The academy was a massive building, its halls echoing with the chatter of students of all ages. However, in a secluded corner of the school, a group of children the world had given up on. They were waiting to die at any moment, most of them having only a few months to years before the magicules inside them consumed them.
Their bodies were too weak to adapt to the new world, and they were set to burst any day without any real way to control or contain it. They didn't have a unique skill to help them use their magicules or control it, so the force was slowly accumulating.
Shizue stood before the classroom door, taking a deep breath before knocking in a familiar pattern. Moments ago, the room had been filled with noise, but now it fell silent in recognition.
"Do you want to build a snowman?" Shizue's voice rang out playfully, instantly met with the children's excited screams. They burst through the door, surrounding her in a flurry of hugs and cheerful shouts.
"Shizu!" They all shouted in unison, their voices overlapping in their eagerness.
"I thought you weren't coming back!" Exclaimed Kenya Misaki, a young boy with spiky orange hair and dark eyes.
"Your mask! You aren't wearing your mask?" Added Alice Rondo, a girl with long blonde hair and pink eyes.
Shizue laughed, patiently answering their barrage of questions. Meanwhile, a few students eyed Rimuru with curiosity. One student, in particular, caught his attention, a young girl with waist-length black hair and curious eyes.
With Shizue occupied, the girl, Chloe, approached Rimuru.
"Is that Shizu-sensei's mask?" The young girl asked curiously. "She never used to take it off…."
As she asked, Rimuru felt a pang of discomfort from deep within his stomach.
'Veldora, you good, bro?' He asked, but he didn't get any answer.
Turning his focus back to Chloe, Rimuru nodded.
"Yup, I helped Shizue, so she gave me her mask. It's actually pretty comfortable." He said, giving her a thumbs up. He reached for the mask, pulling it off and letting his aura slip out slightly as the concealed magicules spread.
He was still working on containing his magicules so that he wouldn't cause any problems while in the middle of the streets, but this was far enough that he could take it off and not draw too much attention.
"Wanna give it a try?" He offered, watching as Chloe's eyes widened with excitement. "I'll need it back after class, but you can play with it for now."
She nodded shyly. As he placed the mask on her head, it resized itself to fit perfectly. Despite her hidden expression, Rimuru could sense her happiness.
"Wait! That's not fair! How come Chloe gets the mask? I wanna try it out too!" Alice shouted, running towards Chloe. Laughing mischievously, Chloe dashed away, the mask still on her face.
After a few more moments of the kids reuniting with Shizue, she grabbed their attention by clapping her hands loudly.
"Alright! Settle down! I want to introduce you to your other teacher for some time."
Her words caused all the kids to quickly run to their seats, with Chloe even taking off the mask to make sure Shizue knew she was listening.
"This is Rimuru Tempest. He is the one who saved my life and the reason I was able to come back here to meet you all again. Say 'Hi Rimuru-sensei.'" Shizue said with a smile, and a few moments later, the class responded.
"Hi, Rimuru-sensei!" They echoed in unison.
It was surprising to see just how much the kids respected her. From what he remembered, it took Ranga scaring them by threatening to bite them if they misbehaved in the original timeline.
Stepping forward after Shizue nodded at him, Rimuru waved to the class.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Rimuru Tempest, and I am a Slime. I'll be helping Shizue-sensei with your lessons and, hopefully, finding a way to stabilize your conditions." He began, even though Sage had told him that no one was listening, he still wanted to be careful.
"I am also the proud co-creator of the famous 'For Dummies' series of books back in Jura. So expect to learn a lot while I am here." He added playfully, observing the class as they began to whisper to each other.
A few hands shot up, and he pointed to one of the older kids, a brown-haired boy named Gale Gibson.
"You said you were a slime? What do you mean?" Gale asked, earning a few nods from the classroom.
"Ah, that?" Rimuru said with a mischievous smile. With a theatrical jump, he transformed into his slime form.
The kids gasped in amazement, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Woah! That's so cool! Can you transform into other stuff?" Kenya shouted, leaning forward to get a closer look.
Rimuru bounced up a little, enjoying their reactions.
"Yup, I can transform into a ton of stuff. I usually go around in a Kijin form because I like the horns. I just think they're neat." He answered, trying his best to be friendly despite his lack of experience with kids. In truth, he was enjoying acting like a teacher.
Teaching Shuna and Shion had felt different, like instructing prodigies who quickly grasped everything. The child-like wonder he saw now was refreshing.
Alice raised her hand next, but she shouted without waiting to be called on.
"Can we touch you? You look squishable!"
Rimuru hesitated for a moment, but after seeing Shizue's encouraging smile, he shrugged. His slime body jiggled as he did.
"Uh… Sure?"
The moment he agreed, the kids surged forward, picking him up and stretching him as if he were made of Play-Doh. Laughter and giggles filled the room as they tested his elasticity.
[Activating Eros' drain in order to stabilize the current magicules inside of their bodies.]
'Sage… doesn't Eros… you know?' Rimuru asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he saw a couple of the kids jump back in surprise.
[Child safety mode has been engaged. Adapting Eros' sensory activation. Adaptation complete.]
'Thanks,' Rimuru chuckled internally.
Immediately, all the kids began to shout, surprised as they continued to poke him, with a few of them trying to pick him up.
"Woah! I feel lighter!" Kenya exclaimed, his excitement palpable.
"Gimme! My turn!" Alice demanded, snatching Rimuru from Kenya's grasp.
One by one, the kids fought for their turn, each feeling the strain of the magicules vanishing as they held him.
After a few more moments of being passed around, Rimuru gave an awkward cough and transformed back into his human form.
"Alright, alright, that's enough. Now you're all just making me uncomfortable," he said, prompting a few disappointed looks before Shizue clapped her hands to regain their attention.
"Alright, everyone, back to your seats. We have a lot to cover today."
Reluctantly, the kids returned to their seats, prompting a smile and nod of approval from Shizue.
"I wanted to tell you all about the amazing place I stumbled upon during my travels. I'm planning to take all of you there. It's way cooler than Englassia, and there are many things for you to do. In fact, Rimuru here is the king of the area."
Shizue's eyes sparkled with excitement as she began to describe the wonders she had seen and her plans for them. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear to the kids that she truly believed they could be saved.
Before her trip, Shizue had always spoken with confidence, reassuring them that she would try her best. But now, her smile was so bright and genuine that the kids couldn't help but feel safe, a feeling they hadn't experienced since being brought into this world.
One by one, their eyes turned to Rimuru. They were smart enough to realize that he was likely the reason for Shizue's newfound hope.
— — —
Rimuru bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to take the kids to Ramiris' Labyrinth. His recent arrival had drawn too much attention, making any sudden moves risky. However, he was already laying the groundwork for the transition.
While he waited, he focused on being the best teacher he could be. Surprisingly, he found teaching enjoyable. With Sage's assistance and the extensive knowledge from the For Dummies books, the kids were learning at an impressive pace. In fact, he had even begun to run competitions to encourage them to learn as much as they could.
He had also run around the private library of Englassia with his teacher privileges and gathered so much information that Sage had practically leaped with joy. Or, well, at least he liked to imagine they did since Sage didn't really give any reaction.
He had gathered enough information about magic to keep his promise to Shuna to teach her personally. In fact, he had enough information to revolutionize Tempest's current magic comprehension level.
"Rimuru-sensei! I'm done!" Chloe said with joy as she stood up and raised her book. The rest of the kids turned to look at her with jealousy before burying their heads in the books and continuing to study hoping to get second place.
"For my prize, I want to hug you again!" She demanded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Some of the other kids looked even more jealous.
Rimuru sighed. He hadn't intended for hugs to be a reward, but the kids had insisted. Apparently, he was the most huggable being in existence. Even the Rimuru pillows he had offered weren't enough to satisfy them, the little addicts.
"Do you have the new one?"
Rimuru made a manga appear on top of him after she asked.
"Here ya go." He said, watching as Chloe's face lit up with joy.
"You're the best!" she declared, rushing back to her desk. She sat down, legs swinging in excitement as she began to read.
Soon after, Ryota Sekiguchi finished his homework and approached Rimuru.
"I want to learn more about Shunpo! I think I'm getting the hang of it."
"Alright, show me your footwork again." Rimuru asked after nodding.
One by one, the kids completed their homework, exchanging their rewards for new spells, manga, or quick hugs.
Shizue watched in amazement. The kids had learned more in the past week than they had in all the time she had taught them. Some were even beginning to read this world's language, thanks to Rimuru's decision to provide the manga in the local language.
Relaxing at his desk, Rimuru felt a slight tug on the thread bracelet on his wrist.
"I'll be right back. Make sure you behave." He instructed, using Shunpo to disappear. He reappeared at a hidden teleportation circle, vanishing in an instant.
Back in Tempest, Rimuru made his way to his office, where Souei awaited with a stack of papers.
"Lord Rimuru, Falmuth is starting to stir. Everything is going exactly as you predicted. The moment you appeared in Englassia is when things began to change. At the pace they are moving, we expect them to be ready to attack in about a month and a half."
Souei placed a few reports on the desk.
Picking them up and using Sage, he instantly scanned them and nodded.
'Sage, how does this affect our plans?'
[Notice. It is recommended that you try to visit Ramiris' Labyrinth in approximately two weeks.]
[Notice. A new variation has been generated. It is suggested that the user attempts to summon the Primordial of Black, Noir before the invasion takes place using the bodies created as an offering. Their quality is unparalleled, and they will grow alongside you.]
[The assistance of Noir would be invaluable in ensuring everything goes according to plan.]
'Wouldn't it be better to try to summon them now?' Rimuru asked.
[Negative. Due to the low limitation on the bodies created for the Daemons, it is recommended that the first summoning takes place during the Labyrinth to catch as much attention as possible. Due to the limitation of time in which the bodies must bathe in your magicules, only the three bodies created will be ready when the time comes.]
Nodding his head, Rimuru turned back to Souei.
"You are doing great. Continue gathering information, and don't hesitate to report to me if there is anything you think is important, no matter how small it might seem. Remember, if it comes between us or them, then we will choose the lives of Tempest's citizens every time." Rimuru said, his eyes narrowing in anger as he pictured his people dying.
Souei nodded his head, preparing to leave to gather more information.
"Lord Rimuru, is there anything else you need me to relay?"
Shaking his head, Rimuru answered.
"Nothing you haven't heard already. Remember, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves. If one of your spies gets themselves killed because they were being reckless, then tell them I will bring them back to life and kill them myself again for being stupid." Rimuru said with a deadly serious voice.
A small, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Souei's face as he heard him.
"There are a lot of strong enemies on Falmuth's side, and until all of the pieces are in place, we cannot alert them. So keep your distance from Razen."
"Understood, Lord Rimuru. I will make sure that not a single one of our spies is noticed, and if they are, that they leave no evidence of their activites."
With those words, Souei vanished. Not long after, he saw Shuna walking in with a smile.
"Having fun?" She asked with a playful tone as she placed down some snacks.
"Depends. Are you talking about the war or being a teacher?" Rimuru asked, chuckling slightly.
"Teacher." Shuna added with a giggle.
"It's honestly pretty fun…" Rimuru admitted, letting a smile appear on his face. "I have been in king mode since I got here, and it feels kind of nice to sit back and be a teacher."
He said before taking a sip of the tea she had brought.
"How did it go with the speech? I have been hearing rumors about it all the way back to Englassia."
"I enjoyed it. It was a chance to show the world who we are. Gazel even told me that I should be the one to give speeches from now on for Tempest. A respectable 9/10 in his eyes."
"9/10? Want me to go and give Gazel a few whacks in the head? I heard that it was nothing if not the perfect 10." Rimuru joked, causing her to chuckle.
After spending a few more moments catching up, Shuna filled Rimuru in on everything he had missed while he was away, from news about Frey to the Crimson Knights finally mastering Sun Breathing.
A few of the other breathing styles had already been completed and passed for Tempest's army to learn, yet they were still a work in progress. Hakuro was the only one to master Sage's new style. His specialty, however, was focused on Mist Breathing.
As they sat together enjoying their time, Rimuru looked at the ceiling before asking.
"Hey, Shuna… wanna have a kid?"
For the first time since he had met her, he saw Shuna's composed and elegant demeanor break as she choked on the tea she was drinking, taking a few moments to compose herself before a bright smile appeared on her face, the brightest smile that she had ever made.
"More than anything." She said, shaking her head as she laughed. "But we should probably wait. It wouldn't be good to lose strength before a war. Once we are sure we have created a peaceful place, let's have kids then. Ok? I don't mind the wait."
Chuckling, Rimuru stood up, scooping her into his arms before nodding.
"Deal. Now, how about we have a little private magic lesson? It just so happens that I have learned a bunch of new spells recently."
— — —
Special Thanks to my Beta Readers/Editors: The one, the only, the amazing @Basilisk, the Aussie @LuluViBritania (FF.N, SB, WN and QQ)/-LuluViB|99th Britannian Emperor(Discord) and @Kiyan Tribe (FF.net/AO3/QQ/WN) | kiyan_tribe( Discord)
Go Check out Basilisk's great story "I'm a Daemon, so what?"
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