Chapter 3: Trial by Element
The cavern air grew heavier as the four elementals flickered into existence. Fire crackled with searing heat, wind howled in sharp gusts, water rippled with fluid grace, and earth stood steady and unyielding. Their ethereal forms shimmered, bound by Veldora's will.
Joshua's core thrummed as his Heavenly Appraisal began breaking down their composition. His golden streaks pulsed faintly, while his black body rippled as if caught between two halves of himself.
Rimuru quivered beside him, his azure slime form jittering with nervous energy.
"So... we just have to beat them without eating them, right?"
Veldora's deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Indeed. This trial will test your control. Mindless consumption is the path of beasts. If you wish to walk the road of strength, you must conquer both body and mind."
Joshua's streaks flickered. His system whispered in his mind.
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[System Notice: Combat Commencing]
[Objective: Defeat All Opponents Without Consuming Them]
[Bonus Objective: Subdue Enemies Without Lethal Force]
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Joshua's golden streaks pulsed brighter. The system's challenge aligned with his own instincts. His angelic half urged him to preserve life, while his demonic half itched to devour. Balancing both would define his path.
He glanced at Rimuru.
"I'll take Wind and Fire... You handle Water and Earth."
Rimuru quivered but bounced forward eagerly.
"Got it! Let's show this oversized lizard what we're made of!"
Veldora's amused snort echoed through the cavern, but he said nothing.
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Rimuru vs. Water & Earth
The water elemental struck first, launching a stream of liquid bullets toward Rimuru. The azure slime wobbled, barely dodging as the attacks splashed against the rocky ground.
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[Analysis Complete: Water Elemental]
Attribute: Water
Threat Level: F
Special Trait: Fluid Body, Water Shot
[Suggestion: Counterattack with Water Shot.]
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Rimuru focused inward. The sensation of magicules danced through his core, guided by Great Sage. He mimicked the attack, releasing a small jet of water from his own body.
The elemental staggered, its liquid form rippling.
"Alright! That's one down—"
A jagged spike of earth shot toward him, narrowly missing. The earth elemental lumbered forward, each step making the ground tremble.
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[Analysis Complete: Earth Elemental]
Attribute: Earth
Threat Level: F+
Special Trait: Stone Armor, Earth Spike
[Suggestion: Soften the target with Water Shot, then strike with physical impact.]
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Rimuru followed the advice, drenching the elemental's hardened body before launching himself forward. His gelatinous form compressed before slamming into the softened earth, shattering the spirit's unstable form.
The elemental crumbled into harmless dust.
"Yes! Two down!"
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Joshua vs. Wind & Fire
Joshua's core pulsed as the wind elemental struck first. Blades of air shimmered in the dim light, slicing toward him with deadly precision.
He shifted, his golden streaks flickering as his body split for a brief moment—half black, half gold—before reforming.
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[Darkfang — Partial Activation]
[Prey Identified: Wind Elemental]
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The demonic half of him surged forward, mist-like tendrils snapping out. The elemental scattered, reforming at a distance.
Joshua's streaks dimmed as he reined himself back. Devouring the enemy would be simple—but that wasn't the goal.
Balance.
His angelic half flared next, his Heavenly Appraisal guiding him.
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[Countermeasures Identified: Disrupt Core Stability through Pressure Points]
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Joshua shifted tactics. His mist coiled tighter, forming thin tendrils that lashed out at the elemental's core. The wind spirit flickered violently before dissolving into harmless motes of light.
The fire elemental attacked next, launching searing fireballs. Joshua's golden streaks brightened.
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[Absorption Skill: Heat Resistance Acquired]
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The flames washed over him, harmless. Joshua advanced slowly, his dark mist pinning the elemental down without harming it.
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[Fire Elemental Neutralized]
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When the last elemental vanished, silence fell over the cavern.
Veldora's crimson eyes narrowed, faintly impressed.
"Hmph... Not bad for newborns."
Joshua's form flickered, his golden streaks dimming as his core stabilized.
"We followed your orders... but what was the point of holding back?"
Veldora's laughter echoed through the chamber, low and rumbling.
"Control, little one. Destruction is easy. Any fool can devour their enemies... but true strength lies in restraint."
Rimuru quivered thoughtfully.
"So you're saying... power without control is just violence?"
Veldora's eyes flickered.
"Precisely. If you wish to survive in this world, you must become more than beasts."
Joshua's streaks pulsed faintly as the dragon's words settled in his mind. The constant pull of his duality gnawed at him—light and shadow warring within.
Balance.
"Then teach us." His voice echoed softly.
"Teach us how to control what we are."
For a long moment, the ancient dragon was silent. Then, slowly, his crimson eyes softened.
"Very well... Tempest Brothers. I shall forge you into something this world has never seen."
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System Notice
[Training Pact Formed — Veldora Tempest]
[Progression Unlocked: Magic Control, Combat Arts, Elemental Affinity]
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Joshua's mind flickered with new pathways—visions of spells and techniques whispered at the edge of his consciousness. His core pulsed steadily, both halves of his being inching closer to balance.
Beside him, Rimuru quivered excitedly, already imagining the strength they would gain.
Veldora's deep voice echoed one final time.
"Rest now... Tomorrow, your true training begins."
Joshua's golden streaks dimmed, his core steady for the first time in what felt like forever.
"We'll be ready."
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End of Chapter 3