Training as a Slime(69)

Alice interrupted angrily, "Alice is not a thing that everyone can have!" as it clung to its master's side, "Master is mine and I am my master's! No one can steal me away!"

Sam, undeterred, teased, "Are you sure I can't have you?"

Feeling conflicted, Alice hesitated, torn between loyalty to its master and the need to appease Sam. "Master!" it cried feeling at a loss.

"Who could have known that a game AI would be so active and bubbly in the real world? Perhaps Alice will usher in a new golden age for this world," Cori observed while recalling the days when Alice was just a mere in-game character. "Sam you want Alice or a robot that can transform into a bag?" Cori asked.

"What is a robot? Isn't Alice a golem?" Sam asked.

"Well, not exactly," Cori replied hesitantly, cautious of the consequences. "Alice perhaps you can give the blueprint of the bag to Sam so she can have a robot that can transform." 

Alice: "Master, to do so would breach the copyright and intellectual property rights."

Cori: "I see..."

Sam: "It's alright. I don't need one, it's nothing special. It's just an advanced golem anyway."

Alice: "It's not a golem, it's a superior artefact!"

Sam: "Artefacts are unique, you... I have seen millions."

Cori kept quiet knowing full well that it would be suicidal if he were to join in the conversation.

Alice: "Where! I'm sure you have not seen any creation like mine before."

Sam: "Sure I have, the army has millions of golems like you."

Alice: "For the last time, it is a robot! And I am not a golem!"

Sam: "Sure, prove it."

Alice: "Prove what?"

Sam: "Prove that a robot is not a golem."

"Fine!" Alice said falling deftly into Sam's trap and immediately got to work. After a mere 10 seconds, it managed to produce a detailed analysis and blueprint of a robot and golem to highlight the differences to Sam.

"Wow, all these for 10 seconds! Imagine all the time that can be saved and all the money that I can make!" Sam marvelled internally with a poker face.

Sam: "Amazing! this blueprint and essay appear to be difficult to comprehend, I think it will take a while for me to digest. Is it alright if I take it back with me to study it?"

Alice: "Haha, now you know your place is beneath me. As long as master says yes, you can have it."

Sam took a deep breath and gave her most professional smile. "Just you wait you little rainmaker, I shall squeeze every gold out of you!" she thought and turned to Cori for an answer.

Cori: "Sure, but you have to keep everything you see a secret, including where you received the blueprints."

Sam: "That goes without saying! Everything will be confidential! Hahahaha."

Alice joined in the laughter, extremely pleased with how well it had handled the situation. While Cori quietly sat in a corner watching the two laughing maniacally like a pair of idiots. After a round of hearty laughter, Sam casually tossed a small pouch to Cori, "Here, you will need it tomorrow. These are the portal stones for your classes, it should last you a week." 

Cori: "So how do you use it?"

Sam: "Different sigils refer to different locations, you take the stone with the corresponding sigil and throw it onto the ground to activate the portal."

Cori: "So how do I check where to go?"

"When you teleported to your hall you should have received something in your inventory. It's sort of customised to every trainee," Sam answered.

Cori opened his inventory and found a letter in it. "Is this the one?" he asked, handing Sam the letter.

Sam: "Looks like it."

Cori wondered when it appeared because he remembered there wasn't anything in his inventory the last he checked. He pried off the red seal and opened the letter.

It read, "Dear Cori Byten,

Warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations on your acceptance into Monster Training School, where you are now a proud trainee of Hall 777.

In light of your unique circumstances, you have been assigned to the esteemed Hall of Ogmius, where you will diligently adhere to their specialised training regimen outlined below. Additionally, you are privileged to receive guidance from all the esteemed Masters of our institution outside of regular training hours.

Please retain this letter and its accompanying envelope, as the information contained within may be subject to adjustment in response to evolving circumstances.

Luan: Fundamentals of Magic (daybreak) (PC1), Fundamental History (after midday) (OC1), Training with Master (evening) (QHTG)

Mháirt: Fundamentals of Prayers and Healing (daybreak) (AC1), Fundamental Religious History (after midday) (OC1), Training with Master (evening)(QHTG)

Chéadaoin: Fundamentals of Potion Making (daybreak)(SL), Training with Master (evening)(QHTG)

Déardaoin: Fundamentals of External Arts (daybreak)(RTG), Training with Master (evening)(QHTG)

Aoine: Fundamentals of Internal Arts (Before dawn) (KTG), Training with Master (evening)(QHTG)

Satharn: Fundamentals of Curious Creatures (daybreak)(SL)

Domhnach: Fundamentals of Smithery (daybreak)(PS)

Best wishes for a fruitful and rewarding journey ahead.

Santa Claus

Headmaster of Monster Training School"

"Wow, your programme looks intense for a first year!" Sam remarked. "Master, Alice wants to come too!" quipped the ever-enthusiastic AI. Realizing the depth of its past oversight, it lamented the absence of cherished experiences and resolved to accompany Cori, determined to seize and capture every special moment.

Cori: "What do all the abbreviations mean?"

Sam: "PC1 means 'Paulva Classroom 1'. Usually, it will indicate the hall and the location in it. TG means 'Training Ground'."

Cori: "What about PS?"

Sam: "That's 'Paulva Smithery'. Anyway, we have to wake up early. It's best to sleep now."

"So early..." Alice pouted.

"Don't worry, I will bring you along tomorrow. I need all the help I can get," Cori said to Alice, taking every possible precaution against the demonic saintess. "Is there any protection charm we can give to our friend here?" Cori asked Alice.

"There are no charms Master, but we do have some pills against high-level curses and hexes, the effect lasts for a month," Alice replied confidently. "Great! Please give Sam a pill," Cori commanded. Sam took a look at the smelly green pill and popped it in her mouth without question. Her shoulders immediately lightened, and her mood completely refreshed. "Wow, I thought it was poison but this works!" Sam said before noticing Sam and Alice inching away from her. "What are you guys doing?" she asked. 

Alice, "Don't worry the side effect will be gone in an hour." Cori nodded, "I think it is time we get some rest." 

Sam: "What side effects?"

Alice: "You smell weird."

Cori: "Like an onion. But the side effect will be gone in an hour so maybe just sleep it off?"

Sam was speechless but she had experienced a far worse fate than smelling like an onion. Since the gift meant well, she could not complain but graciously accept her new stench.