It Started with Slime - Part 1

Chapter 83 - Learn the Basics

If the universe brought everyone good things, if you just visualized, then he would have been a rich man, along with about seven billion other people. "Umm, so what kind of weapons do they train people in at the Academy?" Aarav said, starting up the conversation again.

"Well, it's the usual eight, everything else as a variety of those, swords, daggers and greatswords, axes and spears, hand-to-hand, that's unarmed combat training, then hammers, clubs and staves or pole-arms. So I guess that's nine, but then unarmed, I guess counts separately. They are usually quite extensive with the training, making sure all students know how to use them before specialising in what they find most appropriate for themselves. They find their Resonance." He said it like it had a capital "R", not like a regular word.

"What is this...Resonance with a capital 'R'?" Haemish smiled. "It sounds like something special. Is it a Skill or a Talent?"

"Good, you picked up on its importance. Resonance is not a Skill or Talent, though I can't deny that I am curious as to how a monster knows about those already. Resonance is something that works in parallel to Skills and Talents. When someone shows a great affinity for something, natural inborn latent Skill or talent in a specific area, whether it is a certain spell or a specific Skill, they can go further than others; it is like a boost they receive. In those Skills, one or more." Haemish focused his gaze on Aarav. "Also, do you mind keeping your mouth closed, not to be rude, but those fangs are very disconcerting?" Aarav closed his mouth with a snap.

"You know, just because I'm not human doesn't mean I don't have feelings," he spoke out of the corner of his mouth this time, trying to hide those sharp yellow-white teeth, likely what the fat man was referencing. "Uh...okay, but I can still ask questions, right?" Haemish had been civil enough with him, considering his prominent status as a monster. He couldn't blame Haemish for being squeamish at his current appearance. He had taken a little while to get used to it, but it had been an outstanding sixth-month stint, and looks hadn't played a role.

He was ugly, no two ways about it. Even he didn't pride himself on his appearance. But he could make some adjustments, couldn't he? He had just kept what he had absorbed the way it was, but there was no reason he couldn't adjust some of them. His fangs bleached gave a cleaner look. While the mouth, once reduced in size, was more appropriate for his body size. The pupils and irises of his eyes he adjusted slightly to humanize them, and his ears he reduced in size without compromising the hearing—all minor adjustments but overall effective.

"Oh, impressive, I can see the small adjustments you made, and I have to say I had no idea you could change your appearance." Haemish made a sound of awe and appreciation at the effect.

"It is limited and purely aesthetic, absolutely no use outside of human or sentient society!" Aarav replied.

Haemish laughed in response. "Yes, I didn't mean to offend. But you had a scary appearance even if you have great intelligence to go with it." Intelligent? Alright!? Did I just get called intellectual for the first time in two lives? Or wait, did he mean brilliant for a Slime or just smart in general?

Aarav had to ask. "When you say intelligent, do you mean –"

"Yes, intelligent, not just for a Slime, you seem to grasp concepts quickly and clearly. Perhaps you have some promise."

"Okay, follow up question, how did you know what I was going to ask? I assume I am the first monster you have spoken to, and second, What do you mean some promise? Now is where you tell me what you have planned for me. Also, can you let me out of the bag? I feel like you can trust me now?" The bag was stifling, and this guy seemed nice enough though he didn't have much experience with humans in this world. He might be nice now and then bloodthirsty later. Who knew?