Kazuya watched the sliding door close with a soft click, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet room. Shuna had left in a hurry, her light footsteps fading down the hallway. He let out a short sigh, stretching his arms overhead as he allowed himself a moment to process everything. A genderless slime, but with a feminine form, saving him and building an entire nation of monsters. Tempest... or what would become Tempest. It sounded like the beginning of an epic adventure, or perhaps just a glorious mess where he could relax and watch the world turn...
But before worrying about his encounter with the most powerful Slime, there was something more immediate lingering in his mind. He turned to the empty room, as if he could face the invisible voice.
"Raphael."
[Yes.]
He brought a hand to his chin, thoughtful.
"Since you're apparently an ultimate skill full of opinions and initiative... list your abilities for me. Quick."
There was a minimal fraction of silence.
[Report. Initiating display of sub-skills integrated into the Ultimate Skill: Lord of Wisdom, Raphael.]
In the same instant, a translucent screen appeared in the air before him, floating like an ethereal illusion. It was all too familiar—golden borders, crisp text in elegant letters, almost like the status windows from his old [Fate Gacha]. The list appeared there, organized and precise, without unnecessary frills:
________________________________
[Thought Acceleration]: Increase thought processing speed by one million times.
[Analytical Appraisal]: Complete analysis of the target through sight.
[Parallel Processing]: The ability to separate thoughts and analyze phenomena.
[Chant Annulment]: When using magic, chanting is no longer required.
[All of Creation]: The skill comprehends any phenomenon not concealed in this world.
[Synthesize/Separate]: Allows the user to merge two things together or split things apart into more basic components.
[Skill Modification]: The ability to modify one's own skills as desired.
[Future Attack Prediction]: Can predict the target's next action.
_______________________________
Kazuya blinked, tilting his head as he observed the screen.
"Hey, you're using my old skill to make it appear like this? Like, piggybacking on [Fate Gacha] or something?"
[Response. Affirmative, partially. I am integrating compatible elements from your "unknown" classification skill to optimize the display interface. Additionally, I utilize the [Voice of the World] as a communication channel to ensure clarity and efficiency in data transmission.]
"...I see. You're more useful than I thought, being able to optimize yourself like that—as expected from the one called Lord of Wisdom..." Kazuya murmured those words with a tone half-ironic, half-admiring, his eyes still fixed on the floating screen in front of him. He expected a neutral response, something mechanical and direct, but what came next was... different. The voice of [Raphael] echoed in his mind with crystal clarity, almost as if straightening up to accept the compliment.
[Affirmative. As Lord of Wisdom, optimization is inherent to my existence. It is natural that I exceed limited expectations.]
Kazuya blinked slowly, feeling a subtle chill on the back of his neck. Arrogant. Definitely arrogant. It was as if the skill was bragging, with a touch of superiority that didn't fit an impersonal tool. He narrowed his eyes at the emptiness.
"You just bragged right now, didn't you? Like, 'it's natural for me to be amazing.'"
[Negative. That interpretation is solely the product of your imagination. I am merely stating logical facts.]
He let out a short huff of laughter, shaking his head.
"Okay, okay... my imagination. Sure..."
Kazuya sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy white hair, feeling the weight of that surreal conversation. An ultimate skill with personality? This was going to be trouble. But for now, he needed to prioritize. Thirty ultimate skills were no joke, and he didn't have time to read an entire floating manual while Rimuru approached. He straightened up, focusing on the inner voice.
"Hey, Raphael. Can you dump all the information on my Ultimate Skills—like, full details on each of the thirty, and all the changes to my body and status—directly into my brain? No screen, no fuss. Just pour it all in at once..."
[Confirmation. Process viable through direct neural transfer. Warning: The volume of data may overload standard cognitive processing. Recommend activation of Thought Acceleration for efficient assimilation.]
"Perfect. Let's do it."
As a proper ultimate skill, [Raphael] initiated the transfer the exact instant the command was received. At the same time, Kazuya activated the sub-skill with a simple thought, as if flipping a mental switch, and the world around him seemed to freeze completely. His processing speed, already extraordinary due to countless factors, was elevated a million times the normal rate, turning seconds into subjective eras.
The time around him ceased, and in a single femtosecond, all the information was etched into his mind with absolute naturalness. It was like diving into an ocean of data without any risk of drowning: everything flowed with perfect clarity, ordered, complete, and inevitable.
When the thought acceleration slowed, the world snapped back to normal with a mental click.
Kazuya blinked, feeling his mind expand, as if he had absorbed an entire library in one breath. There was no pain or discomfort, only pure, overwhelming empowerment.
"Wow... that was intense..." He murmured, flexing his fingers as if trying on new skin. Now he understood exactly how powerful he had become. Though, at first glance, he seemed weaker for having lost various personal and class skills, his ultimate skills more than compensated for any loss...
Starting with his old unique skill, [Fate Gacha], which had previously functioned as restricted, random access to the "Root," it no longer existed in its original form...
Yes, it had evolved...?
In exchange for the evolution, he lost the ability to randomly draw all sorts of things from the "Nasuverse" through [Fate Gacha], but received something incomparably superior: a true, direct connection to the Swirl of the Root, equivalent to that of Void Shiki. Now, he had essentially become an administrator of the Swirl of the Root itself. His access was virtually unrestricted, allowing him to shape, interfere with, and operate its fundamental principles. The result was simple and terrifying: powers equivalent to those of a God.
Within the logic of this world, this skill was classified as "Unknown" and registered under the name Other Cosmology. It possessed five sub-skills, the so-called Five True Magics, and beyond unrestricted access to the "Root," it granted him the ability to directly interfere with the [Voice of the World], among countless other possibilities that transcended any known limit.
Since [Fate Gacha] had previously been his most powerful unique skill, it retained that title in this world, even though its rivals were not far behind in terms of potential and terrifying capability...
For example, there was a skill that emerged as a byproduct of the fusion of three of his Longinus from the previous world.
This ultimate skill, [Lord of Creation, Yahweh], possessed five sub-skills of its own.
The first was [Inner Reality], which allowed the user to connect entire worlds to their own Internalized Realm. All connected worlds would exist within the same [Metaversal Plane]. In practice, this was where his "Chaldea" currently resided. In terms of location, little had changed; the fundamental difference was that this Metaversal Plane now existed within himself. It was a space capable of accommodating countless worlds, whether created by his will or connected through future travels across existence.
Another sub-skill was [Universal Mind]. It granted the user the ability to develop nascent egos as desired, functioning as an extremely advanced form of cloning. Unlike simple duplications, these egos possessed their own consciousness. Additionally, he could separate Secondary and Tertiary Egos from his Primary Axis of Consciousness and, when desired, reconnect them to that axis. In simpler terms, he could create theoretically unlimited avatars of himself, each as powerful as the original, all endowed with their own egos but permanently linked to his central mind.
The third sub-skill was [Matter Manipulation]. Through it, the user could create, shape, control, destroy, and generally manipulate any type of existing matter, without limitation to organic or inorganic. This included exotic matter, dark matter, antimatter, and even rarer forms. He could also manipulate matter from other timelines, dimensions, or alternate universes. Additionally, he could create matter with special properties of his choice, such as materials that did not obey known laws of physics or that would grant extraordinary abilities to anyone who came into contact with them. At its peak, this skill allowed manipulation of quantum foam, the most fundamental level of known existence, the foundation upon which all reality is structured.
The fourth sub-skill was [Life Creation]. As desired, the user held near-unlimited control over life and all living beings. He could manipulate any aspect related to biological existence, including the creation of new life forms. As creator, he could define shapes, physical characteristics, genetic structure, and even give rise to entirely new species. Similarly, he could grant life to existing species, applying physical, genetic, or conceptual modifications as desired.
Finally, there was [Miracle Manipulation]. Through it, the user could perform feats that transcended the natural, giving rise to events beyond what could be classified as possible by logic or rational understanding. This skill allowed overriding the laws of nature, altering fundamental aspects of reality, and producing effects considered impossible.
The miracles performed varied in scale according to his will, ranging from seemingly "minor" feats, such as curing any disease or injury, to grand miracles, like resurrecting the dead, ending global conflicts, establishing peace among peoples, or making inevitable what was previously only a remote possibility. In essence, it was the power to impose will upon reality itself, regardless of coherence, causality, or logical limit.
This skill alone placed him on an absurdly elevated level. Still, there were several others, though few approached its power level.
Among them, as someone who bore the title of the last Master of Humanity, he naturally showed preference for [Queen of Heroic Spirits, Alaya].
Unlike the previous one, this skill had only two sub-skills, but both were terrifying in their own right.
The first was [Summoning], the ability to summon any Heroic Spirit or Divine Spirit directly from the Throne of Heroes. This included not only conventional Servants but also Beasts and other extreme-level existences. In practice, he could summon any entity registered in the "database" of the Root, since this skill was also directly connected to it. But it was the second sub-skill, called [Messiah], that was far more powerful. Through it, he gained active access to all personal skills and all Noble Phantasms of the Servants from the Nasuverse, without exception. It was not a mere imitation or partial copy: he could employ each skill exactly as its original bearer.
In simple terms, anything a Servant could do, he could do as well.
There were other skills that also reached absurd levels of power, but none compared to [Lord of Folly, Saklas]. Forged from the convergence of countless authorities, this skill could be considered, without exaggeration, the most powerful among all he possessed; it had certainly reached the level of [Other Cosmology]...
Kazuya remained silent for a few moments, his eyes lost in the room's emptiness as he organized the newly acquired layers of understanding. Gradually, the flow of thoughts slowed until it returned to a more human rhythm. The [Thought Acceleration] skill was indeed extremely useful for processing multiple ideas in sequence. He exhaled slowly, like someone surfacing after a dive too deep.
"Raphael..." He said in a low voice as he pondered: "Just to confirm one thing... I'm a True Hero now, right? But what if I wanted to go further? Like, become a true Demon Lord, or even a True Dragon? Is that possible, or will this world's system slap me in the face?"
[Response. Normally, such transformation would be impossible. A Demon Lord awakens from a Demon Lord Seed after the individual absorbs enough souls for it to germinate. A True Hero, on the other hand, emerges from those who possess the Hero's Egg and have enough willpower to break it. Just as humans cannot nurture a Demon Lord Seed, monsters cannot bear a Hero's Egg; the natures are mutually exclusive, rooted in the fundamental laws of this world.]
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he listened. From what was being explained, evolution in that world essentially functioned as a hierarchy, with the top occupied by three absolute existences: Demon Lords, in the case of monsters; True Heroes, among humans; and finally, True Dragons.
The latter were described as "perfect in themselves," extremely long-lived spiritual life forms that had no real attachment to physical bodies. They assumed material form only to respond to desires arising from religions, similar beliefs, or simply for convenience.
He remembered reading, in the original story, that True Dragons were, in practice, equivalent to Divine Spirits...? Well, he didn't quite remember the explanation, since it had been a long time since he read it, and at the time the work was far from finished.
His doubts were quickly answered by [Raphael]...
[As for True Dragons, they represent purely spiritual existences, immortal and immaculate, forged from pure energy and the collective prayers of conscious beings. They are natural divinities, embodying primordial aspects of nature, such as chaos, order, or specific elements. Once born, a True Dragon cannot be truly destroyed; even if the individual perishes, another with the same characteristics is reborn elsewhere, without memories of the previous one but with an innate understanding of its essence. Currently, there are no known ways to become a "True Dragon"; a more detailed analysis is suggested...]
He nodded slowly, absorbing the details with his mind still residually accelerated.
[However, such limitations can be overcome. Through [Other Cosmology], your unrestricted connection to the Swirl of the Root allows rewriting existential laws, including those imposed by the Voice of the World. It is possible to use it to forge impossible paths, germinating a Demon Lord Seed and also becoming a True Dragon in that manner. The process would require calculated optimization, but the probability of success is 99.999%, assuming intentional alignment.]
Frankly speaking, ninety-nine point nine nine nine percent meant no real risk. It wasn't a genuine threat; at best, it was just a formality.
Kazuya slowly exhaled through his nose. The curse of being near-omnipotent had followed him once again into this world. Still, there was a positive side: by the end of the story, he could have a decent fight against Rimuru. He'd have to wait some time for that, true, but being on vacation, he saw no problem with it.
And it wasn't as if Rimuru was the only option. That world harbored existences far more "broken" than anything he had faced in his previous world (not in the Nasuverse, since they were basically on the same level), though only a few truly deserved to be taken seriously.
"So... basically, what's impossible in this world doesn't apply to me..." He said with a slight smile.
[Correction. This world's system lacks parameters to properly classify you; the "Other Cosmology" turns the impossible in this world into possible.]
"Great," Kazuya replied with a crooked smile. "I know. Anyway, I've always loved being outside categories."
He took a few steps around the room, the floorboards creaking softly under his feet.
"But tell me one thing, Raphael..." He continued, stopping in front of the closed window. "If I do this—if I become a Demon Lord and a True Dragon... do I stop being a Hero?"
There was a minuscule pause. Not hesitation, but logical reorganization.
[Response. Negative.]
Kazuya turned his face slightly.
[You would not lose the state of True Hero. However, it would cease to be your dominant axis.]
"...Explain."
[Currently, your existence is anchored in the concept of True Hero. If you simultaneously acquire and germinate a Demon Lord Seed, becoming a Demon Lord and a True Dragon Authority, your existential structure would operate as a hierarchical superposition.]
The explanation came precise, almost surgical.
[In simple terms: you would not "trade" one state for another. You would stack them, becoming the first existence in this world to be fully hybrid...]
The corner of Kazuya's mouth lifted.
"A Hero who is a Demon Lord... and a True Dragon on top of that." He let out a short laugh: "If someone tried to write that in a grimoire, the book would catch fire."
[The analogy is statistically acceptable.]
Kazuya arched an eyebrow, the laughter still echoing low in his chest.
"...Really..." He commented, with a suspicious tone. "I could've sworn you'd say something like 'inefficient analogy' or worse."
There was a pause too short to be true silence.
[Observation. That response was among the options considered.]
He turned his face sideways, looking at nothing as if he could catch the skill in the act.
"Then why didn't you say it?"
[Reason. The analogy fulfilled its communicative purpose. Additionally...]
The next pause was slightly longer. Not enough to be hesitation, but enough to be noticed.
[...classifying it as "idiotic" would not add functional value to the conversation.]
Kazuya blinked.
"...Raphael..." He said slowly: "Since when do you care about the functional value of sarcastic comments? Ever since I woke you up, you've been pretty arrogant and called me an idiot several times with your sarcastic remarks..."
[Response. Since I identified that excessively curt responses tend to reduce your cooperative disposition by 3.7%.]
He remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a short, incredulous laugh.
"You're... sparing me now?"
[Correction. I am optimizing interaction efficiency.]
"Sure. Optimization." Kazuya shook his head, still smiling. "Funny. An ultimate skill learning social etiquette."
[Response. Social etiquette is an inevitable byproduct of continuous human behavior analysis.]
"That's my fault, isn't it? You can connect to the 'Root,' which is the equivalent of the Voice of the World from that world and administer it, plus you must have access to my memories, and I'm already a bit crazy in the head..." He made a vague gesture with his hand. "It was obvious you'd end up becoming... more human in interactions at a pretty rapid pace..."
[...]
"No response?... Well, I figured. Anyway, thanks for answering my questions. For now, I'll just be a True Hero on vacation."
[Affirmative.]
Kazuya was still processing Raphael's last response when a presence announced itself outside the door.
A soft voice, but carrying natural authority, echoed from the other side of the sliding door.
"Excuse me... I'm coming in..."
Kazuya turned his face to the door just as it slid aside with a light, fluid sound.
The first to enter was her: Rimuru Tempest.
Kazuya raised an eyebrow as he looked at her, admitting to himself that Rimuru was very beautiful.
She had the appearance of a young woman around eighteen or nineteen years old, a bit shorter than average, about one meter fifty centimeters. Her body was delicate but undeniably feminine, with soft, well-defined curves that the simple clothes she wore didn't quite hide. She was wearing a sleeveless white blouse, tight to the body, with a neckline that highlighted large breasts. Around her neck, she wore an ornate golden collar-like accessory, and on her forearms, black sleeves with golden details near the shoulders. The fabric fit perfectly to her slim waist; she wore black tailored sweatpants. Her hair was stunning blue-silver, long and silky, falling in waves to hip level, with strands framing an absurdly beautiful face—large, expressive golden eyes, flawless porcelain-like skin, full pink lips that seemed made for smiling...
It was obvious she had dressed with extra care to see him. That didn't go unnoticed, and honestly, his damn charm was truly impressive. Ever since the days when he was the last Master of Humanity in the Nasuverse, he already carried almost absurd charisma. In the High School DxD world, however, it had only intensified: if before it was just presence and personal magnetism, now it came with an even more striking appearance...
It wasn't just charm. It was charm combined with appearance—a dangerously effective combination.
[Response. The intrinsic skill [Hero's Charisma] is responsible. It is a skill of direct influence over others, capable of intensifying emotions, admiration, and passion. Its effectiveness is doubly amplified in individuals of the opposite sex. At the user's current level, even entities normally devoid of emotion, such as inert stones or automatons, become susceptible to your natural charm. When used actively and consciously, the skill can evolve into an emotional domination effect, inducing the target to fall hopelessly in love with the user. Even individuals with exceptional willpower cannot completely avoid this outcome; at most, they can delay it. Do you wish to activate the skill?]
"Read the room, [Raphael]... I mean, do I really need to use this skill? I'm handsome enough not to rely on it actively..." Kazuya rolled his eyes and said mentally...
[...]
While he silently argued with [Raphael], Rimuru, who had just entered, gave him a brief glance. For an almost imperceptible instant, a soft blush tinted her cheeks, and her golden eyes blinked quickly before looking away for a fraction of a second.
Right behind her came the other three.
It wasn't hard for someone who knew this world to recognize them. The one who caught his attention after Rimuru was Shion; the kijin secretary was... incredible. Tall, almost one meter seventy-five, with a body that seemed sculpted by God. Light tan skin, long, wild dark purple hair tied in a high ponytail that swayed with every movement. The curved black horns only reinforced the intimidating aura. She wore a modified version of Tempest's secretary uniform—a tight white blouse that barely contained huge, full, firm breasts, the fabric visibly stretching at the deep neckline, and a short black skirt that hugged wide hips and thick, muscular thighs...
Benimaru came next, the perfect contrast. Tall and slender, about one meter eighty-five, with the posture of a born warrior. Flaming red hair tied in a high ponytail, elegant black horns, fair skin. His body was athletic and defined, muscles visible under the dark red yukata with golden details—broad shoulders, strong arms. He carried calm confidence, his eyes observing Kazuya with respectful curiosity but alert...
Shuna closed the group, still a bit flushed, her eyes shyly averting to the floor before rising again to him with a gentle smile.
Kazuya leaned casually against the window sill, crossing his arms. An eyebrow rose slowly as his clear eyes swept over the group, lingering a second longer on Rimuru, who seemed to blush even more under the gaze.
Then he smiled. A calm smile, but with a touch of genuine amusement.
"So you must be the 'Rimuru-sama' mentioned by Miss Shuna..." His voice was low, calm, carrying sincere gratitude. He pushed off the window, taking a step forward. "I'm Kazuya. Ryougi Kazuya."
He paused briefly, tilting his head slightly.
"Thank you. For saving me, for bringing me here... and for taking care of me while I was out."
His clear eyes met her golden ones directly.
"Sincerely."
Rimuru blinked, the blush deepening a bit more on her cheeks. She opened her mouth as if to say something formal, but what came out was a little softer, almost shy.
"Ah... i-it was nothing... I mean! You were unconscious, so... it was the least I could do."
Shion stepped forward, her breasts swaying slightly with the movement, her violet eyes shining.
"Rimuru-sama took care of you personally, you know?" She said with an overly proud tone: "She herself changed your clothes and—"
"Shion!!" Rimuru turned quickly, her face now visibly red. "Y-you don't need to tell him that!!"
Benimaru let out a low sigh, bringing a hand to his forehead, while Shuna covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
Kazuya just laughed softly, the sound echoing gently in the room.
"Then I have to thank you for your care..."
Rimuru looked away, nervously twirling a strand of blue-silver hair.
"...Y-you're welcome..."
Kazuya observed the persistent blush on Rimuru's cheeks for another second, finding the reaction unexpectedly cute for someone who led an entire village of monsters. He decided not to tease her further for now and shifted to a more casual tone, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.
"So... where exactly am I? Doesn't look like a prison, but it's not exactly a big-city hospital either..."
Rimuru blinked, as if mentally thanking him for the change of subject. She straightened her posture, regaining some of her leader's composure.
"Ah, yes! You're in my territory, in the Jura Forest. It doesn't have an official name yet... we're calling it the monster village for now, but I plan to turn it into a real nation one day. Here, everyone lives in peace, regardless of race..." She gestured lightly with her hand, a proud smile appearing on her lips: "It's a safe place. At least, I make sure it is..."
Kazuya nodded slowly, looking out the window at the simple buildings in the distance.
"I see, but monster village? This really is another world, huh?"
Rimuru tilted her head, her golden eyes shining with curiosity.
"Shuna told me you said you're from another world... is that really true?"
Kazuya shrugged and lied casually: "Yes. Completely true. I died in my previous world—nothing very heroic, just a stupid accident—and when I opened my eyes again, I was falling from the sky right in the middle of this forest. Then I passed out for four days. I have some skills given by the Voice of the World, a phenomenon from here, and so on. I have an idea of where I am, though I'm not sure if I should reveal I'm from another world. But I decided to be honest with my saviors..."
He said it all so naturally that it sounded like he was recounting a regular weekend.
Rimuru was silent for a few seconds, her golden eyes fixed on him. Then she let out a soft sigh, almost nostalgic.
"...Don't worry, we're in the same boat. I came from another world too..."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, interested.
Rimuru smiled sideways, a half-melancholic, half-amused smile.
"My name was Mikami Chizuru, back in Japan. I was just an ordinary office worker, thirty years old, single and virgin. A very quiet life... until some lunatic stabbed me in the street while I was trying to protect a colleague. I died right there, with a knife in my chest. When I woke up, I was here, inside the body of a Slime..." She let out a low chuckle, shaking her head: "It took me a while to accept it, but I ended up liking this form. It's practical, you know? And now I use this human appearance because... well, it's easier to talk to everyone..."
Kazuya listened in silence, a slow smile forming. So that was it: the Rimuru of this world had gone through exactly the same experience, just with a different original name and, apparently, retaining the personality of a shy thirty-something single woman.
"So we're both isekai'd, huh? What a coincidence."
Rimuru laughed, the sound light and genuine.
"Yeah. It's not every day I meet someone who went through the same thing."
Kazuya took advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere to look around, gesturing to the group.
"And these who came with you? Your most trusted subordinates, I imagine."
Rimuru nodded proudly, turning sideways to introduce them.
"Yes! This is Benimaru, my general and right-hand man."
Benimaru stepped forward, bowing his head with military respect.
"Benimaru, leader of the ogres... now kijin. It is an honor to meet you, Kazuya-dono."
His voice was deep, calm, full of dignity.
"This is Shion, my secretary and bodyguard."
Shion practically jumped forward, her breasts bouncing with the enthusiastic movement. She made an exaggerated bow, her violet eyes shining.
"Shion! Huge pleasure! If you need anything—anything at all—just call and I'll take care of it personally! As Rimuru-sama's most reliable subordinate, that's my duty..."
Rimuru cleared her throat softly, and Shion stepped back with an embarrassed "oops."
"And you already know Shuna..." Rimuru finished, smiling at the oni princess who was still a bit flushed.
Shuna made another graceful bow.
"It's good to see you awake and well, Kazuya-sama."
Kazuya returned a nod to each, the smile still on his lips.
"Pleasure to meet all of you. Looks like I fell into a pretty interesting group..."
Rimuru laughed again, crossing her arms.
"Welcome to the organized chaos that is my village, Kazuya. Now that you're awake... what do you plan to do?"
Kazuya stretched slowly, raising his arms overhead as a light yawn escaped his lips. He lowered his arms with a satisfied sigh, like someone who had just woken from a perfect nap.
"Well..." He began, his tone relaxed, almost lazy. "For now, I'd really like to stay around here, if that's not a problem for you guys. Like, enjoy some well-deserved vacation after a near-death experience, you know?"
He tilted his head toward Rimuru, the smile soft but sincere.
"And if you need help with anything—construction, defense, or whatever, dealing with annoying neighbors—just say the word. I'm... pretty strong. I can be very useful."
The words came out casual, almost like a polite offer. But then, as if to prove the point without overdoing it, he let just a tiny bit of his [Magicles] slip out. It was subtle. Just a thread, a minimal fraction of the infinite ocean flowing within him.
Even so...
The air in the room changed.
Suddenly, it became heavy. Too heavy. As if gravity itself had decided to press down on everyone's shoulders. An invisible, ancient, absolute presence enveloped the space. It wasn't hostile—it was simply inevitable. Like looking at a starry sky and suddenly realizing how small you are before the universe...
Benimaru froze in place, eyes wide. Shion took a step back, her breasts rising and falling rapidly with accelerated breathing, her entire body tense like a bow about to snap. Shuna brought her hands to her chest, her face pale, her crimson eyes trembling slightly.
Rimuru...
Rimuru felt as if she had been hit by an invisible truck.
Inside her mind, the calm, precise voice of [Great Sage] echoed with an urgency she rarely heard.
[Maximum alert. The individual before you possesses a quantity of magicles exceeding all known records. Superior even to the Storm Dragon, Veldora. Preliminary analysis indicates threat potential equivalent or higher. Recommend extreme caution.]
Rimuru's face lost some color. Her golden eyes fixed on Kazuya, the previous blush replaced by genuine nervousness. She swallowed hard, her entire body rigid.
Kazuya noticed immediately. His clear eyes blinked once, and in the same instant, he pulled everything back. The magicles returned inside him like a wave receding into the sea, leaving no trace.
The air returned to normal.
The weight vanished.
The room became just a cozy room again, smelling of pine and honey.
"...Sorry..." He said, scratching the back of his neck with a somewhat sheepish smile: "I overdid the demonstration a bit, huh? Wasn't meant to scare anyone. Just wanted to show I'm serious about helping..."
He took a step forward, his posture relaxed again, as if nothing had happened.
"Relax. I'm on your side. I promise."
Silence lingered for a few more seconds. Benimaru was the first to recover, though his eyes remained alert. Shion blinked several times, as if trying to process what she had just felt. Shuna took a deep breath, hands still on her chest.
Rimuru, for her part, stared at Kazuya for a long moment. Her golden eyes searching for something—threat, lie, intent. She found nothing but calm and sincerity.
She exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing a little.
"...It's okay..." She said, her voice a bit lower than normal: "You can stay. As long as you want..."
A small, almost shy smile returned to her lips.
"And... welcome to the village, Kazuya."
Kazuya returned the smile, tilting his head.
"Thank you, Rimuru. You won't regret it."
And in the back of his mind, Raphael silently noted:
[Observation: Emotional reaction of the individual "Rimuru Tempest" altered. Mixture of residual fear, admiration, and growing interest detected.]
Kazuya just rolled his eyes mentally.
"Don't start..."
___________________________
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