Those Who Dream of Freedom (Scaramouche x fem!reader)

Chapter 2 ☆ The indigo-haired boy

☆ y/n

When I woke up after a pretty restless night, I hoped at least the day would be a good one. Unfortunately the universe had other plans because I remembered I had to return some books to the library and to top it off, on the way I ran into the rudest boy I've ever met. Obviously, I was surprised, as over the years I've come to believe I know everyone in town. Normally I would have introduced myself, but circumstances didn't allow it. Who does he think he is? Blaming me when it was clearly him who bumped into me? He's the reason we both fell on the sidewalk. And he didn't even try to help me or say sorry. What a jerk! And it's a shame because he's good looking, but with his temper I don't think many people like him. His haircut doesn't at first glance make him look like a jerk and neither does his height, but it seems the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" applies to him. His attitude doesn't match his height at all. He probably thinks he's a big deal to be reacting that way, and I know I shouldn't care, but I'm not lying when I say he ruined whatever good mood I still had.

The nerve of him! And because of him I'm arriving even later at the library. I should have returned them last week, but I really needed them now, especially with the Academy Try-outs coming up, as I want to be as prepared as possible. The Try-outs consist of two exams: the first and hardest for me, as I'm not able to assimilate written information, is the theoretical test, and the second and easiest is the practical one. Most Candidates start training a year or two before they can apply, but it's cutting it way too close and you can only learn the basics of fighting in that time. I, on the other hand, have been training for longer and I wish all the training wasn't in vain. Each Try-out is eliminatory.

But there's no point in stressing about it. It won't do me any good.

I walk up the stairs to the Knights' Headquarters, the place where the library is, and I think to myself that since the librarian, Lisa, didn't come to my house to ask for my books, it's not such a big deal that I'm late with them. Lisa is a mature woman who studied at Sumeru Academy and knows how to use her Electro vision very well. Her magic has been recognized by the Academy and she is considered the most powerful mage and the smartest graduate in two hundred years. But with all that, Lisa has returned to Mondstadt to be a librarian and no one knows why. But regardless of these and her appearance as a woman barely past thirty, she's very much to be feared when it comes to library books and their due date.

I just want to huff at the thought of heading into battle with destiny.

When I get to the library, Lisa is not at her desk and I look around the room for her. I'd leave the books on the desk and then go to the reading tables, but I've been warned about this before and wouldn't repeat the experience, especially when it comes to her. At one point I see her coming up the stairs from the basement.

"What are you doing, cutie?" she asks me as soon as she sees me. "Don't just stand there. Come to the desk to return the books you have."

I nod and do as she says.

"Leave them here. Have a seat."

I sit in the chair next to her as I put my books on the desk.

"You should have brought them last week," she says as soon as she opens the first book.

"Yes, I know, I'm sorry," I say quickly.

"There's no need to be so scared. I always trust you to bring them back, which is why I haven't paid you a visit."

Oh, yeah, right. Did I forget to mention that I stop by here quite often and bring all the books I borrow on time? Basically Lisa already knows me, although we haven't exchanged more than a few words since I've been in Mondstadt. And I haven't even been here that long... next month will be four years.