"Neuria, report the changes after my evolution," Makoto said as he sensed the changes in his body. He felt his entire body overflowing with power, yet incredibly light. Makoto tried manipulating his magic energy, wrapping it around his hand. Then, guided by his imagination, he easily and precisely formed a gauntlet. After that, Makoto took a dagger from his waist and, without hesitation, stabbed the palm of his hand.
Cling!
The sound of the dagger striking the gauntlet rang out.
Makoto looked at the spot where the dagger had struck—it wasn't scratched at all. Previously, Makoto could only shape magic energy into a liquid-like form, but now he could freely manipulate it into any shape with ease. It felt instinctive, as natural as breathing, as if his body had always known how to do it without being taught.
[Report: Individual Misumi Makoto has successfully evolved into Unknown.]
"Unknown? Why unknown?" Makoto asked in confusion.
[Answer: The evolution of Individual Misumi Makoto has exceeded the calculation limits of the Voice of the World. Since there are no similar records, the Voice of the World can only designate it as 'Unknown.']
"How much time has passed since my evolution began?"
[Answer: 10 hours, 8 minutes, and 20 seconds.]
"Didn't the earlier calculation say it would take a full day?" Makoto asked, puzzled.
[Answer: During the evolution, Individual Misumi Makoto received magic energy and soul from an unknown source.]
"An unknown source?" Makoto muttered in confusion. After thinking for a moment, he recalled one of Erin's abilities—transferring energy from afar.
"Erin, can you hear me?" Makoto asked through their soul bond.
"Yes! What is it, onii-chan?" Erin replied cheerfully.
"Hm? Erin, am I imagining things, or does your voice sound a bit different? More mature?" Makoto asked, confused.
"Hehehe. You know, onii-chan, earlier I felt that you were in a very important state. I didn't know what you were doing, but I suddenly felt that you needed a lot of energy, so I transferred most of my magic energy and soul to you," Erin said happily.
"And you know what, onii-chan? Just now I suddenly grew very quickly. My main body is now veeeery big and tall," Erin added proudly.
"I was evolving, Erin. That's why I needed a huge amount of magic energy and soul. Thanks to your help, my evolution, which should have taken a full day, finished much faster," Makoto said.
"So I helped you, onii-chan?" Erin asked.
"Yes, Erin. Thank you for your help," Makoto replied.
"Yay! I was able to help onii-chan!" Erin said joyfully.
"I'll contact you again later, Erin. I still have a few things to take care of," Makoto said.
"Alright! See you later, onii-chan!" Erin replied.
"Neuria, can't you detect the soul bond within me?" Makoto asked.
[Negative. No soul bond detected within Individual Misumi Makoto. Only three contract connections with the followers of Individual Misumi Makoto are present.]
"Neuria, it seems you still can't detect my soul bond. What about Sakai? Can you use it now?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: Sakai has merged with manipulation skills, detection skills, enhancement skills, and various other skills, then evolved into [Ultimate Skill: Rule].]
"I've always felt that using Sakai is like using the laws of the world, but in a simpler form—since it doesn't require magic energy," Makoto said.
"Neuria, did any other skills evolve?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: [Unique Skill: Perfect Body] has successfully evolved into [Ultimate Skill: Absolute Body].]
"So now I have three Ultimate Skills," Makoto muttered. He then looked at the magic-energy crystals scattered on the ground.
"Neuria, can you create a skill for storing items?"
[Understood. Using [Ultimate Skill: Rule], generating [Extra Skill: Storage Space].]
"Good. Now I won't have to carry things around anymore," Makoto said. With a single thought, he stored all the scattered magic-energy crystals. Not long after, Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki woke up.
"Waka-sama, how are you?" Mio asked after waking and seeing Makoto.
"I'm fine, Mio," Makoto replied.
"Waka, you've grown taller," Tomoe said.
"And also… how should I put it? Even though there aren't many changes aside from your face looking more handsome, when I look at you, Waka, you seem… perfect," Tomoe said in confusion.
"After evolving, my body was reconstructed into a perfect form. Although there aren't many visible changes, I'm now at a different level of life," Makoto explained.
"Oh, so that's why you look perfect," Tomoe said.
"Now that you're all awake, let's return to the city," Makoto said, then used camouflage to conceal his aura.
As they exited the cave, they encountered Gabiru.
"Oh! Aren't you Rimuru-sama's guests? Rimuru-sama said you'd be here for a full day. Did something happen?" Gabiru asked.
"Our business finished sooner than expected. We're heading back to the city now," Makoto replied.
"Oh, I see. Then take care on your way," Gabiru said.
After leaving the cave, they didn't encounter anyone else. Perhaps because evening was approaching, Makoto, together with Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki, walked toward the city.
"By the way, Mio, could you go see Shuna later and ask where I can buy clothes? Mine are too small for me now," Makoto said.
"Leave it to me, Waka-sama. I'll choose clothes that suit you," Mio said cheerfully.
"What?! If it's about choosing clothes for Waka, don't forget to take me along, Mio," Tomoe said.
"Alright, Tomoe-san. After we return to the city, we'll go see Shuna," Mio replied.
"What about you, Shiki? Do you have any plans after this?" Makoto asked.
"I don't have any particular plans today, Waka-sama. Perhaps tomorrow I'll meet Vesta to exchange theories," Shiki answered.
When they arrived at the onsen inn, they met Rimuru.
"Yo, Rimuru," Makoto greeted.
"Makoto, why are you already back? Didn't you say you'd need a full day?" Rimuru asked.
"Something unexpected happened, so my evolution finished faster," Makoto replied.
"So your evolution succeeded. That's why you feel different—though I still detect you as an ordinary human," Rimuru said.
"Maybe it's because I got taller and my face looks more handsome," Makoto said.
"That might be it, hahaha," Rimuru laughed.
They then entered the onsen to relax.
"By the way, Rimuru, isn't this inn more crowded than yesterday?" Makoto asked.
"Oh, I have some guests from the Kingdom of Blumund and the nation of Farmus," Rimuru replied.
"That sounds tiring," Makoto said.
"It really is. It's not difficult, but it's troublesome," Rimuru agreed.
"Ahh, soaking in an onsen really is comfortable," Makoto sighed.
"By the way, Rimuru, are you interested in the rare minerals I brought from my world?" Makoto asked.
"Really? You actually brought them, Makoto? I'd be happy to trade with you," Rimuru said.
"I brought them specifically to exchange for this world's currency," Makoto replied.
After bathing, they went to dinner together with Rimuru. Makoto also met Milim, who was eating snacks made by Shuna.
"Milim, you seem happy," Makoto said.
"Oh, Makoto, you've finished evolving? I can still only see you as an ordinary human," Milim said while eating snacks.
"Why do you look so happy, Milim?" Makoto asked.
"Do you know, Makoto? Ever since coming here, I've been eating delicious food I've never tasted before," Milim said.
"If you want, you can ask Mio to make you some snacks," Makoto suggested.
"Really? Is Mio's cooking that delicious too?" Milim asked.
"Of course. Mio is the best cook in my world," Makoto replied proudly.
Not long after, Mio and Tomoe arrived together with Shuna. When Milim saw Mio, she immediately ran toward her.
"Mio! Makoto said your cooking is amazing! Can you make me some snacks?" Milim asked cheerfully.
Mio looked at Makoto, who nodded.
"Of course, Milim. Tomorrow, Shuna and I will exchange cooking techniques. If you want, you can join us. Is that okay, Shuna?" Mio said.
"Of course, Mio-sama. Milim-sama can also taste the dishes we make," Shuna replied.
"Yay!" Milim cheered.
Their dinner passed pleasantly.
The next day, Makoto spent his time leisurely. After breakfast, he wandered around the city alone. Tomoe seemed to have made an appointment with Hakurou after hearing he was the best swordsman here. Mio went to exchange cooking techniques with Shuna, with Milim happily joining them. Shiki went to meet Kaijin to evaluate the rare minerals they had brought. Makoto also met Guildmaster Fuze, who was staying at the same inn.
"What a peaceful city," Makoto thought.
Without realizing it, time had passed and it was nearly noon. Makoto then went hunting in the forest. At first, he wanted to buy food sold along the streets, but he remembered he didn't have this world's currency.
After walking for quite some time, Makoto didn't encounter a single monster. Although he could detect monsters with his skills, he preferred doing things like this occasionally. Soon, he found a small river and saw several fish swimming in it. Makoto picked up a small pebble by the river and threw it at a fish large enough to be his lunch. The pebble shot forward like a bullet and struck the fish squarely on the head.
After cleaning the fish, Makoto built a small campfire by the river and grilled it. While he was grilling the fish, he heard voices approaching from nearby.
A group of wolves with riders appeared before him.
"Ah, if I'm not mistaken, you're Makoto-sama, Rimuru-sama's friend," said the rider at the front.
"Good afternoon, my name is Gobta," Gobta introduced himself.
"Good afternoon to you too, Gobta. Have you had lunch?" Makoto asked.
"We've already eaten. We're on patrol now," Gobta replied.
"In that case, I won't keep you. See you later, Gobta," Makoto said.
"See you again, Makoto-sama," Gobta replied, then left with the others to continue their patrol.
After grilling the fish until it turned golden brown, Makoto ate it.
"Hmm, even without any seasoning, it's still delicious," Makoto said happily. After that, he ate some fruit he had found while walking, after identifying it with his skill and confirming it was safe to eat.
After lunch, Makoto sat and relaxed by the river.
"Neuria, can you transfer skills to other people?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: Skills can be transferred to individuals who have a connection with Individual Misumi Makoto.]
"That's enough, then. By the way, Neuria, isn't the way you address me a bit stiff? Can you change it?" Makoto asked.
[Understood, Master.]
"Hmm, it's a bit formal, but that's fine," Makoto said.
"Neuria, if I leave this world, will you be affected?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: Currently, [Ultimate Skill: Neuria] is connected to the Voice of the World. If Master leaves for another world, most abilities will be lost.]
"Is there a solution?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: Master can use [Ultimate Skill: Rule] to create [Skill: Creation], then evolve it into [Ultimate Skill: Creation].]
[By using [Ultimate Skill: Creation], Master can create a core to house Ultimate Skills, making them independent and no longer reliant on the Voice of the World.]
"How much energy would all that require?" Makoto asked.
[Answer: 1/100 of Master's total energy.]
"That's less than I expected," Makoto said.
[Answer: After Master's evolution, the quality of the magic energy within Master's body has become extremely pure. Compared to before, 1 point of Master's magic energy is now equivalent to 1000 points of Master's magic energy prior to evolution.]