Rudd's Story

...What are you talking about?

Answer me, human. Why you runnin'?

The cave repairs have all been concluded, yes?

.........

Fine. The damaged areas are rarely used, so there was almost no harm done.

Moreover, even had I not called upon them, the dragons would have lent their aid. Dragons attached great importance to their roost.

...Urgh...

Th-The thing is... I was trying to catch a firefly... I'm really sorry, Daya! I'll make sure to recompense you!

Recompense? Not necessary... However, shouldst thou insist, a sum of 100,000 Gold paid unto me shall suffice.

I express my gratitude to the mightiest dragon who has graciously forgiven this foolish sprite!

Whew, luckily Daya has a ton of money.

What was I supposed to do? If I ask Ner to borrow 100,000 gold, she will...!

Um? Who! Who just tapped my shoulder... Ah!

...What's this?

...Repairs are done. If you're not a dragon, hurry up and get outta here...

O-Okay, Master! Quick, let's head back!

...I'm fine.

...Everything's cool.

What are you suddenly mumbling to yourself there?

...Hold it.

Personal trainers? What's that?

Is it some new method to prevent muscle loss?

Ahahaha! Looks like Rudd wants to become friends with you, Master!

I, uh... have a lot of work to do as Q-Queen, so I must take my leave first! Take your time, you two!

Human, tell me all about it!

...Personal training?

You said that your shoulder felt like it would shatter, so I grabbed you by the collar instead. You uncomfortable?

I can grab you by the shoulder again if you like.

...Then...

If I give this personal training thing to all the dragons... They'll be able to build their muscles in no time, right?

Personalized training provided by a professional... Why didn't I think of that?

Since muscle mass is different for everyone, I should come up with a variety of training methods.

I'll set up consultations to assess everyone's stamina and muscular strength. Also...

Human, are you underestimating us dragons?

We dragons push ourselves to the limit in an endless effort to become stronger.

Of course they'll all welcome my personal training! Don't you dare underestimate our willpower!

.........

Yeah, health and muscles are the truest and most valuable things.

Strong body, strong mind. Got it?

Great. Then I'll start putting together an exercise schedule.

It's somewhat unfortunate that there are no personal training programs that I can use as a reference.

Monatium?

By Monatium... Do you mean the territory of those called "elves"?

...No, I will go myself.

Of course. This is we dragons' business.

I cannot allow our business to be entrusted to an outsider.

What are you dilly-dallying for? Lead the way.

*Shwoop...*

...Rudd...

...So this is Monatium...

It's flashy, bright... and noisy. I feel like I want to return to my cave.

Oh, you there! Hello!

.........!

Wh-What do you mean, relaxed?! I'm on the clock right now as a public servant! I'm so busy that I haven't even had time to blink!

And that's without getting certain benefits being a public servant despite how hard I work... Oh...

Um, and who are you? I've never seen a horned sprite before...

.........

...I'm Rudd.

Rohne, yes? Haven't you been feeling sore here and there recently?

Huh? How did you know?

You're tired no matter what you do... and you gain weight quickly even if you only eat a little?

Urgh, how did you...?! I'm pretty sure I smashed the heck out of my weighing scale yesterday!

There's an incredibly easy and simple way to solve those problems all at once.

What?! Really?

You need to work on your muscle mass.

B-But...! Those with office jobs like me can't find time to work out!

If I work out at dawn, I'm a zombie all morning. If I work out during lunchtime, I doze off all afternoon. And if I work out at night, there's no time to unwind!

You can take your time and have short workouts whenever you have some free time.

I'll teach you something simple that you can easily do no matter where you are.

Really? Does such an exercise really exist?!

Here. Stand straight and have your feet shoulder-width apart.

Okay, done!

Now... imagine that you are sitting down on an invisible chair and lower just your butt.

L-Like this?

Good, you're doing very well. Now, just repeat this 10 times. And, go!

One, two, that's right!

Huff, huff... Wait, why is this so t-tough?

Seven... Eight... Nine... Good, last one!

Uuuurgh... The last one...!

Great job! Getting back up! And just one more!

Uuuurgh... Just one more...!

Good, that's it! Now, one last one for real now!

D-Didn't you say the last one I did was the last one...?!

Tch, you got me. Now that you've caught me, let's just finish up with one real last one!

.........

...Urgh...

Huff, huff... This is the gym.

But I'm not sure these machines even work properly...

The machines? Why's that?

We only built this gym because we felt like... there should be one here.

Anyway, I'll be on my way now...

Hold on, since you're all warmed up now, we move on to strength training.

I-I'd love to, really! But I'm on the clock right now! Please excuse me!!!

Hmm, she must be really busy.

What do you mean? She said she had no time to exercise, so I only offered her a solution.

Hahahahaha!

Ah, that must be the elf who loves exercising you mentioned!

Hey, Rufo, toss that bone-shaped toy over here!

Alright, here it goes, Captain!

This bed looks weird, but it's pretty comfortable if you lie on it... It's called... Bench Press?

.........

Oh, hey there! You here for the indoor playground too?

Yeah! We don't know how these toys work, but they look fun!

It could very well be for something entirely different, but if the Cap says it's a playground, then a playground, it is!

...Interesting.

How refreshing... to see exercise as "play" instead of the negative way it is often viewed.

Plus, considering the builds of that tiger and bear... I believe they'll enjoy this "play" even more once they learn the proper way to use this equipment!

Wow! You know how to play with all these? Who are you, by the way?

That's not important. Now, lie flat on your back here.

Okay! Like this?!

Oh, me too! I wanna learn, too!

Alright, lie down the same way on this and put your feet here.

Huff, huff...

Wh-What the... why is playing on these so exhausting?

This much should be bearable with sufficient muscle mass.

You two must train pretty hard on a regular basis, right?

Oh wow, how did you know? I always exercise before sword practice!

I play with my axe in the morning and at night!

I see... then you both will easily be able to use that machine too.

Which one? Show me! I can do it! I can do anything!

Yes, just leave it to me! I'm the strongest werebeast warrior, one that even an unfamiliar dragon would recognize!

As expected, she is indeed... the infamous muscle-obsessed dragon, Rudd...!

Hey, you! Fox.

Y-Yelp!

You've waited long enough. Let me show you how to use that machine you're sitting on.

N-No, I'm okay—aaahhh!!!

Huff, huff... I think I'm gonna be sick... but... I can do it. I'm the strongest...!

Urgh... this axe... looks weird and is ridiculously heavy...!

I can't do this! I'm done! I'm the only strategist the Chow Rebels have, for crying out loud!

There is no giving up in my dictionary!

...Rudd...

I will never forgive you...!

Good, the equipment I purchased from the gym is all set up.

Now my training room can finally handle a lot more of our kind.

Lifting heavy objects the wrong way can damage your knees.

If my knees go out... that's it for leg day.

But that's cardio. That'll hurt the gains.

Now then, let's get you started on a beginner-level test for some personal training...

...can't...

...I will never forgive you, Rudd...!

That voice... Silphir?

That's right, I saw everything, Rudd!

You went all the way to Monatium just to get gym equipment to make yourself stronger?! How disgustingly selfish!

I will not let this stand. This is MY place now! I will take over this place!

You will... take over this place...?

Shut it, traitor! How dare you betray our blood pact and join forces with Rudd!

S-Silence! I was just going with the flow here!

Stand aside, Master!

Silphir, if you've been watching me, you would have noticed me meeting a few werebeasts at the gym too, right?

With the training I gave them, they left more powerful than when they arrived.

What? You mean the Chow Rebels?!

Fine, I won't be outdone by those rascals! Tell me everything you taught them!

Great. You will be my first official physical training client.

Master, forgive me. This honor should have gone to you, after everything you've done to help me...

Hold on, what's physical training?

Okay, just at first glance, I can tell that your muscles are in very poor condition.

You'll have to register for at least 100 sessions. No pain, no gain!

Since you're new here, we'll start at the beginner level...

What? Are you underestimating me right now? Give me the hardest level you've got!

Hold it, you can strain your muscles if you overexert them...

Listen, are you looking down on me for being second-in-command right now? I said to give me the hardest level you've got!

Silphir...

Okay. I completely understand how you feel.

However, since it's your first time, I'll train with you and demonstrate what to do.

Hmph, as long as you're okay with me outperforming you!

Master, you just sit there and tell us who is better!

Alright, let's start!

Alright... I'll get us some water...

To finish up today, 30 minutes on the exercise bike.

Huff... huff...

Gasp... I... can't... do...this... any... more...

Gasp... alright, while Rudd's gone to get some water...

Where might you be going, Silphir...?

KYAAAAH!!!

Argh! I can't take it anymore! Does personal training involve coughing up blood or something?!

Be honest, Rudd! You're torturing me on purpose with the most difficult exercises, aren't you?!

Strange. Did I misjudge the difficulty?

I thought an advanced routine would be too much, so I went with a beginner-level session.

Wh-What...?!

It seems I should reduce the reps for each exercise to suit beginners. I'll keep that in mind.

H-Hold on... now that I think about it...

Grrr... Fine! It sucks, but oh well!

Fine, I admit my defeat for now! But I'll be back to get even!

But Silphir, you still have some time left on the exercise bike...

I'll be back! Just you wait and see!

.........

Her upper body could use some work, too... Next time, I'll increase her overall exercise routine.

Master, wait.

Master, thank you for taking the initiative to boost the strength of our kind.

No, no, I can't allow that. Dragons are an honorable race.

We're starting a personalized training regimen, designed for those with near-zero muscle mass—let's get to work!

If I may be honest...

From the moment I first laid eyes on you...

I couldn't believe you were able to walk, let alone run, with so little muscle.

No need to stress. This gym is here for individuals like you.

With just 100 sessions, you'll be sporting glorious triceps just like mine.

Alright, it's your first session, so let's kick things off with a nice and easy warm-up!