The sun had not yet crossed the ridgeline when a boy shot out of bed like a spring.
Soul's eyes were wide open. His right eye, violet, gleamed with excitement; his left, orange, sparked with impatience. His messy purple hair made him look even more electrified than usual.
- Today… he whispered.
- Today I can ACTUALLY summon.
Yesterday's memories flooded back: the completed quest, Level 3, the scrolls… and the two unmistakable notifications:
[Spell learned: Summon – Slime LV1]
[Spell learned: Necromancy – Skeleton LV1]
He rubbed his face quickly, pulled on his pants and tunic, then instinctively strapped Kage no Kizuna to his waist and Shinigami's Embrace on his back.
But his hands were trembling slightly—not from fatigue. From excitement.
Before even washing his face, he sat at the edge of his bed and took a deep breath.
"Système… how do I use my spells?"
First Official Explanation
A violet window appeared before him—clearer than usual, like a page from a manual.
[GUIDE – Using Spells]
To cast a spell, follow these steps:
Focus on your mana.
Think the name of the spell or say it aloud.
Visualize the creature or effect you want.
Confirm inwardly your intention to summon.
Warning:
– Each spell consumes MP.
– If MP is insufficient, casting fails.
– An invocation remains active until:
• you cancel it,
• it is destroyed,
• or the mana link expires.
You currently possess the spells:
– Summon: Slime LV1
– Necromancy: Skeleton LV1
Soul smiled.
"Alright then. Let's try."
Red Slime: First Ally
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
Summon: Slime LV1…I want a Slime. One that belongs to me. One that doesn't want to kill me for once.
He felt his mana stir—warmth rising from his belly to his chest, then to his right hand.
- Summon: Slime LV1.
Mana condensed in front of him in a brief violet spark before forming a small gelatinous red mass.
A round shape bounced once, twice, then landed softly on the floor.
The Red Slime was just slightly bigger than a large melon. Its surface gleamed, translucent, with an orange core floating inside. Two tiny dark "eyes" appeared, and a simple upside-down V for a mouth.
- Ploïm!
The Slime hopped on the rug, then onto the bed, then onto the pillow, and back to the floor.
Soul's eyes widened.
- That's… way too cute.
A window opened.
[Active Summon: Red Slime]
Name: (not set)
Type: Basic Slime Summon
Level: 1
HP: 30 / 30
MP: 10 / 10
Skills:
– Gelatinous Bounce (Active): jumps at a target for a light hit.
– Minor Absorption (Passive): recovers a bit of HP by absorbing mana particles or gel residues.
Summon Link: Stable
This Slime is bound to your soul. It obeys simple commands: follow, attack, protect, etc.
- So your name will be… Soul began."…Slimy?"
The Slime bounced happily.
"Ploïm!"
The window updated:
[Name updated: Slimy]
Soul stifled a laugh.
White Skeleton: Shadow Servant
He wasn't done.
"Now… Necromancy."
He focused again—this time on something colder, heavier.
A deeper, weightier mana.
"Necromancy: Skeleton LV1."
The air cooled. A faint mist formed near the floor.
Fragments of translucent bone materialized: tibias, femurs, spine, ribcage, arms, hands, skull.
In seconds, a humanoid Skeleton stood upright, a bit shorter than an adult. Its bones glowed faintly blue-white. Its hollow eye sockets lit with a soft violet shimmer.
The Skeleton turned to Soul… then bowed its head slightly.
Another window:
[Active Summon: Skeleton]Name: (not set)Type: Basic Skeleton SummonLevel: 1
HP: 40 / 40
MP: 5 / 5
Skills:
– Bone Strike (Active): simple physical hit using fists or a crude weapon.
– Clumsy Guard (Passive): instinctively places itself between you and danger.
Resistances:
– Minor resistance to slashing attacks
– Slight poison resistance
– Weak to holy damage
Soul stared in fascination.
- You… can you make my bed?
The Skeleton turned toward the messy bed, then approached with stiff steps. It grabbed the sheets, shook them (too violently), pulled them up crookedly, corrected awkwardly, then patted the pillow with solemn concentration.
It wasn't perfect.
But it was better than before.
Soul burst out laughing.
- I'll call you… Osso.
The window updated:
[Name updated: Osso]
Slimy bounced near the bed. Osso watched him, tilted its skull, then picked up a fallen book and gently put it back on the shelf.
Soul watched them, heart full.
These aren't just numbers. They're...my first allies.
Breakfast… with Summons
After the fastest wash of his life, Soul went downstairs. Slimy hopped behind him, leaving tiny gel marks that vanished quickly. Osso walked carefully down the stairs, holding the railing as if it might break.
The kitchen was empty—he was early.
-Well… let's surprise them, he murmured.
-Slimy, come here. Osso, with me.
He grabbed fruit, bread, bowls, milk. Osso placed plates on the table with extreme seriousness—once almost shattering a glass before Soul stopped him.
- Gentle, Osso.
- You have strength, but no muscles. It's different.
Osso nodded stiffly. Slimy slid pieces of bread by carrying them on its head like a living tray.
When Lynea walked in, rubbing her golden eyes, she froze.
The table was set:
Bread, cut fruit, warm milk, juice.
Her son stood in the center… surrounded by a cheerful red Slime and a Skeleton carefully adjusting a chair.
- …
She blinked several times.
- Aegis… she called, eerily calm.
Aegis stumbled in, still half-asleep—until he saw the scene.
He stopped dead.
Soul. Slimy. Osso.
- ...I'm not dreaming, right?" he asked.
- No," Lynea replied, a hesitant smile forming.
-You see the Slime too, yes?
- Ploïm! Slimy chirped proudly.
Osso bowed respectfully.
Soul scratched his cheek.
- Uh… morning.
- These are Slimy and Osso.
- My first real spells.
A window flickered for Soul:
[Spell Use: Summon – Slime LV1]
Uses: 1 / 10
[Spell Use: Necromancy – Skeleton LV1]
Uses: 1 / 10
Lynea looked at the table, then at Soul, then at the summons.
A long silence.
Finally her expression softened.
- Well…
- thank you for breakfast, Soul.
She ruffled his hair.Aegis nodded.
- If they're your spells…
- then they're your responsibility.
He pointed at Osso.
- No trouble in this house, understood?
Osso bowed again.
Soul grinned.
On the Way to School
Soul walked briskly; Slimy bounced beside him; Osso followed like a white shadow carrying his schoolbag too carefully.
The villagers stared.
- What's that ?!
- A… Red Slime?
- And… a SKELETON?!
Some backed away, but when Osso merely carried Soul's bag like a butler, people relaxed—though still whispering.
Soul could see counters in his vision:
[Summon: Slime LV1 – Use]
1 / 10
[Nécromancie: Skeleton LV1 – Use]
1 / 10
At the school gate, Ryen, Kael, Mira, and Èze saw him.
Ryen reacted first.
- SOUL?!
- What are THOSE behind you?!
Kael's eyes widened.
-You have… a Slime following you.
Mira stared at Osso, fascinated and worried. Èze just smiled.
-So these are the new skills?
Soul nodded proudly—and shyly.
- Everyone, meet Slimy and Osso.
- My first summoned creatures.
Silence.
Then, all four asked the same question:
- Do they really obey you?
Slimy bounced proudly.
- Ploïm!
Osso placed himself between Soul and a pebble on the ground, as if shielding him.
Soul beamed.
- Yes.
- And today, I plan to use them.
New Combat Class Format
Bron, Irilla, and the other teachers were already assembled. The atmosphere was heavier—more serious.
Bron boomed:
- STUDENTS!
- Today marks the start of a NEW combat training format."
Murmurs vanished.
Irilla Dawnstar stepped forward, radiating authority.
-You have chosen a class, she said.
-You have begun training.
- But until now, you have only fought humans or controlled exercises.
Her eyes hardened.
- The real world is not so forgiving.
- That is why, starting today, certain combat classes will take place outside the school, in areas appropriate to your level.
Bron continued :
- You will be divided into teams of five, each escorted by a teacher.
He unrolled a parchment.
- Team 1 : Soul DRASIL, Èze INFIRE, Mira FAYEN, Kael RONDOR, Ryen THORN.
- Teacher: Headmistress Irilla Dawnstar.
- Zone: Western Forest – Slimes.
Soul's heart jumped. Mira swallowed. Kael adjusted his bow. Ryen grinned nervously. Èze looked thrilled.
— Group 2 : Zeke, Garlick, Britney, Zara, Luck.— Supervising Professor: Bron Shatter.— Zone: Rocky clearing – minor wolves.
Zeke flashed a predatory grin. His group's reactions were far more mixed.
Bron continued listing teams…
Team 3 – Dame Nyxmar
Zone : Cemetery — Basic Skeletons, Beast Skeletons
• Liora (Healer)
• Jorren (Tank)
• Selwin (Archer)
• Mavis (Mage)
• Kellan (Warrior)
Team 4 – Master Fenrick
Zone: Marsh Edge — Slimes, Giant Frogs
• Talia (Invoker)
• Bram (Warrior)
• Ilya (Mage)
• Noren (Assassin)
• Flona (Herbalist)
Team 5 – Darsa
Zone: Overgrown Ruins — Giant Rats, Bats
• Vek (Assassin)
• Harl (Archer)
• Nyssa (Mage)
• Olin (Tank)
• Serah (Healer)
Team 6 – Master Aelhynn
Zone: Windy Hilltop — Minor Elemental Spirits
• Elian (Mage)
• Farra (Ranger)
• Milo (Warrior)
• Lend (Halberdier)
• Sera (Necromancer)
Team 7 – Halden
Zone: Forest Edge — Fast Boars, Giant Hares
• Garrik (Archer)
• Yna (Thief)
• Pol (Warrior)
• Thaliah (Ice Mage)
• Brod (Tank)
Team 8 – Savi
Zone: Underwood — Aggressive Plants, Living Roots
• Liri (Herbalist)
• Henn (Healer)
• Pavin (Archer)
• Toriel (Mage)
• Joma (Warrior)
Team 9 – Rudolf
Zone: Shallow ravine – minor stone golems.
• Dorn (Class: Tank)
• Mel (Class: Warrior)
• Ila (Class: Mage)
• Renn (Class: Archer)
• Feya (Class: Healer)
Team 10 – Kyria
Zone: Flowered plain – giant insects, wasps and beetles.
• Hana (Class: Healer)
• Trenn (Class: Warrior)
• Vali (Class: Archer)
• Sion (Class: Mage)
• Orel (Class: Invoker)
Irilla concluded.
- Each team must defeat at least ten monsters.
- Stay together.
- Listen to your instructors.
- And above all: don't play the lone hero."
She threw one last look at Soul.
- Yes, I am talking to you as well, Drasil.
He swallowed.
- Understood…
Western Forest – Slimes & Spells in Action
Soul's group headed toward the western forest. Irilla walked in front, calm, her midnight-blue robe barely brushing the ground, the elemental symbols on her sleeves glowing faintly.
The trees drew closer together, their branches forming a vaulted ceiling that filtered the light. The air was cool, birdsong blending with the soft rustle of small creatures fleeing their passage.
Soul walked with Slimy on his left and Osso on his right. His friends still kept glancing at them.
Ryen finally said:
- It's kind of… weird knowing you already have your own army.
- It's a small army, Soul replied.
- Two soldiers. One made of jelly. One made of bones."
Kael smirked.
- That's still two more than the rest of us.
Mira was watching the mana flowing around the summons, fascinated.
Èze walked with focused calm, halberd already at the ready.
Soul cast a quick glance at the mythic treasure map blinking sometimes in the corner of his vision.
[Mythic Treasure – Location]
Approximate distance : far
Direction : northeast of the main road.
Still too far… he thought. We're not there yet.
Irilla finally stopped in a small clearing. The ground was slightly spongy, dotted with damp patches. In some places, the grass seemed to have been "melted."
- This zone is reserved for Slimes, she said.
- Low to mid level.
- You'll fight five to start with.
She stepped back a few paces, raising her hand slightly.
- I will only intervene if things become dangerous.
- The rest is up to you.
The Slimes didn't make them wait.
A blue Slime slid out of a bush.
A red Slime dropped from a branch, hitting the ground with a wet thud.
An orange Slime peeled itself off a mossy trunk.
And two violet Slimes rose from a puddle, darker, exuding that sickly poisonous aura.
- Perfect, said Irilla.
- Five.
- Decide how you're splitting them.
They looked at each other.
- I'll take the red one, said Èze.
Mira? The blue?
- Yes," she answered, opening her grimoire.
- Kael, the orange ? Soul suggested.
- Works for me, said the archer, already drawing his bow.
- That leaves the two purple ones, said Ryen.
Want to handle them together ?
Soul nodded.
- Slimy, you stay with me.Osso, get in front of us. Protect us.
Osso instinctively moved between the two boys and the violet Slimes.
Soul felt a faint pulse in their link.
Èze vs Red Slime
The red Slime bounced toward him, aggressive, leaving a faint trail of heat behind.
Èze planted his right foot, halberd held in a mid-guard.
- You'll make good practice.
He stepped forward sharply, spinning the halberd, using the flat of the blade to smack the Slime and test its resistance. The gel vibrated, its core shifting inside.
The Slime counterattacked, leaping at him.
Èze ducked, letting the mass pass over his head, then rose with a diagonal swing, slicing the core from the side.
The creature burst, splattering across the ground.
[Red Slime defeated]
Irilla inclined her head slightly.
Mira vs Blue Slime
The blue Slime slid over the ground, fluid and silent.
Mira kept her distance, raising one hand.
- Water Jet… no. Too soon.
- Let's keep it simple.
She lifted her fingers, focusing a bit of mana.
- Water Bubbles.
Small bubbles burst into being around the blue Slime, partially wrapping it and slowing its movements. The creature struggled, its jumps shorter.
Mira followed up:
- Gust!
Wind surged, slamming the bubble-wrapped Slime against a rock. The core smacked into the stone, cracking—then shattering.
The Slime liquefied, seeping into the moss.
Kael vs Orange Slime
The orange Slime quivered, charged with unstable energy. With each jump, tiny sparks of heat crackled around it.
Kael stepped back a few paces, nocking an arrow.
- Quick Shot.
One arrow, two, three, flew in rapid succession. The first hit the surface, the second struck the core at an angle, the third drove it all the way in.
The Slime swelled suddenly.
- …Oh no, Kael muttered.
BOOM.
It exploded in an orange spray, but Kael had anticipated it and rolled aside just in time. A few sticky splashes landed on his boots.
- Gross.
Soul, Ryen, Slimy & Osso vs Violet Slimes
The trickiest ones remained.
The two violet Slimes advanced side by side, trailing faint poisonous fumes. Droplets of toxin dripped from them, leaving dark stains in the grass.
Osso took point, arms spread.
Soul tightened his grip on his training sword.
- Ryen, be careful.
- We REALLY can't afford to get poisoned in an official exercise…
- The teacher's watching, Ryen replied.
- I'd rather die than be humiliated.
- Perfect mindset, Soul grumbled.
The violet Slimes spat jets of liquid. Osso, moved by instinct, stepped in front of them, spreading his arms. Poison splashed his ribs, hissing as it burned… but he stayed up.
[Osso – HP: 40 → 32]
- Good, Osso. Keep it up, said Soul.
Slimy bounced beside him, ready.
- Slimy, hit the left one with Gelatinous Bounce!
- Ryen, we focus on the right one!"
The violet Slime on the left was suddenly smashed by Slimy, who flattened himself against it, compressing its mass.
Soul seized the opening. He dashed in and slashed diagonally. His sword didn't destroy the core outright, but it clearly cracked it.
The right Slime turned toward Ryen.
- All right, come on then, he growled.
He waited for the right moment, then activated his skill.
- Cleave!
The blade vibrated in his hands, reinforced by mana. He struck the violet mass just as it leapt, cutting halfway through the core.
The Slime warped, wobbling.
Osso took another jet of poison, stepping in front of them again. His bones creaked, but he held.
Soul's second strike finished off the first violet Slime, shattering the core.
[Violet Slime defeated]
Ryen, encouraged, charged again.
- Cleave!
This time, the skill resonated differently. Cleaner. Sharper. A faint pale-violet window appeared in Soul's vision.
[Ally Skill Detected: Cleave (Ryen THORN)]
Cleave LV1 → Cleave LV2
Effect: increased damage / higher chance to break guard or damage a core.
The second Cleave shattered the second violet core completely.
[Violet Slime defeated]
Ryen stood there for a heartbeat, panting—then grinned broadly.
- HA!
- You saw that?!
- I must've hit Level 2 or—?
Irilla approached.
- You handled the poison well, she said.
- Your Skeleton held up, Drasil.
- And you, Thorn, have just strengthened your main skill. Good.
The Headmistress' Power
As the slime remains oozed on the ground, a crack sounded deeper in the trees.
A howl.
A yellow-eyed wolf stepped slowly out of the undergrowth. Bigger than a normal wolf, fangs longer, fur scored with scars. It had been drawn by the noise and mana.
Ryen tensed. Kael raised his bow. Mira gathered her mana. Èze readied his halberd, tilting it forward.
Irilla simply raised her hand.
- Do not move.
The wolf growled, about to leap.
Irilla spoke a few words in an ancient tongue. The symbols on her sleeves flared.
A pillar of pure flame crashed down on the wolf.
In less than a second, its howl was cut short.In three seconds, it was nothing but a blackened shape.In five, only a smoking pile of ash remained.
The heat faded.
Silence fell over the group.
Soul swallowed.
- …
A discreet window appeared before his eyes:
[Partial Analysis of Observed Spell]
Estimated Spell : Arcane Flame – Column (advanced rank)
You do not meet the requirements to learn more.
So that's… the level of the higher-ranked teachers…
Irilla turned her head slightly toward them.
- That is the kind of threat you will one day be expected to handle.
- And the kind you will run from until then.
Nobody answered. They understood.
Seeing Your Level
On the way back, the atmosphere was a mix of exhaustion and quiet euphoria. All five of them felt something inside had changed.
Irilla slowed her pace a little.
- You all progressed today, she said.
- You should check it.
They exchanged puzzled looks.
- Check it… how? Mira asked.
Irilla looked at them as if the answer were obvious.
- Everyone born on the continent of Astryon can see their own level.
- You only need to focus on yourself, like looking into an inner mirror, and ask:
She paused.
- 'Level?'
Ryen tried immediately.
- …Level?
A small translucent window popped up in front of him, visible only to him. He jumped.
- Oh!
He read it, then broke into a grin.
- I'm Level 2 !
Kael did the same.
- Level?
[Kael RONDOR – Archer]
Level: 1
XP: 9 / 10
- I'm missing ONE monster ? he groaned.
- You've got to be kidding me."
Mira's turn.
- Level?
[Mira FAYEN – Mage]
Level: 2
- …Oh.
- I already reached Level 2.
Èze asked mentally.
[Èze InFire – Halberdier]
Level: 1
XP: 5/10
- I'm halfway there, he said.
- It'll come.
Soul didn't need to try.
His system already displayed much more detailed windows.
[STATUS – Soul DRASIL]
Level: 3
XP: 15 / 300
A small line appeared underneath:
Most people on Astryon only see a basic summary of their level. Your interface is… privileged.
He closed the window quietly.
Irilla, watching them, gave an almost imperceptible smile.
- You'll each move at your own pace, she said.
- But one thing is certain: after today, you are no longer the same students you were yesterday.
Back at School & Stories
Back at the school, the groups gradually returned from their respective zones.
Bron's group came back with a few claw marks—nothing serious—and eyes bright with adrenaline. Zeke, even if he tried to hide it, had clearly been shaken by an over-aggressive minor wolf.
Nyxmar's group talked about bones and group tactics against skeletons. Fenrick's group mentioned strange Slimes and frogs that jumped way too high.
All the students gathered in the main courtyard. Irilla spoke.
-Today, you faced real monsters.
- You felt the difference between hitting a classmate with a training weapon… and hitting a creature that truly wants to hurt you."
Her gaze swept over them.
- You learned.
- You were afraid.
- And some of you tasted, for the first time, the satisfaction of winning a fight that actually meant something.
She smiled faintly.
-Remember that.
- This is only the beginning.
The groups dispersed, each loudly retelling their exploits, sometimes exaggerating the size of the monsters, the difficulty of the fights, the danger of their "near-death" situations.
Soul walked with his friends, Slimy and Osso still at his side.
Dinner & Exhaustion
That evening at the table, Soul told everything to his parents.
The forest.
The five Slimes.
The two violet ones.
Osso taking the poison for them.
Ryen leveling up Cleave to Level 2.
Irilla's pillar of fire turning a wolf into ashes.
Lynea kept swinging between going pale and smiling, while Aegis oscillated between nervous laughter and quiet pride.
-I don't know if I should feel safer knowing the Headmistress is with you… or even more worried, Lynea admitted.
-Both, Aegis replied.
Soul ate heartily, but his eyelids were getting heavy.
Dismissing the Summons & Sleep
Later, in his room, he sat on the edge of his bed. Slimy was by the window, watching the fading light. Osso stood there, motionless, like a silent guard.
- Question, System, said Soul.
- How do I… call them back?
- Or dismiss them?
A violet window appeared.
[Summon Management]
You can manage your active summons in several ways:
Recall (Invoker):
– You pull the creature back into a space linked to your mana.
– It remains "on standby" and can be resummoned more easily.– Cost: low MP.
Dismiss (Invoker/Necromancer):
– You sever the summoning link.
– The creature is released (wild Slime) or returns to dust (Skeleton).
– Cost: none, but you'll have to cast the full spell again next time.
To use:
– Think strongly: "Recall [Name]" or "Dismiss [Name]".
– Or say it out loud.
Soul looked at Slimy and Osso.
- We did good work today, he said softly.
- It's better if you go back and rest in your space.
He placed his hand over his heart.
- Recall Slimy.
The red Slime turned toward him, bounced one last time… then dissolved into light, sucked into a small violet orb that sank into Soul's chest and disappeared.
[Slimy – recalled]
Summon link: stable. Resummoning will be easier.
- Recall Osso.
The Skeleton bowed its head one last time. Its bones broke apart into glowing fragments that drifted back into Soul like fireflies returning to their source.
[Osso – recalled]
Silence reclaimed the room.
Soul lay down, staring at the ceiling.
I have a Slime.
I have a Skeleton.
I have friends.
I have teachers… a little crazy… but powerful.
And a System that pushes me forward.
His eyes slowly closed.
Tomorrow, the road to the treasure would still be just as dangerous.
But he would never be alone again.
He fell asleep with a faint smile on his lips, ready for what came next.
End of Chapter 6.