Published: August 2, 2025
“Oh, you’re back from the magical beast aptitude test today, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s right. When I stopped by the shop, someone had come to sell stone slimes. Plus, I heard at the church that a pet slime was acting strangely, so I went to check it out and it had evolved into a weed slime. I guess that was lucky for me.”
“Both are the types that camouflage themselves and are hard to find. That’s good.”
“But Ryoma, that weed slime was the children’s pet, right? Didn’t any of them cry?”
“I managed to handle that. Some kids were definitely upset, but it seems the weed slime can grow weeds not only on its own body but also around it. The church’s entire garden was overrun with weeds.
When we appraised it, we found out its division skill was level 8, meaning it reproduces incredibly fast. After discussing it with the two sisters, they helped persuade the kids. Of course, I promised to take good care of it.”
“I see. Glad it didn’t leave a bad taste. Now, another drink. Your cup’s drying up.”
With a hearty laugh, a bottle of wine appeared from somewhere and was overturned.
I hurriedly caught it to avoid spilling and downed it in one go. The rich aroma of grapes filled my body.
“Still, I’m getting used to being summoned to the divine realm one way or another.”
“Every time you pray at the church, someone calls for you.”
“You’ve also made more friends among the gods, Ryoma.”
“Even so, besides Gain, Kufo, and Lurutia, there’s only Tekun and Lady Felnoberia.”
“What? You’ve only met half of them?”
“Well, I know the name Mano Airoa from the basic knowledge I got, but I haven’t actually met them... What kind of person are they?”
“Mano Airoa... that’s a tough question.”
“Ah, no need to force an answer, Kufo.”
“No, it’s not that... It’s just that I haven’t met them in years.”
“Me neither.”
“Same here.”
“What!? Even gods don’t meet each other?”
“That one has a wandering habit... They’re definitely in the divine realm, but they’re always roaming here and there. Nobody knows what they’re doing now.”
“And since they’re also a god of the arts, they wear all kinds of outfits. Sometimes normal, sometimes outrageously eccentric. Plus, they get bored easily — a weird god.”
“Come to think of it, there was a time they wandered around completely naked, saying ‘This is the beauty of nature!’”
“Ah! That’s right! Not even a loincloth, and Lurutia and Kiriluel scolded them.”
So even gods have all sorts of personalities...
“By the way, what about Lurutia today?”
“She apparently invited some goddesses for a girls’ gathering or something.”
“Sounds like something she picked up from Earth. I have no idea how that’s different from a party.”
“She was lamenting that not many showed up... I think a caring goddess is hanging out with her now.”
Really, there’s all kinds of things. Speaking of which,
“Can I change the subject a bit? I want to ask Gain and Kufo something.”
“Of course.”
“Did something happen?”
“I told you earlier I took the magical beast aptitude test, right? The result said I’m best matched with ‘magical beasts that form herds.’ But the knowledge and power I have for beast taming magic came from Gain and the others when I transferred here, right? The number of slimes I can contract with is unusually high, too. Is there some meaning behind that?”
When I asked this offhand, Gain and Kufo exchanged thoughtful looks.
“It wasn’t intentionally given, but we can’t say it’s unrelated.”
“At that time, we decided to give you the ability to use beast taming magic but hadn’t decided what kind of magical beasts you’d want to contract with, right? So we didn’t touch your aptitude much and left it up to you.”
“So my magical beast aptitude is a talent I originally had?”
“More like a desire.”
“It’s true that we gave you the power you wished for. Your wishes should be reflected. That might be affecting things. I think that’s why you have such a strong affinity for slimes.”