Chapter 2: Training

"But I can help you get even and clear your name."

Get even? Clear my name? That's impossible. If I had my father's support, I could easily do those things, but now that he abandoned me, I stand no chance against the prince. With the kingdom's power at his back, I can't win against him. But this slime doesn't seem to be joking. He is just watching me and patiently waiting for an answer.

"How?" But if there is a chance, I will take it. I won't let that girl humiliate me like this without a fight. "Do you have any idea what it will take to stand up to the royal family?"

"Of course," It replies with a smug look on his face. "I have been planning this ever since I saw that brat forcing the game's events to play out before their time."

"I'm sorry, but can I ask what you mean by that?" I have heard that little homewrecker mention similar stuff before.

"Oh, I will explain later, but for now, let us get out of here," The slime says, sliding closer. "That is if you want to come, that is."

"Fine, but tell me about your plan first,"

"Well, since the heroine tried to speed up your future, I think it is only fair we steal hers," It hops up on my shoulder, but it feels like it weighs nothing. "I will help you claim some armour and a lost sword, and we will use it to get your revenge. No here we go."

It happened again. We left one spot and instantly appeared in another. But this time, I am not in a building but in a cave surrounded by trees. It might be this slime's home, actually. There is a fire pit, several wooden chests and even a bed. Does a slime even need all of these things? Slimes are monsters. They sleep on the ground, aren't affected by the weather or need to store items.

"Make yourself at home," The slime says, casting magic to light the fire. "You should get some rest because I will begin training you in the morning starting tomorrow."

"And exactly is this training you will have me do?"

"You need to become stronger if you want to get that gear," The slime smiles. "So prepare yourself because I won't be showing any mercy as I whip you into shape."

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The following day I find myself in hell. The friendly slime has turned into a devil hell-bent on destroying me.

"Keep running! Don't you dare stop even for a second!"

The slime has become far worse than my most strictest tutor. I have no idea where he got his outfit, but I noticed the strange looking green hat and black glasses as soon as he woke me up. Can he even see with those? Those glasses are so dark I can see my reflection in them. But back to my current situation, like I said, I was in hell! Run faster! Do more pushups! Don't you stop now! He rides on my shoulder throughout the day, demanding I do more and push myself harder.

"You're slacking again! Keep moving!"

"This is impossible!"

"Then give up!" The slime creates an arm and smacks the top of my head. "Let them get away with what they did to you!"

"I won't let them get away!"

I grit my teeth and run harder, managing to make it for the hellish training before collapsing back at the cave. At least he is cooking for me. I don't think I can move ever again after today. Unfortunately for me, I had to endure today again and again for a whole month. The slime was relentless, merciless, but he ensured I saw this through. I don't know whether I should punch him or kiss him by the end of the month.

The second month of training only get's more challenging. The slime split himself into five pieces wrapping around my wrists, ankles and waist. Before I can even complain, I feel the parts get heavier. I swear he is trying to get me to kill him.

"Get moving! Same as yesterday!" The slime yells. A small blob appears on my shoulder, wearing a smaller hat and black glasses. "This month, I will start increasing the weight you are carrying every day!"

Like before, I was forced to train relentlessly for a whole month. The slime was merciless and cruel, sometimes not even letting me stop to have lunch, but he still took care of me. Every day I would wake up to prepare breakfast, and every night, he would cook dinner for me. Whenever I got injured, he would use healing magic on me, and whenever my muscles ached, he would massage me. He really is kind despite his bossy merciless personality. I look over to him now, keeping watch so I can eat and rest in peace.

Month number three since I had begun to let this slime put me through a torturous training routine. My body is so much stronger now, and this routine is getting easier by the day. Slime is even starting to praise me. I can't help but smile. No one has ever been so demanding yet rewarding to me simultaneously. I don't even question why he gives me an old sword and some rusty-looking armour as I wake up. I just put it on like he said… well, I wanted to put it on, but slime had to help me with that. Just laugh at me! It isn't as easy as it looks.

This month's training isn't harsh or tiring, but it is far more dangerous. Under the slime's watchful gaze, I fought and killed monsters. Sometimes I was so scared that I struggled to move. Other times I struggled not to run away. Still, there were times when I killed the monsters quickly. I was hurt countless times. If it wasn't for slime healing magic, I am sure I would have been dead or, at the very least, horribly scarred. But by the end of the month, I could take down a group of orcs without any problem.

"Your training is complete," Slime says as we eat our dinner. "Tomorrow, we will steal the gear that girl was meant to have."

I smirk. You stole my prince, so I will take something from you. Just you wait, little homewrecker. You and my prince will pay for what you did.