Apart from keeping my skills a secret, I told him everything I had experienced, from the time I was stabbed to when I awoke as a tiefling, and how events led to this current situation.
It felt weird, opening up like that. Vulnerable, even.
About how, in that life, I was no one special.
It wasn't just pain I shared. It was loneliness. The kind that clung to your ribs even when you smiled.
"...And well, that's how I ended up in this body. Woke up naked, confused, and nearly fell to my death 'cause I got distracted by my... upgraded... self," I added with a dry chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Veldora, surprisingly, didn't laugh. Instead, he nodded solemnly.
(...You have endured a harsh life.)
That hit harder than it should have. It wasn't pity in his voice, it was empathy.
I looked down at the stone beneath me.
"Please don't make me even more guilty than I already am..." I muttered under my breath.
(What was that?)
"Nothing! Just... wind magic acting up."
Despite everything, I could feel that nagging guilt crawl up my spine. I was manipulating him a little. Feeding his loneliness. Baiting it, even. But I'd pay him back. I would.
"It's true that it was a dreadful experience," I continued, forcing a smile.
"But from now on, I can experience a life filled with magic, thrill, and especially really cute women that will pamper me."
...Wait.
I blinked.
Oh god.
I can't become a slime, which means I couldn't be pampered like Rimuru at all.
That thought alone was enough to send me into a brief spiral of depression.
(Hrm. As expected, you were a "Reincarnated Being". I say, you were born in an extremely rare way.)
"I'm actually surprised you aren't suspicious or anything. I mean... I look like a teenage tiefling, and I just dropped in uninvited."
(Hmph. "Reincarnated Beings" do appear once in a while. If their willpower is strong, their memories are imprinted onto their soul...)
He went on explaining about soul structures, magical transference, and I nodded through it all. Most of it, I already knew—from the novels.
Great Sage, lock away all memories of the original Tensura series. Don't let him hear that I'm technically a massive nerd.
< Confirmed. The memories will be locked and kept under surveillance. >
Veldora continued his exposition dump, even referencing a prior reincarnated being who'd left records behind.
(Indeed. There are no precedents regarding souls of this world transmigrating to other worlds. However, it happens from time to time that souls of other worlds come over this sid-)
I feigned curiosity and nodded with interest. But inside, a plan had already started brewing.
I needed to win him over completely. Not just his friendliness, but his trust. I needed this alliance. I needed him.
"Maybe I should go out of my way and look for my fellow otherworlders," I mused aloud.
AS IF. Hinata would cleave me in two on sight. Yuuki would dissect me like a frog. Even Shizu might chuck a fireball at me. I wasn't a cute little slime—they'd see me as a threat.
(Hang on, if you need help then surely I, the great dragon Veldora, can provide anything you would want.)
"Hmm? Really?"
(Yes, however, there are certain conditions that you must meet.)
"Well, I can understand that part but what are they?"
(First, you must tell me stories of this.. other world you had just come from and second, is that you must visit me from time to time. To tell you the truth, I have been sealed here for 300 years. From then on, I had so much free time I was simply bored out of my mind. So will you agree?)
"If it's only that, then of course."
I immediately nodded and pulled myself closer to Veldora in order to easily talk with him, though it did confuse me on how he could hear me from the distance between us.
(Good. It is a promise, do not forget!)
"I will not! Honesty and honor is important to me as much as my life!"
I could see a grin form on Veldora's jaws which I admit, did faze me a little, but it was easily overcame with fascination as Veldora began to explain the magic perception skill.
Naturally, I have great sage understand it for the most part and generate me the skill but thanks to Veldora's explanations, I was able to confirm that the great sage can learn skills just by information alone.
(...You sure learned quickly, but is there a rush? You should have taken your time.)
Relax, I won't leave you behind.
I deadpanned at Veldora's words before shrugging them off with a smile.
"But you mentioned something about being sealed? What's that about?"
(Mm? Well yes. Though I admit underestimating my opponent a little… and I did get serious halfway, but still I lost!)
His tone was proud, not regretful. He talked about the Hero who'd sealed him—her power, her "Divine Protection."
I already knew. The moment he described her, I knew exactly who it was. Poor guy, he never stood a chance—half because of her strength, half because of his taste.
"Really now?I doubt it, people from my world can't be that strong"
(No, it is common for "Other Worlders" to possess special abilities...)
He continued, going into the details of summoning rituals and soul resistance. I listened, waiting for the right moment.
Then it came.
Veldora then went on recalling his figure with the hero, a black beauty who for sure didn't win because veldora was captivated by her beauty.
(Do not be ridiculous)
He had said it so himself
"Sure sure, if you say so buddy."
He glanced at me—curious, amused.
(For one such as I, the one feared as the "Storm Dragon Veldora", to become friends with the likes of a Felborn?!)
"You can just say no."
(Fool! You!!! No one said anything about refusing!!!)
"Eh, then what are you saying?"
(Well, if you insist, then I can find it in my great self to perhaps… consider it.)
He was sneaking glances.
You're literally acting like a tsundere right now, old man.
I smirked. "No, no. I've decided. If you don't want to, we can just go on with our lives and I'll be leaving. Forever."
(Wha-! …It cannot be helped then! I shall become your friend! Be grateful!)
Hook, line, and legendary dragon.
"I'm the same though, so we're even, I guess."
(Alright! Then let us begin our friendship with a grand gesture! I shall grant you a name!)
Perfect. Showtime.
"Eh? All of a sudden?"
(Yes! And you shall do the same for me!)
I faked hesitation, then rubbed my chin like I was deep in thought.
"Alright… I shall name you Tempest, the storm dragon."
(Tempest... Tempest! It has a wonderful ring to it!)
He said it with such pride it made me feel a little bad about stealing the name from Rimuru.
(From this day onward, I shall be called Veldora Tempest! Now then... I shall name you... Rimuru! You may call yourself Rimuru Tempest!)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
"No offense, but uh... can we work on that?"
(...What?)
"I mean—don't get me wrong—it's a great name. But it doesn't feel right. I want something that... reflects me."
(What would you suggest, then?)
"I was thinking... Akuma. It fits, right? A felborn with --a burning desire to change the world."
Veldora went silent for a moment.
Then:
(...Akuma. Hrm. A strong name. A name to shake the heavens...)
He grinned.
(Then from this day forth, you shall be known as Akuma. Wield it with pride!)