Vivi's Story

Let's start, please say 'Ah'.

Mu-Must I really... say Ah?

It's part of the examination process, so it would be great if you could.

Urgh...

Ah... Ahhh.

Hmm... There doesn't seem to be anything wrong in your mouth.

Your teeth are clean... and there's no infection anywhere.

Perhaps since you're a dragon, your canine teeth are a bit sharp...

That must be normal among dragons, right?

There's not enough sample data to compare, so I can't be sure yet...

Oh- hoho!

I, Vivi, the silver dragon, do ever strive to maintain a pristine and noble appearance, forsooth!

But it's only your appearance anyway, right?

Not everyone can be as pure inside and out as a Diamond Dragon, right?

Thou truly dost not hold back when seeking cooperation, dost thou?

Dost thou wish to stop your research to anger me, this silver dragon Vivi?

Umm...

Well, you don't have to emphasize 'silver dragon'...

We both already know you're a mercury dragon, After all...

I mean, why don't you just be honest when it's just us?

Ugh...!

However I speak is mine own choice!

If thou intendest to keep thy nitpicking thus, I shall abandon these examinations forthwith!

Ah, ahh, I'm sorry.

I've gotten into the habit of pointing things out after dealing with so many fake patients.

Even a feigned illness is still an illness!

Illnesses of the mind weareth thee down just as much as physical illness doth!

Well... I would have said that was nonsense before...

Thinking about everything I've been through since coming to this world... I suppose I can understand that a little.

Hmph!

So, art today's examinations now concluded?

It's only a basic checkup, and you want to leave already?

We have more examinations scheduled for about one or two hours.

Vivi isn't such a disengaged dragon... Ah-choo!

Um... Could you please cover your mouth with your hand or elbow when you sneeze from now on?

I am wearing protective gear and taking medicine to examine you, but...

Sneezing into someone's face is quite rude, so mind your manners please.

Argh...! 'Tis not like I want to do this!

Tis a chronic affliction of sneezing, forsooth! I have suffered this since I began handling mercury!

It's not intentional?

I thought it was just one of your attacks until now...?

Why would I need to pretend to attack with a sneeze when I can freely wield mercury as I wish?

What maketh thee think I would do something so pointless?

Chronic sneezing since birth...? In Elias?

I think it'd be best to examine you in more detail.

Urgh... Yet... this silver dragon... I, Vivi is much occupied...

Let's start by testing your reflexes.

First... I'll give you a tickle.

What dost thou give me... Ho... Oho... Ohhoho!

Hmm, your reaction time isn't bad... Wait, maybe a bit slow?

What manner of examination is this, pray tell?!

Now I'll hit your knee with a hammer. Stay still.

A hammer?

No reflex in the knee? That's odd.

Oh... hohoho! Dost thou truly think thou canst move me with such weak hammering?

Tis nothing to this silver dragon, Vivi...

Kyaaaah!!! That paineth me! Why doth mine leg move on its own?!

So your knee reacts if I hit harder?

She only reacts to this level of force?

Kyaak! Cease thy strikes! What in Elias is the purpose of this?!

Do you not want the sneezing treated?

Ugh... W-What dost thou mean?

One must test this and that to uncover what is strange.

Tis but a sneeze! After a few days' rest, it will be gone!

You've been suffering from it since you were born, right?!

In your hometown, they might have prescribed cold medicine...

Here in Elias, where even mercury poisoning shows only flu symptoms, I can't diagnose the disease with the symptoms alone!

Ugh...

So, if you understand, please follow me.

Let's get into the centrifuge.

Cent... What? What dost thou mean?

It's a device originally used by pilots... But since dragons are born from minerals...

It's like using a centrifugal separator for an experiment... I mean, an examination.

Is that all that is left to do?

Yes, today's examination will end there. After all, you won't be able to do anything else after that...

Very well. I know not what it is, but let us finish this swiftly.

Arrgh...

Oh, mine head... still dizzy...

The aftereffects of that centrifuge? Aye, that experiment from but a few days ago still doth linger in mine head...

I am helpless... At this pace, I mayhap shall become naught but a fungus.

I, this silver dragon have no time to spare...

Vivi? Silver dragon Vivi?

Kyaaakkk!

As expected, you're home.

You promised me you'd come to the hospital every morning and get examinations.

You haven't shown up for two days, what happened?

Th-that's...

Ah, indeed! For this silver dragon, Vivi, hath the duty to keep the dragon's realm spotless!

I am now crafting a more pleasant realm, under the diamond's esteemed mandate!

Crafting a more pleasant realm...?

Don't dragons only care about their own roost anyway?

Ugh... I— I am not so! I care deeply for the cleanliness of all!

Cleanliness is something only a silver dragon cares about, right?

It's not that important to a mercury dragon, is it?

Um... Since there hath been an unresolved matter these past two days...

I was deep in thought... pondering a bit!

What's the issue? Let's think about it together.

Umm... Ugh...

Esteemed dragon, Vivi? Let's be honest... You just didn't want to come to the hospital, did you?

Wh-what dost thou mean?

I knew the last experiment... ahem, the examination was a bit harsh.

You bled too much mercury and got in real danger.

As a doctor, I can tell just by looking at you!

Ugh... I agreed to be examined, not to endure such strange torment!

I shall not visit thy hospital anymore!

It was an examination, not torment!

Well, that is for the patient to decide, not the physician... Achoo!

Don't you want the sneezing to be treated?

I can live with but a little sneezing, as I did before! I shall submit to thy examination no longer!

Are you perhaps... scared?

Urgh. No way, this silver dragon, Vivi, doth not fear such things!

Then why aren't you coming to the hospital?

That's...! Umm... I know it not!

Esteemed dragon, Vivi, hiding under the blankets doesn't mean I can't see you!

I cannot see thee after all, so 'tis good enough! Achoo!

Hmm...

I brought the perfect snack as an apology...

But if no one's going to eat it, should I just throw it away?

Hmph! I am already weary of such sweetened crystals!

Cinna-Bar'... a nutritious snack made with lumps of mineralized mercury...

There's only one person who can eat this... What should I do with it?

Ugh... This smoky but clear scent...

How pointless, to come all the way here dressed in heavy protective gear from Monatium to bring it.

E-eating this doth not mean we have made up!

We can make up gradually.

As long as you keep the conversation open, whether it's making up or arguing, anything can happen.

It is delicious! I've had to feign eating naught but silver every day, but...!

I thought so.

Esteemed dragon, Vivi, I don't know what your goal is, but you live a very tiring life, trying to hide things.

I have but a pure intention to cleanse the world!

I, the silver dragon, Vivi, never lie.

But you just lied to cover up not wanting to come to the hospital earlier, didn't you?

Ahem... As long as my heart is true, it doth not matter if the method be false.

Anyway, esteemed dragon Vivi? I promise, I won't conduct any more extreme examinations at my hospital.

I know you don't believe me, but I'm pretty serious about studying you.

I won't let you leave and quit research due to this mere incident.

...Need I no longer perform that centri... contraption any more?

Of course, there's no need for more. We already ran the test 8 times that day.

Understood.

It seemeth there will be no harsher examinations, so... I shall accept your apology.

I'll get you one 'Cinna-Bar' for each examination. Is that okay?

Ugh... I shall not refuse.

I'm glad to hear that.

I have been hesitant to go to the surface lately...

Yet under such conditions, I suppose I can endure it.

You've been hesitant... to come to the surface?

When you woke up, didn't you come straight to the surface and cause a massive incident?

I had a purpose... Ah, at that time, I was not fully awake yet!

This silver dragon belongeth to the underground, homeland of our dragons...

Usually, I do not like the surface itself!

Hmm... I didn't know that.

I see. I'll keep that in mind.

From now on, you don't need to come every time, I will visit you instead. Just come to the hospital when the equipment is needed.

That doth sound agreeable!

Alright, please lie down here comfortably...

Just a moment. I need to turn on the recorder...

What manner of examination dost thou conduct this day?

Today, we're going to have a counseling session.

Counseling? What doth that have to do with sneezing?

Art thou merely seeking to pass the time with these examinations, being the doctor whom all do neglect? Achoo!

In Elias without diseases...

...sometimes the reason for an illness can be psychological, I guess.

This isn't originally my field, but I've been self-studying it.

When I crossed dimensions, I also brought books about psychotherapy.

I, Vivi, the silver dragon, am hale in both body and mind.

I'm just trying to do a general check-up, so you don't need to be overly defensive.

Hmph, do as thou wilt.

I, Vivi can handle anything, as the silver dragon.

Alright, then let's get started.

Well then... let's start with the things you said before that I've been thinking about...

Why are you afraid of going to the surface?

Did I not already tell thee?

Why dost thou raise again that which we have already discoursed upon?

If you've answered once, it's not hard to answer again, right?

Ugh... The reason is...

The surface is far too bright for mine eyes.

A brilliant world beneath sunlight doth not suit me.

Umm...

Your answer is different from last time? Okay.

There could be multiple reasons!

Do you remember your last answer?

Um... Err...

I, the silver dragon, Vivi, am so busy that I cannot remember everything I said before!

Well, alright.

Forgetting what you said isn't particularly strange.

Then... let's... try drawing this time.

Could you draw a house on this paper?

A house? What kind of house...?

Ah, right... Since dragons all live in caves, the usual idea of a house must be different.

Let me see, then... How about drawing a tree, not a house?

A tree...?

Hmm... Shall I draw as it pleaseth me?

Yes, just draw as you want. And let me know when you're done.

I have finished drawing!

Oh, you really put in a lot of effort!

But the tree is... its branches look like... spiky claws?

Having naught but the underground roots to gaze upon, I thought the branches might bear a like shape.

Is that why there are no leaves?

Because the roots don't have leaves?

Ah... yes, that is true.

Why did you paint the whole trunk black?

You could have just left it at lines... but you filled in all the empty space with black?

I merely painted over the colored parts.

Here's brown crayon too... but why black...?

Thou didst say I could draw as I wished.

Why dost thou criticize mine drawing as strange?

No, I'm not criticizing... Umm...

Is this a hole in the center?

Yes, 'tis a detail symbolizing a knothole in the tree.

Why is the knothole... so big?

You've drawn the knothole so large that it seems weird for the tree to stand properly...?

Esteemed dragon, Vivi, did something bad happen in the past?

Why dost thou ask that all of a sudden?

Technically, we say individuals with emotional scars draw holes in trees.

T-The drawing is no more than a drawing!

And how couldst you examine me through drawing a tree in the first place?

Tis rude!

This is also one kind of examination method.

I guess it could be what you mentioned before... The fight with Daya, is that still lingering in your heart?

Eh, um... It seemeth so!

Twas a harsh time indeed for me!

I'm also still studying up, so I will be able to conduct a proper analysis when I get back to the hospital...

But I understand for now.

Well, yes, you mentioned that you fought with Daya about going to the surface.

I think that might be the reason you're avoiding going to the surface...

That seemeth to be the case.

Then shall we finish the examination for today? Time passes quicker than I thought.

So we shall meet again tomorrow?

Yes, I'll come at the usual time.

Phew...

She was more cunning than I had anticipated.

Led me to draw a tree... trying to dig out mine hatred...!

Had she not added that strange reasoning at the end, I would have surely doused her in mine mercury.

I must needs be more cautious with this counseling examination henceforth.

Diamond.

Vivi.

Thou always comest on time. Mine gratitude for thine arrival.

There is no way I would forsake an opportunity to learn of the surface, all the while enjoying tea with Diamond.

I am well aware there is much still to learn, I hope Diamond shall guide me well.

Please do not worry. I shall teach thee with all mine heart.

But Diamond, I have heard that usually Sapphire or Jadeite teach hatchlings about the surface.

Surely, thou must be busy, would it not be better for me to learn from them?

If thou wishest to, you mayest do that too.

However... Vivi, thou art my second self, right?

Moreover, though thou hast been relegated to an honorary rank of late, thou still wieldest the strength of the former second-in-command.

Tis difficult for me to rid myself of the desire to take care of thee on my own.

Understood. If that be the case, I would gladly receive thy instruction.

Alright, then let us return to the lesson... Where were we?

You meant to talk about the Sprite Kingdom.

Ah, indeed. The Sprite Kingdom. It is ruled by a merry queen who doth guarantee true freedom of speech.

I see, thou meanest 'tis a land led by a leader of great capability?

Aye. And also, there lies the headquarters of the Yggdrasil Order.

And there is, indeed, the Master whom thou dost praise so much, right?

Forsooth. Thou shalt understand when thou seest for thyself.

The Master is truly remarkable, steadfastly supporting the Sprite Kingdom with unparalleled abilities.

Hmm... That is most intriguing. 'Tis hard to believe that so many upon the surface have garnered Diamond's recognition...!

I cannot contain my curiosity. I shall drop by after class today.

I have heard it is nearby...

I feel the surface is too open to navigate.

Huh?

Oh? Thou, the tall one over there? Mightst thou be... the Master of the Yggdrasil Order?

As I have heard, thou dost possess quite a formidable presence.

Tis nice to meet you.

I have but recently joined the Order. I am the silver dragon, Vivi... nay, Viviana Argentum.

Eek... Huh? Wh-what dost thou mean?

Schtick? Weirdo...? Wh-what...?

I know not what thou speakest of... Olympic...

But I do hope thou dost not associate me with one beneath my league.

Is that so? I understand.

Yes, that is the truth.

I look forward to it as well.

I do have one question, however.

The Yggdrasil Order serveth Yggdrasil... so dost thou, then, like Yggdrasil?

I heard that the Master didn't come to Elias of thy own will.

Tis said thou art a noble who fell from the sky like a dazzling shooting star.

Well then, surely, thou wert brought here against thy will by the Yggdrasil...

I would like to ask whether thou dost resent the Yggdrasil, or if thou dost think 'tis good that it turned out this way...

What? Wh-what dost thou say...?

Is that so?

Hath there been any trouble whilst interacting with the denizens here?

I see...

Doth that mean thou dost not wish to return to thy home?

Oh? Truly?

Dost thou resent Yggdrasil?

Dost thou want to return to thy home as soon as possible?

Then why dost thou still hold the position of Master?

I understand. Thank you for sharing thy honest opinion.

By the way, I heard that thou possesseth a mysterious object...

Mayo...? She must be a sprite with great power?

A pawnshop? I understand. As I am still unfamiliar with the surface... I do not know the way...

...But I would like to see the Sprite Queen with mine own eyes.

If thou dost not mind, wouldst thou please do me a favor to guide the way?

Clumsy messy...? Um... I-I'll go with thee.

Ah, why is the surface always this dry?

The dampness of the underground is lacking... it's such a boring place.

I have been diligently learning about the surface...

Tis time to take a walk to experiment with what I have learned.

Hehe...

I am somewhat curious to see how far mine abilities shall reach.

Oh- hoho! Ohhohoho!!

External species detected. Activate social mode.

Are you lost? Please respond if you need directions.

Oho... So thou art a denizen of the elven land?

For now... shall we shake hands? 'Tis a gesture of greeting, after all.

Handshake. Social command detected. Rimit grip strength within the safety range.

So, how doth it feel to hold mine hand... What canst thou feel?

No feelings detected.

MaestroMK2 is a robot. Feelings do not exist.

A robot? No feelings? What dost thou mean?

Art thou not feeling ill or anything?

Regular maintenance is approaching. However, I have never malfunctioned.

Malfunctioned?

That means, I've never felt sick.

Wha-wha-what art thou talking about?!

What is 'Wha-wha-what'? Failed to understand your command.

Usually, 'tis enough to feel dizzy merely from being near to me...!

Perchance... was the handshake but weak, so she was able to endure?

I have prepared a drink for thee... Wouldst thou like to try it?

A mysterious drink from a passing stranger.

The external boundary filter has been removed following a failed maintenance resistance sequence.

I will drink it gratefully.

Excellent, drink it down. Oh— Hoho!

An issue has been detected.

Doth it have no way to escape from my abilities? Ohhoho!

Thanks to drinking the mysterious beverage, all foreign substances in the pipeline have been washed away.

Foreign substances...? What dost thou...

I have become healthier.

W-What?!

I ask the outsider what the ingredients of the drink are.

If you share the recipe, I will work harder on development of Monatium.

Th-this doth not make any sense...! This cannot be true!!

Please stop. It is a highly effective foreign substance remover. I request you to share the recipe.

Huff... Huff...

Why is she so fast? I barely managed to shake her off!

Could it be because elves originally came from another world...?

My ability to handle mercury is inversely helpful to them?

It seemeth that my abilities work well upon the small elves... 'Tis strange.

I should test them upon others, besides the elves.

Oh dear... Is it going to rain today? My back is aching.

Hmm? That's... right! Diamond hath mentioned them once

A vivacious race living in freedom... Werebeasts.

They mayhaps be a most excellent subject for mine experiments!

Nice to meet thee, werebeast. I am Vivi, the silver dragon.

Dragon?

May I ask you what has brought you here, noble one?

I was merely taking a walk.

Werebeast, shall we shake hands as a greeting?

A handshake? I don't see why not.

Uh... Urgh?!

Hehe... Aye. Indeed, as expected, it doth influence the races that originally dwelt upon the surface...

Why is my ear itching like this? Is Tig playing a prank on me again?

.........

Itching...? How couldst thou stand still as if nothing happened?

Why are you staring at me so intently?

No... Nothing... Is there truly nothing amiss?

You're so considerate and kind to worry.

I always have some pain somewhere. I'm so old, I always have pain all over my body.

Ah... well... um, wouldst thou like to try this?

What is this?

This is popular among the dragons, a health supplement...

She did respond swift as a flash to the phrase 'health supplement' and dranketh it down.

Not even knowing 'tis a drink mixed with mercury. Ohoho!

Wow, it's tastier than I expected! Nowadays, all health supplements are bitter...

Did I hear incorrectly? Didst thou just say it was... tasty?

Hmm, it feels similar to when I was poisoned by snake venom before...

No, it seems to feel like it's a bit different...

It's okay. After all, medicine is bitter in taste, and its effects can also be harsh at times.

Especially if it doesn't suit one's constitution.

But it's nothing a little determination can't fix!

To say that you can fix it with a little determination, that's nonsense.

You speak strangely... Whatever, I say so because it is actually quite possible...

What in the world... hath happened whilst I was asleep?

Whilst I am getting left behind in a slumber, hath the world become so strong?

The silver dragon... Vivi must work harder...

Did you hear that?

The silver dragon was the second-in-command right below Daya?

Are you talking about Vivi?

That can't be true!

How can something as soft as silver be that high in rank?

I share thy doubt.

What? You feel the same as me?

I couldn't help, but accept since Daya said so, but...

If I hadn't caught that sudden cold, I would have easily won the last duel.

You dueled with her, Vivi?!

If you do so, I have to do it too!

Do we really have to?

I don't care about honor or anything! It's just a matter of pride!

*Sigh*

I canst feel no weight in the words of those foolish young dragons.

The hardness of a mineral doth not bespeak its rank.

If that were so, Gold would not be high in rank either in the elder days.

I had better step forth and teach them a lesson myself.

Where is that Vivi? Where's that one's roost?

Thou dost not need to search far.

I, the silver dragon, Vivi, am right here, right before thee.

Huh? Nice to meet you.

Rudd has fought with you, so let me have a go too.

I am currently of honorary rank, but if thou desirest to challenge, I shall not refuse.

I, the silver dragon, Vivi, am not a coward.

If thou darest, come at me first. After all, a true master always gives their opponent a chance to defend.

Hmm, good attitude.

Alright, then I'll go first...

Hey! Vivi.

Hmm...?

Huh? Jade?

Jadeite? Why didst thou suddenly show up and call for me?

I came to save you from those rank-obsessed dorks. Are they bothering you?

There is no need to save me.

Hey, what's wrong? We're of the same rank now, so let's get along.

...What didst thou say?

Aren't we supposed to stick together as the lumpen outsiders?

Silphir, stop bothering others and fight for your rank among yourselves.

I am the only one of same rank as her, so leave Vivi alone!

Argh... Thou and me, we're not the same, Jadeite!

See? The way Vivi talks is totally like an outsider, isn't it?

She's kinda socially blind, right?

I am socially capable enough!!!

Seeing your tone and manner break down when you get upset, I'm totally right!

Indeed... it's a bit odd that she always refers to us by our ore of origin instead of our names.

It feels like she's always shouting, 'I am a dazzling gem!'

Ugh, I am...! I am but speaking in a noble fashion!

Listen up.

Defeating a 'once-well-off dragon' like Vivi is utterly pointless.

On the contrary, fighting someone who's stepped back and retired is nothing but bullying!

You have a point. As expected of our book nerd Jade.

I'm sorry for not realizing your weakness, Vivi.

I am not weak at all!!

How dare thee! I have defeated Gold and ne'er did I falter when challenging Diamond in times past...!

Yes, you're right. That was in the past.

Indeed, once well-off Goldy, is now just a little gold nugget washing away in her own shop.

Amethyst? Where didst thou pop out from?!

I'm of honorable rank too, as are you and Jade.

Those who simply look everything as minerals always cause problems.

The value of our abilities does not equal the value of our ore of origin.

Ugh... I cannot argue, for it doth resemble that which I was thinking myself...!

Anyway Vivi, welcome back from your slumber, and let's get along well as honorary outsiders.

Urgh... I feel most foul... Am I truly on the same level as these ones...?

I don't want any competitors, so stay away from books, got it?

The market is already saturated with business, so don't stick your nose in there either, hehe.

Is this their subtle way of competition?

Dragons are dragons after all, is that so?

Urgh...

Well, honorable and whatever... Go play among yourselves. I'll cancel the duel.

W-Wait a moment! You dost not need to cancel the duel!

But I don't want to cause rumors that I bully weaklings!

I am not weak! Please! Just once!

Grant me a chance to prove the my ability...!

Stop bothering me!

Ugh...!

Yeah, that's right! That's how you do it, Vivi!

Tactless, foolish Jadeite! Couldst thou shut up prithee?!