"Have you seen the Adventurer's update log?"
"It's true. He cleared a C-tier threat solo party in a single night."
"They're already Level 7 and 5? Impossible for newcomers!"
News spread fast.
By the time Eron and Neha returned to the Academy courtyard, whispers followed them like shadows. Students stared—not in ridicule this time—but in silent tension.
Power changed perception.
And Eron had stopped hiding his.
High above the training arena, three professors stood over a mirror scry-table.
The images showed Eron's dungeon run. His slime's self-sacrifice, the Blade Hound's team synergy, and Eron's own spell-sword execution.
"He's not just casting. He's commanding," muttered Professor Vayra. "And that summon—did you see it evolve mid-fight?"
The older man beside her, Magister Thayne, narrowed his eyes. "If that slime follows the mutation pattern I suspect… it may be Primordial-grade."
"Impossible," she snapped. "No slime has ever reached that level in recorded magic theory."
"Yet he might take it there."
Eron sat cross-legged on the polished stone floor, the slime wobbling beside a mound of scattered scrolls and books. Blade Hound stood silently in guard stance near the window.
Eron had just finished his latest scan.
[Summon Status – Slime]Level: 6Class: Adaptive Combat-Type (Unassigned)Trait: Mimicry, Adaptive Pulse, Burst Shield
[Evolution Potential Detected]─ Path 1: Battle Slime (Rare) – Specializes in physical resistance and split-form tactics.─ Path 2: Mana Slime (Epic) – Absorbs mana and converts it into beams or barriers.─ Path 3: Primordial Slime (??? – Mythical) – An ancient prototype of all slimes. Possesses conscious evolution, trait absorption, and unpredictable growth.
Evolution Requirement:• Slime must reach Lv. 10• Must consume 3 unique skill cores• Owner must possess Warlord-class or equivalent• Must survive an Origin Arcane Pulse Trial (location unknown)
Eron leaned back. "You're hiding secrets, little one."
The slime wobbled proudly… then accidentally rolled off the table.
Neha chuckled from behind a spellbook. "You're going to raise a Primordial class slime? That's more insane than naming it."
"I haven't named it because I don't know what it is yet."
He turned to her.
"But if I evolve it right… it could become a core piece of our tournament win. Something no noble bloodline summon can compare to."
[New Personal Goal Logged]➤ Unlock and evolve Slime to Primordial Class➤ Status: Path Identified, Conditions Unmet➤ System Bonus: +1 Evolution Token if successful before tournament
Eron entered the strategy lab, maps and monster books scattered across the room.
He wrote down everything:
Tournament structure: 5 rounds, individual and team mixed
Mana limits: Regulated during events
Equipment allowed: Custom weapons, 1 summon, 1 support item
Evolution Opportunity: One pre-declared evolution allowed mid-event
He looked at his party chart.
[Party Roster]• Eron (Lv. 7) – Warlord• Neha (Lv. 5) – Flameborn Adept• Slime (Lv. 6) – Adaptive Combat-Class (Pending Evolution)• Blade Hound (Lv. 4) – Steel-Flame Hybrid (High-Speed Melee)
Eron marked the slime's name slot with a "?" again, but hesitated.
"I'll name you after your evolution. Not before."
Late that night, Eron visited the sealed wing of the academy library.
With Neha watching the door, he opened a forbidden tome titled Arcane Beasts of the First Flame.
There, etched in glowing ink, he found it:
Primordial Slime – Designation: Abyss Core Protoform
Said to contain fragments of creation and destruction. Its existence is theoretical—none have survived attempting to evolve it. Possesses the potential to:
• Generate skill cores• Copy spell structures• Fuse with other summons• Develop independent spellcasting
Eron's heart pounded.
"This is it…"
Behind him, the slime bumped his boot with a sleepy wobble.
Neha yawned. "This better be worth it."
He smirked.
"It's worth the world."