Tossing rocks and truths

I leave unseen, the soldier at the gate are busy with the victims of the **** traders, and I exit the town ... Until I see them waiting outside. Mel smiles at me, Clay just nods.

" Teach me more. "

Mel raises a small pouch on her hands, equal to the Dwarf carried, I look at her, and she nods.

" You're right ... I need to tell how I found you ... a Locate spell is easy for me ... "

Magic ... being near Mel can show me a few things ... The Locate spell is similar to my scan ... But I need to explain to her that the situation changed ... or maybe not, since my scan is detecting moving closer ... Can't see her ... invisible.

" Dangerous. "

One word says all, but for her face she doesn't understands it ... The smile of the hungry children feed her actions.

" I'm not afraid, Sonja, and ... "

They come out of nowhere .... so I pretend to be surprised, and draw both of my swords ... All use a similar mantle ... and under it I sense metal. They are making a circle around me ... this is going to be fun ...

" Stop. "

One word from Clay, and all the swords that were ready to attack me, are lowered. Clay is their leader ... And the GM appears near them, looking at me.

" That is also for you, Sonja. "

They wait for my decision, I place my both swords back into the scabbards, and my scan captures their eyes. First on the big sword, then on my new mantle. The GM explains.

" Sonja is a collector ... She is not one of them. "

" That is nonsense. How can a Barbarian defeat a Bear ? They are always. surround by ... "

" Pieces ... Talk to the soldier at the gate ... He is preparing to submit a report. "

" Pieces ? So Sonja ... "

The conversations stops, the GM steps forward, and nods. Mel also steps forward, and says.

" I'm interested in learning more with you Sonja. "

She raises once more the pouch, I make her a gesture to follow. We walk only a few steps to the side, enough to be a little far from the gate. Then I grab a rock, and toss it against Clay. He raises his sword by instinct.

" What the ... "

He stops talking when he sees me nodding. Then I look at the floor, and use a rock to draw a line. Then I walk a few steps. And make a little circle. Mel smiles.

" Inside the circle, Clay. You are also going to train ... "

Mel doesn't say nothing more, and begins. Her intention is correct ... but her style needs ... a lot of work.

Even a kid can toss a rock better ... but is her path ... and I scared the area on purpose. Soon she will be run out of small stones ... and will have to use the other ones. The GM is waling with me, while I leave them. Then she says.

" Im' sorry Sonja ... The idea was good, but the Helloing Potion is useless. I guess that it was useful when you where less experienced ... but for your present body ... it's useless. Please return the pouch. Use this. "

She hands me a small pouch like all the adventurers carry but a little longer ... I look inside if it, and it's empty.

" I know you are confused, Sonja ... But it needs to be done. We have some theories of what would happen if someone like you eats a magic bag ... So is best to use a normal bag, and your inventory. And please answer me. Enough of the dumb Barbarian act ... Magic is real, and I can read your mind. My first idea was to destroy you, but sometimes something good can spawn of something bad ... How she died ? "

She is no longer holding back ... or is this a trap ... If you can read my mind, you should know that talking is not easy for someone like me ... She has some doubts ... and wants confirmation ... Need to rethink all I've done and ...

" Ah ... you are correct ... Sorry ... Now I understand ... sucking air, and blowing is not very ... effective. "

She can really read my mind ... and she is not shaking ... She even said that could destroy me ...

" You are young, Sonja ... Very young ... besides the ... borrowed memories, I can read your first memories. This world has magic, and magic does things ... interesting. Dungeons appear out of nowhere, tiny wings make huge dragons fly ... and now you ... You didn't do nothing wrong, Sonja ... It's the name, the face, the hair ... the fighting style ... I was her teacher ... so I recognised all ... I always said that she should use a style with double swords ... I'm glad you can use it ... "

Ok ... this is strange ... She is not attacking ... yet ... but I can feel it ...

" Yes, Sonja ... It's true ... I will end your existence one day. But not today ... Cost me too much see her face again. The problem is not you ... it's me ... Seeing that she lost to such weak creature is ... frustrating ... You were smarter, I bet ... used some cunning trap, or maybe she was wounded, that is not important. Do you know what is a javelin ? "

Javelin ... that kind of arrow ... spear ... something ?

" Yes ... exactly. Buy some in a blacksmith on your next town, drop them on your inventory, and place one on the bag. This is the most important part ... You used it well with the glove, now use the bag ... All things, always from the bag ... You can keep it under your mantle, that is not a problem ... But keep your things there. One javelin, a small pouch with a few coins, some rations ... a rope if it makes sense ... The the loot ... First all goes to the bag ... when you are alone, move it to your ... secret pocket. "

Inventory ... that's how the adventurers call it ... Apparently you don't know all and ...

" You are right ... but also wrong ... This town is not what you think ... You belong near the adventurers, here is what they call side quests ... and is very far from the main mission ... I picked this place to raise Melody, the future Queen of this land ... and your presence changed her ... that's why I let you live. Grow stronger, Slime ... we will meet near the end ... and one of us will fall. "

You are going to regret this ... I'll find a way to ...

" Here ... eat this ... it's not much, but helps. It has an anti magic spell ... I know, makes no sense. A magic spell can't create anti-magic ... this world has special rules. Mel spell failed, she can't see you, Sonja. But she will she you, Slime ... if I hadn't intervene ... I am a little more skilled, so I can see your true form ... "

My true form ... makes sense ... a location spell ... locates me, not my shell ... the ring looks tasty ... Open the mouth, and down it goes ... It would take some time to digest ... Let me follow my part ... here ... easy come, easy go.

" Thank you, Sonja ... Change your name, and your appearance ... until we meet again ... There are roles in this world, Slime ... Melody is the next Champion of the Light, not you. Find your path, and stay away. "

She stopped talking ... and her presence on my mind is gone ... Is time to explain to Mel her last lesson. I walk back alone ... The GM is not here anymore ... she vanished ... teleport maybe ...

" I did it, Sonja ... I hit Clay with a stone. "

Mel is so happy ... is time to show her the truth ... This rock is the size of her head ... Here Mel, it's on your hands.

" Sonja ... this is too big ... I can't even ... move it ... Clay told me a story ... If they are the same species, bet always on the bigger beast ... I see it now ... This was very important for me, but is time to go ... Clay, tell Mother that I'm ready to train with my sword. "

" Are you sure ... that sword is ... "

" Heavy ... yes ... but not impossible ... I need to grow stronger, Clay ... and Sonja is not part of it ... The GM is not here, but I can feel it ... or better not feel it ... Sonja is invisible to my magic, Clay ... This is our last lesson ... Grow stronger ... or fall. You say all ... even without words, Sonja ... Do you know who I am ? "

" Soft skin. "

Two words that make Melody face change, then she laughs, waves her head, and looks at Clay.

" You were right, Clay ... details are important ... Next time I'll use an illusion spell, Sonja. You are going to join the war ? "

" Why ? "

My question caught the Princess by surprise ... She never considered the reason to fight, or how much pain war brings ... but she is preparing her answers perfectly learned.

" It's the right thing to do, Sonja ... We were born for this ... It's why we have magic and ... "

She stops talking, when I point to her heart ... She knows that all the answer she gave are from books.

" Rabbit stew ... children happy ... War ... children sad. "

Mel nods, and looks at the sky.

" Exactly, Sonja ... That's why we need to defend our side ... to keep our children happy and ... "

" No sides. "

A final sentence before I leave, while I point to the forest. Mel doesn't say nothing ... she can't ... For now ... The GM, her mother ... even Clay ... will brainwash her soon, saying the Light is the right side ... For a moment I was tempting to show her my true form, and how much she learned from a monster ... but the GM is close ... and my scan can't see her ... Is time to grow stronger ... and get some javelins ...

I learned a simple thing here ... I can't use magic items ... but I can eat them ... and maybe get some new skills.

" Skill unlocked, Hidden. No one can see your real form. "

This is going to be useful ... Need to find a new face to use ... it was fun being Sonja ...