The Doppelganger Slime wriggled and stretched as it grew and expanded. When it became about ten times its original size, which was close to Ackster's height, the slime gradually started getting colorful as well. The colors mixed and swirled like oil. Before they even finished and the slime completed its transformation, Ackster could already see what colors the slime was dying itself with. It was, after all, the same colors as himself and the clothes he was wearing.
After it became clear that the slime was using the same color palette as Ackster, it only took a few moments before another Ackster appeared on the bench. It sat on the desk but had the same posture and stature as Ackster, who sat on the chair in front of it.
Ackster inspected the perfect copy of himself in a state of shock. He had read about Doppelgangers and Doppelganger Slimes and their superior ability to imitate what they see in the original story. But reading and imagining it as part of a fantasy tale and seeing it in person were two completely different things.
The only thing that helped Ackster calm down and reorganize his thoughts as quickly as he did was the fact that he was technically inhabiting a foreign body. The strange sense of dissonance between himself and his body made it easier for Ackster to accept the flawless duplication.
But that didn't mean he could get caught up in his amazement at the Doppelganger Slime's ability. Now, right after the slime had copied him was the moment it was the most susceptible to outside interference.
Ackster quickly closed his eyes as he recalled the words the original Ackster had spoken before the execution he suffered at The Hero's hands.
Although he didn't necessarily mind changing the flow of the story by changing things, Ackster would prefer to at least keep things in the beginning as close to the original story as possible. That would make it easier for him to predict and take advantage of what was going to happen next.
The only two advantages he had in this world were the information he had from reading the original story and the cheat-like skill, Strong Body. Until Strong Body was strong enough to make up for the loss of his first advantage, Ackster wanted to keep things as closely related to the original story as possible, at least on the surface and in the beginning.
And to make sure there were as few initial ripples in time as possible, he had to do what he could to make sure there weren't any changes from the original story. Thankfully, due to the original Ackster's minimal participation in the original story, Ackster didn't have to do much.
But the least he could do was make sure the Doppelganger Slime taking his place in the duel tomorrow replicated the original Ackster's actions and words as closely as he could make it.
Ackster opened his eyes and looked straight at his copy.
"You're early, you shitty, bitchy, blond, overblown Hero. But I guess you're used to coming first, so what's it matter, right?"
"..."
"Why the fuck would I forfeit or flee when my opponent is a lunatic with overrated looks and a fancy sword?"
"..."
"Shut it, servant number three. No one wants to hear you apologizing to this arrogant sunflower. If anything, you should apologize to me for showing your ugly mug in my vicinity."
"..."
"Get on stage already, you fucking snail. No matter how much your girlfriends coddle, hug, kiss, suck, and fuck you, they won't be able to help you in this duel."
"..."
"Do you honestly think I need a weapon to deal with a joke and a scam like you? You can grab that fake sword and shove it up your ass if you care about weapons so much. Oh wait, I forgot you already have a stick there. Though, I'm sure you can fit the sword up there as well. You are one big ass, after all. Besides, you're probably used to having things shoved up your butt since no one would be satisfied if you were to do the shoving."
"..."
"I'm ready whenever. It's this bastard we're waiting–"
"..."
Ackster wasn't sure if he had remembered it all correctly. But it should be close enough that there aren't any noticeable deviations in the original story. He could only be thankful that it was all he had to remember since those were also the original Ackster's last words.
Since the original Ackster had claimed to have been ready whenever, The Hero didn't stay still and just ended the original Ackster before he could even finish his sentence. An anticlimactic end befitting of an antagonist without any real purpose. Ackster's death was just like his life, pointless.
After saying it all once, Ackster repeated it. But this time, he threw in suitable facial expressions. Simply copying what Ackster said wouldn't be enough. The slime had to act perfectly as the original Ackster did in the original story.
So, after doing it all with facial expressions, Ackster stood up and began walking around the room with the same cocky strides that his body remembered the original Ackster having.
It would have been even better if he could have access to the training grounds where the duel would take place since it would help him perfect the slime's movements and actions.
But Doppelganger Slimes wouldn't be so fearsome from an espionage and infiltration perspective if they were that easily discovered.
The Doppelganger Slime watched and listened to Ackster as he walked around the room and repeated the phrases that the slime needed to learn. He kept the same order, and he tried to time the pauses between each line so that the slime wouldn't accidentally speak or answer someone else before they had even finished talking.
Ackster couldn't be sure, but he felt that the budding light of intelligence in the Doppelganger Slime's eyes was a sign that his teachings were beginning to stick. But he didn't let his thoughts show on his face in case the slime picked up on it and decided to copy that expression.
Ackster was so busy teaching the slime that he didn't even notice the sun starting to rise, so he nearly jumped out of his skin when the kitchen staff knocked on his door with breakfast.