New World

***Date Finished***: thJanuary 24th, 2023----

***Setting:*** In a meadowy field

***Characters Involved***:
* Aikaterini
* Chloris
* Zephyr
* Constantine
* Leonardo Elio

## Awakening

In a grassy meadow, a young girl lays on a field of flowers and lush grass semi conscious as she appears in a long sleep. She had short length golden blonde hair as it gently blew in the wind as she clenched her eyes tightly opening them slowly looking into the sky. It was a clear blue filled with a few clouds as she looked around her surrounding wondering where she was. Her memory was a bit blurry as she didn't remember much of what happened before she woke up. She looked down towards the ground when her eyes lit up looking at her hands, then her legs, and up her figure as she let out a loud scream! Her outfit was a short flowing white dress and she was barefoot. Thousands of questions filled her mind as she spun around checking her surrounding wondering where she was and who she could speak with. For now, she would have to find somewhere where there are people to speak to.

"Where am I," the young girl thought, "I don't know why I'm here or who I am but...I should probably find out more about this place."

Suddenly a loud crashing sound was heard in the distance, grabbing her attention followed by a cloud of smoke rising in the air. She looked closer and noticed a raging, giant scorpion of a monster with two stinger tails instead of one, rushing in her direction, however it appeared to be chasing something as it was lashing out at something in front of it but couldnt make it out through all the cloud of smoke and debris it was causing. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A loud cry could be heard and now she is able to see that the monster is chasing after a person. This person has silver spiky hair, wearing a black coat with a fur collar and a white shirt underneath and white pants and a swords sheath strapped to his back with the sword itself in his hand. The boy seemed to be running for his life from the giant scorpion when he looked up and noticed the young girl he was unintentionally leading the monster to. "Ah crap, i cant believe i find a traveler at a time like this!" He said to himself. "Heeeeeeyyyyyy! Attractive girl up ahead! You might want to move if you want to live!" He cried out to her.

"Hm? How annoying, damn kids now a days I swear." The voice of a young man complained as he walked over to the source of the ruckus. His long chestnut hair was carried up to the air as the wind passed by him. Raising a single arm to the air, pointed at the direction of the massive beast. "How about you heel."

"**Unique Skill Activate: Beast Taming**"

Suddenly a bright red aura endowed his body and and circled his hands before it released a burst of the aura at the massive scorpion chasing the young man, pulling it back, with the whip transmuting to the scorpion causing it's eyes to glow red.

"I said," he paused before he whispered, "heel" and with that single and the beast turned it's focus to the newly emerged man.

"Much better." He said before bringing his gaze to the other two. "How about you guys get focused and try not to die.

Just before the skill took active, in the heat of the moment, the silver hair boy dove up to the young girl and grabbed her to the ground in an attempt to shield her from the scorpions attack. "Get down! I'll protect you!" He cried out and braced himself for it. He remained braced for a moment before he realized it. "Hu?" He back over to realize the scorpion was now heeled and calm. "It was tamed?" He then looked over the brown hair guy. "By him?"

The young girl's eyes glistened from what she was witnessing. While a part of her was filled with wonderment, but at the same time many thoughts continued to race through her mind.

"Who are these guys," she wondered looking at the fight, "and was what that power they were using? Some sort of magic?"

"Are these two idiots not gonna move?" The man thought to himself before he walked over to the scorpion before placing a hand over it's head. "Sorry to do this to such a young Bull Scorpion. But your venom sack does fetch a high price." he said before pushing his hand down and with a small flex of strength he smashed the skull of the beast. "If you were older you would've been better for farming, but as you are it would take another ten years for your venom to reach the lethality I need."

Hino looked back at the young girl and realized he was still on top of her as his face grew red from blushing and flew himself up. "Uhhhh s-sorry about that!" He said to her, afraid she'll get angry over it. "A-are you ok?" He asked afterwards.

"I'm fine, but I think you can answer a few questions for me if you can," the young girl spoke as she composed her thoughts, "do you know where I am and how I ended up here?"

Hino was taken back a bit with a sweat drop dripping down the back of his head, concerned that she was so calm and focused despite almost being attacked by a giant monster. "Uhhh well your in a open field right outside the boarder of the Kingdom of Ingrassia." He answered with a stutter.

"I see...," the young girl replied looking down a bit before looking back up at him, "do you know of any towns or cities nearby?" Part of her was a bit curious about the new area she was in but at the same time wanted to see if there was something else she wanted to ask him.

"There's a small town not too far from here. While it may be small plenty of adventurers use that place as a hub of sorts, so I would recommend you go there. Probably the safest place nearby, seeing as how that bug I killed just now is part of a greater infestation." The chestnut hair man said as he pulled out an organ from the body of the scorpion, causing it to vanish instantly. "Here I got ya guys." He said before placing his hand on the floor, causing a magic circle to emerge and manifest a figure before a small slime with a smile emerged.

"Hey Blip, I need ya to do me a favor and guide them back to town. You can use the rest as a guide point if need be." The man orders while looking down at the slime.

"Ay ay sir!" The slime responded before it leaped over to the other two.

"Oh, and when you get to town, go to the guild hall, show them blip and he'll take it from there."

The white hair boys eyes widened. "Wait! Your an adventure of the guild? That's where i was heading before i ran into that thing." He finally stood up and sheathed his sword on his back. "Isnt it in the Kingdom of Ingrassia? Thats what i was told."

"Well yeah, but a single city or town doesn't make a country kid." Leo said before cracking his neck. "Ingra Kingdom is pretty large but same time we're just humans. Currently they reached out to the guild and asked parties to handle the infestation of these scorpions. Most said no but my group has been having a field day."

"So I would need to head to the village with blip here," the young girl asked looking at the slime creature curiously, "is there someone I should speak to when I arrive?"

The white hair boy looked back at the girl. "You interested in joining the guild to?" He wondered and suddenly had a idea come to his head that made him excited. "Oh i know!" He rused closer and grabbed her hands. "Lets join together! We can be adventurers together and you can join my party! I'm looking for members to join my party." He explained with such determination and excitement.

"What's a guild," the young girl asked tilting her head to the side in a curious manner.

The white haired boy was taken back yet again "What? You dont know what a guild is? It's pretty much the one place where anyone goes if they want to be an adventurer. Exploring unknown lands, fighting monsters! rescuing people. If you wanna aim big, an adventurer is the way to go." He crossed his arms and nods confidently.

"I see, sounds intriguing but also thrilling at the same time" the young girl answered as she politely bowed, "thank you again for everything."

"Yea so come join my party it'll be fun!" Hino said eagerly.

"How about you give her a chance to get situated. You probably can't tell but that girl there much like myself isn't from around these parts." Leonardo declared before packing up. "I got some work to do, Blip make sure they get there safe."

"She'll be fine, who doesnt want to go on adventures with new friends?" He let out a huge smile.

Leonardo then looked over to Blip, "hey Blip, make sure she gets to the guild safely. Young lady I hope you find your place here and always remember, you're not where you think you are. The faster you accept that the better." He then turned his back to the two and walked away.

"I see...what does he mean by the faster I accept the better," The young girl asked herself then looks over to Hino, "so shall we head to the village your friend mentioned?"

"Uhhh sure but hes not my friend. Id rather be friends with you, good looking" He said as he grabbed her hands again with blushing cheecks with a wide smile with his eyes closed.

Just as he did, Blip would expand and stretch, wrapping itself around his arm to keep his hand away. "No touch!"

"Gaaaahhhh! Hey you...get off...of me nuggghhh hiyyyaaaa nerrrrggg!" He shouted, frantically trying to shake the slime off of him.

A few hours have gone by as the duo had traveled their way safely through the surrounding forest, Blip the slime was more than able to lead them in the right direction. Quickly and easily he helped them maneuver around without meeting any scorpions on the way there.

"We're here! We're here!" Blip bursts out cheering! "Hey lady! We're here! Let's go!" The little slime yelled happily as it bounced up and down with glee and excitement.

The young girl looked ahead noticing the village in the distance as her eyes widen in wonder from the sight. "So this is where he told me I needed to go," the blonde haired girl asked to herself with sparkling golden eyes.

"This town welcomes everyone of every race, whether your a traveler passing through or a beastman looking for a new home. The added citizens brings popularity and income, and the friendly relations with other races shows cooperation and trust among its people and not only that, but the citizens live in peace thanks to the adventurers taking out the monsters that are nearby, because of that the town is so thankful for their services that the majority of the buildings here are dedicated to equipping adventurers with anything they could possibly need for a successful job, if the payment is right." The white haired boy explained to the girl as he looked around with a smile

"hey! Lady! We're here! Look! That building over there! That's the guild base! Come on! Lady!" Blip kept calling for the young blonde haired girl

"Hey, wait for me!" The young girl called out as she ran in the direction towards the guild base. As she headed towards the base she was greeted to many different races that were unfamiliar to her. She didn't know how to familiarize herself to them but her curiosity was only the beginning.

the young boy placed his arms behind his head to rest his head against as he followed behind.

Blip moved around quickly reaching the large building made of stone and covered with moss. It was one of the largest buildings in town. His eyes widened and looked back at the two following him.

"This is the guild base! Master told us to come here!" Blip happily called.

The young boy approached the building after blip and the girl and inspected the building. "So this is it hu? It not what i expected" He said curiously.

"This looks...quaint," the young girl replied in a wonderous tone, her eyes continue to sparkle.

The group of three entered through the doors and walked in, Once inside they were greeted by loud noises of chattering and cheering, as were surrounded by people, all of whom look very different from one to another compared to the people outside. Each one in various types of armors, gears and equipments. Everywhere they looked people who were all talking amongst themselves sharing their adventuring experience, some were sitting alone in silence, others were chatting it up with their own party members, and many were even drinking and partying. Some however turned their heads over their new group of visitors and began whispering amongst each other.

The two newbies followed blip as it lead them to the front desk. "Hello, welcome to the Adventurers Guild." A young woman with long braided blonde hair behind the desk greeted them, dressed in a guild uniform. "My name is Lyla, how can i help you?" She asked followed by a sincere smile.

"Hey lady!" Blip called over as it jumped onto her desk. "I'm back! I brought some people for ya, they're new to town and are looking to sign up."

"Oh, why hello there Blip. Your looking cuter then before." Lyla fonded over its cuteness. She then looked over at the two and changed back to her greeting persona. "So these two are looking to join the adventurers guild. Well then, I would first like to ask, what department or specialty will be the one of your choice. We have the "Explorer specialty, retrievers, healer, monster slayer" categories, each have their own test for admission."

"There's so many to choose from," the young girl exclaimed with wonder in her voice then tilted her head to the side, "however I'm curious about monster slayer and explorer, could you explain a bit more about that please?"

Lyla looked over and smiled, "We'll here's the basic breakdown down of it all. Explorers specialize in research and studies, such as examining runes, recognizing traps, more as a scout who does research, heale is pretty much healing and support, retrievers are fast but strong usually being the main guy on battle lines but also the one that carries the loot, thing of them being the muscle. Then there's monster slayer which is self explanatory"

Hino bursts out excited throwing himself forward while raising his hand as if hes in school waiting to be called, practically shoving the girl out of his way. "ooo ooo! I choose the monster slayer! That's perfect for me!" He shouts eagerly.

"You scare me...," the young girl answered looking at him with an uneasy look putting her hands up over her face.

**BOOM!**

The sound of the door crashed open as two individuals walked in. There were two girls, one with pinkish-red hair tied in two spiky ponytails and ocean blue eyes. Her friend was a bit shorter than her having long blue hair that reached to her waist and brown eyes.

"Oiiiiiiii we're back!" The red haired girl shouted with a bright smile, "slayed another one!"

"Did you have to be so loud Chloris," the blue haired girl complained in a whiny tone feeling embarrassed her friend was showing off.

"Come on Zephyr live a little!" Chloris loudly laughed.

The young girl looked over to the duo with curious eyes wondering who they were. They struck her interest as they seemed friendly but at the same time began to think that one of them could help her choose her rank.

"Oh welcome back you two, yes i received word from the client on an excellent job, ill get your reward in just moment, when im done with these two." Lyla greeted them with a slight bow and welcoming smile.

"Um e-excuse me," the young girl asked heading over to them, "I'm still new to this place, would you mind helping me become more accustomed to this place and helping me choose a rank?"

"Oh? Well, we're adventurers Zephyr and I," Chloris replied in a cheerful tone, "Name's Chloris by the way, what's yours?"

The young girl's eyes widen as she looked away shyly as she did not even know what her name was. When she woke up she didn't know who she is or why she was here.

"I-I don't know," the young girl answered sadly, "I don't have a name."

"You don't," Zephyr asked in a sad tone, "we can help you with a name."

"How so," the blonde haired girl queried.

"Hmmmm that's gonna be a challenge but first gotta choose a rank, then we'll find a name for ya," Chloris advised.

"Right, hmmmm think monster slayer sounds interesting, I'll take that rank please," the young girl spoke with enthusiasm to the receptionist.

Hino looked at the young girl with a questionable and confused look. "Hu?" He hummed and raised an eyebrow confused on what just happened.

Just as they all spoke and met the door to the guild opened wide as a figure walked through. With a pair of crimson red eyes peered at the rest, looking directly at the reception desk.

"Hm? Oh! Hey! It's Freddy!" Blip bursted and smiled, "Freddy! You're Finally here to take the test?" It asked and leaped over.

"Heh, hey Blip!" He smiled, the young man picked up the slime. "It's been a while since I've seen ua."

"Yeah! Glad to see you finally escaped the castle to take the test!"

"Heh, yeah." He then walked to the desk and exclaimed, "I'm here to take the monster slayer test!"

Lyla smiled, "oh, well our summoner is currently on a mi-" she paused before she looked over at Blip. "Actually, is your boss free?"

"Hm? Oh! Yeah he finished a little while ago, want me to see if he's free?"

"Yes please!"

"Yes ma'am." Blipvsaid before their eyes went blank.

"While we get it sorted out, why don't all you slayer candidates take a seat and wait."

"Sounds like a plan," the blonde haired girl noddded as she took a seat and waited with Chloris and Zephyr greeting the receptionist.

the white haired boy followed, sitting down next to her.

The red haired boy bowed and went to go take his seat. Just as he did, a young woman with red hair walked over to him and with hands curled in excitement and eyes filled with nerves she took a seat next to him.

"Are, are you Alfredo Rivera?" She asked while playing and twilight with her hair, she turned her head away, hiding the blush that was clear on his face. "I heard you were coming over, I too used to work at the ca-"

Before she could continue she was interrupted with a hand on top of her head. With a kind smile Alfredo responded, "I'd rather we keep it that much. But I am Alfredo. If I remember correctly, you're Cynthia right? You were one of the maids of the princess. To think you're here at the adventurers guild."

"Ah... Yes. Thank you for remembering." She stuttered, "But of course, I'm here to take the retrievers test."

Alfredo nodded, "Of course. Sounds like a new chapter in your life, right?"

Cynthia blushed and giggled, "It is. I just don't know how to start my journey."

"Well, let's see. Why not join me for lunch?" Alfredo suggested. "After the exams, heck I may even need a retriever if I end up forming a party."

Hino was unsure of what was going on and didnt bother figure it out. He looked back at the receptionist. "so what do we have to do to sign up for these roles?" He asked curiously

"My, you're here already sir?" Lyla commented as she looked over at the opening door. "Leo-san"

With that being said, Leonardo, the chestnut brown hair adventurer from earlier emerged into the guild hall.

"Sorry that it took me some time to get here, I was a little occupied with this damn extermination." Leonardo comments as he walks in and looks over at those taking their seats waiting for the exam to begin. "Glad to see you two made it here!" He said before looking over at Blip. "Alright blip, let's get to work. You all, whomever is here to be a slayer, follow me."

The white hair boy stood up grabbing his sheathed sword and placing it back on his back. "*Finally*" he thought to himself.

"*That's my cue...I guess*," the blonde girl thought to herself as she stood up before she nervously gulped.

"Hm? Yay!" Alfredo cheered and marched alongside the rest of the group.

"Alright you kids, here we have this arena. On here I will administer a test. monster slayer exams are simple, I summon a beast that you will defeat, upon doing so you will be promoted on terms of rank. Ranks go from F through A and if you're lucky and truly strong you can even reach the s-rank." Leo said as he opened the doors to reveal a large arena. One by one you will step in to face an enemy, so please be sure you're ready. You can bring any gear you like and use any ability ya got." He then stood on the opposite end of the arena. "So, decide who goes in first."

## The Test

Just before the other two examinees could even begin to talk amongst each other on who can go first, the white haired boy shoved himself between the two. "Alright! now we're getting started!" He hopped onto the railing and leaped into the arena pit and landed on his feet and stood back up as he glared into Leo's eyes, ready for the challenge. "My name is Hino Sontara!" He cried out as he unsheated his sword. "And one day i will be the hero who saves the entire world!" He says after, very confidently.

The test was viewed by other guild members, watching the test for various reasons, many are watching to see how good the newbies are, others are scouting for possible new members, while some have just nothing to do and decided to watch to make the time go by. After Hino's declaration, many members chuckled.

"Yea sure kid." one spectator said

"Man whatever" Another said.

One such group of adventurers was a group of four sitting together with one man sitting ahead of them with brilliant flaming golden colored hair and a white fur coat worn over a dark blue shirt and black pants. "Man get a load of guts on this guy huh boss?" The guy behind him who was the biggest guy among them said.

"Heh, just some rat who likes to chase his dreams. Just watch gents, guys like that are all talk but in the end they dont have the bite to back it up." The golden hair man replied before taking a chug from his mug

"Hahahaha!" His friends laughing at Hino in response to what he said.

"Very well young man," Leonardo said as he tapped the floor causing a magic circle to manifest in front of Hino. "Alright, one of you is enough to test him." He said as a small white rabbit with a horn on the top of its head manifested from the circle.

"For the F rank test, you simply must defeat this little guy here. But I will warn you, he's a little violent."

The rabbits eyes began to glow red, it's limbs grew slightly longer and it's horns grew longer, letting out a drool covered roared.

Hino looked at the rabbit with a blank expression. "This is a monster?" He questioned and approached the it. "Whats so dangerous about you?" He asked it while extending his hand out to try to pet it.

Suddenly the rabbits eyes began to glow with blood red hue and it's paws and legs grew larger as it took off running and dashed past Hino, almost stabbing it's horn into his eye but barely misses.

Leo looked over and tilted his head, "never underestimate an enemy kid."

Hino's eyes widened at the sudden change of the rabbit and leaned backwards to avoid its sudden launch at him. "OH GEEZ!" He cried out as he turned around towards the rabbit twirling his sword in his hand before stopping it and took a fighting stance, pointing his sword at it. "Thats the most vicious bunny ive ever seen!" He said to himself.

"The horned rabbit travel in packs, as a pack they are roughly a c rank threat, alone they're simply an F rank threat." Leo said as he observed the battle. "That sword of yours is pretty big, I wouldn't focus too much on overpowering it." He then paused and thought to himself, "*he's going to need to use his own agility and endurance to win this one.*"

As he finished talking, the rabbit returned and charged back at Hino, launching itself like a canon ball, moving at intense speed.

Hino let out a grin followed by a light chuckle. "Too big? I don't know what you mean, this sword is perfect fit for my partner." He said confidently. He then took one hand off the handle and placed it at the middle of the flat end of the blade. Once the rabbit got close enough, with his hand that remained on the handle, Hino flung the handle of his down and use the hand he placed in the center of the sword to spin the sword backwards to strike the incoming rabbit from below with the handle and continue the rotation until the handle returned back to its original hand, pointed the tip of the sword towards its target and thrusted it forward.

The rabbit drove it's horn into Hino's blade! Meeting the sword head on, clashing against the steel, sending sparks flying in the air. In that moment the rabbit kicked it's legs with great force to manuver around the sword and began to run incircle around Hino!

"Oh? It's in hunting mode, it's taking ya seriously huh?" Leo said outloud as he examined the bout before him.

Once Hino got his sword together from the rabbits counter he swung his large sword around in a circle in the opposite direction the rabbit the was heading.

The rabbit wild jump over and run up the sword before launching itself at Hino!

The rabbit was able to stab Hino in the shoulder with its horn. "Ugrrrr." He clentch his teeth to bare the pain.

Quickly the rabbit jumped off of Hino and landed on a wall, jumping off of it and aiming to stab Hino's neck!

Hino placed his hand on the stab wound on his shoulder. "Ugrrr oh you stupid rodent, now you've done it!" He then turned towards the rabbit with a glare. He held his sword out as it began to glow and emit a large vibrating aura from the blade. "If you think im going to let myself die to this overgrown fur ball, then you've got another thing coming!" He cried out. He then winded his sword back before swinging it towards the rabbit. "***Unique Skill***! ***Chaos***!" With that single swing of the blade, a large gust of wind swept through the battle field raging violently in the singular direction, slash and shredding everything. "**Wind Slash Barrage**!" He cried out his attack.

With just that slash alone it released a large slice of highly compressed and razor sharp blade of air! It traveled through the air the in that instant of the rabbits attack, the beast met the end of it's life, being cut clean in half from Hino's attack.

"Oh? Is it possible he's an otherworlder with this unique skill?" He wonders outloud before jotting it down in his notebook "oi, kid, ya did good. You're officially an E rank. Wanna keep moving forward?" Leo asked as he walked over to Hino.

Hino looked up to Leo, glanced aside to think about it for a quick second before looking back at Leo with a big grin. "Nah, no thanks." He happily denied. He then turned around and leaped back to the other noobies.

"Hmm?" The man sitting infront of the group of four raised his eye brow.

"What? He's stopping at the beginner rank?" One of the men behind him said.

"Talk about an idiot." One of the other men said.

Upon hearing that, one of the participants smiled eagerly. Behind the group of participants was a young man with medium long blue hair and bangs that stopped at his eyes which were large and blue in color. He had a long, thin braid that extended down to his back and was wearing a long robe with a thin silk inside that were crossing over his body with a rope around his waist, and a badge tied to the end of it. He had a ruby on his forehead that was connected to a gold chain that wasinter-crossed to its bottom, with him wearing it as a headpiece, while he had bracelets around his ankles and was carrying a wooden staff that had a spiral on the top that was surrounded with vines with thorns.

"*He is good.*" he thought interested while looking at Hino and he became more skeptical "*However, this feeling...could he be an otherwolder like me? I don't know, but it would be great if I met someone like me.*" he thought and smiled on the possblty.

## Second Test

Leonardo stretched his arm out before looking over at the other applicants. He looked at both of them up and down, examining and evaluating them.

"You the blonde one." He said as he pointed over at Aika. "You're next. So step forward."

Aika's eyes widened as she pointed to herself, grabbed her sword then approached forward cautiously in a shy manner. "Y-yes?" Aika asked in a shy manner.

"You're next for your exam. So prepare yourself, I'll work on summoning your enemy."

Aika nodded as she took a deep breath then took her stance holding her sword shaking nervously. "Wonder what my enemy would be," Aika thought to herself, "something tame as Hino?"

"Alright, come out here, Blip." Leo said as he raised his hand, creating a magic circle, summoning the slime the girl had met earlier that day. The small blue slime smiled and jumped up looking at Aika.

"Hey Aki! You ready?" Blip the slime asked as it prepared itself for battle.

"I-I'm ready," Aika nodded as she put on a brave face while taking her stance.

"Alright, begin!" Leo yelled as he officially began the test!

Just as Leo declared the test, Blip jumped up into the air and leapt at Aika!

Aika immediately leapt back dodging Blip as she looked towards her. "She's fast," Aika thought, "need to think of something to slow her down..."

"Ooooo" blip smiled in awe before tightly twisting and coil her body before it released a razor sharp blade of water aimed directly at Aika! "Water Scythe!"

Aika's eyes widened as she swung her sword in the direction where Blip was heading cutting through her attack as she lunged towards her ready to aim a forward slash at her! "Got you!" Aika thought to herself.

"Oooooo." Blip said as it saw the counter attack from aika. Immediately blip used it's slime body to split up into six different tentacles and maneuvered around the blade and appears behind Aika. "Hiiii."

"What the," Aika exclaimed turning herself around seeing Blip behind her quickly striking at her once more!

Just like before blip simply split it's body apart to dodge the attack, letting the sword strike slash to the floor. It then returned and fused into itself.

"Hehehehehe!" Blip laughed as it then jumped up and tried to wrap itself around aika.

Aika swiftly spun herself around in a manner like a top slicing through Blip hoping to cut through her to escape. "This time I got her," Aika thought.

Blip would then let it's body go numb, no longer keeping it's shape and goops itself all over Aika's sword and body. "And now" the just as quickly Blip hardened itself, wrapping aika from head to toe, sword and all with thick elastic slime.

"H-huh, what is this?" Aika exclaimed in a panicked tone trying to move her body but was unable to, "I-I can't move!"

outside the arena, Hino was leaning against and resting his arms on the guard rail watching the battle calmly. "Geez that slime's got a whole arsenal of abilities, is this really an F class monster?" He said to himself outloud for others to hear him.

Still unable to move, Aika once again tried to move one of her limbs to no avail. She began to feel something within that started to glow as her body started to glow a bright orange releasing small waves of heat. "Come on, need to break out of this," Aika grunted once more trying to move as her body continued to glow releasing more heat!

"Ow ow ow!" Blip shrieked in pain as it quickly climbed off of Aika and regaining her form. "That hurt, that's...that's holy magic! How, you're using it at such a young age..."

"Holy...Magic," Aika queried in a curious tone noticing her body was still glowing a bright orange, "what's going on with my body?"

"She's a holy magic user, master I don't think I can win now." Blip said before bouncing ontop of Leo's shoulder.

"Heh, well it looks like you won this match. My little one here can't take holy magic. Magics like holy magic, light magic and a few others cause issues for it. Now would you like to take on the E grade test to advance even more?"

Aika's body slowly began to stop glowing as she sighed in relief that the frightmare was over with. She felt this was only pure luck that she won and wondered if she wished to proceed forward or remain where she is currently. Her fight with Blip was a challenge but was still one she knew was something she had to prepare for what was out there. Then, Aika felt a jolt as she looked to Leo with a confident yet serious expression on her face. "I'm ready to take the next grade test," Aika answered.

Leo couldn't help but smile as he raised his hand again as a larger summoning circle opened up in front of him. "Alright Spike, give her a good workout." He said as the circle began to manifest a large, dry, jagged hair beast with a large horn on its head.

"Raaaaaahhhh!!!" It out a blood curdling roar, stomping it's feet down.

Aika's eyes widened as she looked to the beast with a curious look on her face. "This is my opponent," Aika thought to herself, "can't let my guard down though...who knows what it might pull."

Just like with the rabbit from earlier that day, the beast took off, leaping at a bullet speed, Spike aimed it's king sharp horn at Aika's chest!

Aika quickly ducked from the beast's attack with wide eyes. "Whoa! Thing is fast!" Aika exclaimed.

The beast crashed into the wall, stabbing the stoned wall, stick. Though quickly the horn began to rotate and drill, breaking the wall and pulling himself from the wall.

"He's not one you can take so lightly. Spike is a very ravenous furball." Leo said before he smirked. "You better stay light on your feet."

"Well that's reassuring to hear...," Aika sighed in a deadpan tone looking over to Leo before turning her attention back over to the beast.

Spike then moved back on the attack, jetting itself back to Aika as his horn began to spin like a drill again.

**(Common)Skill: Ripping tornado**

A tornado began to form from the rapid air current following the drill as the beast let out a roar. It's eyes fixated on Aika as the rapid twister was aimed at her.

Aika's eyes widen as she jumped out of the way of beast then charged towards it! "*Now I see what he meant by how fast this furball is!*" Aika thought.

"Grrrr." The beast growl d before adjusting it's footing and kept over Aika's attack!

"Toocslow." Leo scolds, looking over at Aika. "The higher in grade you want to go, the more work you'll need to put in. Trust me kid you're better off quitting. The only reason you beat blip is because of luck, not skill."

"Skill?" Aika queried to herself until she charged at the beast with her sword ready to lunge at it!

"raaar!!!" The beast let out a roar in pain as it felt her sword pierce it's backside!

"Heh, she landed a hit huh?" Leo thought to himself.

"Don't let up, keep at it!" Aika thought to herself as she landed a few more slashes on the beast then swiftly past by it as she stood up waving her sword with a single slash.

With the final slash, Spike finally fell to the floor as a circle opened under him, pulling him away from the battlefield.

"Looks like ya neat spike kid." Leo said as he looked over at Aika. "Not bad, you wanna move onto the next test or kill it off here?"

"One more," Aika answered quickly, the fire in her golden eyes burned as she looked over to Leo.

"Very well young lady." He then placed his hand down and another magic circle formed as a large red and black scalded alligator stood up on its hind legs and stood opposing aika. This beast was twice her size in height alone but three times her mass.

"Scales, remember not to kill her." Leo said looking over to Aika, "D rank test will start now."

"This is it, can't let up now," Aika thought to herself.

As the young girl prepared herself and the beast cracked it's claws, a young woman with long flowing pink hair, crystal blue eyes to match her fair unblemished skin walked over.

"So we have two new recruits who have passed the tests so far huh?" The woman said outloud looking upon Aika's battle. "Oh? She's made it to the d-rank test? Good for her, we need more ladies climbing up the ranks." She said adjusting the armor she wore, setting her helmet down to continue to watch the exhibition.

Aika charged towards the beast ready to lunge towards it with her sword! "Try and get a hit in!" Aika thought to herself.

"Sorry kid," Leo said as he saw Scales reach out and grabbed Aika's sword. "This guy here has had a few battles against a certain someone. So you're gonna need more than just a few sword attacks."

Aika's eyes widen looking at the beast. "What now," Aika thought to herself, "wait, I could try that spell I did again...but how do I do that?" Aika placed her hand in front of her waiting her for hand to glow but to no avail as her eyes turned to shock.

With her sword caught in his claw, scale's razor sharp tail stabbed forward, trying to stab Aika in the eye!

Aika swiftly moved her hands in front of her face when suddenly a shield appeared before her made of holy light blocking the attack! Aika opened her eyes as they widened in bewilderment from what happened. "What the?!" Aika exclaimed, "what is this??"

Scales leg began to glow as he stoned on the floor, sending a wave of force through the earth, cashing large rocks to be fired off from the floor under her and more importantly behind the barrier!

"What the?!" Aika exclaimed as she quickly jumped up avoiding the attack!

"Big mistake," Leo muttered as he saw Scales jump into the air and bugs down on her arm!

Aika grunted in pain as her arm started to glow again! "*My arm's glowing again like last time*," Aika thought noticing her glowing light orange arm.

"Raaaahhh!!!" Scales cries out in pain as it felt its own teeth burning, his gums feeling as though they were drenched in acid.

"It is holy magic huh?" Leo thought to himself and looked over clearer at Aika. "*If it is, she'll be one of the ones I need.*" he muttered. "Scales, her serious already!" He ordered as the beast lunges after Aika again!

**Holy Slash!**

Aika's arm glowed once more as she raised her arm in a manner similar to a sword then swung it down at Scales!

Just like that Aika successfully sliced scales cleanly in half, finishing the test and gaining a higher level of skill over her holy magic.

"I-I did it," Aika thought to herself with wide eyes as her arm stopped glowing.

Leo couldn't help but smile and give the young lady a round of applause. "Heh, not bad kid." He said as he walked over to her. "Would you like to continue?"

"No, I think here is my stopping point," Aika replied shaking her head.

"Not bad kid," Leo said before handing her a potion. "Drink that up, it'll take care of your injury. Go take a load off I'll get ya your license after all the rest." He said. "Who's up next?"

## Third Test

"Oi, Zookeeper, ya letting these kids fight your riffraff? Come one give them a real fight will ya?" The pink haired woman from earlier hollard over at Leo. "Make sure we're promoting the creme of the crop!"

"Hm?" Leo paused before rolling his eyes and letting out a sigh before shrugging his shoulders. "Didn't think you'd come over here for the tests Pinky." Leo responded.

"Don't make me come down there and kick your ass!" Quickly on the drop of a dime the demon yelled at Leo and shook her fist at Leo. "I will murder you!"

"Seriously, how does someone so pretty get so unladylike when she loses her cool." Leo complained. "Take it easy Morgan." He then cracked his neck and stretched his arms out.

"I wonder how someone who has a pack of animals be such a beta!"

"I am an alpha!" Leo replied.

Blip jumped up onto his shoulder and sighrd. "Master, what's with you two always fighting? You both rarely work together or against each other."

"Causes she's a bitch." He replied.

"Became he's an ass!" Morgan added, yelling out across the stadium.

"Okay! Who's next!?" Leo yelled annoyed and ready to move onto the next test.

"Don't you ignore me!"

"I will deal with you when the tests are over! Now quiet you!" Leo pointed and then looked over at the other two test takers, "whosoever next, come on in."

"I guess it's time for me." said Constantine who stepped up, with him cracking his neck and rotating his arms "I'm ready." he said determined while lookng at Leo.

Leo extended his hand forward as a magic circle began to manifest as a green slime with orange like crest on its head manifested itself before Constantine.

"Begin!" Leo declared.

"This is my opponent?!" he asked freaked out but then took a deep breath "Let's start hot, Fire!" shouted Constantine as he unleashed a palm sized ball of fire from his left hand at Behin.

The slime stood still, taking the fireball and shrugged it off.

"Fire of that level won't really do much to Dip, it's a little bit of a tank." Leo announced looking over at the test taker. "Just a bit of help so you don't waste your magicules."

"Thank you very much!" said Constantine grateful for the advise "*A tank, huh? This might become troublesome. She will shrug off my spells then with her toughness.*" he mummbled and his eyes then widened "*Wait, that's it!* he thought and smiled fired up before running towards Dip and once he closed the distance, he was about to impale her with his staff.

As the staff was stabbed into the slime, trigging it's intrinsic skill, dissolve. This intrinsic skill rapidly dissolves whatever enters the slimes body.

"*Dip is the second best slime I have in terms of training it's dissolve ability. So doing that was a mistake, kid.*" Leo thought to himself not wanting to help the test taker anymore.

"If she's sturdy outside..." he said and his staff's tip was surrounded by fire "...I just have to blast her from inside! Fireball!" he shouted as he put his staff in Dip's mouth, causing a small explosion.

"*nope.*" Leo sighed as he saw.

As the staff went inside the mouth of Dip, locked it's lips down on the staff.

**Intrinsic Skill: Absorb**

The fireball was simply consumed by the slime,as in its nature to take foreign substances in regardless of what they may be. The top of the staff began to dissolve and break down.

**Intrinstic Skill: Dissolve**

"I won't let you! Dryad Staff activate!" shouted Constantine and the remaining top of the staff glowed in a green color "*Dryad Staff can double the power of spells twice a day* Take this, Boosted Fireball!" he shouted as he unleashed inside Dip an even bigger Fireball.

With the increase of the fireball's power the slime couldn't withstand the added force and popped!

"Looks like ya won pretty quickly." Leo said as he picked up a hand full of the slime as his hand began to glow. Slowly, all the slime disappeared form the battlefield and the little bit in his hand fully reformed back into its main body. "Better dip?"

Dip then nodded and jumped back into the circle that summoned him.

"Not bad, you saw it's counter and quickly adapted to it. Granted you needed to use something like that on a slime does show me something." He then looked back at Constantine. "You ready for another?"

"Yes, sir!" exclaimed Constantine fired up.

"Very well, let's move onto e-rank." Leo then snapped his fingers summoning a small red dog with large white fur covering it's eyes and head.

"Alright boy, go have fun and do your best Inu."to ordered as the dark barked and charged at Constantine!

"*That's it, come...*" he thought as he tapped his staff as a form of provocation.

Inu jumped up and it's body began to glow with a gold like aura, forming a small ball of aura and fired it out!"

**Common Skill: Aura Crash**

Constantine then jumped high just in time and pointed his staff at where Inu landed, with vines appearing around it.

The vines snuck up on Inu! Binding him into place as the Stone Pup struggled.

"Oh?" Leo looked on intrigued. "He's quite skilled with magic, precise and smooth transition between spells and tactics." Leo looked over and saw the finesse in Constantines magical aptitude.

"You seem like a good boy, but I must keep moving until I reach my limits! Wind Cutter!" he shouted as he swiped his staff and unleashed a blade of wind aimed at Inu's torso.

Inu took the attack and whimpered! Being shot away still bound up! It rolled and slammed into Leo who caught the poor stone dog.

"Oh?" Leo began to heal the beast before returning he I'm into the spell circle. "You are pretty good at magic kid I'll give ya that."

"Thank you, sir! I practised and studied a lot." replied Constantine honored smiling "Can we please keep going?" he asked eager.

"Quite eager huh?" He laughed, responding to the examinee's request, "very well, I suppose there's no reason to hold back huh? Very well." Leo then snapped his fingers, summoning fifty slimes,all the sesame as the first one. "Dip, let's give him a good one."

Quickly all the slimes nodded and ran into each other slowly building their bodies and taking a humanoid form.

"There we go," the beautiful young lady said as her body has slime secreting into her hair. Her radiant orange red hair and beautiful eyes to match stood before Leo. "I'll do my best, master."

"I expect you to do so little one."

She turned over and looked back at Constantine, "Alright, let's do this kid!"

"*She seems like a trouble, and I can only use four more spells.*" he thought troubled and then looked at her while pointing his staff "Liquidize!" he said and the ground near Dip started to soften.

Quickly Dip extended her tendril like arms made of slime across the area and pulled herself to the wall. She then started to run on the wall closing the distance between the two and launched herself at Constantine!

"*I'm waiting for you, come!*" he thought alerted.

Dip landed Infront of him and launched her tendril arm ar him! "Take that!"

"*Now!* Wind Protect!" Constantine shouted as he created a protective veil of wind around himself.

"Oh?" Dip smiled as her Tendril began to rotate and drill it's wall into the veil!

"*Yeah, keep being focused into drilling through the wind wall!*" thought Constantine while trying to resist.

"Yum!" Dip said as her still has a tip in the very front of it. It was rapidly pulling in and absorbing the wind veil into herself.

"Be pierced and set ablaze, Boosted Fire Lance!" he shouted as he unleashed three big lances of fire aimed at Dip's torso.

"Ara?" Dip said outloud as she felt her body pop and erupt as her upper body was seperated from her legs. "My, how forward." Then quickly, practically instantly her body reformed and healed itself.

**Intrinsic Skill: Self Regeneration**

Dip smiled as she stretched her legs. "Wow kid you got some actual heat on your tool box." She then opened her mouth and spat out a pair of gauntlets, her tendrils enveloping it and took shape perfectly as she lifted up her guard.

"As forward as you are, my master is my world. So don't take a beat down too personally."

Constantine was now breathing with a little difficulty while also sweating, looking at the now armed Dip troubled "*Fire Lance was effective, but I should've accounted for her regeneration. The only way to win is to unleash an attack that will surpass her regeneration, but what? It's not like I can do what I did with the other slime!*" he thought and his eyes widened from realization "*Wait...there* is *something I can do!*" he deduced realized.

"Dip should be having some fun by now." Leo said outloud and watched on.

Quickly Dip charged forward and slammed her hands together and began to form pure aura in her grasps. "**Battlewill: Aura Crash!**" she yelled as her aura turned to the shape of a aball and she launched with out with incredible force at Constantine.

Constantine's eyes narrowed and he jumped to avoid the ball.

"And now," Dip smiled as the ball of aura behind Constantine blew up! Sending a powerful wave of force and debris was launched at the rest taker. The debris scattering at him like bullets and the wave of force having great physical force behind them.

The shock impact pushed Constantine a little further once he landed, but he recollected himself and began running at Dip, readying his staff in which he began gathering magicules "Dryad Staff's other effect is offering better magicule control and if I put all my magicules in it..." he said and then was close to Dip, his staff being engulfed in fire and swung it at Dip.

Dip then leaped away getting distance between the two, launching her armored gauntlet in order to catch Constantine's staff!

Constantine placed his right hand behind him "Wind Gust!" shouted Constantine as he generated a large gust of wind that sent him flying up and was now closer to Dip "Sorry...but...I must win!" he shouted while bringing down on her his staff that was now akin to a blade of fire.

"You're not bad kid!" Dip said with a smile on her face as she saw the sword coming. "But always be careful of your surroundings." She said as a tendril of slime shot out from the ground and blocked the way to Dip. It was the same slime that was blasted off of her lower body earlier. It has reformed and laid in wait for its use

"And let's got with! **Battlewill:Model Wall**" Dip then encased her body with a dome as she watches the tendrill stood guard in front of her.

Constantine's attack was being blocked by the wall "Agh...So...sticky....and soft..." he said while grunting "Just...DISAPPEARRRRR!" he shouted as he freed his staff and swung it again, with the flame blade having become bigger once he channeled the remaining magicules he was saving for the final hit in it in order to finally slice Dip.

"Gauntlets Of The Giant: Right Hand, Shock absorption." Dip chanted as it places the right gauntlet in the dope where the sword struck at and activated it's ability. The right hand absorbs any and all shock of force. Meaning once the staff which was already weakened and slowed down earlier by the slime tendril, the rest of the force was absorbed by the right hand. It's barrier withstanding the attack and Dip safe.

"I did say Dip was a tank. In a battle where you were spamming spells you wouldn't have beaten it." Leo said outloud as he saw Constantine's attack failing.

"Damn it all..." said Constantine in a weakened but also frustrated voice as he fell down on the ground, with him breathing heavily from exhaustion.

"That'll lend things here." Leo said before appearing between dip and Constantine. "Alright Dip, you'll get extra servings today at dinner." he paused before petting the slime girl on the head. "Now return, go ahead and rest."

Dip giggles before saluting to Leo and retiring to her slime form and disappeared.

"Now, go and take a rest I'll have a medic come help ya. Stay in the stands until the test is over for the last examinee."

"Yes...sir..." replied a weakened Constantine.

Leo then walked away and thought, "*He may have what I'm looking for.'*"

## Final Test

Leonardo looked over at the last student and snapped his fingers, summoning a dark purple slime before him.

"Alright zip, just a quick test okay? Then you can go back to your nap." Leo said as he began petting the small slime. "Do good and I promise we'll get some extra sweets today!"

The slime jiggles and jumped with joy! Unlike Blip, zip doesn't have the ability to talk due to it being on the lower level side of rankings compared to Blip

"Hm," the young boy looked over and leapt off his seat and landed before Leonardo. "It's been a while Sir Elio." The brown eyes Alfredo said before bowing respectfully and stood back up.

"Heh, how many times do I have to ask ya not to call me that. Plus don't start calling me master either. Just so your best to not lose to Zip." Leo annoyingly replied as he sent Zip forward against Alfredo. "Now why would a boy from the Ivory Tower Of Magical Arts be doing taking this exam? Not just that but the otherworlder they've invested so much stock into. "Could it be someone's finally gonna make a run for it?"

"The less you know the better sir." Alfredo replied before taking off his cloak and setting his staff down. "Shall we begin?"
Alfredo then smiled and began to cast his spell. A large purple orb formed in front of him and began spinning, quickly gathering energy. In no time the orb had grown a size larger than the young boy.

"Magic Bullet: Rotation!" He chanted as he used a simple casting technique while adding a dramatic increase of potency and striking/blunt force with the rapid spin affecting it.

"That's quite the sight isn't it?" Alfredo asked as the sphere grew faster before finally launching it!

"I'm surprised you're able to use that in this world being your age. Though I can imagine, after all, you are the "Golden Flame" of the tower aren't you?" Leo said cheerfully before snapping his fingers.

Suddenly zip broke his body into multiple pieces before firing itself off like bullet! Dodging the attack and bounced off the walls like rubber balls, reforming directly above Alfredo. Then Zip shot itself down and formed a drill like body as it aimed itself with great blunt force down at Alfredo.

"Well aren't you something else. Let's see if there is anything left when you hit your limit." Leonardo said as Alfredo let out a sigh as he was forced to defend himself.

"Solid Air!" Alfredo casted his spell, forcing the air around to condense itself, becoming incredibly tough walls making crash into it! "I forgot zip was your fastest slime, range won't be my friend here." Alfredo the pointed his hand at Zip, "Solid times two!" Focusing his magicules on the slime he then created another dome around Zip. "Now!" He snapped his fingers releasing his first done and gasped for air.

"You went for the quick victory and used your solid air spell to protect yourself from Zip. All that despite Solid Air also means no air to breathe when in the dome." Leo praised Alfredo and his swift decision making. "But can you hold Zip down for the ten seconds time out?"
"Of course I can." Alfredo replied confidently, "but I doubt you'll accept my second spell."

Alfredo then began casting again, a large ball of light formed in front of him and it slowly started to expand!

"This is just a little insurance policy if it gets out, this little guy will be enough to do some damage." Alfredo cockily announced. "Now zip, keep going!"

Zip continued to fire off its bullets at Alfredo until finally he couldn't take it anymore and unleashed it's final attack. The slime began to cool itself tightly by the second. On the seven seconds mark it launch itself with immense drilling blunt force!

"Not so fast!" Alfredo said as he clenched his hands causing the dome to compress itself and tighlty keep the slime trapped.

"Ugh! You really got me this time." Alfredo said as he began feeling a bit discomfort. "So it's been five years since our last battle huh?"

"That's right. Of course just like last time, you couldn't hope to face me or my beasts full out." Leo replied. But that would be the ten seconds needed." He waved his hands, recalling zip back to it's post to sleep and rest. "Very well, seems you passed, w-"

"No, I'd just like the license please." Alfredo quickly replied composing himself. "Ok lease and thank you "

"Cocky little," Leonardo paused before looking over at him. "Very well." Leo snapped his fingers teleporting him with the rest. "Glad to see such a great graduating group. Please don't die." Leonardo leaped over the arena. "I'll meet you guys at reception, I'll get your badges."

## Blossoming Flowers

The exams were finally over, with all the rookies that participated waiting near the reception desk and there, a now healed Constantine came last, his face happy "I might've lost against that slime chimera but next time, I will win now that I know what I'm up against." he muttered hopeful and then looked around "Might be because of how more spacious the place we took the test was, but that's quite a lot of fellow rookies!" he exclaimed surprised while practically unable to see in front of him.

Alfredo walked by Constantine and rolled his eyes,"to correct you ya novice, Dip wasn't using a chimera technique." He began as he looked over seeing the desk was empty. "See, Dip, Yip, Zip and Blip are Leonardo's beasts. They've evolved to the point they have a more human like body. But unlike most other monsters in the world, slimes can de evolve and split it's bodies into multiple weaker slimes. When you fought it the first time it was on fifteenth of it's original strength. When you fought it the second time, Dip was fighting at full power. So to sum it up, you lost to a slime."

Constantine turned around with a smile that hid anger "So, according to what you said, it's an evolved slime species that can use techniques like Battlewill and split itself while also acting as familiar and yet, a rookie like me hanged in there against it." he said and his eyes widened "Oh, I see, maybe you totally lost against one of its lesser forms and now want to look like a hotshot?" he asked politely, his words dripping anger.

Alfredo looked back at Constantine, "Hm? Oh no, I defeated my slime pretty quickly. I also didn't need to use an item to increase the potency of a spell just to have a chance to win. All I needed was to win the weakest slime to get the license." Alfredo replied with a chuckle. "Some of us don't need aces to beat such weak monsters "

"Wow, you are so *awesome*. I defeated a slime, that dog and fought against the true form of that slime which the *test examiner* threw against me. Also, a mage needs his staff no matter their level of strength and against the examiners monster, I needed it. Well, then again, why I'm wasting my breath on someone feeling content in defeating one of the lesser slime forms of the evolved slime I fought against? I bet you will surely brag about that victory for life." he said while shrugging his shoulders with a cocky smile and tone.

"No we dont." Alfredo walked away. "I didn't need my staff in my bout, I didn't expand any real effort." He then turned around and smirked, "Maybe next time I can teach you how to actually use magic." He then placed his hands in his pocket and walked away.

Contantine then had a fired up smile "Oh, I would *love*  that!" he shouted at Alfredo as he was walking away.

Aika was resting after her test when the two girls she met prior approached her. She was surprised to see them again but at the same time happy.

"Oh, it's you two again, Zephyr and...Chloris," Aika recalled trying to remember.

"Yup!" Chloris nodded brightly smiling.

"Glad you remembered," Zephyr softly smiled, "how did the test go?"

"Went well, I unlocked some magic I didn't know I have and I'm still questioning what they are," Aika replied looking at her arm waving it a bit.

"Then there's that dumb blonde from earlier. Who would sign up for this kind of test and not be prepared. Seriously, luck is the only thing that kept her around." Alfredo complained about Aika rather annoyed at her feats.

"Hm? Well...I don't know anything about myself...or what those powers are," Aika admitted looking down a bit, "I don't even know my own name."

"How do you not know you're own name," Zephyr asked curiously, "everyone has a name."

"That's...odd," Chloris replied, her smile began to fade.

Hino entered the room while taking his sword off his back and placing it down. "Hahaha!" He ran in excited and leaped over a chair and sat on it as he landed. "Common common common! I cant wait for the end result!" He said, so excited that he couldnt stay still.

As they all gathered, Leonardo appeared standing on top of the reception table. "Alright kids! I got your licenses right here. But first each step up and listen to your assessment first." Leo then looked around and sighed as he saw how all their minds was all over the place.

"Well that doesn't seem to be happening, so instead I will be embarrassing you with words." He then looked over at Hino, "you were simply too over confident in your abilities. You underestimated what a single rabbit was capable of on their own and because of that if I didn't train them to not go for the killing blow, one woulda probably killed ya on the get go." Leonardo sighed before throwing a license over at Hino. "But something tells me ya still got plenty to do and plenty of room to grow."

Leonardo then looked over at Alfredo, "You're just lazy and used this entire thing as a way to escape the Ivory Tower." He then threw the license over at him. "You're also just an idiot."

"I then bring my focus to Constantine." Leo paused then brought his gaze to the other rookie. "Now you, ya seem pretty skilled and talented in terms of magical prowess. But you decided to take on monsters in a battle of attrition. This is typically why mages don't advance too far right away on these exams. Since human magicules are limited."

Contantine then gripped his license tight "Thank you, sir! I will train and research hard to become stronger!" replied Constantine with respect and excitement while bowing at Leonardo with a smile "*I will have to form a party soon though, might leave it for tomorrow. Today I celebrate and later train!*" thought Constantine excited.

"Lastly it's you, the blonde wonder lady. First of all you had no business being within this exam. You just woke up and had no idea who you really were. Secondly, it's also because you did not even have a way to fight the monsters to begin with other than your sore, which you seem fairly competent at. The only reason why you actually won was just pure luck that you unlock your holy magic potential." Leo the tossed Constantine and Aika their licenses.

"But you all passed, so I'm not one to deny you your rights to these licenses."

Aika quickly grabbed her license as she proudly held it close to her chest smiling. "I got my license," Aika smiled to herself, "then again, what did he mean by pure luck? Wait...why does that word sound familiar? Pure...pure..." Aika's eyes widen as she softly gasped looking ahead.

*Suddenly, a memory began to play in Aika's mind of a shadowy figure came forward to her presenting their hand to her.*

*"From this day forward, you shall be called Aikaterini," the voice echoed, "it means pure..."*

Back in the present, Aika closed her eyes as she opened them once more but more widely as they sparkled.

"Aikaterini...Aikaterini...is that...my name," Aika wondered to herself looking down at her license.

Hino grabbed his license with his trembling hands and gazed upon it. "Is...is this really true? Am i dreaming?" He questioned himself but letting out a large smile and jumped out of his seat and jumped around with joy. "YAY! IM FINALLY AN ADVENTURER!" Hino was so excited that he ran over to pick up his sword and rush to the door. "I gotta see what kind of jobs they have!" He said out loud before leaving the room.

"You finally got your license!" Chloris brightly smiled placing her hand on Aika's shoulder.

"You mentioned you didn't have a name...did you need one or," Zephyr asked with a curious expression on her face.

"I think...I remember my name...," Aika replied then with a soft smile she looked to them with the same smile, "I'm Aikaterini."

"Aikaterini? That's a beautiful name," Zephyr replied smiling.

"Yeah! Has a nice ring to it! So who ya gonna team up with? Hope it's me!" Chloris proudly proclaimed.

"What about me," Zephyr asked in a whiny tone.

"You'd end up lost in the wood easily without me," Chloris snided with a smug smile.

"That's not truuuuue," Zephyr whined as she pouted.

"Hey hey, why don't I go with both of you," Aika suggested.

"Y-you'd choose us both," the duo asked teary eyed.

"Why not? You two seem nice and were welcoming to me so you two can join me," Aika brightly smiled.

"Yaaaaaay!" Chloris and Zeyphr cheered hugging Aika then the trio left the room together.

Constantine was heading outside "What should I do now? Maybe I should take a bath first aft-?" his thought process was cut short as he bumped into someone and fell down "I-I'm sorry, really...sorry..." he said apologetically and then froze as before him was on the ground too was a beautiful girl with blue eyes and platinum blonde hair that was wearing a white dress with grey lines and blue earrings and a circlet that had wings to its sides.

"I-It's ok, it was...my fault too..." said the girl also embarassed and Constantine offered his hand and pulled her up gently "Thank you. A-Are you also an adventurer?" she asked timidly.

"Y-Yes, I'm Constantine Lightheart, an E-ranked rookie adventurer. W-W-What's your name?" he ended up asking timidly and the girl took a deep breath and did a pose with her raised dress's edges.

"I'm Dawn Sapphire, also an E-ranked rookie adventurer, nice to meet you." she said with a smile.

Constantine then realized something "D-Do you have a party?" he ended up asking and Dawn shook her head.

"No, I joined the guild the day before yesterday. I don't believe I'm good enough for a party..." she said a little sad and Constantine extended his hand, puzzling her.

"Why not join my party? I'm not so great either like I learned today, but we can become better together." he proposed with a smile, with Dawn being confused for some seconds but then timidly gave her hand.

"Again, I'm Dawn Sapphire, thank you for having me." she said with a warm smile, with Constantine smiling.

"Welcome, please put up with me." he said smiling.

## Epilogue: Downfall

Leo was seen gathering water at a nearby spring. The area around him and the spring was filled with brilliant green grass, bright and vibrant colored flowers, along with a slew of wildlife nearby. A large herd of deer grazed on the field while some of them stood in the distance. The young adventurer washed his face, feeling refreshed from his journey.

"Master!" The small light blue slime jumped onto his head and giggles, bouncing up and down repeatedly.

"Hm? Oh hey Blip! What's going on?" Leo asked as he happily giggles, lifting up Blip and holding it in his hands.

"Zip, Yip and Dip say their clear on their direction, so you can rest up. After giving all those rookies those tests probably taxed you on magicules and you needed to jump straight back to work on clearing the area." The slime said looking up at Leonardo.

"Well I guess that makes sense," Leo chuckles softly as he sets Blip back down. "I'm not sure if I could have taken anymore fights right now; especially after yesterday."

"I know you maintained a few summonings right after a mission and even used magicules to heal some of us. You should really rest Master." Blip giggled again before resting itself against Leo's chest.

Leo chuckled lightly and nods. "You're right… I'll take it easy for a bit. But first things first; let's get out of this forest."

"I feel like us resting here is probably best. That way the rest of us can maintain guard and watch while you rest before any other monster makes their way to you sir." Blip retorted.

Leo nodded and shrugged, "Alright then… I will go gather us something to eat. Do you want anything?"

Blip shook its head. "No thank you Master, but I would like to try some of that fruit over there."

Leo looked over and plucked some apples from a tree, "actually a few of these for me should hit the spot." Leo replied and kept picking more and more apples, tossing a few over to Blip and eating a couple himself.

"Good idea…" Blip agreed as it ate an apple and then a few more. Leo finished his own collection. Though quickly the slime looked over and noticed the adventurer had fallen asleep with one apple in his mouth and two cores in his hands. "Oh master." Blip signed as it jumped onto Leo's lap, resting.

As Leo slept, some of his beasts that he tamed had made their way through the forest, traveling until they came across a small pond. It was small, but large enough that theh could sit and relax beside it. The group sat around the pond, taking a break from their patrolling.

"So how did your patrol go?" Zip asked, looking around at everyone.

"We encountered nothing, just a few birds and some animals." Dip replied replied, her slime hair flicking behind her.

"Oh?" Yip questioned and peeked it's gaze over to the other two. "What happened to the dark creatures we were told to be on the lookout for?"

Dip glanced around the area. "There are no dark entities or monsters roaming about right now, only the normal wildlife."

"That's good then, because I don't think anyone else has gotten attacked yet." Zip smirked, shaking her head.

Yip sighed and shook her head. "It seems that our little expedition was pointless. Since there's no reason anymore monsters would make their way here."

"Don't be so quick to write off the area completely Yip. We still need to search for more information and clues as to why all the adventurers are vanishing." Dip stated.

"But what's the point?" Yip replied. "Master took out what was probably the main threat, that damn colony of monsters roaming the village's outskirts and nearby forest."

"Yes, but it doesn't mean there aren't other threats roaming about, possibly waiting to strike when we least expect it." Dip retorted.

"I know you're trying to stay optimistic, but it's starting to look more like we've been sent into a pointless endeavor." Yip complained. "The fact that a lot of other adventurers have already vanished means it's most likely a trap set by the someone pulling the strings, who knows how many others they have killed and possibly injured too. Plus our job is to protect our master just as much as it is to scout the area."

Zip nodded in agreement. "Plus, now that we have eliminated the immediate danger, we need to determine where this group of monsters originated from. If it's not outside the forest then there must be another entrance somewhere. Or perhaps even multiple entrances."

"How do you know its not a different type of monster?" Yip questioned.

"Simple, if it was a different type of monster than what we encountered yesterday, then it wouldn't have been a colony of them." Zip replied.

"Unless...whatever sent them here was able to send and control an entire colony alone." Yip suggested.

Dip and Zip looked at each other and shrugged. "Likely."

"Regardless, I can understand your concern Yip. However, if we continue to move forward without any new information, then we might as well give up and let our beloved master be killed. I don't know about you two, but keeping him alive is my priority."

"As it should be all of yours." Blip the blue slime appeared. "I sent one of my fraction clones to see what you three were doing. Now why am I hearing any of you even taking about going home or giving up? Our master is resting after working so hard and using up almost all his magicules." The slime scolded the other three slimes.

Blip huffed and looked around, seeing that the others had their attention on it. "I also heard you talking about leaving. You all know we cannot leave Master now that we have defeated the enemy. So keep all your fraction clones in line and get back to work!" She exclaimed.

"Now, now Blip, you shouldn't take out your frustrations out on us. We were just discussing our next course of action." Dip replied and shook her head. "Besides, the reason I mentioned we should leave was because I thought maybe it would be smarter to return back to the village."

"What?!" Blip gasped. "Are you mad?! With all the monsters running wild, there's no telling when another group of monsters will come charging in. And besides, we don't know if we've actually defeated everything or not."

"I agree with you Blip." Zip added.

"While that is true, we cannot stay here either. The longer we wait the greater chance that another monster group will attack the village and the adventurers working on the walls."

Suddenly an arrow was shot out, passing by and through tons of trees and grass, quickly approaching the resting Leonardo! It was slicing through the air with ease, covering a great amount of distance with complete ease and in an instant! The arrows were launched from the direction of the north, as though someone was firing off several arrows at once.
"Master!" Blip roared as one of her fraction clones saw the arrow but failed to stop it!

"What the!?" Leo gasped as he awoke. He quickly rolled out of the way and looked around, noticing that the other slimes were nearby now too.

"I'm sorry master." Blip apologized as she jumped up and down in place, looking down at the ground. "I didn't know the other slimes wouldn't be able to intercept. Please forgive us."

Leo looked over at all four of them, "we'll talk about this later, Now all four of you, some of the rest of your slime clones and manifest your true bodies. I need backup!" He ordered in a panic as he hid behind a rock. "I'm still not fully healed so I can't summon the rest of you! So recall all your clones as fast as you can!"

The slimes looked at each other and nodded. Their clones began to rapidly teleport away, making their way to Leo. As soon as they arrived, the four of them stood as the rest of their clones fused back into their true forms and taking their human like appearances.

Leo then turned back to look at where the arrows came from but quickly felt a cold grasps wrapped around his throat before being tossed through a tree!

"Master!" The four slime girls replied in a panic, looking over at Leo and his attacker!

The aggressor was a single woman, a petite one at that stood and looked over at the girls and Leonardo. She had silly white hair along with a dried out dead purple hue to it. Pointed cat ears and tail to match. She wore gloves with razor sharp claws made of metal attached to them. On her back she had a black bow tied to it. Her outfit was a leather pantsuit with a long sleeved shirt underneath.

"Who are you, and how dare you attempt to harm my master!" Blip yelled as she manifested her true body and glared at the woman.

"My name is Tanya and I'm here to kill you." She snarled back, her eyes never left Leo.

"Why are you attacking us!?" Blip yelled as she shot one of her slime tendrils at Tanya who swiftly and easily jumped and evaded the attack with complete ease.

"Because you're here, and I'm bored. This is the perfect opportunity to kill someone new, especially since I saw you coming." She replied as she bent over and grabbed some of the dirt from the earth, quickly creating a spell around her and Leo.

"What do you want?" Leo asked with a growl as he glared at Tanya.

"What do I want?" She laughed mockingly. "I want nothing, I'm just killing time until I find someone worth my time or until my lord recalls me from here."

"Your lord?" Leo questioned as he kept his eye on Tanya.

"Yes, my master. He's rather strict and has very high expectations when it comes to me, but I have my uses."

Leo quickly snapped his legs up and kicked himself from the floor and back up to slam a heavy right blow at her face! "Don't you with meeee!" Leo yelled as he released a flurry of attacks! One after another he slammed pinches, kicks, knees, any way he could inflict damage, he did so!

"So it was you who brought that stupid colony here! You're the reason why so many people had to get hurt and die!? Why!? Because you were bored!?" Leo asked not pausing from his assault,lifting up Tanya and power slamming her to the floor! "You fucking!" Before he could get another word in he slammed his forehead into her face! "Bitch!"

Tanya grunted and threw back her head, her neck stretched and twisted! "Fucking hell…you're strong… Here I thought all you humans were as weak as the ones I snipped down and let those monsters eat up." She then cracked her neck and knuckles. "But if that's you being pissed, not holding back, hitting me as hard as you can, then I'm sorry kid." Tanya then looked up with a sick twisted smile on her face, her evil eyes locked onto Leo, "then you're as good as dead!"

"No matter how much I hit you or how many times I do, you don't seem to feel anything huh? What a pervert, I bet your a masochist." Leo replied as he grinned.

Tanya chuckled and placed her hands on her hips. "And you think you can beat me in a fight huh? Be glad I haven't drawn my bow, or else you'd be one dead prey."

"You think I'm scared of what your going to do?" Leo smirked.

"Haha! You think that you can take me? HAHAHAHA!" Tanya laughed loudly as she pulled out a dagger from her pocket and tossed it at Leo!

Leonardo's eyes widened, seeing the attack moving at incredible, bullet like speed! Quickly the adventurer shit his hand up and grabbed the dagger from its hilt before it could reach him but immediately received a knee to the chest, slamming him into the barrier Tanya had made earlier!

"Where's all that talk now!?" Tanya asked before grabbing the back of his head, slamming his face into the barrier and dragged him across the barrier before slamming his face to the floor! Breaking Leo's nose a loud crack could be heard. "Here you were, firing off so many attacks only to be beaten down with a few shots?"
Leo coughed a bit and spat blood, feeling the pain shoot through his whole body! "FUCK YOU!" He yelled angrily.

Tanya walked over toward him, standing on his back and looked up, her fangs showing as she smiled wickedly. "You're strong, but you aren't anything more than a simple, weak human." She then lifted him off the ground and released her barrier and tossed the beaten down Leo on the floor. "You four are next. First I'll kill you four and make that idiot watch."

Blip and the rest of the slime girls got Infront of Leo and places their hands together. "We won't let you hurt our master!"

"Pathetic as if four slimes, even if they're evolved could ever stop someone like me." Tanya said as she pulled out another dagger from her belt and tossed it at each of the girls.

They all tried to dodge the attack, but it was too late; the daggers pierced through their necks and sliced them clean off, causing them to fall to the floor.

"That is a little coagulant I made that prevents you slimes from healing yourselves so easily. So let's hope you don't die right away, or do, who really cares." Tanya then walked over to Leo. "Now it's time for you to-"

Before she could take another step forward a magic circle appeared behind her before a large orange and black fur dog appeared from it and tackles Tanya! The beast was easily over three times her size and has razor sharp teeth.

"Inu..." Leo mumbled, forcing himself to his feet. "Do your best boy." Then he placed his hand on Blip and began to heal her. "don't you die on me! " He ordered and kept pouring his limited magicules into her and the rest of the slime girls. "I'm gonna take care of you all I promise!"

Tanya sighed and grabbed the dog's collar before yanking him from the air and throwing him aside, breaking through tens of trees! She then looked over at Leo, "oh? Do you actually care about your little slimes? Heh, I guess you filth need to stay together." With that said she closed her eyes and began chanting a chant, as her hands glowed red and her lips moved in sync with it. "Feel the power of the darkness within me!" A jolt of electricity was sent out from her body, sending ripples of dark energy that covered her entire right claw. "Let's see you survive this! Electro! Palm!" She chanted and released her spell as she leapt up, aiming her claw at Leo!

"Damn it!" Leo yelled as he huddled his body over the four slime girls as he prepared for the oncoming attack from the huntress.

"Rashield," a soft voice was heard as a heavenly golden aura like sphere appeared and protected Leonardo and the rest. "Oh my, master you don't look too good, and that's quite rare as you always look so yummy usually." The blonde hair, one of the very few remaining Kitsune in the world appeared and sat Leonardo's head on her lap. "Luckily defensive magic is my specialty." It was Kon, one of the three B rank monsters under Leo's employ.

"K-kon." Leo struggled to say as his vision got all the more blurry.

"Now, now, you." Kon smiled and hugged Leonardo and the rest of the girls. "I won't let you four die."

"You ugly old hag! Don't deny me my prey!" Tanya yelled as she repeatedly slashed at the barrier! Each strike growing faster, stronger, incredibly more fierce!

"*I won't be able to hold this barrier for much longer. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but Inu, I command you, rise and protect your master and his monsters with the last bit of life you have in you.*" Kon ordered through a telepathic connection with the beast.

"I don't let you escape with my prey! I am one of the Demon Lord's Arms! I am his now! I never let a prey leave alive! Lord Nero! I won't disappoint you! I won't! Don't you dare ru-" as she was yelling, she'd quickly feel a large pair of jaws lock down on her right arm and tackle her away as Inu jumped back at her!

"Thank you old friend, thank you for these last few decades..." Kon lamented as she looked over at the mountain beast and all she saw was the same orange haired pup that she rescued not to long ago from her perspective. Then with her own strength, Kon teleported all her allies away, leaving Inu behind. As soon as the golden light faded, the barrier fell apart and the four slime girls were gone alongside Leo and Kon.

"No! No! NO!!!" Tanya yelled in an uproar, lifting herself up and stabbing her free arm into Inu's torso and hipped out his entire belt side ribs! Instantly killing the beast. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Tanya let a blood curdling screech one that could be felt for miles apart. Her general willpower her magical output. Everything felt poison and rotten. Unbeknownst to her that this uproar would act as a homing beacon summoning as a shadow appeared under her and seemingly pulled her in without making any noise.

Leonardo appeared before at the floor of the guild hall. His ragged body left in a bloody and heavily bruised state. You can see the massive bruise on his chest from the knee that was slammed into it during the battle. The countless blood that has been spilled from his nose and the rest of the injuries that the huntress had inflicted upon him. All this that's not even mentioning the massive amounts of internal bleeding that it was going on inside of the adventurers body.

"Leo!" Many people shrieked and ran towards Leo, as many healers began to work and doing their best on keeping him alive.

"He's in critical condition!" One yelled out!

"He's bleeding out pools of his own blood! We need to take care of that!" Another demanded.

"His lungs have dropped! He can't breath! They're flooding with blood too!"

They all scrambled as the sun would finally set...ending...this chapter...