Chapter 10: You Are A Female ???
Alex lay in bed, the soft light of dawn filtering through the window. He glanced at the vial containing his new companion, the unique slime he had bonded with. The slime, now nestled comfortably in a small, luminescent pool of its own making, seemed content.
"Morning," Alex greeted, stretching his arms above his head. "Did you sleep well?"
The slime glowed brightly in response, a warm, comforting light that made Alex smile. He sat up, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at the slime, pondering what to call it.
"How about... Bubbles?" he suggested. The slime's light flickered briefly, a sign of displeasure.
"Okay, not Bubbles. Um... what about Squishy?" Again, the light flickered, and Alex could feel through their connection that the name didn't sit well with the slime.
"Alright, let's try... Spike!" The slime's response was more pronounced this time, a definitive flash of light indicating rejection.
Alex rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit frustrated. "My naming sense is trash, isn't it?" he muttered to himself.
After a few more unsuccessful attempts, Alex decided to take a shower and prepare for college. He figured he could think of a better name later. As he headed downstairs, the aroma of breakfast greeted him. His parents and sister were already seated at the table.
"Morning, Alex," his mother said, smiling. "You look refreshed."
"Thanks, Mom. Morning, Dad. Morning, Emily," Alex replied, taking a seat. He placed the vial on the table, and the slime inside shimmered.
"What's that?" Emily asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.
Alex took a deep breath and explained everything—his adventures in the other world, the quests, and finally, the slime. His family listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to amazement.
"So, you need to give it a name?" his father asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "How about Rocky?"
The slime's light flickered with disapproval.
"Okay, maybe not Rocky. How about Slimer?" Emily suggested. The slime's reaction was the same, a clear rejection.
One by one, his family offered names, all of which were met with the same flickering response. After several attempts, they all began to feel the strain.
"This is giving me a headache," Emily groaned, rubbing her temples.
Alex stared at the slime, deep in thought. "Wait a minute," he said, a realization dawning on him. "Why don't you like any of the names we give you?"
The slime shimmered more brightly, and then, before their eyes, it began to shift. Its amorphous form solidified, taking on a new shape. Within moments, a beautiful girl stood before them, her form elegant and delicate. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and a hint of amusement.
Alex's mouth dropped open in shock. "YOU ARE A FEMALE???" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.
His parents and sister were equally stunned, staring at the girl who had moments ago been a simple slime.
The girl smiled shyly, nodding her head.
"Oh my goodness," Athena whispered, placing a hand over her heart. "She's beautiful."
Emily clapped her hands together, her eyes shining with excitement. "This is amazing! We have to give her a proper name!"
Alex took a deep breath, feeling both exhilarated and a bit embarrassed. "Alright," he said, looking at the girl-slime. "How about... Elara?"
The girl's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically. The connection between them hummed with approval.
"Elara it is," Alex said, smiling. "Welcome to the family, Elara."
Elara bowed gracefully, her form shimmering with happiness. The entire family shared a moment of awe and wonder, realizing that their lives had just taken another extraordinary turn.