The two clashed with outstanding expertise, trying to one up one another as they traded blows.

That... was what Jack wanted to say, but in reality, the pyromaniac fell just like the rest of the pirates. The only difference was that the stranger took the time to quip at him.

Really, just who was this swordswoman!? That was what the boy wanted to know.

...

Rimuru sensed a fire user in the midst of the burnt houses. This one was a mage, unlike the first one. He wanted to head over. But first, he had to test something.

He threw his bokken at the kid who'd been tailing him.

"Kid, show the captain what you've got."

And with that, Rimuru leapt to where the mage was.

Meanwhile, Jack was shocked and confused when the crazy lady spoke and threw her weapon at him.

Captain? What captain?

His questions were answered soon enough as an almost overly muscular old man jump from the pirate ship to the docks. He wore a coat and a pirate hat. He swung his saber, screaming, "Arg!"

Wait. Him, battle that guy!?

The pirate quickly found him and swung at him. Jack, being an eleven year old boy who had never been in an immediate life or death situation, understandably froze in place. That was until he felt something within him unraveling itself.

All this time since he'd first discovered his skill, he'd only been able to use it to hide his presence and increase his skill in sneaking. Now, in the face of true danger, the skill had finally manifested its true nature.

As soon as the blade reached him, his body fell into his own shadow.

The pirate immediately went to search for him, walking onto where he just was. As their shadows overlapped, the boy quickly jumped out of the shadows, pointing the weird staff at the captain's head.

And with that, the captain was down.

"Whoah.

"Did I really do that?"

"Jack!? What are you doing here!?"

Johnson quickly ran over to him. He looked at him wielding the curved staff the cloaked woman used and looked behind the boy.

"Did you do this?"

Jack slowly nodded.

"How did you-- look out!"

Suddenly, the old pirate attacked from his downed form.

Jack quickly pulled Johnson into his shadow and both popped out several meters back.

"You didn't really think you could beat me that easily, did you, boy!?"

The man grinned as he charged the both of them. Johnson, being an experienced guard, immediately spotted a weakness. He whispered over to the boy.

"If you could do that again, then try hitting him in the lower body," that should immobilize him, thought the guard.

Jack nodded and went back to his shadow. Much warier than before, the captain kept his saber near his face.

Suddenly, the curved staff appeared. Right below his crotch.

"AAAAAAaaaaarggg..."

This time, the pirate went down for sure.

Johnson cringed and put a hand over his own crotch.

"Not what I had in mind, but nonetheless effective.

"Now, break his arms and legs!"

Jack was startled at the violent command.

"Do it before he gets up again!"

"A-alright!"

Wham!

"Ah! My elbow!"

Crack!

"My knee! AAaaAAa--"

Bonk!

This time the pirate went silent. He learned that one from the crazy woman.

...

And so, after the fall of the two pyromaniacs and the captain, the town finished off the remaining attackers. The rest of the Morgue Moths already escaped by the time they got to their hideout.

Meanwhile, on the orphanage were the people originally having the discussion about the theft.

Johnson was standing next to Jack, his hand on the boy's shoulder. While the boy was grasping on the stranger's weapon. Both were facing Rimuru, while the other kids and the sister were waiting for something to happen.

"Ma'am, about the thef--"

"I have already decided my choice."

Orlea gulped. No option would go without having at least one of the kids in danger.

"I choose..."

The woman then pointed at Jack. The boy shook at her pointing. He witnessed first hand just how frightening the woman was.

Orlea, the other kids and even Johnson started making a ruckus.

"No! Please, wai..."

"No! Not Jack!"

"Ma'am! You can't..."

The woman strode towards the boy. Johnson tried to pull him behind him, but Jack swerved over him and stood in front of her.

He'd made his mind earlier when Johnson apologized. He was going to man up and face any punishment he deserved, no matter how terrible. If he made a mistake, then it should only be him who should pay the price, and not anyone else. And so, he stood straight and waited for the pain that was to come.

"...you. Become my disciple."

Yes, he would gladly take pun--

"Wha-- huh?"

Everyone else was just as dumbfounded.

Rimuru smirked. He loved trolling people in trouble. He did it with Myulan, Youm and Grucius, so why couldn't he do it to anyone else?

Yes. This was his new purpose. When he read the book about Diablo, he was reminded of his old students. He really missed the days when he used to teach them. They looked up to him not because they were his subordinates, but because they loved his teachings.

He figured that he wanted to experience that feeling once more. To see the students he taught grow up into outstanding people. It was the best feeling in the world. It felt like a worthwhile goal.

The moment when he caught the boy gazing at him was the moment he knew who his first student was.

"I want to teach you. To guide you in your path in life."

Jack was now sure he didn't hear it wrong. He clenched the weapon he now realized was a wooden sword in his hands.

To have someone teach you willingly was a big thing for orphans like him. It was like saying they were willing to take care of him and nurture him until he became knowledgeable and grew up. It felt like having a...

"Even though I tried to steal from you... Would you still teach me?"

His voice was shaky and was breaking.

"So what? All I see is a brave boy willing to help his family no matter what it takes. A boy who would sacrifice his well-being just to keep his loved ones away from harm."

At this point, the boy was openly crying.

Nobody ever told him that. The other strangers, the kids with parents, they all told him that he was a nobody; someone unloved by even their parents. It hurt so much to hear, no matter how he tried to hide it.

"Okay... Okay..."

"Good. Then, call me Teacher Rimuru."

The boy bowed, and said, "I'll be in your care, teacher."

...

(Well, this chapter wraps the end of the prologue)

(As you can see, the first part of the chapter was my lousy attempt at writing action. You can either take it or leave it)

(Season 2 Episode 10 is only a few hours away by the time I uploaded this chapter. Who else is hyped for the massacre!?)

(Also, thank you for sticking around for the entirety of the prologue arc!)

(If you are asking whether Jack will be a major character, you're correct. Rimuru will still be the main character, though. Think of it like a shounen anime taken from the perspective of the OP teacher)