Silphir's Intimacy story

Ugh! I lost again! Again!

It was Rudd again! How am I supposed to win against someone who only trains all day?! It's so unfair!

Ugh... Thanks... I'd like to have something sweet, like candy.

What... what do you mean by that? Are you mocking me for being rank 3 right now?!

Tomorrow, I'll have a rank defense battle... and the day after tomorrow, I'll challenge someone...

There's no society without competition! Others are not saying it, but they're all fighting for ranks just like us!

I'm trying it because it seems so close! I'm doing it because I can't reach it while I feel I can! Are you mocking me?!

If you're talking about living diligently, that's true. We're always immersing in something.

What's my rank in the Order?

What? Then what's the point of working in the Order?

Whaaat?! How can I raise my rank? Tell me now! Right now!!!

Then your rank is the same as mine? That's nonsense! Don't say such strange things!

I love the sparkling lake under the blue sky. It glitters like a gem.

T-That sounds good! Will you bring your friends? You'll not bringing Rudd, right?

You know what? Being a narcissist needs a good looking enough! Can you?

I-I just like watching it! If I jump in, I'll sink to the bottom. What? I am supposed to float in water?

Daya is amazing! How can she be so perfect?

Why why? Are you planning to challenge her? Are you trying to find her weaknesses?

Challenge Daya? Me? I feel that's impossible...

Do you think I'm an idiot?! Changing the appearance won't change the essence!

Should I also immerse in some new desires like Jade or Sist? I don't see any hope anymore here...

Even if I can't go higher, is the rank still meaningful...? Now that I mention it, it feels quite empty...

Hey! You're just trying to make me do your job for you!

Hmm... is that so? Hmmm... Right...! I'll think about it.

Ugh! Annoying Sprites!! Why can't they understand that the system of witch and dragon societies are different?

You don't get it too? The fundamentals are completely different! Witches don't respect ranks!

Hmm... From a third party's perspective... it could feel similar?

Umm... Huh? I-Is that so? That's a new perspective... interesting.

Elementals are quite novel. Co-rulers... How is that even possible?

Don't just spit out words you picked up somewhere!

Of course, I knew it! On the surface, it may seem like that, but internally, they also have their hierarchy, right?

Huh, ah, what??? N-no way! Tch... I-I don't know!

How are the second-in-commands of other races? Do they have any unusual traits?

Oh, I know. That's Sprite Kingdom, right? I get confused about their hierarchy too.

You mean Monatium? I respect D-Daya, yes, but I don't want to end up like that!

Are you talking about the Witch Kingdom? She's most similar to me, but isn't she blackhearted?

Do you know any hobbies that make your mind feel easy?

That's training! It doesn't make me feel easy.

Should I borrow one from Jade? But I feel like she wouldn't lend it to me...

Why are you giving me these molds too? Aren't you sneakily passing your job to me?

Yeah, well. I can't be hung up on ranks forever.

Ah, why! I can say things like this sometimes too! Though I was just saying it, of course.

Ugh! Does that mean you think I'm hopeless? You're mean!

Uh... are you cheering me on? Th-thanks.

Looks like the lower-ranked dragons have been climbing up pretty aggressively lately. Should I start worrying?

Yeah... Ugh, but the problem is I can't climb any higher!

Hmm... There's none specific. It just feels like everyone's growing stronger overall?

What?! There's no way I—third in command—would be scared of those younglings!

I bought some boots that increase reaction speed recently! Think they'll help?

Of course I'll use it for dueling! With them, I'll hit Rudd where she least expects it!

Huh? Oh, now that you mention it, that's kind of weird. Why would boots boost reaction speed instead of movement speed?

What? Really? What should I do? Do you think I can get a refund?

That Rudd, where did she disappear to this time? I can't find her anywhere.

That's exactly what I want to see. I need to watch how she trains so I can come up with a strategy.

Really? What's she plotting this time? I need to go check it out. Thanks!

I might win this time! Don't be so quick to judge!

Why isn't there much blue in cooking? Isn't blue pretty?

Really? I brought some blue paint. Let's pour it all over the food!

Huh? What. That's not you trying to make me do work, is it?

Eh, really? Why? If it looks good, won't it taste good too?

Maybe I should start acting all serious and brooding like Rudd? What do you think?

Urgh. Do I seriously have to act like her, too? There's gotta be another way.

Really? I wasn't too keen on acting like her either.

What? Hmm... Well... I'll give it a think for now.

Ugh, I'm tired. Can I take a break?

I knew it! Staying up all night training just isn't for me. Those other training-obsessed dragons are the weird ones!

*Yawns* I'll just rest for a bit then. Don't forget to let me know if that little Rudd shows up, just in case.

Ugh, I've been training non-stop this whole time! Has my current rank gotten me anything so far?

Duels aren't all about strength. Strategy and tactics are what determine victory or defeat.

I'm saying that if I just plan my strategy and tactics well, I'll be able to climb the ranks someday!

Of course it is. I never said strength wasn't needed at all, you know? I'm just saying strategy is more important!

Um... I appreciate the agreement and all. But you seem oddly smug about it, so... mixed feelings here.

Why don't other races value hierarchy as much as dragons do?

Hmm... That's kind of the answer I expected. But I guess that's the right way to think about it.

Sure, there are downsides, but there are benefits too, right? It keeps you on your toes and motivates you to work hard.

Aren't you the one who should know best? What a disappointment.

What's up? The banquet hall is unusually quiet today. Did something happen?

Really? That's good. It feels like it's been ages since I've felt at ease like this.

Huh, really? Um... you're not making me eat quickly and leave, right?

What? That's not what I meant! I just like it better the way it is now.