When Rimuru and the others finally left, I finally had a quieter moment to plan what I was going to do next.
Rimuru would take about 10 days to return, and by that time, I already knew perfectly well what I had to do.
Since my arrival in this world, I have always been bothered by the low efficiency of my abilities compared to other unique skills, and I planned to try to change that.
The first few days, I would simply train to the limit of my strength until I was exhausted.
The last few days, before Rimuru returned, I would go to Veldora’s cave to carry out my little experiment.
What experiment?, you might ask.
Well, after so much time and the small attempt to store information in my “Filter,” I could finally feel that I was hitting some kind of ceiling.
Therefore, I planned to force an awakening, evolution, or whatever I could achieve with my “Speculator” ability.
The strategy was as follows: I would absorb the largest amount of Veldora’s magicules present in the cave’s atmosphere and store them in my “Filter,” along with the supposed information I had managed to keep in it.
Once full, or almost full, I would pour all my mana—both from my natural capacity and from my “Blind Core”—into my storage.
The only thing left after this was to pray.
Honestly, the plan wasn’t very convincing, but I hoped it would be enough.
Before heading to the cave, during my days of intense training, I gave some orders to the wolves and goblins, and I helped them build a kind of temporary houses with the help of earth magic.
When I finally finished everything, I said goodbye to the villagers, telling them I would be away for a couple of days.
Having finished my part in the village, I headed straight to Veldora’s cave.
When I entered, the atmosphere immediately felt heavier, but I didn’t start absorbing magic right away.
I kept delving deeper and deeper into the cave until I reached the spot that seemed to have the highest concentration of magicules.
—Well, finally here.
Thank God I haven’t had any interruptions on the way; I’ll have to thank Rimuru for that.
After securing the perimeter against any possible interruption, I positioned myself comfortably and began my work.
The first step was to absorb enough magicules, but due to the extremely low absorption level of my “Filter,” filling it took me the entire first day.
Yes, an entire day.
It’s not that my storage space was huge, nor that there were few magicules; it just seemed like they were being sucked in thru a straw.
“Pretty sad, I really need to improve that in the future,” I thought.
After resting for a while, I got to the next step of my experiment: trying to insert or store my ability “Speculator” within “Filter.” This was the most difficult part of the entire process.
No matter how much I tried, I was incapable.
But I kept insisting with different and new approaches, and after more than half a day, I succeeded.
To finish, I just had to use store all my own magicules in filter and pray for a good outcome.
When I finished overloading my “Filter,” I began to feel my insides heat up and, after a sudden prick in what I thought was my heart, my consciousness faded.
I didn’t know how much time had passed, but when I opened my eyes again, I was still in the cave.
Thanking any god, and Rimuru, for making sure no creature attacked me, I began to check the results of my experiment.
The first thing was that the two abilities I had put into “Filter” had automatically separated from it.
“Blind Core” remained the same, but I soon noticed that “Speculator” had changed.
Before I could check the details manually, an unconscious thought to know the new capabilities made a completely robotic and monotone voice resonate in my head.
“Speculator”: —The restrictions on the “Speculator” ability have been successfully removed.
Here I realized some things I didn’t expect.
The first thing was that, when the voice sounded in my head, a tiny amount of magicules was consumed.
The other thing was that my “Speculator” could communicate with me in the same way “Great Sage” did with Rimuru, when it was supposed to be a unique ability of Rimuru due to the conditions in which he arrived in this world.
I suppose spending 120 days alone in a cave and lost in the woods isn’t all that different.
Hoping to receive a reason, I asked my skill:
—”Speculator,” could you explain the spending of magicules and why you can talk?
“Speculator”: —The ability to communicate originates from your inner desire and the image of the intelligent skill you have in your head, derived from Rimuru’s interaction with the “Unique Skill: ” Great Sage.” The expenditure of magic is the consequence of your state as an anomaly in this world.
Being outside the system created by the star king Veldanava, interaction with the world requires a small amount of energy as a medium.
“One more thing confirmed,” I thought.
—Alright, “Speculator.” Tell me the exact capabilities of my current state.
After the small expenditure of magic and a few seconds that I suspect were for analysis, I received my answer.
“Speculator”: —The current state of all your abilities, except “Speculator,” is as follows: all are in a weakened and corrupted state due to the conditions in which you came into the world.
Proceeding with the analysis:
Note: ( ( O.C ) = ( Original creation ) –> later on i explain them )
Unique skill: “Speculator”
– Sub-skills:
>”Analytical Appraisal”
>”All of Creation”
>”Chant Annulment”
>”Speculator” ( O.C )
Unique skill: “Filter” ( weakened state )
– Sub-skills:
>”Inventary” ( O.C )
>”Absorption”
>”isolation”
Unique skill: “Blind Core” ( weakened state )
– Sub-skills:
>”Amplifier” ( O.C )
>”Generator” ( O.C )
>”Core” ( O.C )
>”Self-Sufficient” ( O.C )
Unique skill: “Anomaly” ( weakened state )
– Sub-skills:
>”Anomaly” ( O.C )
>”Mana Jamming”
“Speculator”: —Analysis: The sub-skill:”analysis” that “Filter” contained has been absorbed by “Speculator.” Most of the sub-skills in possession are in a state of reduced performance, except for “Speculator”, causing the overall performance to be reduced.
It took me a while to understand all the abilities I had but couldn’t use effectively.
It was somewhat frustrating to have so many possibilities but to know that they were limited only by the conditions of my arrival in this world.
But well, my complaints right now have no value.
Making a quick decision, inspired by how Rimuru did it with his ability, I gave an order to “Speculator”.
—”Speculator,” I need you to connect and take charge of directing my other skills, just like “Great Sage” does.
“Speculator”: —Understood.
—I also need you to compare your ability with that of “Great Sage” for a reference, and tell me if there is any possible way, like some evolution, that could remove the limitations of my abilities.
(Note: Until I indicate otherwise, “Speculator” will use magic to perform analyzes and answer questions).
“Speculator”: —My calculation and analysis ability compared to that of the “Unique Skill: Great Sage” is approximately 70%, but I possess the sub-skill “Speculator,” which provides more flexibility in analysis and allows the use of information from other works to achieve more positive results.
The breaking of the current limitations in the skills can be undone thru a forced evolution, just as you did exactly 3 hours, 43 minutes, and 54 seconds ago.
—Ummh, that makes sense.
Most of the sub-skills we have are very similar when we talk about “Great Sage” and “Speculator.” The only difference is that I don’t have “Thought Acceleration” and he doesn’t have “Speculator.” Although, honestly, not having “Thought Acceleration” is a problem for future battles.
“Speculator,” how can I force an evolution?
—I asked.
“Speculator”: —Calculating the most optimal conditions for the user’s evolution.
Using the knowledge of the world to plan the most optimal strategy…-
After hearing those simple commands, I didn’t hear “Speculator’s” voice for more than an hour, which I used to run out of the cave, as the planning process was passively consuming my magic.
Being calmer outside the cave, I waited for “Speculator” to finish the plan, which didn’t take more than another twenty minutes.
Finally, I heard the response.
“Speculator”: —Plan for the forced evolution of the individual known as Kaelion: The “Voice of the World” does not recognize the existence of the user, so the evolution process cannot follow one of the evolutionary systems of this world, such as the “Harvest Festival” or receiving a name, as you already possess one.
Evolution will have to be carried out thru calculations and catalysts.
The desires and will of the user will be the main variables that can change the outcome, altering things like the appearance of new abilities.
For an evolution, these are the conditions you must meet:
Analyze the largest possible volume of information about beings from this world: Processes of evolution that they undergo and how energy interacts with them.
The information will be stored in “Filter” and the analysis will be carried out automatically by me.
Obtain the core of Charybdis as a catalyst.
Do not be part of any situation that could alter the user’s state, body, mind, or magic ten hours before the forced evolution process.
That’s all.
Mmh…
The first and third requirements seemed relatively easy to me.
In the fight with Charybdis, not participating wouldn’t be a problem; anyway, until Milim Nava defeated it, no one could finish off the creature.
The information part was even easier.
In the coming months, the village would become the place where the most monsters would evolve in the world: ogres, over 150,000 orcs, lizardmen…
It was something very simple, honestly.
The only annoying thing was that doing all these analyzes with “Speculator” would constantly deplete my magic. Get faster updates on g.com.
—”Speculator,” can I really absorb the core of Charybdis with my current abilities?
—I asked, having firsthand experience of how inefficient my absorption ability was.
“Speculator”: —The user will need to maintain physical contact with the infected individual, known as Phobio, for about ten minutes.
I will take care of carrying out the process properly.
—Well, convincing Rimuru to let me absorb the core shouldn’t be a problem.
What worries me a little is that if I absorb the core myself, maybe the future won’t continue as I know it.
After all, in the future, they use it to bring back the fire spirit, Ifrit.
“Speculator,” could this affect the future?
“Speculator”: —The chances of the future changing for this action are less than 4.37%.
In the future, recreating the core of Charybdis will be possible, so Ifrit can be restored without any problems.
“There’s a small risk, but I suppose this plan is my best option,” he concluded.
—”Speculator,” apart from the skills, will there be any other changes?
—I asked.
“Speculator”: —Affirmative.
The reason for the physical discomfort you feel will be corrected.
The imbalance in your physical and spiritual composition caused by inadequate transmigration will be repaired.
“That’s why I felt that discomfort in my body.” Another reason to risk changing the future, I reflected.
—”Speculator,” if the intention is to stabilize the body, it would be useful to obtain slime cells and those from other races.
If I’m not mistaken, Rimuru’s cells have some super useful characteristics, and the “intrinsic skills” would also come in very handy.
“Speculator”: —Calculating possibilities…
Affirmative.
The slime cells and their characteristics would be ideal for increasing the chances of success and the results of the evolution.
As for those of other races, unless they belong to someone at a level higher than a Demon lord, the benefit will be minimal, but they can provide useful information for the process.
—Okay, perfect.
But you won’t turn me into a sexless slime, will you?
“Speculator”: —Negative.
The user will only assimilate the characteristics of the slimes and adapt them to their own existence as an anomaly, causing future evolutions to also evolve these traits.
“That sounds quite convenient.” Perfect.
What remains for me is to return to the village, start gathering all the possible information, and wait for the Charybdis problem to arrive.
Ah!, one more thing, “Speculator”.
Does my anomaly ability hide my information from all beings?
“Speculator”: —Negative.
In its current state, it only hides the information from beings below the level that the individual Rimuru Tempest will have before evolving into a “Demon Lord.”
“So, is it not a problem that Milim is going to come?” Well, if you think about it for a while, in theory nothing should happen; with her personality, as long as i don’t do anything to upset her, everything should be fine.
If it were with someone like Guy Crimson, then I suppose his curiosity would cause me some problems.
Since we’re discussing the analysis, why don’t you explain the abilities that I don’t recognize from the original story?
“Speculator”: — Proceeding to explain user Kaelion’s original sub-skills—
>”Speculator” ( O.C ): The ability to formulate theories regarding physical, magical, or spiritual laws foreign to this world and to “wager” energy (magicules or life force) to force their manifestation in current reality.
>”Inventary” ( O.C ): A space where the user can store items.
The size is linked to the user’s power.
>”Amplifier” ( O.C ):The ability to enhance the recovery, quality, and capacity of the magicules.
>”Generator” ( O.C ): A “magicules” generator that does not rely on anything external to the user.
>”Core” ( O.C ): A second storage space for generator and amplifier effects.
Magicule recovery and quality increases also apply to the user’s natural reserve.
>”Self-Sufficient” ( O.C ): The ability to survive without the need for nutrition or water.
>”Anomaly” ( O.C ): The state that defines the user as something distinct from the norm.
It transforms the user into “something” that beings of a similar level cannot identify.
“Speculator”: — Notice.
Some of the features of these sub-skills are not functioning at full capacity due to their weakened state.—
It makes sense, although it’s a shame I can’t enjoy all the benefits.
It would have made things easier for me.
For now, I will focus on the present and the things I need to do to ensure my evolution is as stable and efficient as possible.
If I hurry and do things well, maybe I can even obtain the “Unique Skill: “Degenerate” from Izawa Shizue along with some others.