Training as a Slime (54)

Upon hearing the word "Duchess," Sam immediately began to envision herself living a life of opulence and grandeur. "The duchess said all?! Wow, good luck," Sam commented in a dispassionate tone, yet she felt an inner pull to aid Cori. "Why all? I doubt anyone knows the number of masters hidden in this school. Did she give you a list?" 

Cori's cheeks jiggled with uncertainty. "Perhaps I should find her," he comtemplated silently as he instinctively teleported, appearing in front of the Duchess and surprising her.

"Cori! How did you manage to find me?" Mavia exclaimed in surprise as Cori materialised before her bosom. Fortunately, the duchess possessed remarkable reflexes and swiftly embraced Cori before he could hit the ground.

"Your Grace! I apologise for the sudden appearance. I'm still trying to control my skill," Cori said, apologising profusely.

The duchess gently placed him on the ground and chuckled, "This reminds me of my younger days. Don't worry, take your time. It used to happen to me too. So, what urgent matters made you think of me?"

Cori, with puppy dog eyes, apologised for his abrupt arrival and explained his predicament to the Duchess. She comforted him with a pat on his head, "Don't worry, I have explained to the Masters and sent in my recommendations. As for the Master of hide and seek, you will have to find the club members first. Every Master has their own rules, so I can only help you so far." With a graceful motion, the floating snow maiden conjured a scroll from the magicules in the air. "Here," she said as she handed the scroll to Cori. "Do not lose it; these are the names of the Masters in our academy. Keep it safe and remember not to reveal the names to anyone," the duchess advised.

Cori glanced at the list before returning it to the duchess, pledging, "Your Grace, I have memorised their names. You have my word to keep them and you anonymous."

The snow maiden smiled, satisfied with his reply. With a flick of her finger, the scroll disintegrated into magical particles. Cori mentally raced through the names and faces of the Masters, disappearing in front of the duchess. As his new power proved too difficult for him to control, he instantaneously appeared and vanished in front of the Masters (except for the master of hide and seek) in a flash of light. "Deactivate 'Swift Steps'," Cori urgently commanded mid-teleportation. The new skill phased Cori out of the building before deactivation, narrowly avoiding a dangerous encounter. "That was close! Too close!" Cori realised, his heart racing with adrenaline.

Mavia appeared in front of Cori, her expression filled with concern. "Cori, you could have died! For your own safety and others', you have to refrain from using your skill for a while."

Cori, stunned and still reeling from shock, gazed at the Duchess in disbelief. "How did she master it?" he wondered to himself.

"Come to me after training tomorrow," the duchess commanded, her tone hinting of compassion, "Until you master this skill, do not seek another Master."

"Yes your Grace," Cori replied, feeling defeated like a failure. The duchess opened a portal to Hall of Ogmios and sent Cori off. In a gentle tone, she comforted him, "Young one, rest assure you will master it under my tutelage. Surrender your worries to me instead." Cori looked at her with teary eyes, grateful for her reassurance before passing through the portal.

"Thank you your Grace!" Cori shouted as the portal closed, separating them. "Status," Cori summoned to confirm his suspicions.