Tell him everything except anything regarding the slime

After several moments, you decided to tell him the truth... or at least a part of it.

"Pochi... died. He protected me from a bear that ambushed us. It was a tough fight and it would have ended badly for me as well if I wasn't so lucky"

"What?! When did it happen?!"

"In the afternoon, a few hours before I came home..."

You tried to stay calm, but your voice trembled and you looked downwards. The scene of Pochi's lifeless body lying on the ground replayed in your mind.

"...I see," your father replied, his voice softened, "then this new wolf is...?"

"Err, I found this wolf on the way back. I shared some of the bear meat with him, and he became friendly"

You decided to keep the part about the slime a secret from your father, at least for now. You were quite certain not even your father knew about such a unique (and dangerous) slime. He seemed to accept your explanation.

"So you've tamed this one?"

"...yes," you lied, "he reminded me of Pochi and I don't want to make mom worry"

Your father stroked his beard once more, before finally sighing.

"Alright, but eventually you will have to tell your mother about Pochi's passing. She won't like it if you keep it a secret from her"

"I-I understand, father"

"Good. Now, heat some water and give that wolf a bath before you go to sleep. I don't want him to stink up the house"

You were surprised that your father was fine with the wolf's presence. But then again, he always accepted all of your monsters you tamed.

"Yes, father"

You sighed in relief after your father was out of earshot. It was hard to lie to your father, but you thought you had to do it. You still didn't fully understand the situation and you were afraid of telling the truth and having your parents overreact. But you were sure of one thing. You felt this slime was special, and you would like to help it if you can.

"Okay, that's enough. Let's take a break"

The wolf slime gave you an affirmative bark and sat on a tree shade. The day after that, you took it to the edge of the forest where you usually practice. You checked how well the slime could move the grey wolf's body, and you were quite surprised. It seemed the slime could control the body perfectly, it even managed to outperform Pochi slightly. But whether that was thanks to the slime or it was just the wolf's original strength, you were not sure.

You wiped sweat from your forehead, drinking from your waterskin. You were happy with the wolf slime's performance, and you were glad you brought it to the forest to test it. But at the same time, you were still in doubt. The fact that a slime could control a grey wolf was still quite surreal. You were also worried whether keeping the slime a secret from your father was the right choice or not.

"That reminded me, I told father that I tamed the wolf, but I haven't actually tamed him... nor the slime," you muttered, looking at the wolf slime, "maybe I should tame both of them, just to be safe. But can I do it when they were combined like this?"

You approached the wolf slime, kneeling in front of it. The wolf slime wagged its tail and sniffed you.

"Hmm, well, let's start with the wolf, I guess," you said as you caressed the wolf's head.

You closed your eyes and tried to concentrate. You used the skill that allowed you to communicate with non-aggressive monsters telepathically. Seconds later, you opened your eyes and looked at the wolf with squinted eyes. Your attempt had failed.

"Well, that's strange. Normally I should be able to sense their desire or something, but I got nothing," you mumbled, confused, "could it be that the slime completely shut down the wolf's consciousness?"

You touched the wolf's head again and concentrated harder. A few moments later, you opened your eyes with a gasp, breaking the connection with the wolf. You were breathing heavily, as if you had just ran a long distance. The wolf slime licked your face, perhaps wondering what happened to you.

"I... I felt it. It's there, buried deep beneath the slime's consciousness... but I couldn't connect to it," you thought to yourself.

You slumped down on the ground and lay on your back, tired from all the concentrating. It was quite fascinating, this wolf-slime combination. The wolf appeared to be ****, its mind completely suppressed by the slime. But perhaps that was a better deal for him.

"I couldn't imagine being awake yet unable to control my body," you thought, shuddering at the horrifying thought, "this slime really is strange, and dangerous. Maybe I should try to find someone who knows about slimes to get some answers later. That being said..."

You had always been fascinated with monsters, even before you became a monster tamer. This slime was too fascinating for you, and your curiosity trumped your fear for it. You just had to make it yours.

"A very unique slime that can possess and take over other creatures... it could be really useful in battle. If I tame it, I could have this wolf's speed, combined with the slime's ability to control and subdue opponents! Maybe it could even control other monsters stronger than a grey wolf!"

You were getting excited at the thought of exploring the slime's power. You stared at the wolf, admiring the slime inside. You were still wary of the slime's potential dangers, but you thought it should be fine as long as you tame it.

"Now, let's see if I can tame the slime"

Just like before, you put your hand onto the wolf's head and concentrated to activate one of your monster tamer skills. However, while you previously tried to connect with the wolf's consciousness, now you tried to connect with the slime inside. You found it surprisingly easy, despite the wolf's body that got in the way. You sensed strong, raw energy and emotions. It was difficult to read its thoughts exactly, but you did not feel any hostility from it. On the contrary, it seemed the slime was already quite devoted to you, so making a pact with this slime should not be difficult.

"Okay slime. My name is Alexis. You want to be with me, don't you? How about we become partners then? Will you allow me to become your master? What do you say, little one?"

You did not say these words out loud, but instead directly communicated it into the slime's mind. The slime immediately replied with a wave of joy, signaling its agreement. There was no words sent towards you, except one.

"Alexis..." you heard the slime's voice in your head.

With the two parties agreed on the pact, your taming skill activated. An invisible thread, which only you and your tamed monster could sense and sometimes see, connected you and your slime. You smiled as your bond with the slime was sealed.

"Thank you, little one. Let's get along from now on, okay?" you said telepathically.

"Alexis," you heard the slime's cute voice once again, "thank... you, Alexis"

It seemed the slime really could understand and use words, so you should talk to it a lot so that it could learn to speak well. You rubbed the wolf's fur again, before you finally cut off the direct connection between your minds. Doing it drained your mana rather rapidly, so you could not do it constantly. But even without it, your bond thread would send emotions and will between the two of you, so communicating with your slime should be far easier than before.

"So, what shall I call you, little one? I'm guessing you don't have a name, do you?"

The wolf slime lowered its head, and you sensed disappointment. It was a no, then. You wondered what you should name it.

"Hmm, I've never been good with naming my animal friends. Father said Pochi was too simple of a name for a Grey Wolf, but I could not think of other name back then..." you pondered, "you are cute, round and cuddly, and your color is blue... Pudding? Blobby? ...Blue?"

Your wolf slime yipped in acknowledgement. It seemed it would happy with any names you give it.