Conversation is through Thoughts so dialogues are in "()"
.....
Did he just… call me "Little One"?
No matter how hard I try to reason it out, he probably has the right to call me that.
I mean, size-wise, species-wise, age-wise—yeah, I'm basically a newborn slime jellybean in front of a nuclear-bomb-level lizard.
But remembering that dumb, chuunibyou, overly dramatic lizard from the anime, it's hard to take him seriously.
Especially with the knowledge that, someday, he's supposed to become a tsundere mascot dragon locked in a cave reading manga.
Even though this current Veldora gives off a much older, heavier, more ancient vibe…
But that wasn't even the weirdest part.
It didn't feel like he spoke.
It was more like the meaning of his words was being directly carved into my consciousness.
Makes sense.
I don't have ears.
Or an auditory system.
Or anything that resembles a human sense organ.
So this must be thought communication.
(Oi! You can hear me, can't you? Responding would be good!)
Well, time to test.
(I can hear you! You dumbo!)
Yes, I said it.
Yes, it was rude.
Yes, I immediately regretted it.
But hey—
that's how Rimuru and Veldora started in the anime, right?
Classic bonding moment through mutual verbal abuse!
Maybe I can replicate that here…?
(...Ho. Hoho! To deign me as dumb… you are a brave one!!! It has been long since I last had company, so perhaps I began poorly… but this one seems to be seeking death!)
Oh yeah, he definitely heard that.
And he's definitely not mad—
he sounds delighted.
But Hey, when I think words in my head with the intent of saying that to him, I can respond!
Well, rude or not, I did manage to respond, which is progress. Great Sage taught me how to project thoughts earlier, and honestly, she deserves a thank-you.
(Thanks, Partner.)
But wait—
that voice…
did it just get… softer?
Almost feminine…?
Or am I hallucinating slime-style?
Either way, I should stop before I get myself roasted into monster soup.
Let's apologize properly.
(I'm sorry! I didn't know how to respond, so I just tried whatever seemed appropriate. I sincerely apologize!
And, uh… as a slime I don't have eyes, so I can't see what you look like. Please forgive anything rude I said!)
Did that get through?
Even with Magic Sense turned off to avoid seeming knowledgeable, I can feel some kind of reaction.
I shouldn't exactly follow the plot word-for-word, but if I know what'll happen and can avoid catastrophic outcomes…
then following some plot points is just strategy, right?
Right?
(Fufufu. Fuhaha. Fuahahahahahahaha!)
And there it is.
The legendary three-step Veldora laugh.
Full power.
Majestic.
Ridiculous.
And honestly?
Kind of impressive.
Guess I passed the vibe check.
(Interesting. Truly, stated without beholding my appearance as I suspected, For a Slime to think....Curious. Slime species are typically thoughtless creatures that only [Absorb], [Dissolve], and [Regenerate]. I have yet to behold one leaving their territory.)
He started a monologue.
A full-blown ancient lore drop.
Yup, definitely a dragon.
Did I… seriously win his interest?
This is the first major event in my new slime life.
First impressions matter.
First friends matter.
I want this to go well.
(When a slime suddenly rammed into my body, naturally I found it bizarre. And at such speed! What are you? A named monster? A unique monster?)
Unique.
Well… technically… yes.
Very unique.
And will be named if things went well.
(I am certainly not named… I think. To be honest, not many days have passed since I was born…)
(Ah. Self-awareness is something impossible for a slime. Named monsters are those given a name, but if only a few days have passed… then indeed, unique?)
(What would you mean by "unique"?)
(Unique monsters are those who have undergone mutation and possess unusual power. Rarely, such beings are born in areas of high magical energy density… I see. Your birth was influenced by magical energy drawn from myself!)
Huh?
So the magical energy flowing from him gathered, condensed, and poof—
I was born?
…So he's my… parent?
(Ay. In these 300 years, no monster has been able to approach myself. Being born from my power, perhaps you could even lay your hands upon myself!)
(So in other words, you're kinda like my parent?)
(A parent is the wrong term. I lack reproductive capabilities. Some monsters can reproduce, others cannot.)
(Normally, monsters don't need to reproduce, right? If they're born from condensed magicules instead of biological processes.)
(...Little one, you are surprisingly intelligent. Monsters capable of true thought are few. Only the Majin among us possess intellect beyond instinct.
But since you asked, I shall explain.)
Oh boy.
Lore dump incoming.
There goes my quiet afternoon.
There are inferior tribes—Goblins, Orcs, Lizardmen—capable of reproduction. These are demi-humans. Some even align with humanity: Elves, Hobbits, Dwarves… the fair magical races.
Those that support humans are treated as "allied species."
The rest are monsters.
Majin are magical beasts evolved through sheer magical power, capable of thought and reproduction.
High-class Majin include Giants, Vampires, Devils—long-lived, powerful beings with bodies that defy decay.
He fought them.
Not once.
Not twice.
Multiple times.
And he calls them "perfect brawling partners."
Uh-huh.
Yup.
Dangerous fellow indeed.
All together, these are referred to as the demonic races.
Of high intelligence, capable of reproduction, and laying waste to humanity–these are deigned as demons by them.
(As for why I cannot reproduce... there is simply no need.)
(I am one of the four existing dragons. The Storm Dragon Veldara!
A being perfect as one! Bound by neither time nor flesh! A mass of pure magic! Endless!!!
Fu… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)
There he goes again.
The laugh that could probably blow away an army if spoken out loud.
Wait—Veldora?
That name sounds off—
Hold on.
Veldara?
Did he say Veldara?!
Is this an alternate version?
A gender-bent version?
Or just a slightly different pronunciation?
…This world is going to give me a mental breakdown.
(Is… is that so! Very easy to understand! Thank you! Well then, I'll excuse myself!)
I tried to leave.
Very politely.
Very cowardly.
(Wait. I have explained myself. Is it not your turn now? Hm?)
Ah.
Right.
My backstory.
He's not letting me go without a proper introduction, huh?
He isn't a bad guy.
Just incredibly bored, incredibly powerful, and incredibly talkative.
Guess it's only fair.
If I'm really going to live in this world…
I should start forming friendships from now on.
Having made up my mind, I explained everything—
how I reincarnated, how I woke up as a slime, how these last ten days passed, what skills I possessed, and how I ended up shooting myself into this cave like a magical cannonball.
A new chapter of my life begins.
And the first person—well, dragon—I meet…
Is none other than Storm Dragon Veldora.
Or Veldara?
I need to clarify that later.
But for now—
The story truly begins here.
...
Status
Name: Mikami Satoru
Species: Slime
Title: Reincarnated One, Otherworlder
Magic: None
Unique Skills:
• [Great Sage]
• [Predator]
• [Dimensional Gacha]
Intrinsic Skills:
• [Dissolve]
• [Absorb]
• [Regenerate]
Extra Skills:
• [Magic Sense]
• [Water Manipulation]
Resistances:
• Thermal Fluctuation Resistance
• Physical Attack Resistance
• Piercing Resistance
• Pain Resistance
• Electricity Resistance
• Paralysis Resistance