Published: August 2, 2025
“Oops, this isn’t the time to be having such a conversation.”
Branch chief Taylor glanced down at the chart in front of him.
“Ryoma-kun, if I recall correctly, you have tamed over a thousand slimes, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Even though slimes are easy to contract with, that number is quite large. I have a feeling this might take a while. Shall we get started?”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Come to think of it, I wonder how many magical beasts an average person can contract with?
“As far as I know, the person who had the most magical beasts contracted owned about 300 ‘chainbugs.’ But even without reaching that number, having contracts with around 20 magical beasts would already be considered a lot of familiars. Normally, slimes aren’t beasts that people tend to contract with in such large numbers, so it’s hard to say. But I’ve never heard of anyone having over a thousand familiars of any kind.”
So it seems my number of familiars is truly extraordinary.
That question resolved, I resumed the diagnosis.
“Hmm… I see.”
Two hours had passed since the diagnosis began.
In just those two hours, I had tried contracting with countless magical beasts.
Among just the bird-type beasts were sparrows, eagles, owls, and more. I kept contracting and releasing different species repeatedly.
I did the same with insects, fish, mammals, reptiles—endlessly repeating the process.
And every contract succeeded. So far, there isn’t a single magical beast I couldn’t contract with.
However, while the contracts were successful, many of these beasts didn’t seem to respond well to commands compared to slimes.
Those beasts were stubborn and didn’t obey easily, so it looks like there are strengths and weaknesses.
The problem is that I don’t understand the pattern behind this. I was able to ask about their names and appearances during the contracts, but my knowledge about their ecology is lacking. When it comes to magical beasts not commonly seen around here, I have many questions. Still, the branch chief seemed to have an idea.
“Ryoma-kun, you seem to have a good affinity with magical beasts that have the habit of forming packs.”
“Packs, huh?”
“Most likely. If we compare the magical beasts you got along well with, that tendency can be seen. Limule birds also operate in packs, and your slimes probably relate to your research outcomes. Another possibility is ‘high fertility.’ Not quite like packs, but many of the magical beasts you’re compatible with share this trait.
I’d like to explain each point in detail, but that would take too long. I’ll recommend a book on magical beasts, so please read that for more information. You can buy it, or read it for free in the Guild’s reference room. Knowledge of magical beasts should also be useful in an adventurer’s work.”
“Thank you.”
From here on, it’s self-study.
But magical beasts that form packs… why did it end up being that condition?
“That’s said to depend on an individual’s nature and way of thinking. In other words, it’s not clearly understood. Consider it your unique characteristic. What matters isn’t what the condition is, but knowing that condition and deciding what to do next. If you want to expand your activities from now on, why not look for magical beasts that fit your goals and affinity?”
“From now on… I’m interested in magical beasts I can use for transportation.”
I had once thought about making a bicycle using metal slimes as wheels. But since they move by rolling their own body weight, they wouldn’t be able to move with me riding them, so it was pointless. I could ride them if they were in their huge slime form, but that would be too conspicuous to use as a means of transportation.
Although slimes can manage most things, unfortunately, they can’t be used as transport.
Or rather, it was my role to make up for that.
However,
“The adventurer I worked with recently recommended it to me, and I’ve gotten a bit interested. Also, since the Adventurers’ Guild has given permission to hunt bandits, my activity range might expand in the future.”