It's been three months since I've met Rimuru and Veldora. Mine and Rimuru's time together has been spent exploring every aspect of this cave.
While Rimuru went around absorbing every Hipokute Herb and Magic Ore he found, I've spent my time analysing my new body and my skills.
So far this is what I was able to get with my Memory skill.
```
" Extra Skill『Memory』
Hasten Thought: Boosts perception speed by a thousand times.
Analyse & Assess: Analyzes and assesses the target.
Parallel Operation: Operates on any matter you wish to analyze, separating it from the regular thought process.
Interpretation: Translates and automates complex information and systems for the user.
Storage & Recollection: Stores and retrieves all the information the user has.
All of Creation: The fundamental understanding of everything that exists in this world.
"
" Unique Skill『Sublimation』
Refinement: Purifies raw materials, magical energy, or even concepts into their highest possible quality.
Elevation: Raises the rank of a target. Success chance increases with user's understanding of the target.
Alchemy: Manipulates the very structure of a target altering its properties and form.
"
" Unique Skill『Divergence』
Severance: Divides composite targets into their constituent parts.
Deviation: Creates an area that slightly alters outcomes to favour the user.
Extraction: Draws out the fundamental nature of a target, isolating its core concept.
Rejection: Creates an invisible thin protective barrier around the user. Cancels any form of mental attack.
"
" Intrinsic Skill『Elemental Operation』
Attunement: Instantly senses and harmonizes with the elemental composition of any environment or target. Attunement increases control and reduces energy cost.
Manifestation: Calls forth raw elemental force into physical existence.
Synergy: Combines two or more elements simultaneously to create compound effects.
Absorption: Absorbs magicules from the surroundings, converting them into Elemental energy. Absorbed energy can be used to stimulate regeneration.
Nature Dominion: Gives control over all elements around the user.
"
```
I got all this information through Memory and since then I've been experimenting with my skills.
The first thing I did was practise my elemental abilities, it seemed natural as I am an elemental.
The first element I practised with was wind. I had lost my natural ability to levitate when I acquired my magic body so I looked for a faster way of movement.
To replicate flight I used the same principle that wings, helicopters, and hovercrafts use to stay above ground.
The lift happens when air pressure below an object is higher than above it. By manipulating wind to compress air beneath me and at the same time, lower pressure above myself, I can create a stable upward force.
Maintaining it would have been a hassle as I would have constantly had to regulate the pressure above and below myself at all times just to stay floating. Fortunately the Interpretation and Parallel Operation ability of Memory helped significantly in reducing the burden.
After a few practice rounds I was able to completely control my new float ability. I called this ability of mine Aero-Force.
My second wind related ability is Vortex Cannon. An explosion of air pressure that crushes and flings things.
Phase 1: Air Gathering
Pulled wind from all directions inward.
The air around me becomes unnaturally still beyond the focal point.
The pressure interferes with sound waves.
Phase 2: Compression
The air density increases rapidly.
Molecules are forced so close together that temperature spikes.
The pressure shell is invisible.
Normally ears pop and lungs strain during this process, however due to my magic body, I can sit inside this pressure zone without worrying about crushed organs.
Phase 3: Detonation
The pressure containment collapses outward.
Air expands faster than sound can propagate.
A hemispherical or spherical shockwave erupts.
This ability is powerful but dangerous in close spaces like a cave or around allies. To combat this I created a lesser version of it where instead of creating what is essentially a pressure nuke, I concentrated the wind into my fist to give my punches an explosive effect. I have named this technique Pressure Fist.
I took down a few monsters with this attack. Although the aftermath was a very bloody sight.
Next element was water. I took inspiration from Rimuru's water blade and steel thread skills to create Aqua Thread.
The basis is thin strands of water that can bind and cut through tough materials. I could get the binding part correct but the cutting part was giving me problems.
Then I remembered industrial water jet cutters exist. Those machines cut steel using: Water pressurised to absurd levels, stream thinner than a needle, and velocity near supersonic.
If I compressed each thread into a near-solid column and used water manipulation to continuously reinforce pressure.
Forced water molecules into a tight directional alignment with minimal lateral movement, it will prevent splashing and maximise impact force on a microscopic point. This makes the thread behave like a vibrating blade.
The thread isn't static. It vibrates at extremely high frequencies, too fast to see, and enough to exploit microscopic flaws in materials. It is similar to ultrasonic cutting tools and diamond wire saws.
After all that altering I was able to complete my Aqua Thread. It cut through even the toughest magic ore. I could use it as a lasso or lay it out like a spider web to trap things.
I was satisfied with my current elemental abilities so I moved on to Sublimation and Divergence.
Both these skills required a significant amount of analysing and knowledge.
With Divergence I could use Severance to separate the whole of an object into separate parts. To do this I had to understand the molecular structure of the object and the precise force needed to separate it.
Once I had figured it out using Memory, I could accurately separate parts from their whole. I used it on magic ore to separate the magicules from the ore.
I also tested what would happen if I used full power on an object. Let's just say I might never use that on a person because it completely vaporised it. When at full power it completely strips down the target into atoms.
I'll have to be careful with it. I also figured out I could imbue Severance into my Aqua Thread to increase its capabilities.
Sublimation was last and similar to Divergence as it required a significant amount of analysing and knowledge to operate.
I first had to understand the molecular structure of an object, which was handled thanks to Memory, then I had to figure out how to alter that molecular structure into a different one to change the object.
I experimented with magic ore using Refinement and Alchemy I altered it into magic steel. It took a few tries but I was able to fully convert a piece of it.
Sublimation was able to maintain my spiritual form by using magicules to alter its structure.
My other skills are self explanatory: Puppeteer allows me to control my magic body and I can control the body of another being as well, and Shapeshifting allows me to alter my form.
Shapeshifting is similar to Rimuru's Mimicry Skill, however I can freely manipulate my body while Rimuru can also turn into the targets he absorbs.
In these three months we have been exploring the cave and testing out our skills.
And finally we have arrived at our destination, the cave entrance.
"So... How to get it open?" Rimuru asked looking at the large metal door.
"We could simply blast the door open," I levitated behind him, rocks and dust blowing away from me in a gentle breeze.
"It seemed like a decent idea," but as we thought it over, the door opened by itself with a creak. Flustered, Rimuru scurried over to one side of the path and I lifted myself to the roof of the cave and we both watched.
"Whew! Finally got this thing open. The whole lockin' mechanism must've rusted out…," someone said.
"Yeah, I'll bet. Nobody's even tried going in for three hundred years or whatever, right?" replied a second voice.
"There is no record of anyone attempting an entry. Are you sure we're safe? We are not leaving ourselves open to sudden attack…?" commented a third.
"Gah-hah-hah-hah!" laughed the second one. "Come on. Maybe this guy was invincible a few centuries back, but it's just a big overgrown lizard, y'know? I told you guys 'bout how I bagged a basilisk solo once, didn't I? It'll be fine!"
"I was wondering about that, actually," the third replied. "Are you sure that's the truth, Kabal? A basilisk is a B-plus-ranked monster. You truly handled that by yourself?"
"Quit playing dumb! I'm B ranked, y'know! Some huge reptile ain't gonna faze me!"
"All right, all right. Just keep your guard up, if you could. And remember, we can always use my Escape skill if things turn sour…"
"Can we save the friendly chitchat for later?" the first interjected. "I need some quiet. It's just about time for me to activate Concealing Arts!"
Three of them, it sounded like, none of them making much of an effort at stealth. I discovered a few months ago that I can translate sound waves filled with intent via Magic Sense and I just figured out that it works as intended.
"Hey, do you guys feel a draft?" The third looked around.
"Yeah, where's it coming from?" I realised my levitation caused a draft in the cave.
"We'll figure it out later." They moved on as the third used his concealing arts to completely hide their presence and make them invisible.
'I wonder what he learned that for. Not for sneaking into people's bedrooms, hopefully. How scandalous. I'll have to make friends with him later.' I heard Rimuru's voice in my head and got mad.
For the three months I've known him, his perverted nature still annoys me till this day. 'Get your filthy mind out of the gutter old man!'
'What are you talking about I didn't say nothin you feel.'
'Denial is for the weak! Now let's get out of here before they notice us!'
'Hmph!'
'You are a grown man stop pouting!'
He quickly hopped out of the entrance and I followed.