The Multi-Colored Slime’s Deception

“Quickly, look! What is that?”

Hearing this, everyone turned their heads, their gazes falling upon a slime that was not only taller than any they had encountered before but also shimmered with several distinct colors.

“Five colors? Could it possess five different elements?”

“This is bad. We’ve slaughtered far too many slimes; surely, this is their retribution!”

“Don’t panic! Who among us possesses area-of-effect defensive magic? Quick, cast ten layers of shields upon us!”

“Where would we find such a genius? Even a single layer is our absolute limit…”

The cautious Class Leader resolving to make thorough preparations before attempting to probe the creature. Yet, before she could act, the Deputy Class Leader had already hurled a fireball.

Upon being struck by the fireball, the multi-colored slime’s form first contorted violently, then it began to swell uncontrollably, culminating in a resounding ‘pop’ as it burst into a viscous puddle of goo.

“…”

“Wait, that’s all?”

“Well, that was anticlimactic. So this slime was nothing more than a hollow facade…”

“Honestly, the Class Leader… she just scared herself for nothing…”

“Was I perhaps overthinking things? Still, don’t let down your guard just yet. I’ll go over and inspect this liquid.”

The Class Leader approached the puddle of viscous fluid cautiously, pausing with each step. She gently touched it with her index finger, then, using her thumb, lightly tapped her index finger, drawing out a long, slender strand. Bringing it close to her face, she inhaled faintly.

There was no peculiar odor, its hue appeared normal, and the viscosity was not particularly high. Could she truly have been overthinking it all?

Just as she turned, preparing to rejoin the main group, a sudden, startling anomaly occurred—

The viscous puddle on the ground suddenly surged upwards, entirely engulfing the Class Leader. Her clothes dissolved with alarming speed, leaving her body exposed, as pristine as if she had just been born.

“The Class Leader truly has an amazing figure. Why does she always dress so conservatively?”

“Oh no, I’m starting to feel things…”

“Do you need some help? My fingers are quite nimble, you know~”

“This is hardly the time for such impropriety! We must rescue the Class Leader first!”

“But I can’t help but feel the Class Leader seems rather… receptive to it.”

“Oh, ah~ I am absolutely not comfortable! Quickly, break through its defenses!”

The Deputy Class Leader, taking the lead, launched a fireball. Yet, unlike before, this time the slime simply swallowed it whole, decomposing it into fire elements which it then absorbed.

“I’ll count to three. Everyone attack simultaneously!”

“Three!”

An innumerable barrage of fireballs, water orbs, lightning bolts, and ice shards simultaneously assailed the multi-colored slime. The reaction was extraordinarily violent, erupting in a dazzling, blinding flash of light.

As their vision slowly returned, the Class Leader lay sprawled on the ground, utterly naked and entirely covered in the viscous residue from the slime’s explosion.

“Why are you all standing there dumbfounded? Quickly, carry the Class Leader away from this spot! We can’t be certain if this multi-colored slime is merely feigning death…”

Those carrying the Class Leader formed the vanguard, with the rest following closely in their wake. They were on the verge of escaping the area when…

The multi-colored slime finally abandoned its pretense, manifesting several orifices from which it simultaneously spewed forth viscous projectiles.

“Agh~ I’ve been hit by this sticky goo!”

“Oh! My clothes! They’re gone…”

“The entire class, retreat! I will cover your rear!”

With the Class Leader incapacitated and her consciousness waning, the Deputy Class Leader courageously stepped forward, shouldering this grave responsibility.

Perched in a tree not far from the scene—

“The little ones are surprisingly cohesive, aren’t they?”

“Indeed. Despite their usual lack of seriousness, they prove remarkably obedient to command in crucial moments. Their teacher certainly deserves significant credit.”

“I wonder, what would happen if neither the Class Leader nor the Deputy Class Leader were able to issue commands? Would they each go their separate ways, or would they manage to elect a new leader?”

“It would likely be difficult to choose such a leader on the spur of the moment. I believe they would scatter, each for themselves, when faced with true adversity.”

Liyahiss nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the dishevelled young women making their way back along the path they had come.

“Precisely. The academy imparts only theoretical knowledge, and it is only when they are truly compelled to apply what they’ve learned that they will discover the vast chasm between theory and practice.”

“This multi-colored slime doesn’t actually possess five elements, does it?”

“Of course not. Those were merely colors I dyed it with. I also gave it some concoction to make it appear incredibly resilient, and used [King of Phantasm] to subtly implant a suggestion, compelling it to serve me devotedly.”

“Pfft~ They actually believed this slime was immune to five elements!”

Just as Hillisa inadvertently let out a laugh, Liyahiss caught the sound of a familiar, girlish voice.

“Aren’t you just bullying honest people? If you’ve got the nerve, come and face me head-on!”