The Dullahan
The Headless Demon... Dullahan. Using my skill, I perceived him... Clearly intimidating. Extremely dense and unstable Magia, violently rushing out of its body.
"Uwah, what dark particles."
'—seems like it's unable to control it freely. It might not be as dangerous as —'
Dong!
Teleporting in front of me, it slashed with its sword. — The ground spew flames of darkness! I was baffled! 'Craaaaap! This guy's bad news' I managed to avoid but I was still left with a traumatic experience! 'Dammit! I... Slash-Crackle... Tsk... I overestimated... myself... Bang! - And... Underestimated... Slash... this monster!' Its unsystematic blows were easy to predict, but my reflexes couldn't keep up! I was already serious... Yet... I couldn't land a single blow!
Subsequently, it paused for a second, 'I don't think I can beat this!' Resuming its monotonous attacks, I was left with no choice but to run. While I tried to avoid its killing intents, I tried analyzing — I failed to find a solution!
'How pathetic of me!'
Dong!
"Tsk, It keeps teleporting!"
[Remote Transfer, Activated]
Hence, I transported on Devil's Fields' far boundaries..,
"Huff... Huff... Huff"
'— Tsk..'
"When... Huff... Was the last time... Huff... I... — Damnit... Speaking... Huff..."
'— Speaking is a pain... When was the last time I had this much trouble?' My breath depleted. i was exhausted...
Dong!
It teleported to me!
"Crap!"
[Remote Transfer, Activated]
I kept on running! I was already panicking! Taking a pause to rest... — Dong! — [Remote Transfer, Activated] — Dong! "Again?!" It kept on repeating...
While so, I was conserving Magia by resting for a few seconds. Lest, I was given little to no time to do so! — Dong!
Despite my smarts, I never figured, how I, with abnormally pathetic Magia could utilize advanced skills with ease.
With the pauses I did on my constant leaps 'Dammit! I can't think of anything to beat this guy! I'm confident my Skills aren't enough! If only I wasn't so brash!'
Dong!
'I can't be a fool! I have Rimu! Think of her safety, Shuma! It can't be helped!'
[Remote Transfer, Activated]
I teleported somewhere far...
[Remote Transfer, Activated]
Even farther...
[Remote Transfer, Activated]
I cycled it 10 more times and at the last usage of the skill, I arrived at the cave we last hid.
My eyes, losing its consciousness... "We... Should be... Safe... Here... For the... Whole... Week... Rimu..."
[Magia Capacity, depleted... Operating emergency measures... Physical State: Dormant.]
[Commencing Magia replenishment... Host Name: Rimu... Type: Sentient Slime... Physical State: Dormant.]
'Please keep us safe... I leave all to... Luck...'
In the abysmal darkness of my mind... 'I can see my consciousness...'
'Ah! I remember! It went like this the last time I went at that cave! How could I have forgotten! I'm in a dream... If I can remember things that happens here, I can formulate plans and Skills while asleep!'
I tried to move. Lest, I could not... The embrace of the lightless domain, left me imprisoned. All I could ever do was think.
'This feels weird. I'm not really in hell this time Am I?' Jokingly, had I thought. At that point, dying was nothing much to me. It was just that. Escaping death once. removed the fear called "Death," that most people couldn't overcome.
'Skills... If it was protecting a whole village, I could probably develop a Skill formula that intimidates and stuns opponents. Tsk, but this time, I need to overcome it!'
I kept on thinking and thinking. It went on for hours... 'No, days? How many hours have I been here? Am I even still myself? Am I still alive? I must be in hell... Right?' I was confused.
In solitude, engulfed by my mind's emptiness for too long, I was going crazy... I had lost all sense of rationality.
'No, no, no! Get a grip! Rimu might still be out there!'
'— But do you really care for Rimu?' Said myself in a grim voice...
'What the hell am I talking about!?' I was utterly disappointed in myself. Why could I have thought of such a thing? The same words echoed through eternal darkness.
'If it wasn't for Rimu. I wouldn't have reached this far. Without that Slime's appearance... I probably would have been depressed... Which I calculate, to be a high probability of the cause of my death'
Being alone in a world unknown, was not something I could have handled. It would have been a real... Struggle... But Rimu... She gave me a reason... As ludicrous it might have been... She was what removed the pain... Of not seeing my most loved ones, the presence of C.L.A.R.K. My Family, that Uzakawa...
I kept on contemplating... While battling my opposing thoughts, The light was appearing.
'Guh... My eyes...'
I got up!
'Where am I?' I had asked myself. I kept looking around. 'A house? I was in a cave? Right?' Wondered where I was. A thought popped to mind "Rimu!"
Click...
A person... 'No, a Cambion!' I could tell by her presence...
"I see that you've regained consciousness..."
A girl, resembling that of a Human, but 'those looks are deceiving. Cambions are half-demons. I was blessed to have been cared for by such.'
"Where's Rimu?!" I panicked! Yet, the lady replied softly and gave off a lovely laugh "She's —"
Boing
From the door behind her, bounced "Rimu!"
Vibrantly, she gave off a laugh "—Hehehe... There she is."
I approached my Slime... Embraced her, I bowed gratefully "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"
Who wouldn't thank Rimu's Savior? The girl who I thought would be an enemy was actually very pleasant. She even gave me a bed to rest and cared for me...
"I AM SORRY TO HAVE IMPOSED ON YOU FOR A WEEK!"
"Oh, no, no. I just wanted to help a fellow Cambion. What did you do? Why were you... Wounded?"
Propelling myself upwards with my left, '—Now it makes sense. She thought I was her kin... Well, I did purify and absorb 453 Cambion's souls... '
"—I was battling the Dullahan."
"D- D- Dullahan?!" Surprised, she covered her mouth with both hands.
"Yes..."
'— Must've been a surprise for her. But her kindness, is something that warrants an honest reply.'
Subsequently, the situation had reversed. She bowed her head desperately low and asked thus "Please. Save this place from the Dullahan's rule!" I replied. "I am planning to do just that. But I need to get stronger. I need to learn... I need Knowledge and strength."
'— I'm getting greedy...'
"If that's the case, please follow me. Uhmm... Can you walk?"
"Yeah. I can..."
Henceforth, I followed her. Apparently, It seemed like I was inside a huge triangular-squared rock formation. As we exited the structure... After a few more strides, we passed a certain barrier that even I, couldn't sense with Precise Perception...
Fwoosh...
A scenario, so bright, appeared. Lush with plants. Cambions, of young and old. Walking on the flowery fields. I was puzzled 'This is... A...'
"Yes, we are in hiding... Mister...?"
"I'm Shuma... Kagezuchi Shuma..."
She continued as she gave me a tour "I see... I'm Maia... Well then, Shuma-san. I assume you wanted to train? We have a couple few books that are quite advanced in our Library and an experienced swords and projectiles master."
'I need those. Although, I doubt I'd learn anything from the books.'
"Please lead me to the Library."
We arrived...
Books — The usual. Spreading in front of my eyes. Although it wasn't as wide and big as Weiss', it was still books. I picked one and read... "MythicalBeasts..."
'— Mash already covered all. these... Sigh'
"Can I meet that master guy instead?"
"Sure! I'm sure he would be glad to accept strong people! I'm sure" Excitedly, with a big smile on her face, she led me...
And so, at a mansion, we arrived 'Uwah, huge!'... An establishment so big. As if a guild building for adventurers revealed itself!
"Say, Maia, is this Master, guy, a big-shot?"
'He's got this luxurious mansion, and all...'
Smiling, she replied, "He's my father..."
"Father..."
'Ahh, I'm in a Fantasy world, alright. Too much plot-twists that I'd never expect...'
And so, with my face, ever-so-dumb! Maia opened the two-way door to the place. As I was entering — Chandeliers! Stairs! I had thought 'Whoever this master guy is, he must be a jerk.' As I was in a fantasy world, I was always skeptical of rich characters...
"Please enter the room, Shuma-san. There you'll find Grandpa."
And so I treaded... 'Mansions in fantasies sure have lots of 2-way doors...'
Click-Creaaak
It was an office-like room. From the couch, sat... 'An old man? He must be the guy. He looks like a real jerk' His face was puzzled! His eyes starting to furrow, he asked impertinently "How did you get here?! Are you one of those witless Cambio—"
"I'm not. Please, calm down. Maia —" Even more enraged, he rambled! "Maia?! Y-Y-You! Are you her—"
'The common cliche. Sweet'
My hands swaying to signal declination, "Please don't misunderstand! She..."
'—Nursed me, But I can't really say that.'
Grabbing me by my robe, "—She what?!"
I set myself free from his grab, and replied, "I know that she's a wonderful lady but I'm way too out of her '—More like she's infinitely behind Rimu's' — league! She just recommended me to train in your management! That was what I wanted to say!"
His expression, mellowing down, he retorted "Hmph... Suit yourself for hell. I can't deny my cute daughter's request so I'll thoroughly let you experience despair."
'— I see, we're birds of the same feather.'
He rudely called, "Hey, brat with that weird slime!" Irked, I fought back! "My name's Shuma... And this CUTE slime is Rimu... How about your 'lowly, cretinous' name, sir?..."
"Remember the name of the guy who is gonna crush your hopes, Little one... Bolg."
"Then," With a confident smile, I added "Bolg-san, I leave myself in your care!" I couldn't fight back properly so I decided! 'I'll beat you in the most pathetic way. To the point that you'd beg I was your master... Hah-haha-hahahahahaha!'
Henceforth, he muttered "I will make sure you give up in the most pathetic, shameful, ridiculous manner possible."
Driven by his insulting remark, '— Hey, I can hear your thoughts, darned old man. Prepare yourself for insulting Rimu!'
Thus, we went to somewhere open. Outside the mansion... Was his garden. A place, so spacious... Flowers, blooming... Breeze — Well... It made the tension all the more better!
Bolg, the bold, wielded his sheathed sword, "Take on arms, Brat!" And then I inquired "I have no weapon?" He replied capriciously, "Not my problem, if you are to learn my ways, create a stick!"
And long before I even had the chance to pick up a weapon, "Clack!" He attacked! Luckily, I was reflexive! Before his attack hit me in the face, I conjured a stick! 'Tsk, I imaged a stick and I got a stick! Damn you old man! What wiles!'
"Hahaha! What's the matter?! "Clack!" Why a stick!?"
'— Tsk, it was your fault to — "Clack!" begin with! Ahhh! This is cheating but all for the sake of bettering my self!'
[All Skills, Operational...]
'Fortify the stick to that of a diamond's structure!'
Clack! With a single deflection of his ferocious strikes, his sword, flew far. Subsequently, the great winner, which was me, pointed my blade— I mean, stick to the pitiable Master 'Bwahahahahahaha!' Did I grin impetuously!
Clicking his tongue, and faced annoyed, "I lost. What reason do I have to train someone stronger than me?"
"Ah..." My face turned blank for a split second. A gale then brushed on the both of us... I did a Dogeza..."I AM SORRY! PLEASE TRAIN ME!" And I feel pathetic for doing so...
"Hmph, like hell I'd train someone conceited like you!"
I jerked my head upwards and stared at the man with puppy eyes "Awww, PLEASE! Consider that as my compensation for beating you" Beamed a fragrant Hiro-esque smile!
"Why the hell do I need to even give you recompense? You darned brat! Ahhhh!" He scratched his head violently. "Just thinking about my defeat is shameful. It should have been you, that have been defeated! Not the other way around!"
I stood up, 'Yeah, like hell, geezer... I would've lost if I didn't use skills. I acknowledge your skills as a swordsman... At the very least...'
Gesturing a clapped hand, I closed my eyes and asked with an expression so pure "Bolg-san, Please. I ask of you again... Teach me the ways of the sword"
'— I was self-trained at home... So...'
"Persistent brat... Very well then. But in exchange," He pointed his finger "don't lay your hands on my daughter!"
'I'm reserved for Rimu and Rimu alone, old-fart.'
"In the first place Borg-san, I only met Maia. We're not well-acquainted just yet. She just saw my strength when..."
'— Time for my 'If you stick to the lie, it becomes truth' stratagem'
I steeled my face... Literally steeled. Not giving any hint of expression and declared "— In a sense... I survived an attack from a powerful monster and that aroused her curiosity to see my potential in swords and projectiles."
Somewhat disappointed, "Tch, at this point, I can't disappoint my daughter!"
He stated with drive "Shuma — Ermm, Brat! Come back tomorrow. Same place. In the garden, I will hammer into that thick head of yours the way of the sword!"
'—Ehhhh? How about ranged weapons?'
And so I went back to Maia's place... Worrying that I would get in trouble with Bolg's overprotective nature, I had a hard time sleeping...
All things went by, smoothly, and another day started! I went to the usual place... There stood with arms folded. "Bold-san, you were waiting?" He pointed his fingers, said "And you, are late! Be tardy another day and give up being a better swordsman!"
'This old man... I was clearly on time! You were just earlier!'
Signaled, "The training, begins!"
He first bragged on how cute Maia is. It reminded me of myself which kinda ticked me off. But I kept saying "Mhmm. Mhmm. Yes. She is. Right." It went off for 30 minutes which I'd say is pathetic.
'If it's for Rimu, I could name a total of 968539793543 things about her that I find endearing... And based on calculations I would finish in a 4 years... '
"Hey, quit spacing 'round!" He snapped. "Ah, Sorry..."
Thus, started a proper lesson. "Since you already know the basics and you seemed to be the observant type of brat, we should move on to improving your interception."
He proceeded by explaining things starting from the very beginning, "Activate your subconscious, not your skills which heavily relies on imagination..." Of course, I stood there... Still...
Trying to comprehend and analyze, all the while formulating... — The usual complicated head of mine, "So that's how it is... I think I can learn from this. This wasn't explained in Mash's books. I guess she focuses more on Magic ." I had thought 'This guy... Actually teaches decent stuff... I'll give him that'
"Go home! Be late tomorrow and your training will be over!" He went back to his Mansion. — It pains me to say that I have to keep going back and forth to Maia's house!
Thus, once again, I arrived. After getting back I laid flat on the bed. Maia just got back and opened the door...
"I wonder why she won't live with her Dad..." Interrupted in front of me, "— Apparently, father collapses when he sees me so I took the initiative. Ahaha..."
I jumped out of surprise! 'Crap, my thoughts leaked!'
"Sorry for asking such an insensitive question. Maia..."
She sat besides me with Rimu in between. "It's alright... I'm sure Father has his reasons..."
'Yeah, he probably can't disclose the fact that he loves you so dearly to the point that he collapses...'
"Reasons like what? Perhaps?"
Beaming a smile, she jokingly stated "— Maybe she loves me dearly to the point that he collapses? — Ahaha, just kidding..." Followed, I accidentally choked on my saliva. She was way too precise that I coughed very hard!
"Shuma-san?! Are you okay?" I kept coughing "Ye-Ughu-ah. I'm fine- Ukh... Just swallo-ukh-ed My saliva"
Upon learning the truth, she laughed like, real hard! Really hard!
'Couldn't she be more sensitive?'
"Shuma-san, you're a funny person... Ahahaha!"
'— But well, I guess... It's payback for asking her personal relation with her dad...'
"Thanks...?"
She stood up from the bed, "Well then, Shuma-san... Thanks for accompanying me in this lonely house..." To the door, she left.
Click-Creak-Thud
'I'm thinking... This bed might be for her dad. She was lonely... Huh...'
"Whelp, Rimu, it's not me to be so intrusive so let's just sleep!"
Hence, laid down, caressing Rimu on my big muscular arms...
A new day... I woke up, prepared myself. This time, I gave off an "I'll be off" reply to Maia to ease her aching heart... "See you later!" Had she answered!
Thus... I arrived, once again! To Bolg's Informational training session! He taught me lots of stuff and I thought 'I could use this in practical combat!' I was carefully listening and to my astonishment, I made decrypting messages a bad habit!
"Darned Mash..."
He glared into my abysmal, ever-so powerful looking eyes!
Smack!
"Owwie! — Hey! Bolg-san! Why'd you do that?!"
"Listen to me you dunderhead!"
"I am!"
"Word by word, state out all I have said up to this point!"
'Heh... You must jest! I think you're underestimating the capabilities of this guy's omniscience!'
Thus, heeding the pitiable Bolg-san's instructions, concisely, I rephrased all that he said since yesterday up to current. After I finished, I summed it all into a few words...
"Evade, Intercept, Attack, Analyze, Once I do that, I can be stronger... Although, Bolg-san, I expect more from you... "
'Ahh, I think he's dead? His soul's leaking out... Ah, he's back...'
"Hey, brat. Are you sure I still have anything to teach you?"
My presence gleaming, I gave a spirited answer "Of course! I would love to learn more from the Master of Weaponry!"
"What blarney... But I will do my best for my daughter's sake!"
Henceforward, we continued... For the passing days, he was giving me detailed lessons. From that point onward, I was meaning to do some practical application from the new things I learned but Bolg-san insisted "No! I need to teach you all these before we continue! So shut your mouth and listen well!"
'No need to be so angry... Sheesh'
And so, countless days went by... One week and two... "Brat — No, Shuma! Time for the final lesson! Practical Combat! You will be facing me without using any of your skills. If you fail. I swear I will kill you for wasting my time..."
'I guess he acknowledges me now? And what's with the threat? I'm a hundred percent confident that I can beat this old man, fairly...'
Shortly, started our battle!
We stood parallel towards each other...
"Shuma!"
Clack!
'Following all that I've learned... Evade! — Swoosh! Intercept!'
He struck fiercely, but rejoice for the great I, intercepted the attack!
'Analyze his wild movements. Every advancements should have patterns just as how those monsters had from my previous encounters!'
He struck in a complicated motion but it was actually systematic! His bad habit of striking when I was on guard was something that produced an opening! Therefore, I countered! — To no luck, he blocked!
'Visualize... What might be his next movements! Try not to rely on your Skills... Let your thoughts flow freely...'
Clack!
Our exchange continued. I was sweating. While that damned old-fart seemed to be taking it easy. 'I can exploit that!' Clack!-Clack! hitting and blocking each others' defensive and offensive moves, 'Yes! It seems like he's getting troubled!'
Ol' man Bolg, stepped back 'Alright! I can do this!' Using the muscles I gained from calisthenics, I sprinted swiftly! And with a final Clack!
I pointed my wooden sword at him while he laid on the ground 'I win...'
"Huff... I... Huff... Win... Huff... Bolg-san..."
He got up, and brushed off the dirt from his ass, "Hmph... Brats like you should disappear..."
"Now, I guess this time would be projectiles?"
His face clearly showing annoyance as he always was expressing, "Don't be a dolt. I've trained you enough..."
"Ehhhh? C'mon!"
"Look, cocky Shuma, try hitting that tiny cloud up there with a Magical spell of yours... "
'No way that's possible...'
"What's with that doubtful eyes?! Do it!"
And so I did...
[Flames of the Nether, Activated]
Whoosh!
The tiny cloud, disappeared... It hit! I was astonished! "How... is that possible?" Bolg-san replied "Your mental image of the cloud was clearer. You weren't relying on your own consciousness but on your instinctive nature."
'I thought that was what I was doing?'
"Don't give me that 'That was what I was doing' look! You clearly were not doing it! Don't rely on magic for everything!" — 'He read my mind!'
"I guess this... Concludes our long-training?"
He folded his arms "Indeed it does. Now go brag to my daughter about how cool his father is! Else I will kill you!"
'I just defeated you Bolg. Mwahahahahaha! Ain't no way you can kill me!'
Despite the long arguments both of us have manifested, I was kinda... Sad... "I guess... This will be our last..."
Smack
"Oww"
"Don't talk like it's over. Pay me a visit. Despite our conflicting personalities, I'm responsible as your Master... So if you ever have questions... Tsk. forget it."
'I guess he's a capable guy. I give you my respect. Master..." I shook my head "Master Bolg... Ah, this sounds weird... Bolg... — Better'
"Well then, thank you for everything for the past few weeks!"
Subsequently, I took off. Then returned to Maia's small house inside the Rock structure.
There, I asked for her consent "Maia... Can I ask you for a favor?" Replied in a sweet voice, "Sure! Anything!"
"Today will be the day. I'll be battling that Dullahan. So in that case, Would you be kind enough as to look for Rimu's care until I arrive?"
With a beaming smile and also, a shade of sadness, "Okay... Please be careful!" Hence, I headed off!
-End of Chapter-
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Shuma
Shuma HAVING A WRITER'S BLOCK!
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