scene: While Rimuru is visiting Dwargon...
In the skies above the Jura Forest, Velzard raced through the clouds, her icy aura cutting through the air. She sensed something no, someone. It was Velgrynd's dragon factor, and she was heading toward Rimuru's location at alarming speed.
> If Velgrynd attacks Rimuru without thinking... I won't forgive her. Velzard thought, pushing her flight even faster.
---
Velgrynd's POV:
> Tch. That Rudra again... always barking orders like I'm some underling.
Velgrynd's crimson eyes narrowed as she flew through the sky. Her heart felt heavy. Rudra had grown cold lately, more distant. But even so she still loved him.
> He told me to investigate the massive magicule surge in the Jura Forest. I agreed... because I'm worried about Veldora.
> Ever since that day... the day those magicules were born... I haven't been able to sense Veldora properly. His presence feels so weak. Is he sealed again? Or has he gained control over his power?
But something strange tugged at her senses now Velzard's dragon factor. And she was approaching fast.
> Why is Velzard-nee-sama here? she wondered aloud, slowing to a hover in the sky.
Seconds later, a chill wind signaled her arrival.
---
Velgrynd: What are you doing here, Velzard-nee-sama?
Velzard: Ara, if it isn't my fiery little sister~ But the better question is: what are you doing here?
Velgrynd (irritated): Don't dodge the question. Answer me properly.
Velzard (teasing): Fine, fine~ I'm here to visit my Rimuru and check on Veldora. What about you?
Velgrynd (shocked): Wait... your Rimuru?! What do you mean by that?!
Velzard: Fufu~ That's none of your business. But for now, Veldora contacted Rimuru, and I wanted to surprise him before he comes back.
Velgrynd: Hold on! What do you mean your Rimuru? What happened to Guy Crimson? Aren't you two... close?
Velzard (rolling her eyes): That demon? He ignored me for years all because of Leon. I was never in love with him, I was just... curious about his life. But I'm not interested in him anymore.
Velgrynd (softly): Sorry, nee-sama. Then... who is this Rimuru?
Velzard: Oh~ Rimuru is the one responsible for the massive surge of magicules around the world. He's the cause of the tremors shaking the world.
Velgrynd (confused): Wait, wait. Rimuru's magicules aren't even close to Guy Crimson's. How could he cause such global effects?
Velzard: Because he wields the ultimate skill Anos God of Destruction. One of its subskills is Demon King's Magicule, which he amplifies using Origin Magic fueled by emotion, and the final touch? His Magicule Breeder Reactor. That's what shook the world.
> (Author's note: Sorry if the explanation isn't super detailed!)
Velgrynd (trembling): H-he was just born into this world... and he already has an ultimate skill?!
Velzard(grinning): Not just one. He has nine ultimate skills.
Velgrynd nearly passed out from the shock, but she forced herself to stay composed.
Velgrynd:T-that's insane! How do you even know this?!
Velzard: Simple. When Rimuru was talking with Veldora, Veldora named him Rimuru. His magicules surged so fast that I analyzed him with one of my sub-skills. The results showed nine ultimate skills. And get this my analysis couldn't even measure his total magicules. But I estimate… at least 27 billion.
Just as Velgrynd tried to respond, Velzard clicked her tongue.
Velzard: Tch. That dumb Veldora's contacting Rimuru via thought communication. I'll block it... there, done. Oh! He's about to return. I'll be off!
Velgrynd blinked.
Velgrynd: W-Wait! I'll come with you, nee-sama.
Velzard (smirking): Ara, are you going to miss me that much~?
Velgrynd: W-what?! No! I'm just... curious about Rimuru. You seem too attached to him.
Velzard (in a dark, yandere tone): Ara~ Velgrynd. If I catch even a hint of lust in your eyes when you look at Rimuru, I'll rip them out. But... I get it. He's too handsome. Even my instincts scream to claim him. This is the first time I've felt like this…
Velgrynd: As if! I'm already in love with Rudra, remember?
Velzard: Pfft, Rudra? Sisterly advice: Stay away from him. He's using you. You're nothing more than a tool to him.
Velgrynd: Don't tell me what to do! I'm not a child!
Velzard: Then why does Rudra treat you like one? He orders you around, and you obey like a loyal servant.
Velgrynd (furious): He's not like that! You're just bitter because you finally found someone you like Rimuru! Oh, I see now. You want me to stay away from Rudra, but you get to enjoy your time with Rimuru?! Fine, how about this I'll stay away from Rudra, but I'll KILL Rimuru!
Before she could finish her sentence, Velzard slapped her.
Velgrynd: You dare hit me? Just because you're older, you think you can!
Before she could finish, Veldora burst in.
Veldora: Nee-samas! Stop! This is my territory! If you fight here, you'll destroy everything!
Velgrynd: Even you, Veldora?! Siding with Velzard? She's always hurting you, and yet you defend her! I've only ever tried to guide you!
Veldora trembled but said nothing.
Velgrynd (tears in her eyes): I see... You're both against me. Then I have no choice... I'll destroy you both. And that Rimuru... I'll!
But before she could finish, Veldora struck with Storm Blast.
Veldora (serious): If you say that again... I will end you.
Velgrynd transformed into her dragon form, tears burning in her eyes.
Velgrynd: Fine. BURNING BREATH!
Veldora: Velzard-nee-sama, stay back. I'll deal with her!
Veldora transformed, unleashing a Storm Blast. Their clash shook the skies, leveling part of the Jura Forest.
The clash of Burning Breath and Storm Blast rocked the heavens. Though Veldora blocked the attack, Velgrynd's flames pierced through, sending the Storm Dragon skidding through the trees.
Velgrynd (taunting): "What now, Veldora? Still think you can 'put me in my place'?"
Veldora (growling): "Then how about this?! Death-Heralding Wind!"
Veldora poured an enormous amount of magicules into his next attack. The sheer pressure destroyed nearly 60% of the surrounding forest. Velgrynd's Burning Embrace was nullified instantly, and Death-Heralding Wind smashed into her, forcing even her soul to tremble.
Velgrynd (staggering): "What kind of attack is that...?! You actually hurt me?"
But Velgrynd's anger flared hotter.
Velgrynd: "Time to get serious."
Veldora's thoughts:
"This is bad. If this keeps up, the Jura Forest will be nothing but barren land. Thankfully, Velzard's barrier is protecting the world beyond, but here... I have no choice. I'll take all of Velgrynd's attacks head-on, even if it destroys me."
Velgrynd: "Then die! Cardinal Rain!"
A sea of crimson magicules fell from the sky like divine retribution.
Veldora's thoughts:
"That attack… it'll wipe out everything! I have to shield it with my body… even if it costs me my life."
Veldora summoned all his remaining magicules but his energy was leaking. Ever since Rimuru absorbed a portion of his essence, he hadn't recovered.
Yet, even in his weakened state, Veldora's current magicule count was 71.7 billion, just slightly above Velgrynd's 68.6 billion. And unlike her, Veldora had no ultimate skill.
"Damn it… I'm going to die. Please someone help!"
Veldora (desperate): "VOICE OF THE WORLD! Grant me power! I need... an ultimate skill!!"
Voice of the World:
[Confirmed: Unique Skill 'Investigator' has evolved into 'Faust – Lord of Investigation.' All lost magicules from Individual: Veldora are now returning.]
Both Velgrynd and Velzard stared in disbelief.
Velgrynd: "He… evolved? On his own?!"
Veldora laughed triumphantly as his aura surged. His new magicule count: 88.9 billion.
Veldora: "KUHAHAHAHA! I did it! I finally have an ultimate skill! And not one gifted by my big brother I earned this myself!"
Velgrynd (furious): "So what?! You think that's enough? Even if you've evolved, you still can't defeat me! DIE! Cardinal Acceleration!"
Velzard was about to intervene when suddenly, a massive teleportation circle appeared in the sky.
A New Challenger Appears…
Rimuru (calmly): "Devour Beelzebub."
Velgrynd's ultimate attack vanished into nothingness.
Velgrynd: "W-What?! Who are you?! How did you erase my magic?!"
Veldora (beaming): "Rimuru! You're back!"
Veldora flew straight toward him, fist raised. Rimuru returned the bump with a grin.
Rimuru: "Congratulations, Veldora. You gained an ultimate skill on your own. I was ready to help you upgrade one, but this… this is impressive."
Veldora: "Kuhahaha! Of course! I am the mighty Storm Dragon! I don't need anyone's help!"
Velgrynd Attacks Again…
Velgrynd (enraged): "DON'T IGNORE ME!"
She lunged at Rimuru in dragon form, her claws glowing with condensed magicules.
Everyone screamed:
"Rimuru-sama!"
"Master Rimuru!"
"Watch out!"
But Rimuru didn't move. Instead, he gently pushed Veldora aside.
Veldora (tears forming): "RIMURU!!!"
The dragon's claws came down. And then
Rimuru (quietly): "Susanoo."
A massive, skeletal warrior with red eyes and dual arms materialized, catching Velgrynd's attack mid-air. The impact cracked the Susanoo's fingers, but it held firm.
Velgrynd (shocked): "Wh-What?! What is that thing?!"
Rimuru: "Oh, this? Just one of my sub-skills from my ultimate skill: Unknown. No idea why it's named that, but it's perfect for handling big targets like you."
Velgrynd: "Tch. Don't get cocky! Let's see how you handle this! Cardinal Cage!"
Rimuru responded calmly, powering up Susanoo to its full form a blue-armored giant resembling a Tengu, towering even over Veldora.
Rimuru (smirking): "Looks like I'm the bigger one now."
Velgrynd: "Size means nothing! Let's see what that thing can do!"
Rimuru unsheathed a glowing blade. He swung one casual slash and the nearby mountains were cleaved cleanly in half.
Velgrynd froze, her face pale.
Even King Gazel's elite, watching from afar, were speechless.
Rimuru (playfully): "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
Velgrynd (angry and embarrassed): "You bastard!! Take this! Cardinal Meteor!"
She soared into the sky, summoning a massive meteor of flame and magicule her strongest attack yet, enhanced by the full power of Charity King: Raguel.
Rimuru's Thoughts:
"If I take that head-on, Susanoo will break. I can't use its full power yet... it's one of my trump cards. Oh well—time to use Beelzebub like in the novel."
Raphael [Report: I]
Rimuru: "Not now, Raphael. We'll talk after this."
Raphael [BUT MA]
Before Raphael could finish, Rimuru activated Beelzebub. It surged forward, devouring the meteor in a vortex of gluttonous energy.
Velgrynd (resisting): "No... No! You can't devour me... I won't let you...!"
Rimuru (pained): "Don't resist. It hurts even more this way... Your magicules are far greater than mine, it's tearing me apart…"
The others could only watch, unsure if Rimuru would survive the strain.
Velgrynd: "Nee-sama… help me! He's going to kill me! Even my soul is breaking!"
Rimuru (stunned): "Did you just say… my Rimuru?"
Velzard's Response (cold and calm):
Velzard: "Ara~ Who's going to help you now, Velgrynd? A while ago, you tried to kill me and Veldora. Look at you struggling against an unawakened Demon Lord. Where's all that pride now?"
"And I wonder... if you die and are reborn... will you still love Rudra?"
Inside Rimuru's Mind...
Rimuru (groaning): "Why is this so painful?! Raphael, what's happening?! This didn't happen in the novel!"
Raphael [Report: Master, unlike the Rimuru in the novel, you are not yet a subspecies of a True Dragon. The backlash is damaging your soul.]
Rimuru (terrified): "What?! Then I have to evolve but if I do, I'll be overpowered from the start! The Orc Disaster hasn't even happened yet!"
Raphael: "It is your choice, Master. But if you refuse to evolve, I will sacrifice myself to protect your soul…"
Rimuru (shouting): "No! Don't you dare! I love you, Raphael please, just evolve me! I'm not losing you!"
Raphael (softly): "Master…"
The Awakening…
Rimuru (determined): "Then I'm naming you now. From today on… your name is Ciel."
Voice of the World: [Confirmed: Ultimate Skill 'Raphael' has evolved into Manas: Ciel – Divine Wisdom Core.]
Everyone froze in awe. A Manas... the ultimate evolution of a skill. And not just any Manas a divine one.
Far away, Justice King Michael, housed inside Rudra's weakening body, trembled.
"Another Manas…! Could it be... another key to reviving Veldanava?"
To Be Continued...