Chapter 5

"Lord Rudis!"

After washing off the sweat in the bath, I was hugged by Rune in one of the inn's rooms.

Of course, Rune had returned to the slime form, but was rejoicing with a breathy voice.

If this continues, I don't know what the innkeepers will say.

"Rune! This is a cheap inn! Try to keep your voice down a bit."

"Ah! I apologize... This is a grave oversight on Rune's part."

Rune's spirits fell.

I might have been a bit too harsh. For me, it's been over a decade, but it's different for Rune.

There's no point in getting carried away with a reunion that's been a thousand years in the making.

"As long as you understand. Rune, I missed you too."

I sat on the bed and placed Rune on my lap, petting her.

"Lord Rudis..."

Rune, looking delighted, seemed to melt in my arms. I'll keep doing this for a while.

At the same time, I thought about the future.

First, I want to investigate this town of Elphen, the world map, and the current situation.

However, if I act like I've just come up from the countryside, everyone will probably tell me what I need to know.

The important thing is the goal for the rest of my life.

First, I'll become an adventurer, earn money, and buy a base somewhere.

Then, I'll let the other blue slimes live there.

Having a place to call home would be a big help for me too.

At the same time, I'll go on adventures.

This is my goal for the future!

"Lord Rudis, you look so happy!"

Rune, seeing me get carried away, said that.

"Well, yeah."

Thinking back, I didn't have much freedom in my previous life.

Being able to decide my own future like this is quite refreshing.

In my previous life, I rarely smiled.

Rune seems happy too, probably because she can sense my feelings.

"By the way, Rune. For tomorrow's aptitude test, please be careful with your basic magic and try to hold back your power."

"Yes! In my current [Mimic] form, my magic power is already reduced, so it should be convenient."

"That's true."

Actually, I'm more worried about myself.

Holding back is quite difficult.

In the war, I just had to release my magic power and use high-level magic.

"Still, the classes are quite interesting! Lord Rudis, you'll definitely choose a magic-using class, right?"

"Yes, that's my plan. Rune, do you have any preferences?"

"Well... In human form, my magic is limited, so I thought I could be a warrior to clear the way for Lord Rudis."

"I see. Then I'll have to buy you some armor and weapons."

If we want to be adventurers without drawing too much attention, this might be a good idea.

With good-quality equipment, Rune should be able to move like a decent warrior.

"For me?!"

"Don't be shy. We're going to be adventurers. Let's tackle new challenges together."

Thanks to some kind of connection, both Rune and I can start a new life.

It's quite amusing that a slime can be a warrior.

"I understand... I look forward to working with you, Lord Rudis!"

"Same here."

That day, I enjoyed Rune's slime pillow for the first time in over a decade.

It was soft and cool, providing a very comfortable sleep.

I put on my jacket, and Rune finished her [Mimic] transformation.

When we went down to the inn...

"Oh, you two look so cozy."

The senior adventurers immediately teased us.

I blushed and replied, "N-no, it's not like that!"

Then we hurried to the guild.

Well, if a young couple shares a small room in an inn, this is bound to happen.

In a way, we might have given off the vibe of young peasant couples.

I thought about it that way to overcome my slight embarrassment.

"Good morning, the two of you."

The guild receptionist greeted us.

We both bowed and returned the greeting.

"You're here for the aptitude test today. The test will be held in the guild's backyard. The examiner is an Orichalcum-class adventurer."

We nodded and headed to the backyard.

The backyard was like a military training ground.

There were targets and wooden weapons leaning against the wall.

A beautiful woman with a fine crimson triangular hat stood there.

Her white wooden staff in both hands suggested she was a mage.

She was probably in her mid-twenties, with long, beautiful green hair reaching down to her waist.

Her crimson robe was unbuttoned at the chest, and her legs were visible through the slits.

When her emerald eyes spotted us, her alluring lips opened.

"Oh, you must be Rudis and Rune."

"Yes, I'm Rudis from Elk Village!"

"Likewise, I'm Rune from Elk Village."

We bowed to the woman, who we assumed was the examiner, and greeted her.

"I'm Nore. I'll be conducting your aptitude test. I'm an Orichalcum-class adventurer. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you."

We both bowed again in response to Nore.

"Good manners. Let's get started, shall we? First, Rudis, you're up."

"Yes!"

First, I wielded various weapons like swords, spears, and axes in front of Nore.

Then, I was asked to use ranged weapons like bows, crossbows, and throwing weapons.

I had some basic knowledge of all of them.

As a prince, I had received some training.

However, it had been over a decade, so I probably looked like an amateur even without holding back.

"Decent. I look forward to your growth."

"Thank you!"

"Next, can you use magic? If you can, that is."

"I know a little!"

"Alright. Let's start with healing magic. Try to restore my magic power."

"Got it!"

[Healing] or [Magic Granting] is the basics of the basics. It seems this hasn't changed even in the modern era.

I activated [Magic Granting] and cast it on Nore.

Hmm? Nore looked a bit surprised.

I had tried to hold back my magic power.

"Can you... cast spells without incantations?"

Without incantations? I wanted to ask what that was, but from the words, it seemed there was something called "incantations."

It was too late to lie, so I answered honestly.

"Yes! To some extent!"

"Amazing... Are you a descendant of the empire or something?"

"Sorry, I'm just a peasant, so I don't know much about that."

"Back in the days of the empire, mages could cast spells without incantations. Nowadays, only descendants of the empire can do that. If you are one, you have the talent to be a mage."

Nore said this with a hint of regret.

She probably wasn't a descendant of the empire.

I'm not sure if the empire she mentioned is the same one I lived in.

But in the empire of my previous life, mages didn't use "incantations" at all.

There seem to be some differences in magic between the past and the present.

"I see... I'll consider becoming a mage."

"Good. But the test isn't over yet. Can you use offensive magic?"

Hearing Nore's voice, I thought for a moment.

I don't want to raise any suspicions this time. I'll declare the spell I'm going to use.

"I'll try! How about [Fireball]?"

"[Fireball], huh. Then aim at that straw dummy."

After confirming, it seems I won't be too surprising.

I just need to adjust my magic power...

I aimed my right hand at the straw dummy and cast [Fireball].

The straw dummy caught fire upon impact.

"Good. Excellent. It's a basic spell, but the power is impressive. Wait here. I'll put out the fire."

Nore raised her hand and chanted, "[Water Wave]."

[Water Wave]. It's a mid-level spell among low-level spells.

A wave of water hit the straw dummy, but...

"It's not... going out? Why? [Water Wave]!"

Nore tried to extinguish the fire again, but it didn't work.

Crap... My [Fireball] is designed to be hard to extinguish for war purposes.

"Trouble! Both of you, go get the other mages inside!"

No, if Nore is an Orichalcum adventurer, the mages inside should be of similar skill.

It seems impossible to extinguish the fire with this level of magic.

What should I do...

"Go out! [Water Wave]!"

I took advantage of Nore's voice and cast my own [Water Wave], then immediately cast [Invisibility].

When Nore's [Water Wave] hit, my magic also hit the straw dummy.

The fire was successfully extinguished.

"It's out? Phew... Am I tired?"

"I'm sorry..."

"No, it's fine... I'm not feeling well today. You might become a top mage... or even a 'Sage'."

"Really? I'll do my best!"

Like an innocent young peasant, I replied.

I was already a Sage... but if I'm going to be a mage, I should aim to be a Sage.

After that, Rune took the test.

Rune, aware of my mistake, performed incantations and further reduced the quality of her magic.

Our aptitude tests were over.

I could choose from Mage, Priest, and Warrior Apprentice.

Rune could choose from Mage Apprentice, Priest Apprentice, and Warrior Apprentice.

Of course, I chose Mage. Rune registered as a Warrior Apprentice.

This way, Rune and I could start our careers as adventurers.