Valeria whisper making her small like a mouse, "Say, Eclipse..."
The dignity+ takes effect... this random girl I found in the forest shouldn't even be talking with a noble like Eclipse, that's why.
But to survive this I have to make it work.
"I told you to call me master."
"Wha... jezz..." She grunts, "M, master... Eclipse?"
Better.
She takes some time biting her lips. "I, I have a question. Is it real that you were transported here in the forest from the school?"
"Using magic."
"Ah, of course... So, how do you get out?"
"I have thought you would know the answer already."
She glances away, "I... might have heard a little about it..."
I sigh, realizing if she keeps talking about this we'd be found, "We call out our principal name."
"Oh."
I look up at the dark sky, "But it looks like no one can do that for now."
Valeria cocks her head, hoping I'd release her from her own curiosity.
But at this moment, I can't focus too much about her.
The corrupted queen slime sits in the distance, a pulsating, sickly purple mass that makes my stomach churn just looking at it.
Thick, oily trails mark its path, stripping the forest floor of life as if the ground itself recoils from its touch. The morning sun has barely crept over the horizon, casting long shadows that seem to stretch endlessly—a fitting backdrop for the monstrosity.
I crouch low at the mouth of the cave, the damp chill of the stone pressing into my palms. Beside me, Valeria shifts uncomfortably, her gaze locked on the queen slime as it devours everything in its path. Her jaw is tight, her lips pressed into a thin line, but the way her fingers clench and unclench betrays her nerves.
"You said it can sense us even if we try sneaking away," she whispers, her voice a mix of frustration and fear. "So what's the point of hiding here?"
I glance at her, amused by the question. "We're just far enough that it might not notice us yet," I say, keeping my voice low. "Maybe it's forgotten what you smell like."
Her brow furrows, and she shoots me a look that's equal parts annoyed and skeptical. "Only me?"
I don't bother answering. She doesn't need to know I have no mana for monsters to smell—a small advantage in situations like this. Instead, I turn my attention back to the slime, my mind running through scenarios. I have no mana to speak of, no grand spells or flashy magic to rely on. Just strategy. And Valeria.
Speaking of which...
"Do you have anything?" I ask her, my tone deceptively casual.
She blinks, caught off guard. "Anything like what?"
"A weapon. Something useful."
Her face flushes, and she fumbles with her bag, muttering under her breath. "I might have something..."
When she opens it, I'm greeted by the sight of chaos—half-crushed pastries, crumbs, and an alarming number of sweet biscuits. I arch an eyebrow, and she huffs, turning the bag to show me a few small bottles tucked away at the bottom.
"Really?" I say, unimpressed. "Snacks and potions? That's your arsenal?"
"They're not just snacks!" she snaps, her cheeks reddening. "And those potions are… well, they're not useless."
Ignoring her protests, I reach into the bag and pull out a small vial. The liquid inside catches my attention immediately—thick, dark, and glowing faintly violet. It's not the kind of thing you'd find in a beginner's alchemy kit.
"Hey! That's mine!" Valeria exclaims, clutching her bag to her chest.
I hold the vial up to the dim light, watching the liquid swirl as if it's alive. "Where did you get this?"
"Why do you care?" she mutters, avoiding my gaze. "It's just poison."
Poison? Not quite. I've seen potions like this before, and the shimmer of dark mana is unmistakable. Whoever made this knew exactly what they were doing. I tilt the vial, letting the liquid catch the light, and sure enough, a familiar blue screen flashes in front of me.
This isn't just poison; it's a weapon—a dangerous one. And it's highly illegal.
"Who gave this to you?" I ask, my tone sharper now.
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head quickly. "It wasn't from a demon, if that's what you're thinking! A friend gave it to me."
A friend. Right. The story doesn't add up, but I don't have time to press her. This potion changes things. It's risky, yes, but it might be exactly what I need.
"Wait," she says, watching me closely. "Are you… are you thinking of using that on the slime?"
I snort. "Throwing it would be a waste. It's not that kind of weapon."
"Then what is it?" she demands, her voice rising slightly. "If it's not poison, then what?"
I let the silence stretch, enjoying her frustration. Finally, I say, "It's meant to be consumed."
Her eyes go wide. "You mean… drinking that stuff makes someone powerful?"
"Something like that," I reply vaguely. "But it's not for you."
Her gaze sharpens, suspicion creeping into her expression. "What do you mean, it's not for me? What are you planning?"
I don't answer. Let her squirm. The less she knows, the better.
The plan forming in my mind is far from safe, but it's the only option. This potion, combined with the queen slime's natural corruption, might just give me the edge I need to tip the scales.
But first, I need to set the stage.
"Stay here," I say, tucking the vial into my coat.
"Wait, what? You're just leaving me?" Valeria says, alarmed. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Distract it if it comes this way," I say with a smirk. "You're good at being loud."
Her indignant sputtering follows me as I slip out of the cave, a faint smile tugging at my lips. She's irritating, yes, but she's also surprisingly resourceful. If I survive this, maybe I'll figure out what her deal is. For now, though, I have a queen slime to outsmart.