Sylla's Story

Master, you said that you're human, right?

Whenever I meet you, a strange feeling passes through me.

Ever since we first met... I have felt a familiarity.

It's like I've found a friend I lost a long time ago.

Was there such an elemental...? Hmm...

Maybe not an elemental, but perhaps a favorite doll...? Or like a blanket you've used since you were young...

Or is it the other way around? Am I becoming something of a favorite doll or blanket...?

Huh?

Do you also feel close to me?

What feeling is that?

Don't beat around the bush, tell me exactly what you're thinking!

Huh? What? Why do you think that?

Am I some kind of electric fan to you?!!!

What the... What are you saying...?!

N-Now it's all awkward because of your stupidly descriptive explanation!

Wh-What the heck do you take me for?!

Are you always having such absurd thoughts?!

Urgh... I'm sorry. I unintentionally shouted at you. It's just that I suddenly felt frustrated...

Anyway, I also have no idea why I am like this.

Whenever I am with you, my judgment becomes clouded and my head feels light...

So many things to be frustrated about... I have never felt like this towards anybody else...

With you, there's this...

Somewhat of a... "That's a given" type of feeling.

It's a bit scary too...

Anyway... So...

So, don't come close to me!

With you next to me, it's difficult for me to maintain my composure and authority as a Noble Elemental!

Stay at least 50 meters away from me!

Wh-What? You really have to stick to me like that...?

.........

Sh-Shut up! Master or no, get away from me!

Urgh... Darn it...!

Ah, hey. Please forgive the messy state of my roost.

No!! I'm usually very neat!!

N-No, it's not that!!

That Shaydi rascal seems to have made a mess of my things and run off again.

Sigh... The pebbles in my garden have been slightly moved about. What a headache.

Whew! Perfect.

I believe this boulder was a bit more to the right...

Are you implying that I moved it?!

Hmm?!

It could be that Ifrit is going wild underneath Elemental Mountain again!

She threw such a fit at the core of the volcano that there was an earthquake on Elemental Mountain!

IFRIT!!!! Where are you?! Show your face now!!

Wh-What? What happened?!

Did you mess up my sky garden"?!

Huh? Wh-Why would I do that?

I won't yell at you if you come clean now, so be honest!

Uhhhh... I really didn't do anything...

What started as small pebbles could later result in all of Elemental Mountain!

You need to nip these things in the bud while they're still small mistakes.

Eeeek! I'm sorry! I apologize!!

It's cold, so don't call forth the freezing winds!

Hey, human! Are you just gonna watch?! Help me!!!

Keep your distance from the Master, Ifrit! Otherwise, I can't give you a proper punishment!

I don't want to be punished for something I didn't do!

What...?

According to the Elemental hierarchy, I'm allowed to be this unreasonable if I want!

But... Urgh... Tch! If you care about this that much... I'll turn a blind eye this time.

Yippeeee!

See? What did Kommy say? The berries on Elemental Mountain are muuuch more delicious than the ones from Werebeast Village.

You're right! They're sweeter and bigger, even!

Oh, what are you guys doing here?

Whoa?! A d-dokkaebi! Kommy's scared!

Calm down, Kommy. It's the wind elemental, Sylla.

Dokkaebi? What's a dokkaebi?

Wait... that's not what's important right now. Just what do you think you're doing, picking berries from the trees of Elemental Mountain?!

They looked delicious... We just picked and ate one...

Can't you guys get berries from near your own village if you want to eat some?

B-But the ones from here are more delicious...

It's just a single berry.

Well... It's not like the berries have legs and can speak!

.........

And what if they can...? Ever thought about that?

R-Really?!

Well, there's always room for debate... Anyhow, no means no!

Everything from Elemental Mountain is under the sole care of the elementals!

Eeek... This dokkaebi is scary when she talks...!

Kommy, I told you that this is the wind elemental, Sylla. Why do you keep calling her a dokkaebi?

Look at how her cold and sharp eyes glare at us!

And what about that pale, white jade skin of hers?

Not only that, but acting territorial towards somebody who entered her turf is also classic dokkaebi!

What...?

Wh-What are you talking about?!

She has a very wicked temper!

Oh my... Yeah! She's Baba Yaga! I've read about her before!

Ba-Baba what...? What did you call me...?

You guys have been saying dokkaebi this, dokkaebi that... What is that?

Umm, a dokkaebi is... something like a phantom!

A ph-phantom? You mean like SHAYDI?!

Are you calling me a phantom right now?!

Mhmm! A dokkaebi is a fantastical creature with its identity centered around an object they've become attached to!

The modern depiction typically depicts them in the image of humans with horns.

However, that's actually a form that has been distorted through the influence of other cultures from a long time ago.

That's right! The original dokkaebis didn't have fixed appearances!

What... What's with the detailed explanation?!

I really did read that in a book!

Listening to Kommy's explanation... Butter thinks she's right!

You're an ill-tempered, shriveled, Baba Yaga dokkaebi!

Run away, Butter! She's gonna try to snatch us up into her mortar and pestle and eat us!

EEEEK!!! BUTTER IS SCARED!!!

Argh...! What are you talking about, you rascals!!!!

Get back here this instant!!

I'm not a phantom! I'm an elemental!!

Kinder? I think I'm kind enough in my own way.

Bringing in rain clouds for the forest or crops...

Or clearing the clouds to let the sunlight in on cold winter days, that's what I do.

Are you saying my "natural" tone is offensive?

What? Speak sense!

B-But...!

Ugh... I'm speechless.

If they weren't afraid of me at least at that level, I couldn't maintain my authority as a Noble Elemental.

Well, each Elemental has their own way of maintaining authority.

*Sigh*....

I understand.

If you, the Master, think so, it might be good to give it a try.

I'm only doing it because you asked me to.

There's an irresistible persuasiveness in your words.

Moreover, if I say I won't do it, you'll keep bothering me, won't you?

What? Do you think that I am a narrow-minded elemental who gets angry that easily?!

Th-this is just my usual tone! I'm not angry!

So what are you going to do now?

Are you going to tutor me until my tone becomes kinder?

I. WON'T. GET. ANGRY!!

Li-like this?

Like this?

Ugh... This is pretty tough...

Hey, Master! How's your "Kindness Etiquette Overkill Class" going?

If you came to hang out at least be quiet, Naia!

It's weird to be quiet while hanging out!

Can't I just... Hm-Hmph?!

Hmm... I was expecting it but...

It seems like it's not that easy.

There was a time when Sylla was kind, a looong time ago.

When we were all young elementals, she had the most active and bright personality, yes!

But everything changed... After that incident.

Just kidding. I thought you'd be curious if I said it like that. She just changed over time.

Hmm... I think she liked swings.

Yeah. She didn't ride them herself... She liked to push others on them with her wind.

Who was on the swing? Gabia? Me? I don't think it was Ifrit...

...What does it have to do with me?

I-I have no idea what you're doing...

What are you... Are you making fun of me?

Are you trying to use me as the power source for your swing, because I told you I would do whatever you ask?!

You want to be pushed? I'll push you!

HECTOPASCAL SWING!!!

Huh? Master! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?

Why did you do something like this?

It's pointless to evoke memories I can no longer recall.

But it's a bit... Disappointing anyway. Now I lost those memories... Have I forgotten all of them?

Do you really want me to change that bad?

*Sigh*... There's no need to be so hasty. I'm trying hard too.

And if it's your class... I'll listen to it as best I can, whatever it is...

O-Okay!

*Huff, huff*

So... Have I really become kinder?

D-Did I do well? It doesn't feel... bad.

Here comes Erpin!

The Sprite Queen?

I came all the way here to see if it's true that Sylla is not always arrogant and insufferable anymore!

Ugh... Urgh...

Thank you so much... for coming all the way here, Erpin.

Ah, of course! You should at least install an elevator in this damn Elemental Mountain!

It almost feels like hiking on a weekend! If you're going to be kind, get some facilities too!

Ugh, urrrgh... I'll consider your request.

Hehe... Have you really changed? You're smiling!

Provoke? What did I provoke?

Annoying things? That's too harsh! I was just claiming my natural right!

Huh? Why?!

Hey! You can't do that after calling me all the way here!

Ugh... Okay... My legs got weak from the mental damage...

Hey! If you're going to carry her down the mountain, then carry me too!!!! I'm tired!

I'm okay. My mind was boiling with rage and I felt dizzy, but I've calmed down a bit now.

I nearly pushed the Sprite Queen off a cliff.

Wasn't it just impossible from the start?

It's hard to fix my difficult personality.

Are you saying you'll change me slowly?

What do you mean?

Certainly... I've shut myself away at the top of the mountain for some time.

Well, it's not exactly an outing....

Do you really think so?

Y-yes....

..........

Thank you.