ONE MONTH LATER

One month later*

A month has passed since my strange encounter with Morga and some things have changed. As I walked aimlessly through the streets of Vam, I glanced at the back of my hand where a tattooed symbol showed my words.

I began to recall the events of a month ago. For starters, I questioned Morga as to how I was going to fulfill my wish.

"Well I could train you in the various sword arts and magic I know, we could also train your body until you have a body worthy of some fairy tale hero..."

Morga named one by one the different combat arts and magics I could learn. I was quickly filled with excitement.

"I CAN REALLY LEARN ALL OF THOSE?”

Morga answered with a soft smile

"Obviously, but well, with your body it would take at least a decade until you master the basics of the sword, plus your mana compatibility is extremely low so it would be difficult for you to learn any great spells and..." All the illusion I had return as fell again when I heard Morga describe all my shortcomings. With some weariness, I asked again. "So, how?"

This time instead of talking, Morga showed me. She reached into her long robe and showed it to me. In the palm of her hand a small blue slime appeared.

"A slime?" I asked. “Yes, it's a slime."

"I don't want to be rude but I don't see how a slime can be of any use to us."

Without changing her expression, Morga said "You will become this slime."

Although at first I laughed, Morga meant it.

In the last month Morga has been experimenting on me, injecting me with different serums to improve my compatibility with the slime and helping me adapt to my new body. The symbol on the back of my hand is a sign of this truth, a representation of what I have become. Technically speaking, I am no longer human. From what I could understand from Morga’s slime's explanation, my mind and soul merged into one being. Even now, as I reflect on this, I can feel and move my gelatinous body in the area where my brain used to be.

As strange as it sounds, I hadn't questioned Morga as to why I would become slime until halfway through the process. Her answer was quite rebellious.

"Well training you in all those arts and magics would take a lot of time, wouldn't it? So isn't it easier to just take it?” “So turning me into slime..."

"Yes. So you can become an important person in record time. Once your consciousness merges with the slime core you can invade the body of whoever you want and get everything from them."

"Even Eleanor?" I asked. Without stopping, Morgan's simple words implied too many things. So many that I even got a little dizzy. Like soft whispers of a demon guiding you to sell your soul. I swallowed my breath and cautiously asked again. “Even... Eleanor?” This was the only time Morga stopped her work and looked at me. "Yes. Even Eleanor." Those words with her trademark soft smile were the nail that sealed the coffin.

I remembered with some amusement that it was so easy for me to accept no longer being human, but then again, I had no attachment to my body after all.

Today was the last day of experiments. Morga told me that I had reached a stable level in my fusion and that I no longer needed it to keep things running smoothly. After she picked up her equipment we had a little chat.

"Well Fred, it's done. Now you can fulfill your dream." With some hesitation I spoke. "Didn't you say that you would give me my dream personally? I think it's still a little bit far?”

"Well, if I give you everything on a silver platter it would be meaningless... your dreams are yours, so it is your duty to claim them, don't you think? Besides, I have given you the most powerful tool to achieve it."

I couldn't respond to that so I just got ready to leave. As I headed for the door Morga stopped me.

"Oh wait, before you go I'll give you one last helping hand." As she said that, she presented me with a bag full of gold coins. I hesitantly took them and asked something I hadn't asked before. "Why are you helping me?”

Morgan pondered for a few seconds and answered “Entertainment. So give me some, will you?" She said with a sly smile

Damn... saying that with a smile still gives me the creeps... She also said to visit her from time to time to check on my progress...

As I remembered, Morgan and I began to reflect on my next step. Even though she said that she didn't know the full extent of my slime abilities, she said that at the very least as long as I entered a body I would be able to possess and control them. I instinctively knew there was more to it. To be honest, I already knew my target was Eleanor. The problem is how?

Even after this month, I'm still a rank E stranger. Sneaking up on Eleanor shouldn't even be possible. Besides, even if I succeed, there's still a catch. Eleanor's senses are no joke. After reflecting on what happened last time, I realized what a monster she is, being able to sense a little animosity at such a distance with precision. If I approach her with my intentions out in the open, my head will probably detach from my body before I can pour myself into her mouth. If I am to stand any chance at all, I have to find a way to make Eleanor doubt her senses.

I pondered this point until I had a headache. Maybe I should have debated with Morga about this.... An idea came into my head like a eureka. If i take control of her party companions, I might have a chance of fooling Eleanor's senses and in the worst case scenario, I could make myself a pretty powerful body.

However that is a challenge in itself, although Eleanor is the strongest of the 4 and the other 3 are no nobodies. I needed to analyze with whom I have more chances to succeed...

Eliza the elf will probably doubt my intentions just for approaching her. It is in the nature of elves to be suspicious. Besides my compatibility with Eliza is the worst of the 4 for my first attempt. One mistake and my slime body could end up incinerated with magic. So out of the question.

The next one is Emiru. Even though she's better than Eliza, she's still a no for me. For starters, rumor has it that Emiru spends her time training when she doesn't have an assignment. Her sword could still pierce through my body and break my core if I'm careless when approaching her.

"So there's only Arisa left huh...well she's the one with the best chance after all." I muttered to myself. Arisa was the chosen one.

Arisa is a martial artist so she has the best compatibility with me. If things go wrong I have confidence to escape from Arisa, I couldn't hurt the core of my slime body because of the bad compatibility. She is also the most sociable after Eleanor so I could get close to her without raising her suspicions...and most importantly...according to a rumor I heard Arisa likes to get drunk after every mission. I still have to confirm how true this rumor is. It could be the opportunity I need...

"So let's go with Aria," I said with a smile I never had before. As a somewhat macabre laugh escaped my lips I began to plan how to take Arisa.