After enjoying the delicious dry curry at Iris’s bar, I set out once more to accompany Alice on her rounds of Duke-class certifications. Since the Phantasm King’s faction was already taken care of, only the Dragon King’s faction remained on our list.
I had heard that Flare was the strongest among the Dragon King’s subordinates, so it stood to reason that she and Fafnir would be the ones receiving the promotions.
Alice teleported us to the foot of a jagged, rocky mountain. At its peak, Flare stood in her dragon form, wings folded like arms across her chest. She looked incredibly imposing. She often worried about being a "small species," but to a human like me, a five-meter-tall body was plenty massive. She radiated a powerful aura—actually, she really was a powerhouse, one of the Dragon King’s top subordinates and a world-class warrior.
(……Comrade? And Shaltier-sama?)
"Hello, Flare-san," I called out.
(Ah, I apologize for the intrusion during the Harmonic Symphony. I am glad to see you are both doing well, Comrade.)
"Actually, Alice is the one with business today," I explained.
Since the Dragon Carnival, Flare knew I could understand her magic power wavelengths, so she had spoken to me directly in her dragon form. But it made me wonder—I had heard magic wavelengths weren't technically language and that only monsters could perceive them as such. How was Alice following along so easily?
(Shaltier-sama?)
"That’s right," Alice chimed in. "It’s nothing too major, really. I’m just adjusting the peerage-classes and promoting a couple of people from each faction to Duke-class. From the Dragon King’s camp, I’ve chosen you and Fafnir. Consider this your official notice."
(Duke-class? To think I would receive such an honor... Though I am still far from my peak, it is gratifying to see my training bear fruit. Of course, I have no intention of resting on my laurels.)
"I’m glad to hear it," Alice said.
"Alice, can you understand her perfectly?" I asked.
"I’ve memorized basically every language and magic wavelength used by living things in the Human and Demon Realms," she replied casually. "Monster speech is no different."
As I was marveling at her absurdly vast talents, Alice’s gaze shifted.
"Oh, perfect timing. Here comes Fafnir-san."
(So it seems. He must have been nearby. Knowing him, he sensed your magic power and came to pay his respects. He’s quite the serious one.)
I followed their gaze and saw a massive black dragon—Fafnir—soaring toward us. He landed gracefully and lowered his head.
"Miyama-dono, Shaltier-sama. Forgive the intrusion. I happened to be in the area and wished to offer my greetings."
"Hello, Fafnir-san."
"You’ve got great timing. I have news for you as well," Alice said.
Unlike Flare, who was a special individual with underdeveloped vocal cords, most high-ranking dragons like Fafnir could speak human tongues perfectly well. Alice explained the peerage restructuring and his promotion to Duke-class. Fafnir froze in shock for a moment before bowing low.
"I am deeply honored. I shall continue to refine my skills so that I may be worthy of such a title."
Despite his formal tone, I could hear the excitement in his voice. He was clearly struggling to contain his joy. Flare clapped her claws together in a congratulatory gesture.
(I offer my congratulations as well. Your promotion is the direct result of your tireless discipline as the Head.)
"My thanks. I hope to remain a credit to Magnawell-sama’s name."
(A noble sentiment. And since we have both been elevated to Duke-class, perhaps we should celebrate by reaching for even greater heights with a mock—)
"Absolutely not!" Fafnir cut her off instantly.
(—bat... But... why?)
"I... I have a mountain of work to get through! I must take my leave immediately! Miyama-dono, Shaltier-sama, if you'll excuse me!"
Without a second's delay, Fafnir beat his wings and scrambled into the sky as if his life depended on it. Flare watched him go, looking utterly dejected.
(Eingana, Fafnir, Grandireas... why do they all hate mock battles so much? They're fine with regular training, but as soon as I suggest a duel, they vanish. It’s excellent practice, after all...)
I thought back to Eingana’s similar reaction earlier. There was clearly a pattern here. They weren't just avoiding training—they were avoiding Flare herself. The reason for their trauma was almost certainly the dragon standing right in front of me.
The Mock Battle Circumstances
While the other three Great Demon Dragons were usually happy to train with Flare provided they weren't busy, they drew a hard line at mock battles. To them, a duel with Flare was a source of genuine trauma. Once she started, she wouldn't stop; she would drag them into an "endless mock battle" for as long as time allowed. Because of this, the moment she mentioned a duel, they fled. Nowadays, whenever Flare felt the itch for a real fight, she usually headed to the War King’s colosseum. The warriors there were always more than happy to oblige, provided they didn't have urgent duties of their own.