Tensura Reaction/Short

Rebirth of the Ultimate Slime(2)

Ryoma knelt down, eyeing the small blue slime in front of him with fascination. It wasn't like any slime he'd seen before, its color was brighter, and it seemed to have a distinct, almost regal presence. Yet, there was a gentleness to it that made Ryoma feel strangely comfortable.

"Well, hello there," Ryoma whispered, reaching out his hand slowly. "Would you like to come along with me?"

Rimuru, as silent as he was curious, felt a smile form internally. He'd been silent by choice, eager to experience what it felt like to simply be a companion, to follow someone else's lead for a change. Without a sound, he nudged Ryoma's hand with his round body, sealing the boy's intent.

Ryoma beamed, feeling the blue slime's friendly nudge. "Alright! I guess that's a yes." He quickly pulled out his taming spellbook and recited the necessary words, focusing on establishing the bond between them.

Ding!

An alert sounded in Ryoma's mind as the taming process finalized.

[Tamed! You have successfully bonded with an 'Ultimate Slime (Rimuru)'!]

Ryoma paused, squinting at the unfamiliar title. "Ultimate Slime? I've never heard of that... maybe you're a rare kind?"

Rimuru remained quiet, pleased with the boy's curiosity. Meanwhile, Ciel took this opportunity to add a few amusing twists to Rimuru's status. Invisible to Rimuru, a new line appeared on his status display:

[Evolution to Human Form: Locked]

Rimuru chuckled internally. It seemed Ciel had added an element of restraint to his new journey, ensuring he'd live fully as a slime this time around. And he didn't mind. In fact, the thought of experiencing the world from the perspective of a simple companion, a pet, even, was refreshing.

Ryoma reached out and gently lifted Rimuru, placing him atop his head, where the slime fit snugly, like a little blue hat. "You'll be safe here," Ryoma said happily. "Now, let's go. I need to gather some herbs for Mr. Fei."

The forest was peaceful, filled with the sounds of distant birds, the rustling of leaves, and the scent of fresh moss. From his spot atop Ryoma's head, Rimuru felt a sense of serenity he hadn't known in years. The boy moved with surprising skill, weaving through undergrowth and handling any smaller creatures that came too close with ease.

Rimuru soon noticed something remarkable: Ryoma's unique way with slimes. The boy wasn't merely collecting herbs; he was checking on his other slimes as well. Occasionally, Ryoma would stop, bending down to speak to the different slime varieties he'd tamed. Sticky slimes, cleaning slimes, poison slimes, all followed his commands with obedience and trust. Each one seemed well-trained and happy.

The boy even carried a special bag filled with food for his slimes, tossing bits of it into a small pond where water slimes congregated. Rimuru watched with growing respect as the slimes gobbled up the food happily.

"Alright, that should do it," Ryoma said, tucking his bag back into his pouch. "Let's head back to town."

As they made their way through the winding forest path, Rimuru noticed something peculiar. While Ryoma was undoubtedly skilled with his magic and his slimes, he lacked any real experience dealing with serious threats. This world seemed gentler than his own, and Rimuru sensed a newfound appreciation for that.

But as they approached a small clearing, a faint growl caught Rimuru's attention. From the shadows, a wolf-like creature with gleaming fangs and sharp claws emerged, its gaze locked on Ryoma. The boy froze, realizing the creature wasn't one of the harmless forest animals he was used to.

Rimuru tensed but held his silence, curious to see how Ryoma would handle it.

Ryoma raised his staff, his voice steady but cautious. "Stay back," he warned the beast, gathering magic energy in his free hand.

The wolf growled, stalking forward. Just as it leapt, Ryoma whispered a spell, and a bolt of light shot from his palm, stunning the creature. However, it quickly shook off the effect, regaining its composure and preparing to attack again. Ryoma gritted his teeth, understanding that he was outmatched.

At that moment, Rimuru felt Ciel's gentle nudge in his mind.

"Would you like to assist, Master Rimuru?"

Rimuru gave a mental nod. With a small pulse of magic, he cast a shield around Ryoma, invisible to the boy but effective enough to block any attack.

The wolf lunged, but its claws glanced off the shield harmlessly, leaving it dazed. Seizing the moment, Ryoma unleashed a small blast of fire, sending the beast retreating with a yelp.

After a few moments of silence, Ryoma sighed in relief. "That was... close. Thank you," he whispered, patting Rimuru's round body, assuming the Ultimate Slime had somehow contributed to his survival.

Rimuru let out a mental chuckle, amused by the boy's gratitude. He'd forgotten how satisfying it was to assist from the shadows, knowing Ryoma felt protected simply by his presence.

The small, bustling town of Gimul came into view, and Rimuru took in the sights from his perch on Ryoma's head. It was a quaint village, lively and welcoming, with merchants peddling wares, children running through the streets, and adventurers gathering to exchange stories. The peaceful atmosphere was a far cry from his previous life, where tension and intrigue lurked in every corner.

Ryoma walked through the cobblestone streets, nodding at familiar faces, and eventually arrived at the inn. He gently lifted Rimuru from his head and placed him on a counter in his room, patting the slime as he did.

"Alright, little guy," Ryoma said with a soft smile. "It's time for us to get some rest. I'll keep you here, safe and sound."

Rimuru sat on the counter, silently watching as Ryoma prepared his bed. The boy had such a natural kindness to him, and it reminded Rimuru of his own past relationships with the citizens of Tempest. For the first time in ages, he was enjoying the simple act of companionship without the weight of his responsibilities.

As Ryoma settled into bed, he whispered, "Goodnight, little buddy."

Rimuru, resting quietly on the counter, felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in a long time. Ciel's voice drifted into his mind, sensing his contentment.

"It seems this life is suiting you well, Master Rimuru."

Rimuru mentally nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. Here, as a simple slime, he was free to rediscover the small joys he'd missed, watching over a boy who reminded him of his early days as a protector and friend.

The world around them grew quiet, and as Ryoma drifted into a peaceful sleep, Rimuru felt his own essence relax, embracing the beauty of this simpler life.