"I must say, little miss, you've made staggering progress," my teacher said, wooden katana aimed at my throat.
"T-thanks, but I... I still lost..." I coughed as I lay on the ground.
I had just gotten done with a sparring session, and as you can probably tell I got my ass thoroughly kicked. I had lasted far longer than before, mind you; however, I still wasn't a match for Hakurou in direct combat. The fact that I had also gotten better at understanding the annoyingly named "super phoenix battle mode" had helped as well; unfortunately, I was still far from mastering it.
(Not gonna lie though, eating dirt so much is definitely a little frustrating.) I sighed as I patted the dust off my clothes.
(Also didn't I get a new skill during all that? I wasn't really paying attention to it.) I thought curiously, checking my status as I slid my feet under me and pushed myself up. (In fact, it seemed I did.)
{• Name: Acceleration
Description: Passively increases the user's physical agility as well as the user's reaction speed by three times.}
(Something to test out later, I guess.) I mused internally before turning my attention back to the present moment.
"You really are amazing, Teacher. I was barely able to even parry your attacks," I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head.
"And a few days ago, you weren't even capable of that." Hakurou simply shook his head. "Humility is a virtue, but you should still take pride in your accomplishments and your progress."
His praise made me shift my weight awkwardly, a feeling of embarrassment washing over me. "I'm... I'm not that great..."
Suddenly, a new party spoke up. "Don't be so modest; you've come so far and should take pride in that." Rimuru, who had apparently been watching from the side, said as he walked over. "Not only have you done well in your training, but you've also made great progress in growing your confidence."
"I agree with Lord Rimuru," Shion, who was walking behind him, nodded with a smile.
"S-stop..." I stuttered, my face turning somewhat red.
"Yeah!" I wasn't expecting the sudden yell, so I nearly jumped out of my skin. "I think Lady Suu is super cool."
"Yin, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that," Yang huffed, puffing out her cheeks at her sister.
Yin, for her part, just wrapped both her arms behind her head while giggling playfully. "Sorry~"
Yes, hands. I truly and honestly hadn't been expecting Yin and Yang to inherit my transformation skill after I named them. Then again, I hadn't exactly expected all three of them to undergo such drastic changes either. I mean sure, I had seen the ogres transform into kijins after Rimuru named them, but this felt different, probably because I was the catalyst of this physiological change in them.
"Also, why isn't Rimuru training? I mean seriously, shouldn't he be getting his butt handed to him as well?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
My words caused said slime masquerading as a human to panic slightly and wave his hands in front of him. "H-hey, don't drag me into this."
"That is true; you should also not slack in your training, my lord," Hakurou mused with a rather menacing-looking smile.
"Sadly, that won't be possible; I have important business with Lord Rimuru this evening," Shion spoke up politely, fortunately for Rimuru.
Seeing a lifeline, Rimuru quickly nodded in agreement. "Right! She's going to cook me a very special dinner, apparently."
(He's just saying that to get out of it, isn't he?) I thought, narrowing my eyes, but I paused when I noticed something. (Huh? Why did the teacher go stiff there for a second? Also, why is my Wind Speaker skill warning me of danger?)
"Very well." Hakurou breathed, his stance still slightly rigid for some reason. "It's a shame, though; I have been planning your training routine for a while now, my lord."
"G-great, I'll be looking forward to it." I had to hold back a giggle at the look of nervousness plastered on Rimuru's face.
My teacher then turned to me and smiled. "Oh, and feel free to take a break, Lady Suu; you've earned it."
"Yes, Teacher." I nodded at that before stepping away.
It had been a few days since Rimuru woke up and I had named my three new companions. In that time I had stepped up my training; the three I had named had joined in as well. Yin had taken after Hakurou, using a katana. Yang had surprisingly developed a knack for archery. And as for Zeref, well, his massive size and lack of limbs made traditional forms of training difficult; however, Hakurou could be rather creative when it came to instructing a student.
As for why I was calling Hakurou "Teacher," well, that was something I ended up doing to show my respect. He had been a great help and had even taken my sometimes nervous and skittish personality into account when training me, so it felt only right to call him that. Of course he himself said it was unnecessary, after all, I was the daughter of his current lord. Despite this, I could feel his emotions, and he seemed rather flattered that I insisted on calling him that.
(I should probably get some more work done on my subminds while I have free time.) I thought as I walked over to the side of the training area where the massive form of Zeref was basking under the sun, the twins following close behind me.
"Did the training go well, my lady?" Zeref asked, his massive head raising from the ground as we approached.
"Yeah, it went alright," I mused in response, sitting down and leaning my back against his side.
"It was fun!" Yin giggled as she plopped down next to me.
"I like archery," Yang mumbled as she sat down as well.
(I really hadn't expected them to change so much...) I thought as I looked at the three over.
The fact that Yin and Yang could transform into humans now still honestly threw me for a loop. I had gone completely slack-jawed when they had first shown me, but the shock had worn off rather quickly. After all, I had come to learn that this world was filled with surprises and that I should probably keep an open mind moving forward. Still, it was bizarre knowing that the cute black kitten I had spent the last few days spoiling was now a massive tiger that could take on a human form.
Anyway, as for what their new appearances looked like, well, starting with Yin. She was around my height, only slightly shorter, with black hair and white patches. She looked like a cheerful girl with soft features, a girl who just happened to have cat ears as well as two feline tails. She was wearing a white kimono with black flower patterns around the edges. Now, I know you're probably going to ask why she wasn't wearing the inverse, and the answer was simple: when Shuna was making clothes for them she thought it would be cute to have them wear the opposite colour scheme compared to what their names would suggest.
Moving on though. As for Yang, she had a far more graceful appearance, looking almost like a more timid version of Shuna in the way she stood and moved. She had long white hair with patches of black; she was also about the same height as her sister, only a little shorter. Like Yin, she was wearing the opposite-coloured kimono from what you would expect: a dark black with white flower patterns around the edges. Overall, her human form looked like a somewhat petite yet adorable girl with pale skin, emerald eyes, white cat ears emerging from the top of her head, and two prominent tails coming out from behind her.
As for Zeref, well, he didn't have a humanoid form like the twins, but he had gotten bigger and way more intimidating. Apparently he was a basilisk, but not a normal type of basilisk, also known as lesser basilisks, which look like giant birds with reptilian tails, according to those I asked. He was an abyssal variant of the greater-scaled basilisk, apparently a super-rare type of monster that shares a bloodline with some kind of ancient entity simply known as The Father of Serpents. I didn't exactly know what that meant, and even Great Sage could only give me limited information when I asked, but it wasn't much of a concern for me at the moment, so I left it be for now.
(There's also that which I need to test out at some point.) I hummed internally after a second. (I don't know if I should ask or not, though...)
I hesitated for a second before glancing up. "Hey, Zeref...?"
"Yesss, my lady?"
"I was just wondering if I could use a skill on you?" I asked awkwardly.
He didn't even take a second before answering in the affirmative. "Very well."
"Really? Just like that?" I muttered, somewhat startled. "I mean seriously, I haven't even explained what it is yet or why I want to use it on you."
"There is no need, my lady," he stated simply with a shake of his head. "If you wisssh to do sssomething, then do it; you have my complete trussst."
"Alright then..." I mused before activating my Inspection skill.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
{• Name:
Zeref.}
{Race:
Greater Abyssal Scaled Basilisk.}
{• Titles:
The Obsidian Serpent. A Phoenix's Shadow.}
{• Blessing:
Abyssal Crest.}
{• Class:
None.}
{Disaster Rank:
A.}
{• Followers:
None.}
{• Species skills:
Petrify. Abyssal Gate. Petrifying Breath. Poisonous Breath. Decay. Viral Flame. Corrosive Venom. Infrared Vision. Obsidian Scales. Toxic Armour. Scent Eater. Poison Manipulation. Super Speed Regeneration. Poison Immunity. Petrification Immunity.}
{• Skills:
Thought Communication. Acid Rain. Shadow Movement. Intimidation. Wind Manipulation. Ground Quaker. Biological Boost. Cold Resistance. Heat Resistance. Physical Attack Resistance. Acid Immunity.}
{• Unique skills:
None.}
{• Ultimate skills:
None.}
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
"How'd that feel?" I asked curiously, since it seemed to have had an effect on him.
"It felt ssstrange... I do not fully underssstand what you just did; however, the feeling it gave me was bizarre," he explained simply. "Not one of pain or disgusssst, but the kind of feeling you get when your nervesss are high and you feel like you are being watched."
"Well, it's good it didn't hurt you or anything." That had honestly been one of the main things I was worried about when using this skill on other people, after all I hadn't known what effect it would have on them, as I was literally looking at their soul.
(Guess I should check his skills while I'm at it.) I mused internally.
With a simple thought and a pulse of will, the information I desired immediately appeared before me, and there was a lot of it. I, of course, only pulled up the information for the ones I was curious about, leaving out the skills I had already seen or the resistance-type skills. Despite that, there was still quite a bit to go through.
{• Name: Petrify
Description: When triggered, this skill causes those who make eye contact with the user to rapidly turn to stone.}
{• Name: Petrifying Breath
Description: The user is able to breathe out a cloud of grayish mist, like a fog of ash. Anything that comes into contact with this mist will rapidly begin to petrify, be it a person, a plant, or just some random object.}
{• Name: Poisonous Breath
Description: This skill creates a highly toxic smog that the user can release from their mouth, a smog that is not just toxic to inhale, but is also incredibly deadly to come into physical contact with.}
{• Name: Decay
Description: When activated, this skill causes all biological and nonbiological matter within a five-hundred-meter radius of the user to begin to rot and break apart at an alarming rate.}
{• Name: Viral Flame
Description: This skill lets the user create a dark green fire that can be summoned and controlled at will. These flames will not only burn the target but will also inflict a status effect called "Emerald Blight," which causes the afflicted to slowly lose their sense of self and go berserk until their body naturally shuts down from the strain after a while.}
{• Name: Corrosive Venom
Description: The user's bite is filled with a horrific venom that causes extreme pain and rots the afflicted flesh. Thankfully for those that are bitten, the incredibly potent venom is usually enough to kill them almost instantaneously.}
{• Name: Obsidian Scales
Description: This skill massively increases the durability of the user's scales, boosting their resistance against magical and physical attacks.}
{• Name: Toxic Armour
Description: This skill causes a highly poisonous fluid to spread across and around the user's form. This layer of toxic fluid does not increase resistance to attacks but will inflict a lethal poisoning effect on any attacker that comes into skin contact with it.}
{• Name: Scent Eater
Description: The user is able to "devour" the scents of other beings, something which allows the individual to know the exact location of their target and their current condition. This effect will wear off over time however, depending on the user's ability to hold on to and remember that particular scent.}
{• Name: Acid Rain
Description: This skill, when triggered, summons a large dark yellow cloud that blankets the surrounding area in acidic rain that can eat through metal and flesh alike.}
{• Name: Intimidation
Description: The user can release a suffocating aura from their body that causes dread and terror in those around them. Stronger beings can resist it, but weaker beings will either collapse under the pressure or submit to the user.}
{• Name: Ground Quaker
Description: Allows the user to cause localised quakes to knock back or disorient enemies. Note, the more magicules used to fuel the skill the greater the tremor.}
{• Name: Biological Boost
Description: When activated, this skill increases the strength of all biological defenses, weapons, and functions. Teeth become sharper, skin and scales become tougher, senses are heightened, organs become more efficient, and so on; even the user's size is boosted to some degree.}
Just as I finished reading, Yin spoke up from next to me. "Don't forget about us, use your skill on the two of us as well."
"Are you sure?" I asked, a little taken aback by the request.
"Yeah! I want to try it." She smiled, and Yang was also quick to give consent.
"I don't mind."
"Alright then." I hummed as I once again triggered the skill.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
{• Name:
Yin.}
{• Race:
Two-Tailed Abyssal Tigris.}
{• Titles:
The Black Samurai.}
{• Class:
Samurai.}
{• Blessing:
Abyssal Crest.}
{• Disaster Rank human form:
B.}
{• Disaster Rank true form:
B+.}
{• Followers:
None.}
{• Species skills:
Abyssal Gate. Night Vision. Acrobatics. Movement Sense. Nine Lives. Soundless Echo. Cursed Strike. Predator Sight. Metallic Fur.}
{• Skills:
Burning Body. Hyper Speed. Enhance. Precision Cut. Thought Communication. Twin Bond. Abyssal Flame. Air Slash. Counter. Transformation. Heat Immunity. Pain Resistance. Magic Deflection Barrier. Abnormal Condition Resistance.}
{• Unique skills:
None.}
{• Ultimate skills:
None.}
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
{• Name: Acrobatics
Description: Increases the user's ability to manoeuvre and dodge incoming attacks with far greater precision.}
{• Name: Movement Sense
Description: This skill allows for the sensing of subtle vibrations in the air; it lets the user detect the movements of those around them to a frightening degree.}
{• Name: Nine Lives
Description: A skill that instantly heals fatal wounds to the user, restoring them to full health. Note: this skill does not restore physical stamina or magical energy, additionally it can only be used nine times before it must recharge.}
{• Name: Soundless Echo
Description: When activated, this skill completely silences all sound produced by the user.}
{• Name: Cursed Strike
Description: All nonmagical, physical attacks made by the user inflict a minor curse upon the target; subsequent attacks increase the severity of the curse. The curse itself acts like a disease, causing simple discomfort at first when it's weak; however, the symptoms grow in severity and lethality as the curse strengthens.}
{• Name: Predator Sight
Description: The user is able to see the world in a broader scope, gaining information about the environment around them and the physical state of their target. For example, while hunting, the user can see tracks, a target's line of sight, current health, and whether or not any wounds they may have are affecting their combat ability.}
{• Name: Metallic Fur
Description: The user's fur is as hard as metal yet still as light as normal fur, boosting the user's defenses while not restricting mobility.}
(What about when they are in their human forms like right now?) I mused internally, pausing for a second. (Does it only affect their hair or does it extend to their skin as well?)
(Something to test later, I guess...) I thought as I kept reading.
{• Name: Burning Body
Description: This skill, when used, engulfs the user's body in flames that burn nearby targets; additionally, the user's physical capabilities, from their strength to so on, are greatly enhanced.}
{• Name: Hyper Speed
Description: Increases the user's overall speed by five times when this skill is triggered.}
{• Name: Enhance
Description: The user of this skill gains the ability to increase the strength of something of their choosing, be that their own agility, reaction speed, one of their skills, or even attributes of a weapon or the rate at which an ally's wound will heal. Note that the user may only enhance one thing at a time.}
{• Name: Precision Cut
Description: This skill allows for the pinpointing of weak spots in an opponent's defenses, enhancing the user's strike to cleave through that weak spot.}
{• Name: Twin Bond
Description: The user is able to perfectly sense the location of their twin, allowing them to detect how they are feeling at any given time.}
{• Name: Air Slash
Description: Allows for the creation of a thin, hyper-sharp, compressed blade of air that can be launched at enemies.}
{• Name: Counter
Description: The user can fuel this skill with their magicules to completely negate any kind of attack; however, if the attack in question contains a physical force or magical strength that is greater than what was used to fuel the skill, the negation effect will fail.}
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
{• Name:
Yang.}
{• Race:
Two-Tailed Abyssal Tigris.}
{• Titles:
The White Archer.}
{• Class:
Archer.}
{• Blessing:
Abyssal Crest.}
{• Disaster Rank human form:
B.}
{• Disaster Rank true form:
B+.}
{• Followers:
None.}
{• Species skills:
Abyssal Gate. Night Vision. Acrobatics. Movement Sense. Nine Lives. Soundless Echo. Cursed Strike. Predator Sight. Metallic Fur.}
{• Skills:
Magic Sense. Thought Communication. Twin Bond. Magic Arrows. Lightning Arrows. Light Arrows. Darkness Arrows. Flaming Arrows. Tempest Arrows. Binding Arrows. Blink. Quick Draw. Lock On. Fire Manipulation. Abyssal Flame. Transformation. Heat Immunity. Abnormal Condition Resistance.}
{• Unique skills:
Heat Wave (Blistering Heat. Mirage. Scorched Hunger).}
{• Ultimate skills:
None.}
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
{• Name: Magic Arrows
Description: Using this skill creates arrows made purely out of the user's own magical energy that will explode violently upon contact with a target. The size of the explosion depends entirely on how much of the user's magicules are used to fuel the attack.}
{• Name: Lightning Arrows
Description: The user can manifest arrows made of pure arcing electricity; when they hit a target, bolts of lightning erupt from them, striking all nearby individuals.}
{• Name: Light Arrows
Description: The user can create an arrow of pure white light that explodes into a blinding flash when fired. Depending on the user's intent, this type of arrow can either be used to blind enemies or to heal surrounding allies.}
{• Name: Darkness Arrows
Description: These arrows of dark energy will phase through objects and structures to reach their target. Once they reach the target, they phase into the individual's body before erupting into shadowy spikes, shredding the target from the inside.}
{• Name: Flaming Arrows
Description: The user can create arrows made entirely of magical fire. Upon colliding with a target, the flames of the arrow spread outward rapidly, engulfing them in a cocoon of scorching fire.}
{• Name: Tempest Arrows
Description: A rapidly spiralling arrow of wind that the user can create; this arrow tears through most kinds of armor and magical barriers with ease, shredding the target on contact.}
{• Name: Binding Arrows
Description: An arrow of glowing cyan light that does not cause physical damage. Instead, upon contact with a target, magical chains fire out from the individual's body and anchor into the environment, restricting movement while also rapidly draining the target's magical energy and physical stamina.}
{• Name: Blink
Description: Allows the user to instantaneously teleport short distances in rapid succession.}
{• Name: Quick Draw
Description: This skill passively decreases the time it takes for the user to activate and trigger other skills and magical attacks by sixty percent, allowing them to use more abilities in a far shorter amount of time.}
{• Name: Lock On
Description: This skill allows the user to mark up to ten targets at a time; when marked, any long-range attacks from the user will automatically follow and seek out the target. The projectiles will not stop following the marked individual until either something stops them or they collide with their target.}
{• Name: Heat Wave
Subskills:
Name: Blistering Heat
Description: The user gains the ability to amplify the heat in their surrounding area; the heat can grow to the point where it can melt metal. Note: this subskill can be affected by the user's mental state, increasing or decreasing effectiveness depending on their emotions.
Name: Mirage
Description: This subskill allows for the creation of non-tangible illusions that disappear when physically disturbed or damaged. These mirages can be used as anchor points to trigger the user's skills; for example, creating an illusion of themselves and having that phantom version trigger and use one of their skills in battle.
Name: Scorched Hunger
Description: A curse that accompanies the heat; when activated, plants in the area wither and die, food will rot, and those targeted by the skill will be overcome by an overwhelming feeling of starvation.}
(Well... that's a lot to go through…)