Silver and Sebek

We see Silver and Sebek meet for the first time in a flashback where Sebek’s first impression is child-Silver “sleeping standing up with a wooden sword in his hand,” while Silver’s first impression is child-Sebek refusing to accept “such a slovenly human” as his fellow pupil.

In Book 7 Sebek tells Silver, “Don’t you ever make a mockery of my—of OUR teacher again,” which was possibly his first time acknowledging Silver as his fellow pupil.

Silver says that he and Sebek have known each other since they were about 7 and 6 years old and Sebek was the only person back home he knew who was close to his own age.

Silver explains that they have spent a lot of time together since they were young, learning swordsmanship and martial arts from Lilia, and, “You could say we were raised like siblings.”

Silver says that seeing Sebek hard at work inspires him to train that much more.

Sebek has a voice line of, “So Silver purchased a souvenir for Lilia as well. Fine, challenge accepted. We’ll see which of our gifts he likes better,” and it seems they have been raised to be in competition with one another from early on: Sebek sees a flashback from when they would spar together as children where Silver won a point against him, and Sebek demanded a rematch.

Silver responded, “…hm. Okay, Sebek, we can go another round. As long as you don’t mind losing again,” and present-day Sebek admits that he has only ever beaten Silver “a handful of times.”

Silver also beat Sebek to being able to consciously use magic by a year and a half, despite Sebek’s attempts to impress Malleus.

Silver describes Sebek a competitive hard worker who has always pushed him to train. Silver says, “When we first started training together, I found his constant needling annoying…But as time passed, I eventually found that I did not wish to lose to him. That was what I was missing before, when I was only aiming to improve myself and become more like Father.”

Silver says that they did not just compete, but will also join forces to overcome different obstacles: “That sense of accomplishment was better than any I ever felt achieving something on my own. Steel sharpens steel, as they say…”

Lilia says that he once got matching T-shirts as souvenirs that they accidentally wore on the same day, and while it was funny, “they were NOT pleased.”

After badgering Silver into complimenting Malleus in Fleur City (Silver: “I couldn’t get a word in”) Sebek then follows with, “I’m FAR more awestruck than Silver!”

When they both volunteer to stay behind and fend off fire lotuses towards the end of the event Sebek says that he could have handled them all alone, and Silver responds, “I should say the same, Sebek. You could’ve gone with Malleus.” 

Sebek calls it “absurd” to think that Silver could handle a room of fire lotuses during Glomas and Silver asks, “What about with you?”

Sebek responds, “What could possibly be a threat when the two of us are united?”

As they battle on they both become tired, with Sebek saying that Silver is flagging and Silver pointing out that Sebek’s footwork is getting slower (Sebek: “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF!”)

They continue working together to fend off the flowers, with Sebek suggesting “a little compeition to see how can destroy more flowers” to keep them motivated. Silver responds that he is worried about how he is going to be able to calm Sebek down when Sebek inevitably loses.

Afterwards, Silver tells Malleus that he was afraid that Malleus might be hurt and Sebek counters with, I, on the other hand, had every faith you would vanquish the opposition!”

Sebek says that he will be informing Lilia that he won their flower-slaying competition and Silver responds, “It’s wrong to lie.” The bicker over who had the largest mountain of wilted flowers vs. who had mostly petals and who had mostly stems.

(Ruggie: “You guys were weeding until dawn and you still have the energy to bicker? Where can I get some of THAT stamina?”)

During Book 5 both Riddle and Silver caution Sebek about referring to people as “humans”, especially when he is representing the school, as his rudeness will reflect poorly on Malleus and Lilia.

Sebek reacts with rage at Silver for daring to talk down to him. 

In vignettes we see them argue about coming between Malleus and Leona, remembering minor details such as what Malleus enjoys to eat with french fries, and Silver having to follow up with a mess Sebek causes with ketchup.

When Silver scolds Sebek for being unworthy of praise after he fixes a problem he also caused, we see a rare moment where Sebek does not snap back at Silver in rage, but actually concedes that he is correct.

Sebek warns Silver against “doing anything that would reflect poorly on Malleus or Lilia” during Fairy Gala, but Silver will also scold Sebek: he tells Sebek to apologize for a tirade, and that he is not to start any fights during Lilia’s farewell party.

Sebek cautions Sebek during the Glorious Masquerade event, telling him to rein in his excitement, to sit down when a show begins, to be quiet and to calm down.

Silver says that Sebek warned him against gifting Jade rope for his birthday for being too ordinary, but Jade is delighted.

Silver seeks Sebek out for advice with waking his tsum during the Tsumsted event but Sebek refuses, saying, “I looked after a tsum that took after me, yes — which gives me vastly more experience than you.However, I managed even when I had no one to turn to for advice. So you should do the same.”

Silver apologizes for bothering him, but Sebek then immediately tries to wake the tsum as he had been asked.

Sebek tells Silver that he is lucky that Malleus and Lilia took him in and raised him despite his humanity, and that he should never forget it. (Silver responds with “I think we’re getting off track…”)

Silver’s ability to enjoy coffee with Malleus in a point of contention for Sebek, though it has yet to be confirmed if Silver is even aware of it.

Sebek also takes offense at the present he receives from Silver for his birthday: Sebek assumes that Silver giving him dumbbells is meant to imply that Silver believes his training regime is lacking.

They also argue about the color of tuxedo that Malleus should craft for Lilia (Sebek insists on navy, Silver insists on red, in an homage to the pink/blue dress scene in Sleeping Beauty), and whether or not Sebek should wash his robes after Malleus has complimented them.

In an interesting hint at what Silver might have been like as a first-year student, Riddle says that Sebek is like “all other Diasomnia students” and that his “well-mannered facade” belies his supercilious nature.

Silver insists that not all of Diasomnia is like Sebek and Riddle responds, “I recall you being rather aloof when we first matriculated as well.” Silver responds, “Surely I wasn’t that bad.”

During Vargas Camp we see a repeating pattern of Silver complimenting Sebek and Sebek responding with an insult.

Silver tells Sebek he made a “very astute observation” by noticing the instructions didn’t specify PE clothes at the beginning of the event and Sebek responds, “You clearly need to work on your attention to detail if you missed that.”

When Silver agrees with Riddle about going to the mines Sebek insists that, while he has no objections, “Silver’s argument did NOT persuade me. I had the same idea from the start.” Silver observes, “Then we’re on the same page” and Sebek says, “We most certainly are not!”

When Silver compliments Sebek on his knowledge of gemstones Sebek mocks him for falling asleep so often saying, “these facts are rudimentary in the extreme”. 

Silver volunteers to take over Sebek’s campfire shift to compensate for falling asleep during his own the night before but Sebek tells him that “You must accept this is beyond your capabilities and let it go.”

In a rare moment for Silver we see him smile at Sebek when Sebek thanks Riddle for sacrificing himself to save him. Silver says that it would be nice if Sebek could be so forthright with everyone. Sebek says it would be nice if Silver could mind his own business.

Silver thanks him and offers to cover his cleaning duties so that Sebek can rest. Sebek acknowledges Silver’s offer with, “At least you how proper respect…I suppose I can trust you with some menial chores.”

At the end of the event, however, neither Riddle nor Silver believe Sebek’s claims about a monster in the mines.

Despite the harrowing situation of trying to escape an overblotted Malleus in Book 7, Sebek still argues with Silver about taking his hand so that they can flee.

Sebek also disapproves of Silver telling him to stay by his side in the unknown territory of Lilia’s dreamscape. (Silver: “*sigh* Just don’t do anything reckless.”)

When Sebek’s dream-grandfather refuses to eat the meal he has made (“Did you humans make this?…I don’t want it.”), Silver assures him that it is all a dream and his grandfather still cares about him, but Sebek is not pleased.

Sebek saying “You don’t have to spell it out” when Silver gives him advice or cautions him is a recurring theme.

When Sebek’s stomach growls in the citadel Sebek denies that it was him, even blaming the prefect, but Silver responds, “By now I know the sound of your stomach growling when I hear it, Sebek.”

After seeing a variety of different flashbacks from Sebek’s childhood Grim says that they haven’t changed at all since they were children and Sebek insists, “Don’t compare me with Silver! I’ve grown plenty more than he has.”

Sebek almost gives in to the temptation of staying in Lilia’s dream voluntarily and succumbing to darkness, and is saved by Silver. Sebek admits he was at fault and agrees to listen to Silver’s chastisement, but Silver responds, “I could see myself falling into the same trap and wishing I could stay in this dream.”

He asks for Sebek’s aid if such a thing should come to pass and Sebek says, “I admonish you for any cowardly words or deeds as it is.” Silver responds, “…Yeah, that’s true. Thanks. Keep doing that.”

Sebek takes his frustration with the loss of Malleus’ parents out on Silver in Book 7, declaring that he must join Lilia in protecting Maleanor with his life.

Silver reminds him that they are in a dream where nothing they do will change reality and Sebek again questions if they cannot just stay in the dream, where Malleus can live with his mother and Silver will be able to live with Lilia.

Silver fails to come up with convincing argument and Sebek is nearly swallowed by the darkness, saved by Silver.

Silver asks, “What would happen to Malleus, crafting these dream worlds in complete solitude?!,” and Sebek points out that Lilia will only be waking up to die, but Silver says, “He’s want to anyway. I know Father would advise against what Malleus is doing right now. A retainer isn’t there to simply be a yes-man to their liege. Sometimes it’s important to speak out against them. Surely father taught you that, right?”

Sebek declares that he will never second-guess himself again, and Silver says that he had best not break his word. (Sebek: “Hmph! I need no warnings from you! *sniffle*”)

Sebek is able to repay Silver later on, using his unique magic to save Silver from the darkness of his own mind. Silver swears that he will never lose his way again, and Sebek says that will hold him to that promise. 

In a rare moment of agreement Sebek says that summoning a sword would be more practical than being able to summon cups and kettles, as “that way you could squeeze in some training anywhere, anytime. Silver responds, “For once, I like the way you think.”

They also join forces during Tsumsted when Silver says he hopes that Lilia and his tsum do not cause a commotion on campus, suggesting that he and Sebek go check up on them together. Sebek agrees.

We see Silver apologize often for Sebek during Halloween, and in a vignette where Silver is patrolling the school grounds he decides to inform Sebek and Lilia that Idia is in the courtyard, as, “If Sebek ran into him, the consequences could be an incident all in itself.”

When it is revealed that the Fairy Gala group originally went to Sebek for help—not Silver—and Sebek immediately refused, Silver apologizes and says he will talk to him about his attitude.

Silver also apologizes “Sebek’s lack of manners” during the Glorious Masquerade event, and for Sebek’s volume in Book 7. 

Silver is the only person to volunteer to go find Jamil’s missing group during Vargas Camp, and when Ruggie asks Sebek if he will not go along as well since they are always together, Sebek says that Silver “makes for a more competent guardsman than the rest of the rabble”.

Ruggie responds, “Sounds like you just admitted he’s good at what he does.”

Sebek also compliments Silver during Fairy Gala, saying that Silver’s deep affinity for woodland creatures made obtaining their assistance “a trivial task” and complimenting the confident way that Silver carries himself on the runway: “He looks right at home amongst (the fairies). None of you could pull that off!”

While looking for Silver in the darkness of Lilia’s dream Sebek says, “Silver has easily faced foes many times worse than these things. He’ll be perfectly fine.”

When Lilia talks about never liking children Silver looks discouraged, and it is Sebek who suggests that maybe something will change Lilia’s mind in the future. Silver thanks him.

While searching for Silver in the darkness Sebek threatens to tell the prefect and Grim an embarrassing story from a fishing trip they once took together. He is interrupted by a darkness-attack, but when Grim later asks what it was he was talking about Sebek claims to have forgotten.

Grim has trouble understanding why looking so similar to the Dawn Knight has troubled Silver so much and Sebek explains that they also possess the same ring, making it safe to say that they’re connected somehow.

Grim asks, “How’re you ever supposed to sleep at night if you worry about stuff from the way distant past?” and Sebek explains that the Dawn Knight isn’t in the “distant past” to people as long-lived as Lilia, Malleus and his grandfather, and he understand why Silver would feel the way he does, as his own father’s distant ancestors were possibly involved in the near-eradication of the fae, as well. “But,” Sebek says, “that’s hardly any reason to blame himself.

Sebek wonders if the Dawn Knight really is a distant ancestor of Silver’s but ultimately decides, “Lilia and Silver are not only teacher and pupil, but family. That’s all I need to know.”

Suffering from the shock of learning about his own lineage Silver says, “What must Sebek think of me now…? …Does he hate me?”

Silver says that he could learn a lot from Sebek’s refusal to give up, and when Grim asks why Sebek is always yelling Silver explains, “It’s his way of hiding his embarrassment and expressing gratitude. He may come off as abrasive, but he’s actually very caring. I hope you’ll keep getting along with him.”

Sebek gets a wooden cuckoo clock as a Harveston souvenir, while Silver gets Sebek a bookmark made from blackberries and gloves for horseback riding for both Sebek and himself.

In his dream Sebek declares that he shall be defending Malleus from Silver, and the two get into a physical fight that awakens Sebek when he loses. Sebek says that he has “only ever beaten Silver a handful of times” for as long as they’ve known each other, but he still demands that Silver fight him in the darkness of Lilia’s dream, as “no amount of verbal reasoning” was going to get through to Silver at the time.

Silver refuses, saying that he doesn’t want to hurt anyone anymore, but Sebek insists: “So be it. I’m going to knock some sense into you before you disgrace yourself any further!” (Silver: “All right. If that… makes you feel better…”)

Sebek again loses to Silver and Silver asks if Sebek let him land his final blow on purpose. Sebek responds, “I thought that this time I would finally defeat you…I fought with all I had!”

Silver apologizes, saying that his body flew into action before his mind could catch up, and Sebek scolds him for daring to think that Lilia never loved him after raising him to be so strong.

Sebek has a signifiant role in Silver’s dorm vignette, where Silver has started to worry about how his inability to express his emotions on his face negatively affects those around him.

Sebek reluctantly decides to assist him, inviting him to practice their swordsmanship in the school courtyard: “You need not engage in any absurd facial exercises…because that’s not what you actually need.”

Sebek begins their practice by closing in before Silver is ready for him, complimenting him on blocking his attack. (Silver: “Only because l’ve had extensive training with surprise attacks.”)

Silver compliments Sebek on how his training is paying off and Sebek counters with, “Just you watch — my progress will soon outpace yours.”

Silver expresses emotion during their mock-battle that is rare for him, impressing the classmates who had been gossiping about his wooden facial expressions.

They comment on Silver’s intensity and tell him to his face that they never knew he was so cool, surprising Silver, but Sebek reveals that that was his entire plan: “I figured if people saw you training, they’d never be able to call you expressionless. And judging by their reactions…my plan was a smashing success!”

Sebek tell Silver, “The next time a bunch of whiners give you a hard time, just show them who you are…And drive them into submission so that they never dare to complain again!” He follows with, “Your energies would be better spent on physical exercise than mental exertion anyway. You’re not cut out for the latter.”

Silver says that while Sebek’s wording leaves much to be desired, he understands that Sebek is saying that he does not need to change, and thanks him for his help. Sebek says that he does not need his gratitude and did it purely for Malleus and Silver responds, “I know. Nonetheless…thank you for today. I mean it.”