbara. You've passed the appearance test."
"Thank you, Your Highness. How can I improve my swordsmanship?"
"Swordsmanship? Well… there's no need to change it."
"Really?!"
Barbara was extremely surprised and delighted. She didn't think she was a genius, but hearing that nothing needed to be changed seemed to validate all the time she had spent training.
But in the very next second—
Leon removed the sword from her waist.
"Your Highness?! What are you doing?"
"Barbara, stop training with the sword. I can say with absolute certainty that you won't be able to walk this path."
Leon placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke sincerely.
"Huh?"
Barbara was confused. This was completely different from what she had expected.
"It's not a matter of technique or style. It's just that… the one-handed sword you're using should actually be wielded with both hands. For you, it's practically a heavy sword. Learning swordsmanship like this is pointless."
Leon spoke with a subtle expression.
He felt he had to be honest.
Although Barbara possessed considerable magical power, her body was very weak.
Instead of using a sword to attack, Leon even thought it might be more effective for her to use her little hands to slap people.
"W-why… why is this…?"
Barbara was deeply shaken. She believed she had talent, but she hadn't expected to be so unsuitable.
"Then why did I have to change clothes?"
"Because that's the only area where I can help you improve. After all, we agreed to analyze your situation. No matter what, we need to give at least some constructive suggestions."
Leon gave Barbara's shoulder a comforting pat.
"Isn't that good? Anyway, you seemed quite happy changing clothes, didn't you? You can wear the same outfits as your sister."
"Uuuh… I… I didn't mean to…"
The girl looked frustrated.
She looked at herself in the mirror again.
She knew it was only appearance. In reality, she had no strength at all. Before, she had simply been happy to dress like her sister, but now she felt empty.
"Why did you suddenly decide to abandon medicine and take up martial arts?" Leon asked curiously.
"I just want to help my sister and share some of the pressure she's under," Barbara said, lowering her head.
As the only priestess in the city capable of performing magical healing, Barbara always served as the healer for the Knights of Favonius after missions, and Jean always said she was a tremendous help.
All the Knights—no, rather, everyone in Mondstadt—liked this girl very much.
Barbara herself, however, didn't like it quite as much.
She didn't want to be just the one who treated the wounded afterward. She didn't want to see her sister and everyone else suffer again.
She wanted to protect the people important to her before they got hurt, not merely be responsible for healing injuries after the fact.
"So that's it. A noble ideal."
"But I really don't seem to have any talent, do I…?"
"Don't sigh, Barbara. As long as your thinking doesn't go astray, there are always more solutions than difficulties."
Leon gently lifted Barbara's chin, showing her that it wasn't time to give up yet.
Then she saw Leon open his storage space and take out…
A modified version of a magical AK-47.
"You can keep this little beauty."
"Huh?"
(End of Chapter)