"Starting from today, I am your Master."
Those were the first words I was able to understand.
At the time, I was barely becoming aware of myself and my surroundings. I noticed another form of life in front of me, reaching out and touching the top of my head.
Hm? Did I have a head yet?
No, I think I was still a slime.
When the figure and I made contact through physical touch, I was forcefully fed an enormous amount of information. Very quickly, my level of knowledge shot up to an adolescent stage. I was taught the most basic level of education; the five senses, simple literature, and mathematics, etc.
I was conscious of the fact that I was slime and that the person in front of me was a male human Mage. He had a skill called Beast Tamer that allowed him to tame monsters of his magic power or lower. This meant the words I heard before were the signs of a contract forming.
What do you request of me, Master?
Since I'm a slime, I was unable to vocally speak and thus resorted to using the Telepathy skill shared between a Tamer and their Beast. It was convenient for monsters who cannot speak physically but only mentally.
"Stay still for me," Master replied a moment later.
What could I do but follow my Master's orders? I sat very still as he reached over again and placed his hand on top of me.
[Acquired Mimicry]
[Acquired Absorption]
[Acquired Analyzation]
After the words appeared in my mind, I assumed these newly acquired skills were given by my Master.
Master, would you like me to use these skills?
I waited again after I asked, still sitting in one place like he told me to. Faintly, I extended my senses outwards, trying to see through shifts in the air of what his face looked like.
Would he get mad if I used my skills without permission?
"Not yet. Don't use them just yet."
At my Master's words, I discarded all thoughts of using them. Then I felt him pick me up into his arms. I felt nothing beneath me beside the firmness of his muscles, so I presumed he was carrying me. Since he said nothing else, I also stayed quiet and didn't move for the entire duration of this walk.
I was put down, at last, a few hours later.
Using my new sense of touch, I discovered I was placed onto some flat wood. As I moved a bit and explored, there was still plenty of flat wood in front of me as well.
"Wait here," Master told me, his footsteps turning and treading away.
As the sound became distant, I obeyed his commands and waited. I waited, and waited, and waited. With the new information on the sense of time, I think I waited for two hours before I heard the steps of Master coming back. Except for this time, they seemed heavier than before he went out.
I extended my sense again.
I was able to sense the warmth of my Master's body as he approached, but I also sensed another form of life in his arms. Ah, pardon me, the figure my Master carried was cold and lifeless.
I sat as he paused in front of me and placed the dead body before me. He seemed tired and sad, gentle as he detangled himself from the corpse.
What does my Master request of me? I asked.
I sensed him grabbing the hand of the deceased one.
"Use 「Absorption」." He commanded.
Instantly I expanded and wrapped around the dead.
Remove your hand, Master, so I do not absorb you as well.
He kept his hand there for a split second more before removing it. With his hand gone, I was able to absorb the being completely.
Next, Master?
"Use 「Analyzation」 to completely examine the body's features and brain. Then use 「Mimicry」 to make an exact replica of the body."
Understood.
「Analyzation」 was immediately used. I examined the entire body like Master requested and was able to perfectly take shape of it. After appraising the brain, I was able to acquire all of the body's memories, from personal habits to personal mannerisms to memories of childhood to memories of her death.
Ah, was this Master's lover?
I kept that thought to myself as I transformed. Upon opening my eyes, I was able to see the world very clearly. I looked to Master right away and took in his appearance while he stared at me with mild dumbfoundedness.
His black hair was long, just reaching his shoulders. Those thin purple eyes of his were shaking with hope and fear. Slender yet manly hands reached up to his face, which was pale and masculine with a sharp jaw. He seemed to be crying, yet no tears escaped his eyes.
"Is Master satisfied with this appearance?" I spoke, listening to my own voice which sounded melodious and fresh.
I felt my chest tighten as Master's face suddenly became sullen, the hopeful eyes now dimming at my words. I looked down at my chest and placed a hand on it. The word regret flashed across my mind.
"Yes... this is enough." He continued to stare, his gaze trailing from the top of my head all the way down to my toes.
The words embarrassment and shy appeared.
I felt the urge to cover my chest and lower area, perhaps due to the body's previous mannerisms. My face became hot and I couldn't find the will to look at Master directly.
"T-then... Will Master give me a... name?" I said, unable to control the stuttering.
Master did not seem to notice. Or perhaps he did but did not want to acknowledge it. He only sighed and buried his face in his hands.
"Master...?" I called again.
He seemed to ignore me, standing in that position for a while. I continued to sit on what I now know is called a table.
Moments passed until Master decided to reply.
"Your name," he muttered, "is now Vera."
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