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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Categories:
F/MMulti
Fandoms:
転生したらスライムだった件 - 伏瀬 | Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - FuseThe Beginning After the End - TurtleMe
Relationships:
Manas: Ciel/Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest/VelzardManas: Ciel & Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest & Velzard
Characters:
Rimuru TempestManas: Ciel (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Velzard (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Arthur LeywinJasmine FlamesworthTessia EralithCaera DenoirSeris (The Beginning After the End)Agrona VritraSylvia IndrathSylvie (The Beginning After the End)Varay Aurae
Additional Tags:
MagicAetherRomanceDramaPsychological TraumaTraumaThrillerIsekai and TransmigrationTime TravelTime ShenanigansReality BendingDeveloping RelationshipCharacter DeathCharacter DevelopmentAngstFluff and AngstCrossoverCrossovers & Fandom FusionsFate & DestinyFateAngst and TragedyTragedyFanfictionCross-Posted on WattpadBlood and ViolenceOriginal Character(s)
Language:
English
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Published:2024-12-19Updated:2025-03-18Words:107,665Chapters:20/?Comments:10Kudos:24Bookmarks:10Hits:2,552
A New Life [TbatexTensura]
Asuryii
Chapter 9: That Which Ignites The Soul
Chapter Text
Chapter 9: That Which Ignites The Soul
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3rd Person POV:
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The soul of man is like that of a smoldering fire- the embers barely clinging can dissipate and die out just as easily as they can ignite into a sea of flames. A single piece of kindling can birth a fire that burns with a bright orange hue- a single drop of water too can snuff out the flame, its potential disappearing in an instant.
What you feed a flame- a man- what fuel you grant it; the treatment it receives sets the smoldering flames path straight. The more you care for a fire and nurture it the longer and brighter the flame will remain- the opposite stays true; the less you care the more the flame will die out. Yet just as in nature nothing remains so simple in the soul of a man- a gust of wind can carry the embers of a near dead flame to kindling. The flame raging in a blazing glory. A flame treated with the utmost care can be killed by a sudden rain.
Life isn't so simple- the soul of a man isn't made from a single dimension. Give a man warmth; fire and he will protect the flame- his warmth, its light.
A man must temper his mind, body, and soul together- the parts left in the dust will rot away and die; weakening the flames alit in their souls. Show a man the fuel he needs- the kindling his flame hungers for- in return you'll witness greatness, as he pursues that fuel; his will regardless of the barriers.
A man with the fuel his flame- his soul needs, sat~ hung just out of reach– will grasp at and reach for the kindling no matter what obstacles he faces.
Men, women, children, and elderly- all humans carry a fire in their souls, yet not all find the kindling to grow the smoldering flame into greater heights. Few feed the ravenous and ever hungered flames that reside in their souls the fuel they need to rage- to truly burn.
Seeing the kindling the fire in your soul cries out in joy- elated and excited. The prospect of fuel to grow the fire excites it. Few find this kindling and go day by day with a flame whose potential lay unexplored.
But show a man his kindling- the fuel his soul hungers and aches for and you'll see. You'll see the full strength- the true strength of a man's spirit.
Rimuru although more than a simple man holds the same hunger– no, he wields a hunger far far greater. His soul, his spirit having the fuel it needs slowly pulled from his fingertip- from his grasp and sight. It leaves his aching and pained- his spirit- the fire almost coming to life~ salivating in pained gasps of hunger.
Rimuru is one to chase the fuel for his flame no matter the barricades and obstacles. The smoldering flame residing within him forever hungers- forever desires to grow. His soul is voracious, gluttonous, and forever unsatisfied- the hunger for more never leaving him.
The prospect of being brought to an orphanage- forced to lock his hunger in a cage forevermore. It terrified him, it was a reality he vehemently and fervently refused to accept.
Although his body has yet to reach a state of rebellion his hungers forever make him rebellious. Nothing can get in the way of his pursuit for fuel- fuel for his fire.
As the saying goes, give a man lemons and he'll make lemonade. But tease a starving beast with the promise of sustenance and it'll bite.
Rimuru wants, no he needs to see the world. To be free, to be unbound. The fire within him desires the freedom, the unchained pursuit of one's own curiosites.
To Rimuru the world went silent whenever he heard the possibility of being chained and forced to become a caged animal- forever trapped in his own prison.
There is no beast who desires to be trapped- no man who wishes to be limited; no flame that wants to be snuffed out.
The rambling and deliberations of those around him didn't matter- the world had gone silent, he would never hear that which he doesn't want to hear. He would remain unbound even if it meant destroying his body to escape any binds put on him.
Sat on the bridge of insanity as the world remained silent- a void from which no sound existed. He listened. He listened to his soul- to his fire.
Give a man a fish and he'll ask for another, teach a man to fish and he'll never hunger.
Rimuru has grasped freedom and unbound existence- he has learned how to grasp it. Yet in this moment his knowledge and his lessons are forgotten, they now don't matter.
Rimuru tasted the potential freedom- basked in the sweet nectar. Yet now he asks; he needs more. Hearing Lorraine say he would be put in an orphanage his mind went blank.
He stopped listening- promises prior and words spoken all escaped his mind. An insanity filled his mind once more.
Should he stay or should he run? Should he trust Jasmine? He knew she was serious but her will wouldn't circumvent the law. Does he wait and take the chance at being shackled? Or should he run?
Possibilities and probable futures filled his mind. Questions with no answers raged, he found a mountain of uncertainty before him. Rimuru's body and spirit were at odds.
He trusted Jasmine. His spirit- his flame- didn't like risks. Rimuru couldn't move from his position as he tousled with this uncertainty and the possibilities flooding his mind.
Would he take the step or would he stand still? He couldn't decide.
Ever since the incident where he was forced to ascend, something like a worm left a hole in his mind and soul. The hole- a metaphorical void in his being left a crack in the link between mind, body, and spirit for Rimuru. The hole didn't affect him when he was a being of pure thought- his soul and the information making and constituting his being existing as the aspects that guide him.
Though now- a mortal, the hole in his being is made more clear. More defined and prominent. The effects this worm had on him are obvious. A leak from the unconscious desires of his spirit taking charge in combating his better judgment.
His innate greed combats his belief in people.
Yet even in this world where no voice could reach him- a world where only his voice existed as it flooded his thoughts and head– he heard something.
It was like a drop of gasoline was dropped into the flame alit inside of his soul. The raging fire quelled as it exploded out for a moment. Slowly more drops fell into the fire. The world gaining its sound- the realization hitting him.
The words he heard finally being registered. His spirit was quelled- the fire knew it'd be fed the fuel it craved.
The words despite being registered weren't fully processed; until Rimuru heard Jasmine speak to him- a stack of paper in her hand.
"Can you read?" That single question brought him to life again- a clear look of elation on his face. Excitedly he nodded. Jasmine couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Rimuru's action and the look on his face. A small smile crossed her face as she and Rimuru sat down at a nearby desk and looked over the papers.
Her heart felt oddly light and warm as she and Rimuru went through the paperwork- her face wearing a soft warm expression. The girls on the Twin Horns and Lorraine couldn't help but find it adorable- despite it seeming different to the Twin Horns from knowing Rimuru a bit more.
Reynolds and company watched the two eagerly read and look over the papers, in their hearts they felt happy for them. Discussing the contents. Laughing quietly at random moments seemingly. It felt like something they both needed.
Jasmine was always somewhat aloof, she kept mostly to herself and wasn't the most expressive. Her family was the Twin Horns- the Flamesworth house left her to rot.
Rimuru in their eyes was a child who forced himself to mature, to be more than he was and act as if the world was against him. He had no family any longer. He was alone, forced to mature but he seemed like he could be a kid with Jasmine.
Despite not knowing each other for long- barely over a day the two had connected quickly. The two seemed to recognize the others' wounds and bond unknowingly. It was like fate had it written that two would call each other family. Even the appearances they had looked so similar, it was truly fated to be in their eyes.
Rimuru and Jasmine found a family in each other. Jasmine saw someone she had the urge to protect, looking at Rimuru she felt sympathy for him and she didn't want him to end up on the wrong side of life. Rimuru in Jasmine saw someone he could trust, the way she acted- her constantly seeing through his lies as if she'd known him for years, the comfort she gave and the odd familiarity he felt with her. Rimuru saw his mom– he saw his mother Azuray reflected in her eyes.
"Reynolds, remember those rings we saw?" Leaning down, Durden spoke in a whisper in Reynolds ear. Wordlessly Reynolds nodded. On the way to the guild from a storefront window they saw a pair of rings. The rings had sat in the windowsill of that store for as long as they'd frequented this guild hall.
It was a pair of rings only valued at 25 silver for the pair. Yet the rings were magically linked. Sharing the well being of the wearers to the other. A single colorless crystal embedded in the ring that glowed when mana was poured and imprinted into the ring.
Yet they remained unpurchased for one fact the wearers had to have an affinity the same as the other. You couldn't wear the ring unless you shared an affinity, and beyond this the ring would never turn off. Making it a subtle nuisance. The ring once worn would never be allowed to be worn by other people.
It was a link between the first pair to wear them. "Should I go get them?" Speaking quietly Adam entered the conversation his eyes turned towards Reynolds and Durden awaiting a response. The three men wordlessly spoke on the rings as they saw them before entering the hall. Now upon seeing this sight– they had already made a decision it was merely a formality. With a nod in response Adam quickly snuck away. "I suppose it was just meant to be right?" Reynolds nodded letting out a breathy laugh at Durden's words. He couldn't refute them. He agreed after all.
Watching this scene Reynolds had his thoughts trail and a question came to his mind, 'would he and Alice look like this too? Would he and her hold their child in the future with a look on their face like Jasmine had?' He couldn't answer but in his heart he knew, he knew they would. But for now he simply watched on with everyone as Jasmine and Rimuru shared a special moment.
"Rimuru I want to ask one last time. Before we sign anything. Are you okay with this?" Jasmine looked Rimuru in the eyes, her tone serious yet her eyes hopeful.
She wanted Rimuru to make this decision if he was absolutely sure of it. She didn't want to force him or make him feel forced. Even if she enjoyed his company and wanted to take him in- at the end she wanted him to be happy with the decision.
After all to her- he lost his mother less than a few days ago. Rimuru returned her gaze- his answer was already clear to him. It was clear as day.
Reaching onto the table he grabbed the pen and with a smile signed his name. After he signed, he turned and pointed the pen at Jasmine. Returning the gesture. A silent message conveyed with his movements.
'I am if you are.' Jasmine pulled Rimuru into a hug, her smile far more radiant than before. It was a smile like the one she wore before her wind affinity was discovered. Her heart felt light, and with that light heart she signed her name onto the paper.
Jasmine had officially adopted Rimuru. This marked the first day both of their lives and fates changed forevermore.
After finishing the paperwork Rimuru and Jasmine walked back to the counter, handing Lorraine the paperwork. Lorraine glanced through the papers ensuring everything was in order. As she flipped through papers looking over the signatures she could feel the bond between the two. She couldn't help but smile as she finished confirming the completion of the document.
As if he couldn't have better timing Adam entered the guild hall the box carrying the rings in hand.
"It's official Jasmine you've adopted Rimuru. Congratulations, you're now a mother." Stamping the paper with a seal of authenticity everything was made official. Jasmine and Rimuru were now family.
"Congrats both of you, looks like we'll all be seeing you a lot more. You're like everyones nephew now." Helen chortled as she congratulated the two of them. One by one the Twin Horns congratulated the two of them.
Both Jasmine and Rimuru felt somewhat embarrassed but it wasn't a bad feeling. "Congrats, here for the both of you." rejoining the group Adam handed Jasmine the small black box.
Looking towards Rimuru he shrugged unsure but curious. Jasmine opened the box not questioning it and stared blankly at the content of the box for a second.
She leaned down and showed Rimuru whose eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity, her reaction only making him more curious. He and her exchanged knowing yet confused glances before it clicked. They both sensed the magic in the rings but couldn't tell what the rings were.
Not being placed in the windowsill of the store made it harder for Jasmine and the rest of the Horns apart from the guys to realize what the rings were.
"It's the Paired Rings of Wellbeing. Remember. From Dale's Adventuring Emporium." Rimuru remained entirely clueless as to what any of that meant but surmised the power of the rings and based on the reactions of the Twin Horn's and particularly Jasmine they all very clearly knew what the rings were for.
"Before you say anything it was Durden's idea." Before Jasmine and Rimuru could say anything Adam quickly made clear- wasn't his idea.
'Tsundere.'
"Reynolds, Adam, and I all talked about it and decided to get them. Adam here ran to get them while you did the paperwork." Durden spoke clearing the air as he didn't want all the credit as it was a group decision made by the guys.
This decision however left Angela, Alice, and Helen embarrassed, as now the guys as a group had given them a gift and they had not. Sensing the thoughts of the trio Rimuru spoke up as Jasmine stared at the rings happily. "It's the thought that counts." The girls were not comforted in the slightest by his words and felt more embarrassed due to how polite Rimuru was being.
"Thank you. Thank you Adam, Durden, Reynolds. It means a lot, it almost makes it feel more real. I really am a mom now." Jasmine's tone was soft but her appreciation was clear. The guys merely nodded in response, satisfied and happy that the gift was well received.
"The kid doesn't know what they are likely to do." With a fake cough Lorraine brought forward a point they glanced over in the moment. "I can surmise and assume based on the name held by the rings on their use. Regardless of the use even if they wer-"
"STOP! STOP!! STOP!! I've never heard a child speak so properly I- I can't." Lorraine couldn't hide her surprise at Rimuru's manner of speech and the Twin Horn's lack of a reaction. Her common sense was being rewritten by the minute so she decided.
No more thinking about it. "Thank you for the gift." Finishing what he was saying Rimuru thanked the guys.
Jasmine handed Rimuru a ring. What he had to do was clear. He had to pour in mana. Therein lies the issue. His colorless core– was bottomed out. Again.
He hadn't held enough mana inside his core to suffice after the stunt he pulled until then. Closing his eyes he let his perception of the world shift as he gazed into his very being. As he gazed in he witnessed something he could only describe as beautiful.
Filling his mental world he saw a vast ocean that glowed in various purples and clear sky filled with fluffy clouds. The ocean waves cascaded in patterns seemingly traveling forever. The unique violet glow about the ocean was something Rimuru couldn't help but marvel at. It was like an ocean of aether- in his mental world aether flowed like water, it filled the space as far as the eye could see in an endless ocean, a clear sky above.
Yet oddly enough Rimuru felt as if a breeze filled the space- a calm and cool ocean breeze. Taking a chance he let himself become one with the wind. Clearing his mind of all unnecessary thoughts and disturbances.
Rimuru didn't realize it but below the surface- hidden in the vast sea was a vast expanse of life and a raging beast chained in the bottom of the endless aetheric sea, waiting and biding its time.
As he became one with the wind in his mind the aether in his body began to flow into the passage- the channels, the path- that linked his two cores. Inside the channel that mana typically traveled to his aether core for reconstitution a new process was taking place. The aether entered into his colorless core. The aether danced elegantly inside his core as it attracted and pulled at mana surrounding him.
As it spun all around the walls of the core and with it rotation wind attribute mana filled his core. The viridian green hue bleached his core once more. Though rather than gathering mana and storing it for temporary use it stayed- the core being dyed in a green tone partly. The green tone moved about his core like a gentle breeze with no defined path. It merely blew.
Not aware of what process was happening to the fullest extent Rimuru trusted his gut and guided a drop of aether towards the ring. As the aether touched the crystal sat atop the ring small particles of wind attribute mana. Raw particles of wind attribute mana entered the crystal.
Rimuru hadn't known at the time but he had no mana signature.
His body didn't purify mana- the colorless core attached to his rune didn't even store mana. It encoded it, reconstituted it, and expelled it.
The core couldn't contain mana in the natural sense- it forever leaked mana into his body for various processes- he could use mana that entered the core. But that mana was never purified; it was simply raw attributed mana. It's why he could directly fill his core by consuming mana cores, but also why he couldn't contain mana.
The colorless core was not a well, or a storage container. It was more akin to a hub, a junction that mana would flow through before being expelled throughout his body for untold reasons- aether could flow here too but only for it to be absorbed into his body directly or placed atop his aether core.
Rimuru didn't have a signature since he didn't have a mana core to purify or contain mana. Anyone who would see residue of him using mana would be like that of a mana beast.
As things were, Rimuru had unknowingly encoded his colorless core- with 3 things.
Aether, wind attribute mana, and something much much darker and far more sinister. A well of untapped power sat inside his core slowly having the strength it contained eaten away at and encoded.
Yet despite not having a mana signature Rimuru could do one thing- mimic. The aether that spun around the walls of his core scrapped something from it. A signature- Jasmines mana signature. The drop of aether that left and was put into the ring drew in raw mana and encoded it.
The raw mana was encoded with a false narrative- it was given Jasmine's mana signature. This would be the inextricable link that made the Rings Of Wellbeing's capabilities grow.
A link was made, a bond and connection that couldn't have been predicted.
The rune on Rimuru's nape radiated a green and violet glow as it made a new consciousness. Putting on the ring it shaped to fit Rimuru's finger perfectly- customary service of aether.
Feeling a sense of compulsion as Rimuru left his mental world he spoke the name of the rune engraved into his nape~ "[Dolus' Cerebellum]" The rune activated fully as aether flowed through the air guided by the rune and weaved a system- a conscious link between two being.
The Ring of Wellbeing used to only transmit the wellbeing of its wearer to the paired ring but now it could do much more.
As the spellform finished its process Rimuru realized the full capacity of the rings and unknowingly transmitted his thoughts, 'We both are aware of the safety of the paired rings wearer. I'm glad that aether sufficed as the encoding feature knowing now it could have been an issue due to the rings function. This should at least give some peace of mind- something that is never bad.'
Rimuru looked at the ring curiously as he wondered what his rune did when he activated it. Looking at the ring he saw a string of connecting pathways- almost like neural pathways for the nervous system in a human body.
With his eyes he quickly followed the trail from his ring to the ring that Jasmine wore but that wasn't the end as the nerves seemed to be spread all across Jasmine. He watched as the nerves drew closer towards him and attached to every inch of his body.
When he looked back towards Jasmine as his sight of the nerves dissipated she was oddly enough looking back at him. Their eyes met. The look in her eyes was one of confusion. Rimuru questioned it in his head if something could've been bothering her. It was a silent wonder and worry.
But he didn't expect his silent question to get answered, 'Rimuru I can hear your thoughts.'
"I'm glad the two of them seem to like the gift"
"It seems to be working too, considering how they lit like the owner Dale said they should."
"Well it looks like Jasmine became a mother for her 16th birthday."
"She's almost 17 idiot."
The group went silent as they looked towards Jasmine and Rimuru- mostly Rimuru- with an expectant look. They wanted to hear something- Rimuru immediately understood what they wanted. It was embarrassing enough to make his face turn slightly red.
Jasmine's gaze remained trained on Rimuru, curious why he was embarrassed but still confused about the mental link.
"It won't be easy to adjust so I hope you bear with me." Rimuru's words left Jasmine a tad confused but through the mental link she could feel his emotions he was- uncertain yet certain but more than those conflicting feelings he was hopeful. "I look forward to the future with you Jasmine…", he paused, "I look forward to being your adopted son. Thanks for adopting me. For becoming my mom."
Jasmine's eyes widened in response to hearing Rimuru's words. She was shocked, but it wasn't a bad feeling. She knew right now it wasn't natural due to his emotions and words but she was happy nonetheless. "I hope I can fill the shoes of the woman who raised you well. I look forward to being your mom and hearing you call me such." Jasmine leaned down to pat Rimuru's head, a tear falling from her eyes. A happy tear, it was surreal. She wasn't expecting to feel the way she did and yet she did.
Seeing the tear Rimuru pulled her into a hug- the two sharing a soft embrace. The Twin Horns satisfied and happy for the both of them.
'We shouldn't mention the mental link- it wasn't a feature.'
'Agreed.'
Despite sharing a nice moment both remained practical and realistic to the end. Yet both promised to do everything to protect the other- their family.
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—-----225 days later
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"UNCLE REYNOLDS HURRY!" Rushing towards the guard outpost in the Town of Ashber Rimuru called out to the man who was forced to take a shift the day his wife was due. "I'll take over- get home. Aunt Alice had her water break."
Reynolds upon hearing Rimuru's words quickly apologized and ran back towards his home- to support his wife and be there for the moment his child was born.
"Rimuru? Where'd Mr. Leywin go?" Turning towards the voice as Rimuru stood guard in Reynold's place he saw Mr Dollard, the town mayor effectively.
"Home in a rush, Aunt Alice's water broke so I'm taking over for now if you don't mind." Being honest was the only option and Mr Dollard was a married man with kids so certainly he'd understand. Aside from that fact, Rimuru had actively interacted with many of the townsfolk and gained their trust.
He was seen as a reliable young man despite his appearance seemingly like that of a 5 year old. "That's quite alright, I told him he didn't have to work this week anyway due to Mrs. Leywin. I just wanted to give him a gift for the household."
"A gift silently celebrating and congratulating the birth of the Leywin's son? I would be correct to assume as much." Mr Dollard simply smiled in turn to Rimuru's words not confirming or denying. His actions spoke louder as he handed Rimuru the basket before turning to leave. "Ah wait before I go." Rimuru turned back facing Mr Dollard awaiting his words patiently. "When is your mother coming to see you? I want to thank the woman who raised you for her service."
Rimuru let out a small laugh and stared at the ring he wore on his right index finger. Pouring in a little aether he got his answer.
"She'll be picking me up in a few weeks time- about 17 or so days. It's a long quest this time." Mr Dollard nodded and waved goodbye.
Rimuru simply climbed atop the guard tower and looked over the town. Staring out beyond the town Rimuru spaced out and enjoyed the view. In Ashber this was his favorite spot to go- most enjoyed the hill out the back of the town with the small shaded spot under the willow-oak tree.
It was peaceful atop the tower- on the roof- he could simply sit or lay motionlessly and star out into the sky. The calm breezes slightly tousled his hair. It was a serene feeling, being unbound and free to do as he pleased.
He could run out into the glades just a few miles away, lay atop the tower, or walk about the town.
Ever since the day Jasmine adopted Rimuru his life changed. It changed for the better. In the beginning he was certainly lost- clueless about how to handle certain tasks due to being an ancient being trapped in a floating orb for thousands of years.
To say he was inexperienced in this world's customs and common sense was an understatement. Yet with Jasmine it was a treat- she taught and explained things in simple ways. At least in his eyes. Adam would've told you she was speaking in tongues.
It likely helped that Rimuru and Jasmine shared a mental link.
The link could share emotions and thoughts over a 100 meters but beyond that it served as a general tracker glowing differently depending on how far the other person was from the mental link distance.
Using this Rimuru and Jasmine were able to communicate visits over long distances based on how far she and he were apart. The two had taken to being clear and open whenever possible.
If she was on a quest Rimuru knew the Distance she would be away- this worked nicely as an arrangement as after each quest Jasmine would pick up Rimuru and they'd go back together to the area the quest took place.
These moments Jasmine would show Rimuru things he was curious about whether it be. Mana beasts, dungeons, plant life and fauna, different views, or even points of interest for the future.
Rimuru always absorbed everything Jasmine showed and taught him with no trouble- making it easy for her to be more comfortable and honest with him.
Over the seven plus months since Jasmine adopted Rimuru he has gained one piece of information pertaining to himself.
Due to an unexpected find- he was too curious.
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Looking around the area Rimuru took in and analyzed his surroundings. The entrance to the dungeon the Twin Horn's cleared recently. As far as dungeon entrances went it was quite mundane and plain. Nothing too special but regardless of that fact it still intrigued Rimuru every time he saw a dungeon.
Each dungeon was unique in its own right. The beasts inhabiting them could be similar at times or the structure but no matter what dungeon you entered there was always something that set it apart.
This dungeon was no different. B-Rank Dungeon Weeping Willows. It was a dungeon situated near the edge of the Beast Glades teetering on the border of the Glades and the elven forest Elenoir.
The dungeon was inhabited by mainly two types of beasts- tree spirits called Treants or Revenants and Mist Elk. Of course the dungeon had other beasts but predominantly it was filled with those two beast types. The dungeon was on the cusp of being classified as A-Rank due to the nature of the beasts in the dungeon.
Walking through the first floor of the dungeon with Jasmine she recounted the strengths of the beasts inhabiting the dungeon. Treants were weak to Fire- something Rimuru expected but only enough the Revenants were not. The Revenants were weaker to water.
"What makes the difference between the two?" It was a simple enough question. Rimuru had his guesses but looking at the beasts both shared the same physical structure and build. They were the same size, the only difference being the lushness of the tree spirits' false appearance.
"Revenants are actually Treants. They're Treants whose mana core was never removed after being defeated." Jasmine's answer left many more questions in Rimuru's head but some he could guess via context and analysis of the battlefield. So he asked the one he couldn't be sure of.
"Would that mean Revenant's are only born in place of burned Treants?" Jasmine merely nodded in response. Her answer made the thoughts in his head about their resistances and weaknesses clearer and confirmed his suspicions.
As Rimuru looked at the Revenants and touched the bark of the beast he could still feel the heat from the blackened bark and see small embers housed within the body of the beast.
So in his mind it made sense that the reborn Treant could become a Revenant only if it was dispatched via fire in some way; otherwise it'd be reborn as a normal Treant again. Becoming a Revenant meant the beast adapted to fire and with it the nature of the beast changed and became more intune with fire and steam based magic as opposed to water and plant based magic.
As in Jasmine's words- the manner of attacking with fire used by Revenants is identical to the plant magic of Treants. It was like the beast stayed burning as it was reborn and this altered its core and was changing its nature.
This prospect fascinated Rimuru and it called for a more thorough analysis and study at a later date.
"Is this one still alive?" As Rimuru walked around the first floor he swore he saw one of the Revenants twitch. Even if only a millimeter. Looking at Jasmine she too thought she'd seen the same thing. Thinking of it as a chance to teach Rimuru something she removed a dagger from her belt and handed it to him.
Without a word she approached where they both thought they saw a Revenant moving. She didn't want to take large risks but she also didn't want to deny opportunities to teach Rimuru and give him practical experiences.
Approaching a particularly small Revenant Jasmine could sense mana inside the beast still. It's core hadn't been cracked as it hung inside its branches dangling like a fruit almost. A typical Revenant is anywhere from 4-5 meters tall but this one was barely over a meter tall. Signaling Rimuru to come- Jasmine decided to give Rimuru a piece of practical experience or an in-person first hand lesson. She was partly undecided as she wanted to ask if Rimuru wanted to kill the petite Revenant.
The lesson would be in beast core extraction. So while she could've killed the beast and let him harvest the core alone, that wouldn't be teaching him about the experiences of an adventurer properly.
"Do you want to finish it off Rimuru?" Most the uninitiated would likely question Jasmine's parenting skills if they saw this but real parents knew. Gun-ho and tough love were some of the best parenting qualities- that along with knowing how your child prefers to learn.
Rimuru was insane.
Jasmine was keenly aware of this. Just don't tell her Rimuru is insane- her small assassin could never be insane. Never.
Jasmine was aware that Rimuru preferred to learn with hands-on experiences or see things used practically. He was a very good listener and could learn by being told about something but preferred visual aids and visual lessons as it was more enjoyable.
Holding the dagger in a reverse grip Rimuru approached the munchkin level Revenant. He coated the blade in a small amount of aether to assist in cutting the tough bark-hide of the beast. He wasn't very interested in risking the blade getting caught midway through the bark and having to ask for help or struggle to finish the job.
With a single sweep of the blade Rimuru cleaved the Revenant in half, its root legs falling towards him as its torso and the crown with the core fall back away from him.
Inwardly Rimuru chuckled as he saw the way the Revenant fell and landed. After the beast fell Jasmine walked to Rimuru's side and began pointing at various parts of the Revenant to help explain her next words easier.
"When extracting a beast core there are 3 methods. The first is a simple long incision- this is best used for mana beasts that are more animalistic in appearance with softer muscles or hide-" As she spoke she put a line in the dirt with her other dagger and pressed it into the center. The visual aid wasn't needed but it made it easier to imagine it in the height of battle for Rimuru if he wanted to use [Brahma's Core] to extract and consume mana cores.
"-The second is cutting a cross or X into the beast and pulling the core from the center point. This is better for beasts with thicker hide that would be harder to pull back or larger beasts that have cores residing deeper inside." She proceeded to give a demonstration in the dirt as she had for the incision method.
"The third method is the ax method- this is best used for the largest mana beasts or beasts like Treants and Revenants. In this method you take a weapon and begin to cut away or axe at the beast until you can see or reach the core." Rather than making a demonstration Jasmine gestured towards the Revenant.
Rimuru got the message but didn't want to ruin the blade so he reshaped the coating over the dagger and hacked away at the crown of the revenant. After 5 chops he cut away enough branches to sever the cord holding the beast core. Claiming his prize.
Returning Jasmine, her dagger Rimuru analyzed the core closely. Jasmine pat Rimuru's head proud of his success and left him to do with the core as he pleased. He could keep it as a prize, he could break it, draw out the mana. She wasn't bothered by what he would decide to do. It was his prize for killing the beast and learning quickly.
She also felt the metaphorical stars in his eyes as he held the core meant he should have the core. It was quite adorable seeing him staring so intently at the core to her.
Holding the mostly red core, with streaks of faded blue Rimuru pondered on what he wanted to do. The core was extremely underdeveloped, so it wouldn't yield much if he sold it. The core couldn't hold a beast will and he didn't really like the idea of the core as a showpiece due to the faded blue and bright red-orange tie-dye-esque coloration. As Rimuru followed after Jasmine towards the exit so they could share a meal he remained deep in contemplation.
Yet he made his decision at an awkward time.
Activating [Brahma's Core] Rimuru began to soften the core and turn it into a more malleable and consumable form. It didn't take long to become almost like jell-o making it the perfect consistency to consume.
Was it perfect due to absorption potential or something of the like- No. It was the best due to jell-o being supreme. As Rimuru took a bite out the core savoring the smokey flavor of the core he turned to see Jasmine staring at him.
Somewhat horrified and Rimuru responded by finishing the rest of the core in a single bite as he and her awkwardly stared each other in the eyes. "Open your mouth. Show me your teeth." Jasmine sighed somewhat disappointed in Rimuru as he opened his mouth and to her surprise his teeth were perfectly fine.
She knew she didn't hallucinate, her adopted son just took a bite out of a mana core and then finished eating it in front of her. With no shame. Yet his teeth weren't cracked let alone shaken. It was practically just another snack.
"It's that marking on your back isn't it?" Not getting a response Jasmine sighed, already knowing the answer due to the mental link, "Please warn me next time, I can't handle scares like that. What am I going to do if you can't eat solid food anymore?"
"I will certainly warn you."
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.
Looking back, Rimuru had no shame. He was entirely unbothered that she caught him eating a mana core. But this incident gave him an unexpected gain.
He ingested fire mana; just like when he consumed wind mana he began being able to perceive fire mana particles and his core was dyed with a red-orange color similar to the green and violet.
Getting up and off the guard towers roof, Rimuru picked the basket Mr Dollard left with him. With a smile on his face as he remembered the incident Jasmine dubbed the: Core Crunch Incident. Rimuru took his steps back towards the Leywin's house only to return and welcome the young Leywin with perfect timing.
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Chapter 9 End~ 6620 Words
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