Archive Of Potentialities.

Short story: Of Slime and Blood -- 13

The city has been pretty active lately..

But I guess that's natural, given the major changes occurring within the Empire right now.

With the Imperial seat changing hands, a lot of changes followed suit. New noble titles and whatnot, meetings with foreign dignitaries and just a general festive mood.

I wasn't a native of the Empire deep in my soul but I've lived here for almost a decade so I can't say I'm not moved.

I felt like celebrating too.

“Hey, you said you have something planned tomorrow. Why won't you tell me exactly what it is?” Mika walked beside me as we stepped into the College's lobby. It was nighttime and it had suddenly begun to snow so we decided to end our activities for the day.

She seemed displeased at my secrecy about the outing I had planned for the both of us, but I won't give in to that cute face.

I am strong!

I ignored Mika, whistling as I stepped into the arcane elevator that was responsible for dutifully ferrying low level characters such as myself —-- who lacked the ability to treat space like a foldable blanket —--- through the labyrinthine underground levels of the College.

“Oh come on, Erich! I won't go if you don't spill.” She declared smugly, crossing her arms.

I scanned her from top to bottom.

Then I scoffed.

“Wha..? You're not even taking me seriously….”

I mean, yeah. Like you would pass up an opportunity for a fun day off after all the stress of being a student at this College. 

Make it make sense, dear friend of mine.

“Erich, you've grown mean.” She moaned in annoyance, murmuring under her breath to dictate her destination to the elevator.

I stated my own destination as well and then the metal box began to descend.

“I didn't grow mean, I just feel like blowing your mind.” I finally spoke.

“I didn't really ask.”

“I don't remember saying you did, hmph.”

So, I think I'm a little immature…but it's all good!

“Huh, one would think I'm the one with a fixed gender when you go around behaving like that.” Mika stated off-handedly.

“Hrm.” I grumbled.

She was from a race called Tivisco, native to the frozen tundra of the Northern Archipelago.

They were a peculiar race that underwent shifts in their genders every month after reaching a certain stage of maturity. It was a result of evolving to adapt to the low survival rate of their frozen home, I don't know the specifics since Mika didn't bother sharing.

Male, female, then androgynous. Mika was currently in her female phase.

Her gender ambiguity drew my mind to someone who didn't quite look to be on one side of the gender fence.

Rimuru Tempest.

Haven't seen him in a while, and thankfully so. That person is strange.

I don't even know where to begin the task of investigating him, and I doubt Lady Agrippina would be forthcoming with information about him.

Actually, I prefer it that way.

Ignorance can be a boon in some cases.

I sighed as I remembered my conversation with him about my past life.