Chapter 4 – Contract

Now then, after leaving the town I arrived at a plain before long.

Walking on the road next to the forest with its boisterous sounds of nature, I was lucky to not encounter any monsters on the way. The distance wasn’t far either.

“I was told they should appear around here …” (Kelvin)

Surveying the area there were no blue slimes in the vicinity.

After walking for a little while searching for them, I finally saw something resembling a blue shape in front.

『It’s a blue slime. Master, please use [Eyes of Identification] to examine it.』 (Merufina)

Just as I was told by Merufina, I invoked [Eyes of Identification].

Before I could understand how it was supposed to work, I already was under the influence of the invocation.

It feels almost like moving one’s body, huh?

Owning the skill seems to make the invocation fairly simple.

This is [Eyes of Identification]?

It’s able to read the entire status of the target.

『[Eyes of Identification] doesn’t only work on living things. It also works on unidentified objects. Your [Eyes of Identification] is grade S. As long as the target is less than 100 levels above you, it is possible to identify it.』 (Merufina)

It should work on the majority of targets then, huh? … Wait, I was able to see Merufinas status although it shouldn’t be possible to display it.

In other words, does the level of Merufina surpasses mine by over 100?

『Tentatively speaking, I am a goddess after all.』 (Merufina)

For the sake of summoning you, just how much MP will be consumed … nevermind, the story strayed off.

First the blue slime in front.

I slowly approached the blue slime.

First of all, to succeed in forming a contract I need the other parties agreement.

Should I talk to the slime to get its agreement? (T/N: LOL)

『In case of monsters who don’t understand words, you have to weaken it considerably without defeating it though. If you invoke the contract then, it will agree to it. It’s a fellow you want to befriend by using strength.』 (Merufina)

Merufina appeared to have an abundant gamer’s knowledge, too.

It seems I would finish it off if I used magic, so I had to use the wood rod to fight it.

“Tou!” (Kelvin)

Putting a fair amount of strength into it, I attacked the blue slime.

The slime was blown back by a few meters while rolling around *poyon poyon*

I invoked [Eyes of Identification].

「Remaining HP: 3. Do you wish to form a contract?」 (System)

I held up my hand towards the slime as arranged by the system in order to form a contract.

“Uo~ … It feels like something is coming out of its body covering it in a mist. Is this alright?” (Kelvin)

『Regardless whether the formation of a contract is successful or not, half of the remaining MP will be spent on the attempt. That’s the effect of spending a large amount of mana.』 (Merufina)

“Please tell me that earlier … Oh well, okay. Is the contract formation successful?” (Kelvin)

Looking at the blue slime, it started to gradually to glow in a white light.

Bright.

『Congratulations. The contract is established.』 (Merufina)

“Is it done with this?” (Kelvin)

『The monster you contracted this time has no name yet. How about giving it a name, Master?』 (Merufina)

Fumu, name, huh?

My naming sense is on fire and so it will end up sounding chuuni-like.1

Should I play it safe here?

No, it’s no problem as this a fantasy world.

“Alright, from today onwards you shall be called Clotho2. Please take care of me from now on!” (Kelvin)

Clotho jumps up while trembling *purupuru* .

And then it changed into light particles which were absorbed into me.

That fellow became a magic body, huh?

According to what Merufina told me before, with this Clotho should have been absorbed into my mana.

“Oi Clotho, can you hear me?” (Kelvin)

Although I can’t hear Clotho’s words, its feelings are directly transmitted to me.

Is it pleased with only this?

『Mutual understanding is possible without having to use words as a means of communication. As a fellow follower I have to say this method gives me peace of mind though.』 (Merufina)

Ah, Clotho is slightly scared.

You don’t have to be afraid of Merufina.

For the time being I should name this as follower’s network (T/N: Blog!).

It allows virtually instant conversation and it looks to me that it will be useful in battle.

“The next is summoning. As I used half my MP earlier for the contract, the remaining MP is 10. Will that be sufficient?” (Kelvin)

『For a slime of this level it will be fine. However in regards to understanding the summoning skill: Please be careful of the forceful contract cancellation in case the followers HP drops to 0 and it dies.』 (Merufina)

In this world it had been arranged that 『HP reduced to zero = death』.

Naturally there is no such thing as revival in the church after death as it is common in games.

Clotho is an important friend who will accompany me from now on.

I will make sure to not make a blunder and avoid such a thing to happen.

『As long as so much as 1 HP remains, it is possible to cancel the summons and return the follower back into your mana. HP and MP will be recovered gradually over time, if it returns to be a magic body. Please make sure to apply this rule wisely.』 (Merufina)

*Funfun* Very educational.

Well then, now that I have received Merufina-sensei’s authorization, I shall invoke the summoning.

Ah, right. I don’t know yet how far my magic range goes. Let’s go with summoning right before the eyes then.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, the magic square appeared instantly and in the next instant Clotho was within it.

It seems that summoning is carried out in a fairly high speed.

“First objective of testing achieved. Next up, the subjugation request.” (Kelvin)

『Making Clotho murder its own family … Master, you are quite the savage.』 (Merufina)

“Gufu” (Kelvin)

When I was writhing in agony over my lacking discretion, Clotho transmitted its feelings by jumping about.

“Because the slime family grows by the strong absorbing the weak it is alright, huh? Clotho, you don’t have to force yourself.” (Kelvin)

Clotho showed its eagerness with his trembling body.

No, there’s no problem if Clotho is fine with it.

“As for absorbing the defeated opponent, that would be a problem. I have to dismantle the slimes and collect the cores as proof for the subjugation request this time.” (Kelvin)

However it should be okay for Clotho to absorb a part of the opponent.

I am a bit anxious about the remaining MP. I want to try out magic a bit, too.

We found a target.