About two hours had already passed since Velt entered the forest. Rurhy remained outside, waiting for him, when Rychbi approached her.

  —Daughter, are you alright? You’ve been standing here for almost an hour—he asked.

  —Yes, I’m fine. I’m just waiting for Velt. Some elves said they saw him go into the forest to look for food—Rurhy replied, without taking her eyes off the trees.

  Rychbi watched her silently for a few seconds, then let out a soft laugh, surprising her.

  —Your mother used to do exactly the same thing when we got married—he said with a smile.

  —Mom did this too?—Rurhy asked, turning toward him.

  —Yes. Every time I went hunting, she would stand there for hours, waiting until I came back. Looks like you inherited that from her—he said nostalgically, gently caressing her cheek—. My little girl… you’ve grown so much.

  —Father, that’s embarrassing—Rurhy said, her ears turning red.

  —Is it embarrassing for a father to love his daughter?—Rychbi replied with a smile—. Alright, I won’t say anything else. But come eat something. You’ve been here too long.

  —Okay… I’ll go in a moment. I’ll just wait a little longer—she said, turning her gaze back to the forest.

  —Very well. But if you don’t come in thirty minutes, I’ll come get you and embarrass you even more—Rychbi added with a laugh as he walked away.

  Meanwhile, Velt continued hunting in the forest. Now that his bones had fully recovered, he moved agilely from branch to branch.

  —Alright… only rabbits so far. Not bad, but I was hoping for something bigger—he muttered, glancing at the prey hanging from his waist.

  He descended from the tree and began walking.

  —I’ve already taken long enough. I should head back—he thought.

  Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.

  —What was that?—he said, turning around.

  In front of him was a small green mass following closely behind.

  —A slime…?—he murmured, crouching down to observe it more closely.

  The slime extended something like a tentacle, mimicking Velt’s movement.

  —You’re not going to attack me, right?—he asked cautiously.

  To his surprise, the creature copied his movements and followed him when he moved forward.

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  —Alright… what do you want?—Velt asked, looking straight at it.

  The slime simply wobbled in response.

  —That’s strange…—Velt muttered.

  —Slimes are usually simple creatures, guided by basic instincts—Cero explained—. However, this one seems aware of its surroundings and reacts when spoken to, Mr. Velt.

  —I see…—he murmured—. In any case, Rurhy should be awake by now.

  He resumed walking, but the slime continued to follow him. He thought it would give up eventually, but after a while it was still there, unwavering.

  —Alright, I’m tired of this—Velt said, turning back toward it—. If you’re expecting food, you’re not getting any.

  The slime didn’t move.

  Velt stared at it for a few seconds, started walking again… and the slime followed once more.

  —You’re really persistent—he muttered.

  He stopped, crouched down, and brought himself to the creature’s level.

  —Hey, are you really going to keep following me?—he asked.

  The slime wobbled again.

  —Hmm… what could I even get from a slime?—he thought.

  —Slimes have soft bodies, and their primary ability is regeneration—Cero reported.

  —Regeneration is useful…—Velt murmured, but hesitated as he looked at it more closely—. Still, it looks completely harmless… and it doesn’t seem to hurt anyone.

  The slime wiggled again.

  —I can’t understand you—Velt sighed.

  —It appears to want you to adopt it—Cero said.

  —Adopt it? As a pet?—Velt asked.

  —Something like that.

  —I don’t know… I’ve never had a pet, let alone a slime—he admitted.

  —They require no special care. If injured, they regenerate on their own, and they can eat almost anything—Cero explained.

  Velt remained silent for a few seconds, staring at the creature.

  —Alright… I suppose having a pet wouldn’t be so bad. Besides, it’s soft—he said, touching it—. It’s like touching a balloon.

  The slime wobbled gently.

  —You can come with me, but only if the village accepts you. If you cause trouble, you’re gone. Understood?—he warned.

  The slime wiggled again.

  —I’ll take that as a yes—Velt said.

  He started walking, then stopped when he noticed the slime was far too slow.

  —Alright, this will be faster—he muttered, picking it up—. And you barely weigh anything.

  With the slime in his arms, Velt resumed his way back to the village.

  When he returned, Rurhy was the first to greet him.

  —You took a long time—she said, puffing her cheeks slightly in complaint.

  —What happened to not being such a demanding wife?—Velt joked.

  Rurhy was about to reply when she noticed something in his arms.

  —What’s that?—she asked, pointing at the small green creature.

  —A slime. It followed me the whole way, so I adopted it as a pet—he replied casually.

  —You adopted it?—Rurhy repeated, surprised.

  —Yeah.

  She stepped closer, observed it carefully, and without asking permission, took it into her arms.

  —It’s adorable! I’ve always wanted a pet—she said, hugging it with a sincere smile.

  —That’s unfair…—Velt thought—. I really thought you’d say no or something—he muttered.

  —And why would I say no?—Rurhy replied—. It’s cute and soft.

  —Great… I got replaced by a slime really fast—Velt commented with mock resignation.

  —That’s not true—Rurhy said, stepping closer—. You’re still my favorite.

  Then she added softly near his ear, with a mischievous smile:

  —Besides… you left quite a few marks on me yesterday. You were clearly very enthusiastic.

  —I-I… I got carried away. I’m sorry—Velt replied, clearly embarrassed.

  —I don’t mind—she said calmly—. But if you’re going to be that rough, at least warn me next time.

  Rurhy turned around and started walking toward one of the cabins, still holding the slime.

  —Let’s go inside. It’s time to eat—she said—. By the way, it needs a name.

  —A name?—Velt repeated.

  —Yes. How about “Emerald”?—she suggested, looking at the creature.

  —Because of the color?—he asked.

  —Exactly.

  Velt smiled.

  —Alright. If you say so, its name will be Emerald.

  The slime gently wiggled in Rurhy’s arms, as if approving its new name.