Well I'd like to start by saying this is my first time attempting a reincarnation fanfic but I really love the Tensura Slime anime and thought I'd give it a shot.
Constructive criticism is welcome, so please tell me what you honestly thinks.
That being said I am looking for someone who can both cross check my chapters and even give me ideas on how to further develop my story!!
I felt….cramped, squashed and contained. Unable to move my body beyond simple twitches and movements such as blinking. The place I was tightly confined in was dark, but he could barely see light coming from the other side of the thin barrier, letting me know that whatever was containing me was not as thick as I had initially assumed it was.
Obviously the next thing he did was try breakout! He really didn't feel comfortable being confined to such a tight space, so much so that he hadn't even thought about how it was he winded up in there in the first place. That was something he would figure out after he found out what it was that he was inside.
And so he began thrashing around, trying to bash my head against the ceiling of the object holding him in order to break through. He wasn't quite sure why he had chosen that method, but it felt like the right thing to do in this moment. After a few more attempts he saw spider web cracks forming at the point of impact.
'Just a little bit more!!' He thought to himself as he bashed his head a few more times, feeling a small ache starting to occur in his head. It didn't take long until he finally broke through, 'Sweet freedom!! Ah too bright!' he shouted as his head popped out of the dark prison that confined him only to be greeted by a blinding light that immediately had him closing his eyes once more to shield them.
It took a while before my eyes adjusted to the light, and in that time he had managed to the rest of his body out of its confinement, only to fall head first after slipping on a smooth surface.
My eyes finally adjusted to the lighting and I took a quick look at my surroundings. I was shocked to see that I was actually inside a large caving system that was being illuminated by several crystals of various colors growing from the ground, walls and ceiling of the cave.
'What the whaaa???' I shouted in alarm after hearing the slightly feminine yet robotic voice speaking inside of my head, one that sounded strangely familiar. It took me a moment to calm down from the fact that there was a voice in my head after searching around frantically before looking around and seeing there was nobody in sight. It wasn't until a few seconds later that the words it had said registered in my mind.
'Dragon?! Where?!' I shouted once more as I looked around, twisting my body in an attempt to look around more carefully. But the only things I could currently see around me where the glowing crystals, some plants that were growing not too far away from me, the broken round shaped rock thing I'd just broken out of and small pond near the area where the plants were.
… Wait a second!!!
I swiftly turned back to the unnervingly oval shaped rock like thing that I'd broken out of mere minutes ago. That 'rock' looked very much like an egg right now that I got a better look at it, and the transparent liquid leaking from the opening that I had made.
In that moment I felt all the differences in my body that I had been subconsciously ignoring all this time, the way I was currently on all fours, the fact that my body seemed shorter than I remembered and that my jaws and nostril seemed longer than what any normal humans had any right to be. I dreaded the fact that I may have to accept the fact that I wasn't human anymore.
'Well its better to face this reality now than to try and run from in forever.' I thought to myself before walking, could it even be called walking if I was down on all fours, to the edge of the pond to see my reflection. And what I saw in the mirror while not as shocking as it would have been had I not come to the conclusion myself, was still pretty shocking to see. 'I really am a dragon…' I could think of far worse creatures to be reborn into, and a dragon was certainly not one of them, if anything it was totally epic!!
The creature I saw reflecting on the surface of the water was both amazing and beautiful. Sure enough I was a dragon, a hatchling at that so it wasn't as terrifying as one would expect. First things first, I wasn't that big in terms of size, easily large enough to be held in the arms of a human being, but still larger and more imposing than say a house cat.
My body was filled soft and smooth scales as black as the night sky, with series of royal blue and sky blue diamond shaped scales appearing in some areas across my body, almost looking like stars in the night sky. Despite how soft the scales seemed as I looked I somehow knew they were stronger than they looked. The underside of my body had white scales that were slightly softer than the black and blue ones but probably just as durable….hopefully. I had some hair, or is it fur, growing from the side of my head to the slightly larger amount at the back of my head, which had two white small horns growing out, and down my neck, almost like a mane. The fur then extended down in a line following my spinal cord all the way down to the tip of my tail where it grew out a bit. The tail…that was another thing that thing that felt weird to have, though not as weird as the wings sprouting out of my sides, it would definitely take some time to get used to those appendages, especially if I hoped to fly one day.
All in all I looked captivating, even by dragon standards. I hoped the general appearance would keep even as my body grew bigger and bigger.
After taking the time to properly admi…I mean inspect my knew body I thought back to what had led to this situation that I currently found myself in.
The was getting shot in the chest twice, my friend Haku shouting at me to stay alive with tears in his eyes as the sound of more gunshots rang out in the back ground. The hot searing pain I felt from the injury in that moment, followed by the cold numbness that most likely came from the blood loss caused by such a wound.
That's right…my name was Ren Daisuke, and I was a police officer. Served 10 years in the military before dropping to a more local service in the police force, I'd been in the force for another 7 years, doing quite well for myself.
I'm still not quite too sure about the circumstances that led up to my death, my memory was still a bit hazy, but what I was sure of was the fact that it was a large scale operation. There was obviously a shootout…and I was shot twice in the process. Once in the torso and another in the upper chest area…
And now I found myself inside of this cave after hatching out of an egg?!
The thoughts that had been plaguing the back of my mind for a while now came back at full force. I hadn't wanted to accept it before, but now…
'Did I really…die? And then get reincarnated…as a dragon ?! '
Just the thought alone sounded insane, absolute nonsense! And yet, it somehow also felt right. I couldn't deny the evidence that was right before my very eyes. If this was my knew reality then I needed to accept the fact that I was now a dragon.
I mean…that's pretty cool right
~~~
So I've accepted it, I'm a dragon now.
I never thought I'd find myself in this kind of situation, but here I am! Now that I wasn't actually panicking about my existential crisis and the second life that I had been miraculously given, I took the time the actually adapt to my new body.
Naturally the first thing I did was get used to moving on all fours. It wasn't anything too difficult, but the changes I went through it took a bit. I could crawl, trot, sprint prowl and just about move how most four legged creatures could. I even learnt how to stand on my back feet, though moving like that was still a bit tricky seeing as my movements were almost penguin like.
Next followed the wings and tail, these were limbs that were far from what I had as a human and thus took a bit more time to get used to. It wasn't that I couldn't move them however I wanted to, I could wag and maneuver that tail as well as flap and fold my small wings, but the extra limbs just felt weird to have altogether. It would take some time before I felt comfortable just having them on my body. I would just have to give myself time to adjust.
And so I spent an unknown amount of time just doing some random stuff with my new bod.
~~~
I'd been playing around in the field filled with when the field filled with numerous flowers that just had this heavenly smell when the feminine voice from before spoke up in my head.
Unfortunately for me, I'd been testing out the strength of my tail, by bouncing around on it from one position to the next. Meaning the unexpected intrusion disrupted whatever focus I had in the that moment and resulted in me getting a face full of dirt as I fell from mid-air.
'Ow that hurt, how about a bit of a warning next time!' I mentally yelled in frustration.
I couldn't help but grumble some incoherent words at what would normally be taken as a sassy response. That is until what it had actually said. Did it just say I have a skill? Aren't those like abilities in video games and stuff like that? That was something I was definitely going to ask, but there was one more important thing I needed to know.
'Who are you anyway?' I asked cautiously, after all having a voice inside your head wasn't very normal…then again, neither was being a dragon.
"Great Sage huh." As I decided to just accept the fact that I had a skill that seemed more akin to an AI inside my head, there was no point getting worked, "Anyways you said something about having skills? Are those abilities that I have or something."
"Yes!!" I almost shouted, I could tell this was going to be important stuff, so best to get as much information as I could as possible, "Keep it as simple as possible though please."
First are the [Intrinsic Skills: These are the skills that a monster or demi-human races posses. Aside from unique monsters these skills are usually the same for creatures of the same race or origin. Evolution of creatures strengthens these skills and unlocks more of them.
Second are the [Common Skills: These are the most common and basic form of skills, and are easily acquired by monsters.
Third are the [Extra Skills: These have a greater amount of power compared to common skills. These can also exist as sub-skills to [Unique Skills] and [Ultimate Skills].
Fourth are the [Unique Skills: As the name suggest these skills are unique and can only exist one at a time. They are usually composed of sub-skills which may either be [Extra Skills] or [Common Skills]. [Unique Skills] are gifted to those that have a strong desire or emotion, and have a large amount of magicules.
Lastly are the [Ultimate Skills: These are the final evolutionary stage of skills in general. They grant the user the ultimate power to control the very laws of nature. [Ultimate Skills] can be acquired from the evolution of [Unique Skills] or through being 'gifted' by another user, though the individual must be a spiritual lifeform and have the necessary magicules to qualify for it.
Okay…that, was a lot to process. So I took a minute, maybe ten, to actually process the bombshell of information that had just been dropped on me. Sure I got the gist of it all, but there were still a few terms that I didn't quite understand yet.
'Okay…' I mentally hummed as I tried to decide what question I should ask first. After reviewing everything I'd been told I came to a conclusion, 'Okay, what are magicules. Those sounded pretty important to the whole skill thing. Oh and please keep it simple.' The only reason I felt the need to emphasize the whole 'simple' thing was because I was afraid [Great Sage] would go all technical on me my brain would fry from information overload
Huh. So basically they were like the MP that players have in video games or 'mana' in anime. A source of energy that existed in the world and could be used to empower people be it physically or with things like magic and the like.
This world was getting cooler and cooler by the minute!!
'Good to know.' I said mentally, 'Earlier you told me you'd finished your analysis on me. Does that mean you know all my skills and stuff?' It was a reasonable assumption, [Great Sage] seemed like the type of AI, I mean skill, that would help me manage myself and answer questions that I have.
'Yes, state each class of skills in the order you explained them to me before, and briefly explain what each skill does.' I said as I could barely hold my own excitement. As a freaking dragon , I was hoping to have some awesome skills. Nothing too OP mind you, just something that would distinguish me as a part of a powerful species.
1.[Dragon Eye] – this allows the user a greater field of vision and analysis of target
2.[Dragon body] – increases the users strength and endurance, as well as their magical resistance and regenerative abilities. However this ability is strains the body over time, limiting its use. This drawback can be overcome with practice of the skill and physical and mental training.
3.[Dragon Aura] – allows user to release a powerful spiritual pressure that immobilizes weaker targets. In some cases it can deal physical and even lethal damage.
4.[Fire Breath – This allows the user to breath a torrent of flames from their mouth. The size and heat of the flames is dependent on the magicules put into the technique.
5.[Rapid Regeneration] – This allows the user to heal swiftly from injuries and even regrow lost limbs.
6.[Keen Sense] – gives the user enhanced sense of smell and sound
I had to admit to admit, those skills sounded legit. And those were just the [Intrinsic Skills] alone!!
'Alright next class please!!' I mentally shouted in excitement as I resisted the urge to jump up and down from excitement in my rather small, but totally adorable, dragon form.
'What?! Really?!!' I couldn't help but shout in anger and exasperation. It was kinda embarrassing that I didn't have skills that were considered to be common for monsters. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that it sort of makes sense.
These skills were easily obtained by monsters of any class, probably through actions and other physical practices. It sucked but I guess these were skills one couldn't just be born with.
'I guess it makes sense. Oh well, move on then.' I said to [Great Sage].
'Yes' I responded immediately, it was going to be important to know the ins and outs of all my skills, though it would probably be information overload if they were all listed at once, 'But list the [Unique Skills] one at a time.
1.[Great Sage] – a support skill that increases the users reaction speed and provides information.
[Thought Acceleration] – increases the users thought processing speed to a factor of a million.
[Analytical Appraisal] – Analyses and assesses the target.
[Parallel Operation] – the ability to detach analysis of targets from users regular thoughts.
[All of Creation] – allows the user to comprehend any non-concealed phenomenon in this world
[Chant Annulment] Eliminates the need for chanting when using magic.
'Woah, [Great Sage, you're freaking awesome!!' I yelled with wide eyes, and I really meant it two. [Great Sage] truly was a great support skill and source of information, I could already think of many situations in this new world in which it would come in handy. As a matter [Great Sage] was the one listing her skills right now, and now that I had an idea of how it operated I could tell how.
Still, the standard I had for [Unique Skills] had gone up drastically.
'What's the next one!' I asked trying as hard as possible to contain my excitement.
[Predation] – absorbs the target into body. It affects organic matter, inorganic matter, skills and magicules
[Stomach] – Where all absorbed targets are stored. Stored objects are not affected by time.
[Isolation] – harmful substances identified by analysis are separated are also stored. They are used to replace magic energy.
[Mimicry] – allows user to replicate absorbed targets appearance. Skills and abilities of target are also copied and made available to the user.
'Okay, I've gotta admit [Predator] sounds pretty awesome.' And honestly it did, the ability to transform into other creatures, not to mention acquiring their skills and making them my own. It almost sounded too good to be true. The fact that I seemed to have something akin to a pocket dimension from the [Stomach] was also pretty cool, I could see myself storing lots of stuff with that. 'I can see that coming in handy pretty soon. Any thing else [Great Sage]?'
[Copy] – any skill used against the user for an extended period will slowly be absorbed by your being. [Ultimate] and [Unique] skills cannot be copied directly by their sub-skills can be copied as a result.
[Replication] – this technique replicates the art used by a target in battle to an efficiency that is similar or greater. As the target fights and uses their skills [Replication] allows the user to adapt accordingly. Replicable arts include martial arts, weapon proficiency, magic techniques and other relevant arts.
[Skill Disable] – allows the to neutralize targets skills, however the cost of magicules is identical to that of the skill. For Ultimate Skills only sub-skills can be neutralized.
[Drainage] – this skill allows the user to passively absorb magicules from their environment to gradually increase their magicule reserves. Excess magicules will be stored within [Stomach] skill. Dwelling in area of high amounts of magicules will increase the rate at which they are absorbed, resulting in the users growth rate increasing.
'Woah…' I said as I tried to digest all that. So not only could I copy the skills of monsters I ate through [Predator] but I could gain skills through fighting as well, that's not even thinking about being able to copy my opponent techniques.
Still that first part about being able to sense and mess with the desires and emotions of my targets was a little unnerving. Don't get me wrong, sensing emotions would come in hand plenty, but manipulating that of others was something I didn't want to do unless necessary.
'That skill sounds awesome to have.' I thought as the applications of these abilities, taking into account my other abilities there were a lot of ways my skills could be used together.
Resistances? Those hadn't been mentioned in the classifications of skills [Great Sage ] had listed before. Still it sounded like it was useful to know.
'Sure thing' I responded.
[Thermal Fluctuation Resistance] – formed from the union of [Heat Resistance] and [Cold Resistance].
[Paralysis Resistance]
[Piecing Resistance]
[Pain Nullification]
'Guess that explains why I don't feel hot or cold in this body. Or why I didn't feel pain earlier on when I fell.' I thought to myself a I mentally went through the resistances that had been listed.
Looking ahead of me I noticed a field of flowers not too far away from where I was. It was strange to see flowers growing so well on a dark place like this. The ground might be moist due to the damp environment, but that alone shouldn't have been enough for them to turn out so well.
' Hey [Great Sage, is it possible to analyze those flowers?' I asked mentally.
' Yes' I responded, almost immediately, I felt a miniscule amount of energy leave my body and travel towards my eyes. I had no idea what it looked like from an outside perspective.
But to me, my eyesight became so much sharper, shifting my gaze towards the white plants, I saw the analysis take effect, almost as though I was scanning the plants with my own eyes. It felt strangely weird, and yet natural too, as if I'd always had the ability to do that. I decided not to think to much about it and instead just be glad it wasn't creepy or something.
'If that's true then that means this cave is rich in magicules since its loaded with these hipokute herbs.' I thought to myself, my [Drainage] skill would also be working at greater efficiency whilst I was in this cave as well, but I wasn't expecting to get stronger overnight or anything, it was bound to be a week maybe two before I noticed anything. Still, these herbs were awesome, 'Hey [Great Sage] does that mean if I eat these plants with my [Predator] skill I can store them in my [Stomach] and convert them into potions or something?'
"Lets do it." I said out loud as I moved to the edge of the field of flowers and stood in front of a single flower. Without another word I lowered my head till it was a bit above the flowers and opened my mouth as if I was about to eat it.
Instead a small vacuum of energy, that I assumed were actually magicules, appeared and literally sucked in the flowers I was standing I front of. In a second about six of them were sucked up, before I stopped.
'So how we looking?' I asked [Great Sage, I wanted to see how many potions I could get from the few that we collected.
'A one as to two ratio, that's a lot better than what I assumed I'd actually need to make a potion, especially one as grand as a full recovery potion!! That's totally awesome!!' These plants must have been filled with powerful stuff if they could make recovery potions of such quality. And with the ones I could see alone I could probably make more than a hundred.
And so with that I began grinding potions like a madman, running around all over the pace and just sucking in these things and stocking them up for that rainy day or whatever.
~~~
Man, how long have I been here now. It certainly feels like its been a day or two, maybe more. My sense of time has been totally messed up by the lack of sun or anything in this dark cave.
Either way I've been doing nothing but gathering hipokute herbs and magistone ore, a rare and valuable mineral I discovered not too long after the herbs, and storing them in [Stomach]. But at this point I've been doing it more out of boredom rather than out of necessity or anything like that.
Still I'd gathered tones of both stuff so I can't really complain about this goldmine of a place.
Oh and I'd also gotten two new skills whilst I was playing around, both of them being water related. The first being [Water Propulsion, I got it after deciding to go for a swim just for the sake of it, using my four feet and tail to push myself forward. And later on learned the skill [Water Movement] as I went down stream, venturing deeper and deeper into the cave.
Aside from that and my continuous grinding of herbs and magistone, I'd yet to come across anyone else in this place. Not another creature or living being in sight. At the very least I had [Great Sage] to keep me from being completely alone, but even I was starting to miss the normal social interactions that every human or living creature needed.
'This sucks, I kinda just wish I'd run into somebody already.' Whether it was friend or foe, it would definitely be better than this solitude.
'Little one. '
Huh…what was that?! For a second there I thought I heard a voice in my head! One that clearly belong to [Great Sage]. It sounded feminine, and yet was loud and powerful. Did that mean there was someone else nearby?
' Can you hear me, child of mine'
'Who's there?!' I asked in mild panic. While I was pretty sure I could handle myself fine in a fight, that doesn't mean I was about to go picking one with the first creature I saw.
Besides, this voice didn't seem hostile, it was powerful yes, but it didn't seem to have any ill intentions from what I could hear. Still I couldn't let my guard down.
'Is that anyway to speak to your elders.' The voice said as it sounded amused, in that moment a bright light came into my line of sight, it was coming from what looked like a tunnel not too far from where I was right now, 'Why don't you come and find out.'
I would look back on this day in the future, and ask myself what it was that prompted me to take those steps towards the light at the other end of the tunnel? All common logic should have told me to flee, to ignore the voice in my head and just turn away, and yet for some reason I moved forward on my four legs.
And that is how I was born into this world, and how I met the Storm Dragon, Veredia.
I'll be honest, genderbending Veldora was always going to be a bit of a tricky thing for me, his character and personality are a irreplaceable in the anime.
And now I have to find I way to mix that with a feminine and motherly vibe as well.
Oh well, guess that's my problem and not yours!!
I am looking for someone who can both cross check my chapters and even give me ideas on how to further develop my story!!