In this world, there are extremely rigid and well-defined rules when it comes to the assignment of names.
Naming is not a simple symbolic or social act. It is a phenomenon deeply connected to the fundamental laws of existence itself and to the very life energy of beings known as Majins. When a higher-level Majin bestows a name upon a lower-level being, a significant portion of their magicules flows directly into the one being named. This flow is not passive: it forces an internal reaction in the recipient, stimulating growth, reorganizing their spiritual structure, and, in many cases, inducing immediate evolution.
For precisely this reason, the act of naming carries real risks.
The higher the level of the being receiving the name, the greater the amount of magicules required to sustain the process, and consequently, the greater the risk to the one granting the name. If the donor lacks sufficient reserves, or fails to properly control the flow of energy, the result can range from simple exhaustion to fatal consequences.
In the original work, for example, Rimuru was able to name an entire goblin village of around one hundred members at once without facing any major issues. This was because goblins, individually, possessed a relatively low level, requiring only small fractions of magicules for each name.
However, when Rimuru attempted to name just six ogres, the outcome was completely different. The effort required was so great that he collapsed immediately after the process. The difference lay precisely in the level of the beings being named.
Even so, not all naming is the same.
There are considerable differences between types of naming, and these differences are directly tied to the power level, control, and reserves of the Majin granting the name. The more powerful the donor, the more evident, profound, and drastic the evolution of the named being tends to be.
The fundamental reason why the naming instantly transformed Benimaru and the others from Ogres into Onis was quite simple: Arthur did not restrain the amount of magicules transmitted to the six of them at any point. His reserves were absurdly vast and constantly increasing; he had already reached a point where restraint was simply unnecessary. For him, the act posed no risk whatsoever.
As a direct consequence, the changes experienced by those individuals after evolving from Ogres to Onis were not only significant, but immediately noticeable.
First, we have the adorable Shuna.
Before her evolution, in her ogre form, Shuna had the appearance of a small, delicate girl, very similar to a young human, except for two large horns protruding from her forehead. Her body was slender, reinforcing an impression of fragility that contrasted with the fierce nature typical of ogres.
She had long, well-kept, wavy pink hair that framed her gentle face. Her large dark-red eyes stood out beneath extremely thin, almost imperceptible eyebrows. She wore a simple pink kimono, over which rested an equally simple white robe, far too large for her arms, giving her an even more childlike air. Her hair was tied into a low, thin ponytail with a small white ribbon.
Her fair skin carried a faint rosy hue, accompanied by delicate teardrop-shaped facial markings similar to Benimaru's. These markings appeared designed to match her predominantly pink color scheme. In addition, two subtle fangs—long enough to slightly protrude from her lips—reinforced the "ferocious" aspect characteristic of ogres.
After her evolution, however, Shuna assumed a completely different appearance.
She came to resemble a human girl approximately 145 centimeters tall, now exuding a far more refined and elegant presence, losing much of her former cuteness. Her features became more delicate and harmonious, and her horns thinned considerably, becoming far less conspicuous.
The rosy tone of her skin disappeared entirely, as did the facial markings and fangs. The final result was a beautiful, serene, and graceful young woman whose appearance perfectly reflected her new status as an Oni.
Next, we have Shion.
In her ogre form, Shion possessed a markedly wild appearance. A thick black horn protruded from the center of her forehead, and a small fang-like tooth constantly showed at the corner of her mouth. The base of this tooth was surrounded by folds of skin that gave her a perpetually irritated, almost threatening expression.
She had large, intense purple eyes and light-purple hair tied into a high ponytail. Her body was notably curvaceous, with ample breasts and a physique that conveyed raw strength. Her skin had a purple tone that matched her color scheme, further reinforcing her intimidating presence.
After her evolution, Shion underwent changes just as drastic as Shuna's.
Her horn became narrower, more elegant, and far less aggressive. Overall, she completely lost her ferocious appearance, no longer possessing the protruding canine. Her body became even more well-defined, striking an impressive balance between strength and beauty.
She emerged as a beautiful, slender, and voluptuous woman, standing around 170 centimeters tall. Her hair grew considerably, falling more naturally, and her skin completely lost its former purple hue, adopting a tone much closer to that of a human.
Next comes Hakurou.
As an ogre, Hakurou was a clear exception among his race. He appeared as a short, elderly man, standing in stark contrast to the typical physical appearance of ogres. His hair was gray, and two white, ivory-like horns protruded from his forehead.
His slightly wavy hair was tied into a ponytail with a simple cord, with two strands falling beside his horns. He had pointed ears and black lines beneath his lower eyelids. Like the other ogres, his skin carried an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible silvery tone that matched his overall coloration.
After his transformation, Hakurou underwent perhaps one of the most impressive changes of all.
He went from a ragged old man—albeit one clearly experienced and cunning—to a middle-aged man in the prime of his physical condition. His hair became fuller, firmer, and spikier, losing the drooping quality of old age. His skin completely lost its silvery tint.
His horns shrank significantly, and the most striking change occurred in his facial structure. The former stocky face gave way to sharply defined features, with angular jaws and chin, conveying a clear sense of discipline, strength, and martial refinement.
Next, we have Souei.
As an ogre, Souei had a slender yet clearly muscular build, standing at a height similar to Benimaru's ogre form. His skin was dark, his hair deep blue, and his eyes a penetrating shade of blue.
A single white horn protruded from his forehead, and a blue shadow lay beneath his lower eyelids. His skin carried a faint bluish tone, giving him a grayish appearance. From the corners of his mouth, two white canines peeked out, complementing his fierce and naturally intimidating look.
His hair was straight and medium-length, with bangs that frequently covered his right eye.
After evolving into a Kijin, Souei shrank to around 180 centimeters in height and acquired the appearance of a slender young man in his late teens. His expression became incredibly calm and serene, perfectly reflecting his composed and confident personality.
Overall, he came to be regarded as an exceptionally handsome man, shrouded in a unique and mysterious aura.
Finally, we have Kurobee.
In his ogre form, he perfectly matched the image anyone would have when imagining an ogre: large, robust, and intimidating.
After being named, however, his appearance changed drastically. He came to resemble a rather ordinary middle-aged man, someone who could easily blend into a human crowd without drawing any attention.
(End of the chapter)