Hellish Training of the Steel

Hundreds, thousands of times...

...I temper myself, refining my steel.

Born soft, I keep sharpening and polishing my fate...

So I may become so strong that no one can best me.

That is my only path.

Try, then try again... I must keep preparing...

Leets!

Eeek! Rudd?! What brings you to my roost...?

I was wondering about what you've been up to lately...

You're still clinging onto your habit of "preparation" or bust?

Ugh, b-but! If I don't prepare, I'll fall behind in the competition!

Always preparing, yet never taking on a challenge. So frustrating.

That's because... I'm still not enough... I'm just a flimsy scrap of steel...

Leets, you are not weak!

Just look at your track record in battles.

You've never lost a single match when defending against those below you in rank.

Even now, you're more than able to defeat those ranked above you!

Do you not know that the lower-ranked dragons actually call you the "Weeping Wall?"

Rudd... I'll challenge those above me when I personally feel I'm ready!

And when exactly will that be?

According to Daya, you used to be full of fire and ambition in the past.

Technically, haven't you been around even longer than I have?

So why have you changed so much, Leets?

It's because... I got beaten to a pulp... And so now, I'm working hard to improve myself... Ugh...

To think someone so strong they once challenged Vivi to a duel could turn out like this... What a disappointment.

Well, um... Ever since that fight... How do I say this... Everything's been a little, I don't know, fuzzy...?

I was waiting for Vivi to start the match that kept getting delayed...

And now... it's just this whole thing?

Did you hear that Vivi has woken up recently?

Why not challenge her again and finally get closure on this?

Hmm... I'm not too sure about that...

Wasn't Vivi officially removed from the rankings...

Sigh...

Leets, you're so frustrating.

Anyone would think you're one of the strongest just by looking at you...

The urge to challenge those above you, regardless of victory or defeat!

That is the very instinct of us dragons... Are you going to ignore it?

I-I told you, I will when I'm ready!

Seriously! I'm still not good enough!

I need to train a little more, until I become strong and sharp enough!

I'm just waiting for the perfect moment!

Only through ceaseless effoooort will I become who I'm meant to be!

I can't let this go on.

Before you rust away completely, you need a trial!

What?

Sist! Explain to Leets the plan we discussed.

Yup! Will do!

Huh? Sist?

Behold, Leets' spiritual training plan! We call it, "The Trial of Steel!"

Leets, you are to head to the surface to duel the strongest fighters across Elias!

Win or lose, it won't affect your official ranking among the dragons, so you've got nothing to worry about!

Even the indecisive Leets won't be able to back out of this one!

Whaaat?! A-Are you serious?!

Are you really sending me to the surface, Rudd?!

You're kicking me out just because I haven't challenged anyone lately...?! That's so unfair!

I'm not sending you away! Daya has already approved this.

The surface is lined up with powerful warriors.

Your task is to spar with them and gain experience and wisdom.

Ohh, and, as you fight, you'll see that you'll gain confidence and rekindle your fighting spirit! At least, that's the idea!

You've met Sist before, haven't you?

Since she knows the way to the surface, she'll go with you.

Daya will be receiving reports on your spiritual training...

...So don't even think about backing out of a fight or trying to find the easy way out!

Oh, don't you worry about that! I'll make sure to report everything, down to the tiniest detail!

Here, take this list.

The ones listed here are the ones you'll need to go challenge.

Uggh...!

Sh-Should I make arrangements with them first?

Ah! O-Or... did Daya already contact them in advance?

Leets! Stop overthinking this and just go fight them already!

Whaaat?! Do you want me to just grab them out of nowhere and start a fight?!

Even when neither my opponent nor I are prepared for such a match?

W-Wouldn't that just be plain rude?

For a duel to be fair, it should be scheduled at least a month in advance...

I need time to analyze my opponent, study their Achilles heel... I need to practice my swordsmanship, and keep training, and...!

Leets! An ambush is also a strategic move!

There are no dishonorable tactics when it comes to winning or losing. Only when you are able to overcome them will you become strong.

Besides, Daya doesn't have the time to schedule fights for you.

Well then... I wish you the best of luck! Daya's also expecting great things from you!

Ugh... Aaaah!

Argh... My eyes...

It's so warm... and dry... It's absolutely different from the underground...

Now, now. What are you grumbling about?

I come back and forth from here all the time. You of all people should be fine with this, right, Leets?

There's no way I can properly fight in such a pleasant environment as this...

Since every battle that is fought is about overcoming adversity... I'm just saying a pleasant environment is an indulgence!

Okay! I think I've learned enough. How about we head back?

Huh? You're already talking about going back? But you just got to the surface!

Well... I mean, the lesson here is that I shouldn't let my surroundings affect me... Isn't that right?

This is such a huge realization for me! I'm sure Rudd and Daya will also understand why I'm back.

And, I need to train separately so I can adapt to the new environment! That way, I won't be adversely affected in battle!

I'll come up to the surface every day and swing my sword thousands of times!

I'll cut grass, chop trees...!

Hey! That's not how this works!

And if we go back now, I'll also get in trouble! It's too soon!

Daya said she'd buy something exclusive from me if this plan works out!

Ugghhh... But...!

Come on! Hurry up and follow me!

Sigghh...! Sniiffff...!

Let's see... Let's start by first meeting the closest opponent here.

The first opponent? Who is it?

Hmm... Ah! There they are! Right over there! If you wanna find an elemental, you gotta go straight to an elemental's territory!

What's this? Aren't you guys dragons? What brings you to the surface?

Alright, Leets! This is your first opponent!

In the blue corner!! The super cowardly rookie among all the dragons...

It's Steel Dragon, Leets!

I-I'm not a coward!

What the heck, what are you doing...?

And in the red corner!! Ruler of Elias' skies and heaven's avenger! It's the elemental bully...

Wind elemental, Sylla!

Who are you calling a bully?!

Round one! Start!

W-Wait, we're just starting?! Just like that?! What am I supposed to do?!

What exactly is going on here?

I don't mind you passing through Elemental Mountain...

But if you have something to do here, you better quickly tell me what it is.

Uhhh... Well...

I'm supposed to fight you...

Huh?

They told me... to fight you. Is that okay?

Why do we have to fight?

Umm... I don't really know either... They just told me to do it...

........

If this is just some kind of joke, please leave. I don't have time for this.

Huh? Really?

Are you backing down from a fight? Does that mean... I win?

...? What?

Oh, thank goodness! I was worried for nothing! Who would've though it would this easy!

But that's weird. I won... but it doesn't feel good.

It's like I skipped too many steps... I have this empty feeling like I missed something important...!

Do I...

Do I WANT to fight...?

Ugh... Tch....?! This girl!

Who do think you are?! Do you think, just because I let things slide, you can run your mouth?!

Do you think you can come to our land, mock us elementals, and walk away unscathed?!

I'm going to blow you down to the bottom of this mountain! Right now!

Aaack! Where did this wind gust suddenly come from?! I'm the referee! Don't send me flying too!

The wind...! I've never been hit with winds this strong before...!

Why are you doing this all of a sudden?! The fight's already over!

Huh? This girl...! She's using her sword as support and holding her ground?!

Hmph, let's see how long you can last!

Aaack! Why are you doing this?!

Hmph, consider this a lesson for insulting a Noble Elemental!

A... A lesson?

Is she testing me? Trying to teach me something?

Is this what Rudd and Daya wanted me to learn?

If that's the case... I can't rely on my tools...!

If this is a test of my will... then I'll overcome this... with my will alone!

What is she doing? Why is she letting go of her sword?

Aacck! Someone save this merchant!

Ah... Without my sword, I am so fragile... My existence so fleeting...

If I can't even withstand the wind, then what have I been training for?

What have I been living for...?

To become the highest-ranking dragon? The strongest dragon swordsman? Uggh, I don't know anymore!

Was I... Was I wrong about everything?

Ms. Wind Elemental! Is there a simpler lesson you could give me? This one's too hard...!!

What... What is she yelling about now? Such a strange one, she is...

Leets! What the hell was that back there?!

If your opponent attacks, you should at least counter!

Counter with what? I won that duel.

Tsk, tsk. Anyway, you rank-obsessed types have the weirdest logic.

Great! So that means I can go back now, right?

You just finished one match! There are still plenty more left!

But, but... I feel like I've gained an incredibly profound philosophical lesson! I'm not exactly sure what it is, but...

Wouldn't you say this is already a huge improvement?

Has your head hardened like your namesake, Steel Dragon? What exactly do you think you gained?

Hmm... Steel... "ferrous"-osophy...

An iron dragon with unalloyed "ferrous"-osophical brilliance...

...A steel dragon with double the meaning, double the charm? Pfft... Hehehe!

Eeek! A phantom!!!

Now that I look around, I think the wind blew us straight into phantom territory!

Who... Who are you?

I am Rim. The phantom of balance.

This place is dangerous, so you should leave before the eyes of the other phantoms fall on you.

An endangered one in the danger zone... must not become "stranger danger."

........

........

What was that? Was that supposed to make sense?

I feel my head is slightly spinning. The rumors were right; phantoms really ARE dangerous.

Maybe I should train myself to ignore whatever phantoms say from now on...?

Training my mind... to selectively block out my hearing...!

Thanks for the warning. We'll be leaving now.

Hold on.

There should be a phantom on the list... Let me see...

Shaydi? It says "Shaydi" here...

Pretty sure this person just said her name's Rim.

What is Shaydi up to this time?

A truly unstoppable chaotic prankster. A "Pandemonium"-giving embodiment of chaos... A $CHOC trickster...

Ugh... Forget Shaydi or whoever... I don't want to be here any longer. I'm getting queasy.

What business do you have with Shaydi?

Are you here to cause trouble with that troublemaker, hoping to be up to no good?

U-Uh, well... I was supposed to have a duel with a phantom named Shaydi...

That won't do. Nothing good comes from getting mixed up with Shaydi.

I'll handle Shaydi, so you'd best just leave.

Sist? Uh... What should I do?

Hmm... Rim... Rim, huh...?

Since Rim is around the same level as Shaydi... How about a proxy duel?

Ah, that's right! There is that thing where you can have a proxy fighter to fight, right?

Isn't there an old rule among the dragons where you can do this?

Exactly, exactly! Okay in that case...

...My proxy fighter is you, Sist! Let's start the duel!

What?! No, you idiot! You're not the one who picks the proxy fighter, Leets!

But it's been decided that she's the proxy fighter!... If I don't pick one too, it feels like I'm at a disadvantage.

This is your trial, not mine!

Okay then, Ms. Phantom! I ask you to duel against Sist!

Oh? A... duel...? You want to... play with me?

No, no! I said, not me! Duels are not my thing!!!

I-I'm sorry, Sist...! I'm just not ready yet!...

It's always been just me... But fine. I'll play with you.

A duel that is definitive, decisive, and undeniable. A de-lightful 3-layer "dee"-ip.

Aaaah!!! Leets, you bastard! Just you wait!

Sist... is pretty good at dodging. It seems like she's better at fighting than I thought.

Maybe there's something I could learn from Sist's agility?

Ugh... Watching this good duel... I feel like something... is bubbling up inside me...

This tingling sensation in my hands... It's been a while...!

It's like this feeling of not knowing what'll happen next...!

Aaack! My horn! What would've happened if that had been my real horn?!

Don't worry. I won't touch your real horn. No need to get your horns in a twist.

You... You son of a gun! Do you even know what my real horn is?!

You can't hide it. No matter how much you try to hide it with a fake one, your true colors will always come out.

Our true colors will come out anyway? Are you saying there's no point in hiding it...?

That was pretty impressive...!

Aaaargh! My head!

Sorry. I got a little excited. Used a bit too much force.

I surrender... Uggh... I surrender I said...!

That's too bad.

You, dragon with the armor. Had it been you, you'd probably have lasted longer.

M-Me?!

I don't get why you were so desperate to avoid the duel. It would've been fun.

Your face, your pace, your stance, your lance... Whether I see it, you see it, we all see it... Pfft, I can tell you're clearly a CUT above!

Y-You think...?

Be bolder. Don't lie to yourself.

Don't lie to yourself...?

Ah... I get it! Thank you, Ms. Phantom!

I am Rim, I am. Pfft. Teehee...

I... I think I finally understand the purpose of this spiritual training.

These strong warriors... They're not just good at fighting.

They were wise... each walking their own path!

Don't talk like you've had an epiphany when you haven't even had a real fight yet!

What's worse, your opponent last time wasn't even on the list! She was a stand-in!

Umm... Sist, are you okay? I'm sorry...

I guess me trying to avoid the fight caused you to take the hits for me instead.

But at least I didn't lose! That should be considered a draw, right?

One win, one draw! Sounds like a pretty solid record to me!

What kind of brazen rationalization is this?!

Because... If I return, losing every match, they might send me back to the surface again!

At least if my record looks good, I have a good excuse to go back.

Sigh... Whatever, do what you want.

But seriously, why are you so afraid of fighting?

I thought you would understand.

What do you mean?

I mean, isn't that why you dropped out of the ranking system to become a merchant?

Now hold it right there! I'm no coward! I just know my limits!

Do you have any idea how cutthroat this ranking business is? How fierce the competition gets?

Leets, you at least, aren't weak like me. What's stopping you from fighting?

Well... I don't really know... I guess once my flow got disrupted, I lost my drive...

A super long time ago, after being beaten to a pulp by Daya...

I thought it was just another hill I could climb if I kept at it.

But the more I thought about it...

That molehill turned into a mountain, and then that mountain became a cliff.

The steeper the climb got, the more I felt like giving up.

I felt like no matter how much I climb, there was no end to it.

It felt like no matter how hard I worked or prepared... it was never good enough.

Hmph... For a fighter, you seem to have a lot of useless thoughts.

When did you start thinking like this?

Uh... Well... I don't know?

Probably around the time when Vivi postponed our match... That's when I began my overthinking.

In the past, I used to just rush into things without any thought...

But once I wavered, I started noticing all the things around me... Does that make sense?

When the ranking system first started, I thought I could take on anyone and win...

But after losing, and as time just passed by, I wasn't even sure if I was even on the right track anymore.

Even without fighting, I can already tell how the matches will go.

I know exactly who I can beat... and who I'll lose to...

Leets! You can't know that until you actually try!

Are you sure...? I don't know... It all just feels pointless.

Hmmm... Something's off!

I saw it a few times... Back then, the way Leets looked when she was actually fighting...

Wasn't this worrywart of a scrub that's in front of me...

Maybe she needs a big kick in the rear? In that case...

A bakery? Did we come here to eat?

Oh? I'm sorry but we're all sold out for the day. We're closing up, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

Leets, take a good look at her. Doesn't she make your blood boil?

The bakery owner...?

Why would she grind my gears? What are you even talking about? Why the bakery owner?

Ughh, I said we're about to close! Why are you still here, chitchatting away?

Oh, wait, aren't you that hawker I always see in the back alleys? You better leave before I call the guards!

Please... A hawker? You sure have a mouth on you, don't you?

Do you think I want to hear that from you, a seller of baked goods?

S-Sist! What are you doing?!

You want to establish a little hierarchy between business owners? You started this by opening your mouth first.

Are you done talking yet?!

I barely sold half of the baked goods I made today before I got squeezed...! I'm in a really bad mood, y'know?

I'm so sorry. My friend doesn't know what she's saying. We're leaving right now!

What's the point of running a business that leaves no margins, huh?

Can't sell any baked goods, can't recruit any students to your school... You're a fool who sets herself up for some bad luck! Idiot!

Sist! You're being too harsh!

Grrrr... GRRR... HEY!!!

So, you wanna get into it with me, is that it?!

Well, are you ready to take as many hits as the number of baked goods the Queen squeezed from me today?!

Yeah, yeah, here! Right over here! Hehe!

You damn street merchant! Take this! Baguette's Fury!! Hiiiyah!

Huh?

Ohh... Oww...?

S-Sorry! I didn't mean to hit you...!

Ugh... That's so weird. Why is that bread so hard?

If bread... is also tempered like cast iron, will it transform like steel?

This hurts like heck...! Who uses a weapon that's never been seen or heard like that...?!

Ugh... My head is throbbing... It hurts...

Aackk! Are you okay?!

B-But... Even though I should be feeling bad about this...

Rather... I feel pretty good. It feels like... I've been given a real opportunity...?

Leets? What's going on? Why are you not responding?

Hey! I said, are you okay??

You hit me first.

Huh?

Huhhh?

Did Leets' eyes just change...? That's her look when she's in battle mode!

Aaack!!! What are you doing?! MY BAKERY!!

Heh... Hah... HAHAHAHA!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!! DESTROY!! I'LL DESTROY IT ALL!!!

Leets, calm down! I might want to buy this place someday!

I'LL SMASH EVERYTHING TO DUST!!!

Find the culprits!

Her Majesty says the shop where she's a regular has been smashed up, so we must catch them!

She said if we don't catch them, we'll be eating only bean logs!

Oh, this is bad. We provoked the most sensitive thing about Sprite Kingdom.

Ugh... Sorry...

Forget about the spiritual training. We won't be able to walk around the surface anymore.

Sorry...

We probably can't carry out the mission much less the spiritual training... Maybe we should we just go back.

What? Really? We can just go back?

Are you that happy when I suggest we can go back?

But all the matches you've had so far have been really disappointing...

At the very least, you should get in one solid fight...

B-But I did fight! Twice!

Yeah, and the way those fight happened were so wacky!

What's worse, you didn't even fight in the second one!

Come to think of it... Why have you been so self-conscious all this time?

If you went all out and fought like you did in that bakery, you'd be fine!

Th-There was a reason for me to do that!

I don't just go around picking fights!

Huh... A reason? Does she need some kind of justification...?

It just feels wrong to fight someone I meet on the street.

Ohh... So, even in the ranking fights, you'd only "accept" challenges, but you "don't make" them?

Y-You think?

Now that I think about it, it does make sense...

I've never really thought about it. I've always just been holed up in my roost, practicing my swordsmanship.

Swinging it thousands of times... until all my thoughts disappeared and my mind is at peace.

Jeez, Leets... you've been slumming it at the bottom for way too long...

Hmm... If that's the case... maybe we try and do another trial.

A trial? What are you thinking?

Leets, don't you want to fight... one exceptionally strong opponent from the list?

A strong one?! No way! I can't do it! I need to prepare first!

If I wanna do it right, I need to prepare at least a month in advance...!

Don't worry, Leets. Leave it to me. Hehe...

Mmm!

This grass... is tasty... Hehehe...

This grass tastes way better than that weird healthy porridge that old hag keeps making me eat.

Ugh, I'm so sick of this...

Run away. Get caught. Rinse and repeat...

Last time, even the Master came out and helped in catching me... I thought we were cool! I was such a bonehead!

You traitor. One day, watch as I raid your banquet hall and leave you starving for a week.

Argh, why isn't that hag, Diana, here yet? Should I just run away?

Umm...

Huh?

Hello...

Who the heck are you? Are you a lizard?

Ah! The glorious heir to the tribe of the great Diana! This humble merchant has come to you to ask for a favor.

A favor? You mean like flavor? Well, if the flavor is sweet, then hand it over, I'm starving!

What? No, a request! I mean a request!

How about a sparring match with my friend here?

With her? I can tell she's a total noob, just by looking at her.

A... n-noob?

Look at what she's wearing. Isn't she covered in all that iron because she is so weak?

That's a total noob move. There's no need to even fight; I've already won.

Th-This is my basic form! It's my basic stance so that I am always prepared for a fight!

I'm not wearing this because I'm a noob or weak...!

What? You're being so loud.

If you wanna fight, stop talking and draw your sword already.

Well, noob?

She hit her! Just as I had expected!

Urgghh... This feeling... What's this feeling...?

Leets? What's wrong? Are you hesitating this time again?

I remember now... Back when the ranking system first started, when everyone was on the same bottom level...

That chaotic, all-out brawl, where everyone was trying to come out on top...!

That feeling...! To have it spring up here...!

Huh? What was that?

You started this... Now brace yourself. Heh... HA...!

Huh?

Y-You bastard! Pulling your sword out, all of a sudden?! You're pulling an underhanded move, noob!

One of us isn't walking away from this.

Ha! So, there is some fight in you! Didn't think you had it!

Oho! Now this is worth watching!

Keke! Think you can stop this? My special move! Ambush punch!

If I can't block it, then I'll just take the hit.

I am the dragon whose steel has been tempered! Hahaha!

Aaack! Who the heck is she?! And why does my hand hurt?!

That's it?! That's all you've got?! Come at me!!! HAHAHA!

Hit me harder! Harder! Hahahaha!

You chump...! You're not as much of a noob as I thought.

I can't believe someone like me, who keeps the werebeasts fed, would be struggling this much...!

Keeps them fed...?

That Leets! If you push the right buttons, she fights so incredibly well!

Aaack! Damn it! Her sword is too heavy...! The more I block, the harder it gets...!

It looks like this all might be a bit too much for you. Think you can block this one too...?

Noob?

Arrrrggghh!!!

Leets! Hurry up and finish this! End it already!

We need to wrap this up before that old werebeast, who looks out for Tig, shows up!

Huh? Old... werebeast?

Oh? An opening?!!

Ugh!!

It's over now! Ahahaha!

Man, you had me sweating there for a bit! Is your fighting style letting your guard down in the middle of a fight?

You really are a noob! My instincts were spot on!

Leets!!

Uuugh...

Leets! Are you okay?

Owww, it hurts...

Why did you suddenly stop attacking?

I lost... on purpose.

Huh? What? But why?!

She's just a poor werebeast looking after an old werebeast, right?

Getting up at dawn every day to cook porridge for that senior citizen...

I assumed she was selling whatever she can to survive, just scraping by.

If she got injured because of me, it'd only make things harder for her...

What kind of ridiculous thought process is that?!

It seems I need to have a long talk with her after this and explain a few things...

Is that why, with that strange logic of hers, she started overthinking things after things fizzled out with Vivi? This is a serious case.

Hey! Lizard-breath!

Huh?

You've got a pretty good swing there. It's been a while since I had a good fight like this!

You didn't try to use some weird, boneheaded, and underhanded play. It truly was a fighter's fight!

I'm sorry I underestimated you earlier. I want us to be friends from now on.

Oh... Uh, okay?

Alright, since we're friends now, that means you're my underling.

When I call for you, you better show up ASAP. Got that?

Call for me...? Umm... Do you mean like meeting up and hanging out?

Oh yeah! That works too!

Bring a mask and wait near the banquet hall in Sprite Kingdom tomorrow. I got some work I want us to do.

Uhh... I don't think I can enter Sprite Kingdom for a while...

What? Why?

Ahhh... Actually... We got into some trouble at Sprite Kingdom and we sort of ran away...!

Hmm.. A fugitive? I could tell there was something about you! I knew I'd like you!

We're BFFs now! Besides, if you ever betray me, I'll just rat you out, so you gotta be on my side!

The Chow Rebels just got a good one. Hehe!

Uhh... Wha...? Huh...? What does that even...?

Hahaha! Gotta go tell Rufo and Beni... We should just run away again!

She's so peculiar. How has she been able to get by unscathed?

Sniffle...

I lost.

Didn't you say that you "let yourself lose?"

Even if I let myself lose, a loss is still a loss.

I could've gone hard core and won...

...Maybe I should just focus on winning, instead of thinking too much...?

Yeah...! Back then... I know I would've.

Leets... Umm... You know what?

I think things will get better, little by little.

Huh? Why?

Maybe... Everyone's been pushing you too hard.

You can't just harden your senses, like it once was, overnight.

Y-Yeah, I guess that's true...?

But I can tell there's still a fire in you.

You gave me hope when I saw how you fought that thug just now.

You just need to let your real self out more and...

...Put more effort into it?

You're always talking about making an effort... Maybe it's time to use another word...

I-I totally get what you're trying to say!

That's great, Leets. You're someone who actually puts in the work.

Huh? Aack! We gotta get out of here! Hurry!

Wh-Why are you acting like this, all of a sudden?

If we stick around, we might run into someone far meaner! Let's go! Hurry!

Oh? I see... Okay! L-Let's go back.

Someone far meaner than that tigress of a werebeast...?

Who could it be? I'm so curious...! Could I beat them?

As you can see... due to circumstances beyond our control, we had no choice but to return.

Hmm, I suppose it can't be helped. And Daya wouldn't want any conflict with the surface either.

I'm sorry, Rudd. I wasn't able to properly carry out my spiritual training as ordered...

Hmm... No, it's fine. That should be enough; Daya also will understand.

Although Sist was with you... I was worried you wouldn't actually fight anyone, Leets.

Still, you did fight at least once... Thank goodness.

It's a shame... but you can't expect to change everything all at once.

Leets, what do you think you gained from this journey?

Hmm... If I had to say what I gained...

First of all... I made a strange new friend.

It's not like how I talked to Sist and then became friends with her... It's more like a friend I made through the sword.

It felt like we had a conversation through our blades.

It felt... different from all the battles I had against challengers that were lesser than me.

Fighting someone with similar skills... it just felt different.

Oh, is that so? I understand what you mean. I get that same feeling when I fight Silphir.

And... I received a lot of advice from the other two.

The wind elemental told me to let go of my obsession...

And... that scythe-wielding phantom told me not to hide who I really am.

Are you talking about your obsession with making a lot of effort, and the way you convince yourself that you're weak?

If that's what they meant, then I'd say you've learned what you needed to learn!

If I'd known this would happen, I would've sent you to the surface much sooner.

So, what's are you going to do now?

Are you going to try climbing the ranks again tomorrow?

I can already picture you taking down challengers and coming for me, Leets!

Silphir would be a tough opponent, but I think you'd have a shot!

Err... Umm... Rudd?

What's the matter?

The thing is... I-I'm sorry... but...!

About the ranking system... Well... I want to quit the dragon ranking system and just live my life!!

What?

What?!

Look here, Leets.

Yes?

Why would you say something like that?

You could easily get up high in the rankings.

Why would you give up that pathway? Daya will be extremely disappointed when she hears this.

Well... how should I put it...? I realized rankings don't mean much.

What?

Ever since I lost to Daya in the past... I think my body realized something.

But my brain didn't get the message... I get it now, though.

When it comes to rankings, if you can't get all the way to the top, it's meaningless.

What do you even mean?

I mean, isn't that the whole point of rankings?

Maybe that's why I lost my motivation. Because I was obsessed with a meaningless goal.

Making so much effort on a path that's never ends... That's why I constantly kept pushing myself! There was no end in sight!

So, are you saying you're done with your incessant talking about effort now?

Hmm... I guess you could say it's inertia at this point.

I may have had this realization, but completely changing my lifestyle all at once... would be a bit too much...?

I-I still do need make more of an effort. I still need to prepare a little more.

Then nothing's changed! At all!

N-No! I swear, I just need work on it a little bit more!

But you also told me to take my time making these changes!

But... But! One thing has definitely changed!

And what's that?

I finally have a clear goal. I finally know who I need to fight...

Now, my training won't just be just swinging my sword aimlessly!

My training will also be more detailed. That's a huge change, don't you think?

Ugh... You're not making any sense to me.

You've got the skills. What are you going to do if you leave the rankings...

Be a reject like me and do what I do?

Sist! You're not a reject!

I-I just want to take on my own challenge! Just like you do!

I want to let go of my obsession with rankings... and be honest with myself and chase after my true dream!

Hmm... Really?

Sheesh...

Yeah, well... fine! I'm sure you'll figure things out, Leets.

Y-Yeah! Thanks for understanding!

Alright then. I'm gonna go sell some stuff.

See you later, Leets! I hope you change sooner than later. You're so frustrating!

Sigh...

Alright! That's that.

I'm a little worried about how Daya will react... but at least Rudd understands...!

I won't have any more regrets when it comes to unfinished business.

Vivi is no longer an opponent of significance.

The rankings mean nothing to me anymore.

All the effort I've put in until now... I won't let it be for nothing.

From now on, I'm going to fight "true battles."

The course and outcomes of fights that are unpredictable...!

Because that's what excites me...!

That raw, untamed thrill... something I can no longer feel within the confines of where the dragons live...!

That's what fires me up!

I'll go out into an even bigger world and meet all kinds of new opponents...

And to live a life where I can enjoy a true fighter's fight...!

Everyone around the world... will have no doubts who Steel Dragon really is!!!