- Shari -

Now that the three of us slimes are alone again, it might be time to clear things up.

"So, you really want me to become an adventurer? Do you think it would be smart if I show up at the guild looking like... this?" (Nia)

"It's the most advantageous option for you. Those guys just now may not like me, but I'm absolutely sure you can trust them. Myra says what she thinks, Jacob at least keeps his deals, though you might want to look twice at the money with him, and Lorel is maybe the only absolutely non-scheming, honorable noble I've ever encountered. As I said, I'd feel much better if you had them at your side whenever you gather ingredients in the forest. Then when they need you for missions, you can claim your share of the rewards and bounties as well. Doesn't even have to be all that often, only enough to help them out. Also, I gave it my all to make sure you won't be targeted by any officials, guild or guard. Can't do anything about unofficial ones, but if you're not too reckless, things should be fine if you have them at your side. Aside from this, I'm rather sure nobody will give you a hard time anymore because of your age. I doubt the guild will even ask that of you now." (Shari)

Was that so shocking that she has to keep staring at me?

"Pfft, gllrrllshbl!" (Nia)

"Ehm, what?" (Shari)

"Grrschll! This is really great! Because my body became this stuff, something that is clearly not human, I don't have to worry anymore about how old I am! Super! Who'd have thought that this is a point? Humans don't judge the body of a slime, after all! Can I now order a drink at a tavern, because it doesn't affect me anymore?" (Nia)

That's not exactly a healthy mindset that follows reasonable boundaries. On the other hand, not sure if there's even a concern to prohibit her from abusing stuff that won't affect her anyway.

"But, um, in that regard…will I ever grow up? Or am I stuck like this?" (Nia)

Kinda difficult to answer that.

"Well, in some way you could say that slimes are already change incarnate. You can look however you want. You may at least control more slime in the long run. And I can confidently say, you got a much better setup to start with than I had. You'll see, you got all you need to do well." (Shari)

"Mhm. It just feels a little unreal. I mean, my life now is just so different. I can't even tell how the issues of being a slime could be weighed against my former life. As disturbing as it was, it's kinda weird to think about it as a change to be grateful for. Yet it's hard to say it's worse if I do compare." (Nia)

As long as she's content.

"Well, then we should work on improving your prospects." (Shari)

I doubt that the shop will do exceedingly well in the future, considering the news about us, but the kids ought to still be able to sell minor quality potions at a decent price while I'm gone. Combined with the other options to make a living, which I've left them with, at least a moderate degree of self-sustainment should be secured for them. For this reason, I should do my best to teach her well with my alchemy. Even if it might take quite a while till anyone comes again to this place.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ehm, excuse me? C-can I enter?" (woman)

What's going on? I head back to the front area of the shop. There's a middle-aged woman at my doorstep.

"What do you want? Didn't I tell you people that I would leave on my own accord? You don't need to bother me!" (Shari)

"That's, that's not... I mean... I-I'd like to buy a health potion." (woman)

Oh, a customer? Really? After everything?

"A health potion? You want to buy!?" (Shari)

"My son, he again hurt himself. He's such a rowdy boy, you know. Your potions, they work so well. Could, could you please sell one to me? Only a bit." (woman)

"You are aware what they say about me, right? I'm not going to deny any of those things." (Shari)

She looks a little insecure at this. However, she makes no move to retreat.

"You, you made this salve to help my son with his poisoning, even when it wasn't among those you were selling. You didn't have to do that, but you did… I, I trust you." (woman)

Oh yeah, that happened. Now I remember her. I extra prepared it to mitigate the effect of falling into a delpra bush. To think that this act would inspire her to keep being a repeat customer despite knowing about my nature. Well, if this is the case, I might right away take advantage of the circumstances. And here's just the girl, peering around the back door with her hood up.

"Hey, Nia. Why don't you fetch a bit of the new batch?" (Shari)

"The new? You don't mean..." (Nia)

One might've guessed it, the new batch consists of the potions I had Nia prepare as part of her training. Of course, not with my slime, and Liqu has no interest in alchemy. Which left but one option.

"Yep. If we already had you prepare everything from scratch, you may as well perform the whole process till the end. This will be your job, after all." (Shari)

"B-but..." (Nia)

"No buts. Go and fetch it!" (Shari)

Might be a bit embarrassing for her, but she should get used to... selling her body... Yeah, I'm the worst. We prepared slightly better containers for this batch, so as to observe their state. For this reason, the content is clearly visible through the glass. Which might be an issue regarding my usual merchandise.

"Oh, thank you! Uh, but it's violet. Is it still fine?" (woman)

"It is, the color is only visual. I changed the supplier for the base ingredient; nonetheless, they were still brewed after alchemistic standards. You won't notice a difference." (Shari)

"If you say so... How much will this be?" (woman)

I look to Nia for this.

"Uh, that will be twenty copper, please." (Nia)

"Twenty copper? That's even less than usual. Why?" (woman)

"Might be a bit generous, but I had her prepare those in my stead. I've been training her, so in my absence, you'll still be able to buy potions here. Just not quite at the former variety. However, I can assure you, they're good. If you're still doubtful, Tamarah, the alchemist in the northern district I was working with, will assure you they're of acceptable quality. Although she's a bit abrasive, so you may rather not bother her." (Shari)

Just good that I won't be in town any longer once people come pestering her.

"Ehm, thank you very much then. Here's the money." (woman)

She hands over the money and retreats. Once she's gone, I turn to Nia.

"Looks like you made your very first sale of a product completely your own." (Shari)

"Yeah, but, she, or someone else, is going to drink that, right?" (Nia)

"Well, that's the idea of potions." (Shari)

"Urbh. Just a little hard to get used to this thought." (Nia)

Just good that she didn't vomit here with the customer present. That wouldn't be the best way to hint at our special ingredient.

"Be this as it may, it seems like you'll be getting some customers. So it only makes sense to prepare you to produce them. Are you ready?" (Shari)

"I guess so. My own customers, my own product… Twenty copper, and I make it mostly from just eating… I'm ready!" (Nia)

Then we should spend our remaining time wisely.

"Ehm, hello? Would it be possible to buy a stamina potion?"

I look to the door and find some younger guy there.

"I guess so?" (Shari)

"Great! Those really helped me through hard days. The prices here are better than anywhere else." (man)

"You know you shouldn't drink them on a daily basis?" (Shari)

Do I need to give regular warnings not to abuse them?

"Ah, no. That would be a bit excessive. Especially the costs. I only... Well, you know, on special occasions with my wife." (man)

Too much information!

"Okay. If this works out for you." (Shari)

"Not just me! There's a bunch of others out there. Most were just a little scared to walk past the crowd." (man)

For real? Damn, who would've thought?

Seems like I need to distribute the work a bit in order to find time to teach Nia. Sigh.

"Liqu?" (Shari)

"Yes?" (Liqu)

"I'm gonna need your help." (Shari)

"Of course! What is it?" (Liqu)

"I need to teach Nia for some time, maybe even link. Could you look after the shop during that time? You know I'll be pretty hard caught up with her." (Shari)

"Oohhh." (Liqu)

"Please. If you do, I'll owe you one. You know, this is only a last preparation for our departure." (Shari)

"You'll owe me?" (Liqu)

"Yeah, one favor. But nothing outrageous." (Shari)

"Oh, yes, yes. If it helps!" (Liqu)

"Thanks." (Shari)

Why do I feel like I just made a mistake?

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