The skies over Silverhaven were crisp and clear as Red led the group east of the city gates. The road wound into the open fields beyond, bright with wildflowers, shrubs, and gentle rolling hills. It was the kind of landscape that made you forget the world was dangerous.
Until you noticed the slimes.
Thousands of them.
They bounced happily across the fields in shades of pink, blue, and green, giggling with squishy sounds as they wobbled around in harmless delight.
Yuzu gasped. "They're so cute!"
Selena smirked. "Don't let the cuteness fool you. They get in the way fast."
Red turned to address the group. "This is the next stage of training. Five kilometers east. Five kilometers back. While swinging your sword every step. That's 10 kilometers. Finishers get lunch. Fail, and you watch everyone else eat."
Rika blinked. "Te...Ten?!"
Red raised an eyebrow. "Any complaint?"
Everyone shook their heads, except Lio, who looked like his soul had momentarily escaped.
Red nodded. "Begin."
They started running.
The first kilometer was fine. The sun was bright, the grass soft, and the slimes mostly stayed out of the way.
Then came kilometer two.
"Hey! HEY! Get off!" Lio shouted.
Everyone turned to see three bright pink slimes bouncing happily around him. One had stuck to his leg like a jelly sock. Another had somehow wedged itself inside his shirt. The third was sitting proudly on his head like a squishy crown.
"Lio's attracting them like sugar!" Rika laughed.
"He is the sugar," Selena called out, not even breaking pace.
"One's eating my sleeve!" Lio howled, trying to shake off a green slime that had begun chewing on his tunic like it was dessert.
Yuzu giggled as she jogged past. "Maybe they think you're their leader."
Lio glared. "I don't want to be the slime king!"
Meanwhile, two more slimes bounced after him, chasing his trailing sash like playful puppies.
From the hilltop, Red stood watching silently, arms crossed. One poring tried to bounce up beside him and nuzzle his boot. Red gently sidestepped.
The slime blinked and bounced away.
Even the slimes respected Red.
By kilometer four, the others were panting but adapting. Selena kept pace smoothly. Rika was muttering rhythm drills under her breath. Hina looked tired but focused. Yuzu, red-faced and puffing, pushed herself with sheer willpower.
Then there was Lio.
Now dragging six slimes.
One was riding his shoulder. Another had clung to his wooden sword and refused to let go. A third had somehow eaten part of his bootlace.
"Why me?!" Lio cried, now zigzagging down the path as the slimes continued sticking to him.
Lia and Lana, who had been allowed to ride a cart nearby to watch, were losing their minds with laughter.
"Go Big Brother! Gooo!" Lia cheered. "You're so popular!"
"Even the monsters love you, Big Brother!" Lana howled.
Red finally walked down to check their progress.
Red: "Halfway. Take a water break."
Everyone dropped to the grass, heaving for breath.
Lio peeled a slime off his arm. "I swear they're conspiring. One of them tried to eat my pants."
"I was going to offer to help," Rika said, "but this is more fun to watch."
"You guys sucks," Lio muttered.
Yuzu shyly offered him a canteen. "You did really well. For, um, a slime magnet."
Lio: "Gee, thanks."
Red gave them five minutes.
Then it was time for the return run.
The sun was higher now. The slimes more energetic. Lio didn't even make it thirty steps before two new slimes launched themselves at him.
Lio: "How do they keep finding me!?"
One slime attached itself to his back like a living backpack. Another started bouncing in perfect rhythm beside him. It squeaked joyfully every time he swung his sword.
Rika shook her head. "You're like a bard, but for slimes."
"I hate it here," Lio muttered.
By kilometer seven, Yuzu tripped and nearly fell. Selena caught her, pulling her upright.
Selena: "Don't stop. We finish this together."
Yuzu nodded. "Right. Together."
Even Hina's pace had slowed, but her determination hadn't faltered.
Then came the smell.
A warm, delicious aroma drifting from the finish line. It made their stomachs growl in unison.
Lia and Lana were fanning the scent toward them with napkins.
"Kokoroko stew!" Lana shouted.
"With roasted roots and honey sauce!" Lia added.
Lio nearly wept. "You're torturing us."
Selena licked her lips. "Smells like victory."
"Only if you make it back," Red called out.
The last kilometer was brutal.
Every muscle burned. Every step felt like dragging weights.
But they didn't stop.
One by one, they crossed the final mark. Selena first. Then Rika, Hina, Yuzu, and finally, Lio — trailing a swarm of cheering slimes that followed him to the gate like adoring fans.
Red nodded once.
Red: "Good. Eat. You earned it."
They collapsed in a heap near the cart. Bowls were passed out. Steam rose. The first bite of Kokoroko meat was heaven.
Even Lio forgot the slime chewing on his collar as he took a bite.
Lio: "So good... I forgive everything."
Selena chuckled. "Until tomorrow."
Red watched them quietly, arms folded.
They were sore, tired, sticky, and laughing.
And he knew, they were becoming adventurers.
As the team sat down with their bowls of steaming Kokoroko stew, Red leaned against a nearby tree, seemingly disinterested but clearly watching.
Lio finally managed to sit, peeling one last poring off his shoulder. The slime let out a cheerful blorp and hopped away.
"They're gone... finally," he muttered, still catching his breath.
Yuzu, sitting beside him, giggled softly. "You did really well, Lio. They must have really liked you."
"Yeah, lucky me," he said dryly, raising his bowl.
At that precise moment, another poring shot out from under the food cart like a sticky cannonball.
"Big Brother, look out!" Lana shouted.
But it was too late.
The slime slammed into his side, causing him to tumble sideways, directly into Yuzu.
BONK!
Their heads collided, but not before Lio's lips grazed Yuzu's cheek in a totally accidental, utterly devastating moment.
There was silence.
Lio froze.
Yuzu's face went from pink to red to critical meltdown.
Selena choked on her stew.
Rika spat out her drink.
Hina gasped.
The twins screamed in unison. "BIG BROTHER KISSED YUZU!!"
"I-it was an accident!" Lio shouted, falling backward off the bench, limbs flailing.
Yuzu covered her face. "I-it's okay! I-it's fine!" she squeaked, visibly steaming.
Rika was crying from laughter. "You need armor just to survive lunch!"
Selena grinned and leaned toward Lio. "First slime prince. Now slime-induced romance. You're just full of surprises."
Lio sat in the grass, dazed. "I want to disappear."
From the tree, Red barely raised an eyebrow. "Next time, dodge better."
The whole group roared with laughter.
Even Yuzu, despite her flustered state, couldn't help but smile.