Training as a Slime(65)

"Here," said the doctor with a head of black slithering snakes. She passed a glass of cold water to Sam but Sam ignored her kind gesture and started surveying the room instead. The snakes on the doctor's head rolled their eyes as she put the cold glass on the side table.

"Where's my specs?" she asked the three indistinct images before her. "Looks like the primordial holy light wasn't able to heal her short-sightedness," Cori noted mentally as he observed Sam asking the question to the abstract art pieces on the wall.

Santa who was just beside her, conjured a new pair of glasses and placed it in her hands. "Here, a present for you. Ho ho ho," he said.

"Headmaster!" Sam exclaimed the moment she heard the familiar voice; her complexion producing various shades of pink. "I'm terribly sorry to cause you so much trouble!" Sam apologised after regaining her sight.

Santa: "Don't worry my dear child, I have some important matters to discuss with all of you. Doctor Kendra, if you please."

The gorgon nodded and took out a small obsidian pyramid. With a simple gesture, she cast a spell to activate the device. A shadowy veil encircled the entire room. "Done! The room is now sound-proof and spy-proof," said Ken with a smile.

"Santa... I'm so sorry I caused you so much trouble yet again," Sam said apologetically, feeling extremely disappointed in herself.

Santa: "Don't worry love. The most important thing is that everyone is safe from harm now. But to prevent future incidents we would need to find the mastermind. My child, do you recall what happened to you?"

Sam: "I was searching for the second wishing dragon pearl outside the entrance. After I found it and put it into my inventory, I felt a weird draft and a cold shiver down my spine. The next moment I woke up, I'm here."

Santa: "Hmmm. Were you aware of the curse called Kralieordo? Our new trainee here saved your life, if not you would have lived as a decaying flesh of thoughtless meat."

Sam's face contorted in horror at the thought of never seeing her family again. As the sense of gratitude washed over her, she looked at her junior feeling as if she owed him her life. "Thank you, Cori," she said knowing mere words wouldn't be enough.

"Miss Spears, you seemed to be aware of the curse?" the doctor questioned, her hair of docile snakes standing in attention.

"I... I only encountered it in my dreams. You know, the children's book about the HeartBreak Prince. I was in it but it was not a spell but a cursed blade that had similar effects in my dream," Sam swiftly explained, "That was why I felt so shaken."

"It's the truth Santa," said Doctor Ken who observed Sam's aura.

Santa: "I see. Tell us more about your dream, my dear."

Sam: "My memory is a bit hazy now... I can only recall a few details."

Santa: "That's alright child, don't worry."

Sam: "I remember that the sword that was cursed was called Midnight Rain. It was held by a fallen angel. The 1st Saint was pregnant during her wedding and she was an angel too but something happened to her that caused her to no longer stay as a saint or an angel. And there was a conspiracy against her and the prince... an archer was involved. That's all I can recall..."

Santa: "Hmmm... It appeared that the assailant might have left its trace on you to control you, my child. And the mark manifested as a fail-safe to keep you comatose inside the dream. My child, please take out the six pearls you had collected." 

"Six pearls?" Sam gave everyone a quizzical look. She only remembered collecting 2 wishing dragon pearls instead of 6. "Where did the other 4 come from?" she wondered. Nevertheless, she opened her inventory and took out her pearls.

"While you were under control, you collected all but one of the pearls. Luckily, I have the last one with me," Cori said as he took out his glowing dragon ball. When the 7 wishing dragon pearls gathered, a majestic aura emanated from the pearls. As the pearls gradually disappeared, a towering serpent-like figure with two antlers appeared.

Santa: "Erhem. Kareem? Boy, stop cosplaying, transform back into your beast-kin form. We need your help."

"Headmaster! You're here?" Kareem spoke in surprise in his commandeering voice which he practiced for the umpteenth time.

Santa: "Yes son, you have to fulfil your contract to them so you won't be targeted. Someone wanted to use Sam for your contractual promise. Cori and Sam, think carefully about what you want. It's not just a simple wish."

Sam: "Cori you can ask for the favour instead, you saved my life after all. You deserved it."

"That's so polite of her. Did she fully recover?" Cori wondered noticing the lack of expletives in her vocabulary. "I would like you to help me get back to my home planet," said Cori. The moment Cori made his wish known, all the symbols on the rest of the contractees transformed into firelight flies and disintegrated in the air.

"You're not from this world?" Kareem said in shock. Both Cori and the dragon-kin were now bonded under an evolved insignia, which neither could break unless the request was fulfilled.

Sam's jaw dropped at the new revelation, staring wide-eyed at Cori.

"I have never examined an alien before... Headmaster, can I dissect him? I promised to put him back in one piece, as good as new," the doctor remarked with excitement.

Santa, cool as a cucumber, ran through his memory, "No Kendra. Now that explains why you aren't on my list here for this planet. I apologise for suspecting you. Cori Byten... which planet are you from? Do you remember how you came to this planet?"