Empowerment Arc
Chapter 06 – Skill Acquisition
30 Days have passed since I ate Veldora.
What am I up to these days?
Just think for a moment!
What do you think would happen if I were attacked?
So, I’ve been thinking about how to fight.
You know–the one’s found at the magic abundant place Veldora mentioned.
As expected.
And, the glowing rocks are apparently called “Demon Ore”.
I had hoped it was some super rare metal… but, well, it’s not like I know whether Orichalcum, Hihiirokane, or other legendary ore even exists in this world.
Maybe it’s plenty rare. Maybe I’m just being too greedy.
That’s what I was thinking while munching on some delicious (or not?) weeds and stones.
Since I can spit out water, can’t I use it as a water cannon type of thing?
Yeah, you don’t have to say it.
Wasn’t I ridiculed enough?
Even my report card read “If he tries he can do it.”
And so–I can do this!
With that thought, I quickly hurried to the lake.
But surpassing my imagination, the lake had a mysterious and tranquil atmosphere.
Although the magical energy permeates the water, I dare say that no living thing inhabits it.
What a beautiful sight!
That being that…
When the “mouth” is this large, the jet propulsion strength is far too high.
As if filling my mouth with water and spitting just little out.
Is it too small, now?
I tried soaking the nearby boulder.
Next, let’s widen the opening for combat use.
With the boulder as my target, I gently began practicing while increasing output.
But, although if this hit someone it will hurt, I certainly can’t call this a finisher.
How should I…?
While worrying over this question, I entered the lake.
No… I’m not just playing in the water!
Just like a jellyfish…
After I reached out to the magic energy in my face, I tried making it oscillate.
Bemused, I played around in the water.
What a nice change of pace!
＜＜Skill [Water Current Control] has been acquired＞＞
For a second I thought it was [Great Sage], but seems to be the “Voice of the World”…
In the end I was able to control depth, direction, and speed.
If you consider the fact that I don’t need to breathe, it might actually be pretty easy to fight in the water.
Is what I thought as I got out of the lake.
The break’s over.
The means of attacking is the problem.
I needed to increase the compression of water in the water gun.
By calibrating the aperture and the pressure, I could calibrate the power of the shot–the same principle as the [Water Current Control].
*Bishuu!!!*
Flying out sharply, the water hit the targeted boulder.
Success…. right?
While regulating the aperture and pressure, of course.
And rather than the size of the opening, I tried to thin the shape of the water.
Yes! The idea was “Cutting water!”
*Bishun!*
The water blade cut the boulder!!!
A week’s worth of practice (lol), had finally bore fruit!
＜＜Skill [Water Blade] has been acquired＞＞
＜＜The skills [Hydraulic Propulsion], [Water Current Control], and [Water Blade] have evolved into Extra Skill [Water Manipulation]＞＞
What do you know!
There’s a big difference in ability and strength between extra skills and normal ones.
And with this, I am ready to set out on a journey.
At last.
Finally, the journey away from home begins.
I am uneasy. Though that isn’t something I’ll mention.
Since I have no vocal cords, I tried to see if I could reproduce them with my body. But, I have been so far unsuccessful.
Guess I’ll just have to depend on transmitting my thoughts via “telepathy”.
No matter how many hours I spent here, nothing will change.
And learning magic will be fun.
Like they say, no time like the present.
No reaction from Veldora either.
We made a promise, after all.
And thus, from a familiar wide room, I walked the one road to the surface.
A yet unseen world, a world of possibilities, I longed to join it all…
Status
Name: Rimuru Tempest
Divine Protection: the Storm Crest
Magic: None
Resistances: Thermal Fluctuation Resistance EX, Physical Attack Resistance, Pain Resistance, Electricity Resistance, Paralysis Resistance.
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At the bottom of a deep, deep heart of darkness…
Where no one could visit, amidst dispair.
Veldora spends another day reminiscing in solitude.
Calamity Class Storm Dragon Veldora
Both monsters and adventurers are ranked A~F–all in those 6 categories.
This was a guidance from the World Traveler, Free Guild head, Grand Master Kagurasaka Yuuki. He established this ranking system>
And by the way, Advanced is C rank and above, Intermediate is D rank, Beginner is E rank, and Novice is F rank.
Those of the same rank would be a match in a one on one.
Surpassing A rank is the specially designated Demon king level S rank, and above even this stands the monster with the strength of a natural disaster–Special S rank.
At the present, an A class monster is capable of jeopardizing the existence of a country.
And in the first place, what surrounds Veldora is of no concern to him.
Yet again today he thinks.
It had been 300 years since he lost to the Hero.
He was bitter, but strangely held no grudge.
Those who would cross his path were few in numer.
But, to have lost one on one with the same handicaps… that was a first.
Pale skin.
Long, jet black hair.
Though her face was covered in a mask, her counters revealed her femininity. A beautiful girl.
Since his eyes did not see, he could not peek at her emotions.
Is that why? Without fear or hatred, she merely dispassionately swung the sword… how regretful.
If he had broken out of this prison?
Would he complete his revenge against her? Although he did not hate her?
Those were his honest feelings.
To make that girl, the Hero, recognize him and go all out.
Human lifespan is short.
But still…. he thoughts keep looping around the same ideas…
How many years had passed?
One day,
*Gorogoro, zudon!!!*
A light blue body had rammed into his.
Moreover, touching a lump of magical energy that Veldora was, would be difficult even for a high class monster.
Amused, Veldora observed that being.
And that let to their encounter.
Before he knew it, to he who had abandoned his will to live, that bizarre existence became his only hope.
Veldora had that premonition.
One that he had not had until now.
(Can you hear me, Little One?)
Holding on to that belief, Veldora called out.
Author’s Notes: For now, Veldora’s story ends here. Little by little the “name” might come out…
Translator’s Corner (Cast: an English Clown and a French Pierrot)
Clown: Well, that was an alright chapter.
Pierrot: The dragon is a tsundere.
Clown: I just want to give him a hug.
Pierrot: A big, bald tsundere…