Ren carefully examined the captured monster in her card. He had done it — his first capture was successful. A wave of excitement surged through him, but before he could fully process it, a loud, resonating ding-dong echoed through the air. The academy bell rang.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE: Academy Bell Ringing — Time to Head to Class.]
Ren blinked, realizing how much time had passed while he was caught up in the wilds. With a quick glance at Slimelet, he pulled out her monster card. The little slime instantly disappeared, sucked back into her card.
"You've done great today, Slimelet," Ren whispered, tucking the card into his bag. He quickly adjusted his jacket, turned, and sprinted toward the academy. He didn't want to be late for his first class.
As Ren walked into the classroom, the students were already seated, chatting excitedly amongst themselves. The professor, a stern-looking woman with sharp glasses, stood at the front, preparing for the lesson.
The classroom quieted as the professor raised a hand, commanding attention. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Today's lesson is about Card Capture."
Ren smirked slightly, knowing that he already had an edge over most of the students here. But he decided to stay quiet and pay attention as the professor continued.
"Card Capture is the process by which you capture wild monsters, a skill you'll need if you want to make progress in your training. To do this, you'll use Monster Cards to seal the essence of the creatures you encounter. You must lower their HP before initiating the capture with a special token."
The professor continued explaining the process in greater detail, but Ren's mind wandered back to his experience capturing the Grass-type monster earlier. The process had been thrilling, and now, he felt a bond growing with Slimelet that would only get stronger with time.
"The Card Capture system will be crucial to your success here at the academy," the professor continued. "And in one month's time, we will hold a tournament. Your monsters will compete based on their bond with you, their strength, and their ability to evolve. It's a test of your training skills, your ability to capture and evolve monsters, and your teamwork."
Ren's heart raced at the mention of the tournament. A tournament? It was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for. He was already ahead of the others with his first capture, and now he had a month to train and grow his monsters.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE: Slimelet has leveled up to Level 7!] [Slimelet's Stats Updated!] Name: Slimelet
Level: 7
HP: 44/44
ATK: 16
DEF: 8
SPD: 14
Skill:
Slime Shield: Generates a temporary protective shield for 2 turns, reducing damage taken by 30%.
Bounce Bash: Physical, Power: 5, Accuracy: 90% — A rapid body slam with a small chance to flinch the enemy.
Goo Shot: Elemental (Slime), Power: 3, Accuracy: 100% — Fires sticky goo at the enemy, with a chance to slow their speed.
Mucus Net: Trap, Power: 0, Accuracy: 100% — Launches a slime-web to immobilize the target for 1 turn.
The new skill, Slime Shield, was a huge boost to Slimelet's capabilities. Ren couldn't wait to try it out in battle.
The professor finally wrapped up the class, announcing that the tournament would focus on strengthening the bond with their monsters, capturing more, and training them to evolve. Ren felt even more motivated now — with Slimelet's new skill and level boost, he was more prepared than ever.
"Alright, everyone," the professor said as the class ended, "Remember to use this time wisely. The tournament will be here before you know it, and I expect each of you to come prepared."
Ren quickly packed his things, heading toward the door. As he exited the classroom, he couldn't help but smile. With Slimelet's level up and her new skill, he was feeling confident. There was no way he was going to let anyone surpass him.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE: You have earned the following rewards for your first monster capture:]
[+1 Random Item: Monster Food (Increases the bond with your monsters when fed.)]
The prize item made Ren feel even more prepared. He couldn't wait to start training Slimelet further. The tournament was right around the corner, and he had a head start. All he needed now was to keep pushing forward.
Ren sat calmly by the academy's marble fountain, the soft splash of water mingling with the quiet munching of his two monsters. Slimelet wobbled beside him, slurping down monster treats with gurgly satisfaction. On the other side, Sprout Maiden sat with her legs crossed, nibbling her snack like a proper forest spirit, leafy tendrils twitching with every bite.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE: Bond with Slimelet and Sprout Maiden has increased.]
Ren smiled quietly, watching the two girls eat. A peaceful moment — until a shadow loomed over them.
"Huh?" he looked up.
There stood Zane Vex, the loudmouth from the summoning ceremony — tall, sharp-eyed, and forever smug. His silver hair spiked like he was trying too hard, and his academy jacket hung lazily off one shoulder.
Zane scoffed. "You've gotta be kidding me. You have two monsters already?"
Ren stood, calm but cautious.
Zane's sneer grew wider. "What'd you do, beg some strays to follow you? A slime and a shrub? That's pathetic."
Slimelet and Sprout Maiden paused mid-bite.
"Sliii!"
"Buhh-buuuh!"
They let out tiny, offended cries — puffed cheeks and tiny arms raised in protest. Their cuteness only made Zane laugh harder.
Ren's gaze didn't flinch. "They chose me. That's more than I can say for anything that follows you."
Zane's smirk darkened. "Big mouth, newbie. I've already crushed five students this week. And I'm not stopping 'til I'm top of the first-year board."
He reached into his coat and whipped out a glimmering card, dark purple with a thorned border.
"Let me introduce my undefeated partner… Belladusk!"
The card burst with violet mist — and out stepped a tall, toxic beauty. Her skin shimmered with a pale green glow, and black vines coiled like snakes around her arms and legs. Her hair was wild and long, a mix of shadow and purple. Her cat-like eyes narrowed as she licked her sharp claws.
> [SYSTEM SCAN — Wild Monster Detected!]
Name: Belladusk
Type: Poison
Level: 5
Description: A sly, venom-laced monster girl with hypnotic charm and deadly toxins. Prefers weakening prey before finishing them.
Skills:
Toxic Claw – Type: Poison | Power: 6 | May inflict Poison
Venom Kiss – Type: Drain | Power: 4 | Steals small HP on contact
Mist Veil – Type: Support | Reduces enemy Accuracy for 2 turns
Zane crossed his arms. "Still think your baby blobs can stand up to her?"
Ren stepped forward, his eyes locked on Belladusk. "We'll find out."
> [System Quest Activated!]
Stand Tall, Bond Strong!
Defeat Zane and his monster Belladusk.
Reward: 500 EXP + 1 Slime Skill Scroll
Status: In Progress
Battle Begins
Ren stood firm, his gaze locked on Zane as his monster, Slimelet, braced herself for the fight. Across from them, Zane grinned smugly, his poison-type monster, Belladusk, hissing and preparing for battle.
Zane smirked. "Let's see how long you last. My Belladusk hasn't lost to anyone yet."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Let's find out."
Slimelet: Level 7 (HP: 44/44)
Belladusk: Level 5 (HP: 23/23)
Zane: "Belladusk, use Toxic Claw!"
Belladusk lunged forward, her claws gleaming with toxic energy as they slashed toward Slimelet.
Toxic Claw – Belladusk attacks!
> Damage: 6
Slimelet's HP: 44 → 38 (Poisoned)
Slimelet staggers slightly, the poison taking effect, but she stands tall, giving a determined "Pii~!"
Ren: "Slimelet, counter with Mucus Net!"
Mucus Net – Slimelet shoots a sticky web from her body, wrapping around Belladusk's legs.
Belladusk struggles but becomes immobilized, momentarily unable to move.
> Belladusk is Immobilized for 1 turn!
Slimelet: Level 7 (HP: 38/44)
Belladusk: Level 5 (HP: 23/23, Immobilized)
Ren: "Now, Bounce Bash!"
Slimelet launches herself toward Belladusk, her jelly-like body slamming with force. Belladusk's body recoils from the impact.
Bounce Bash – Slimelet attacks!
> Critical Hit!
Damage: 10
Belladusk's HP: 23 → 13
Belladusk's movements are slowed by the webbing, and her claws swipe weakly at the air.
Slimelet: Level 7 (HP: 38/44)
Belladusk: Level 5 (HP: 13/23, Immobilized)
Zane: "Tch, not bad, but Belladusk, use Venom Kiss!"
Belladusk lunges, trying to drain Slimelet's health with a kiss filled with poison. The attack connects, but Slimelet doesn't flinch. She grits her tiny teeth, her body shaking slightly.
Venom Kiss – Belladusk attacks!
> Damage: 4
Slimelet's HP: 38 → 34
Ren: "Slimelet, we can end this now! Goo Shot!"
Slimelet shoots a glob of sticky goo toward Belladusk, covering her in slime that slows her down further.
Goo Shot – Slimelet attacks!
> Critical Hit!
Damage: 6
Belladusk's HP: 13 → 7
Belladusk growls, weakened but still fighting.
Slimelet: Level 7 (HP: 34/44)
Belladusk: Level 5 (HP: 7/23)
Zane: "Belladusk, don't let him win! Mist Veil to blind her!"
Belladusk lets out a hiss and unleashes a dark, cloud-like mist, lowering Slimelet's accuracy for the next few turns.
Mist Veil – Belladusk's evasive maneuver.
Slimelet: Level 7 (HP: 34/44)
Belladusk: Level 5 (HP: 7/23, Mist Veil Active)
Ren: "Slimelet, we're not done. Bounce Bash!"
Despite the mist cloud, Slimelet launches herself with unyielding speed. She's determined to win.
Bounce Bash – Slimelet attacks!
> Critical Hit!
Damage: 12
Belladusk's HP: 7 → 0
Battle Over!
The crowd erupts in applause as Belladusk vanishes into pixels, leaving behind a defeated Zane standing in shock. Ren grins as Slimelet hops excitedly on his shoulder, her little form proud and energetic.
Slimelet's Victory!
Slimelet's HP: 34/44
Slimelet's Level: 7 → 8
Slimelet's Affection: +10
Quest Completed: Win a Battle Against Zane
Exp Earned: 500
Reward: Skill Scroll (Slime Shield)
Bonus: 100 Affection with Slimelet
Zane stares at Ren, his pride shattered. "I... I'll get you next time." He storms off, clearly humiliated.
Ren, meanwhile, pats Slimelet's head. "We make a great team."
Slimelet chirps happily, bouncing around. "Pii~!"
With the fight over, Ren feels a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing that his bond with Slimelet is growing stronger. The tournament was still a month away, but this victory felt like a solid step forward.
Ren's Dorm – Night]
"Pii~ pii~!"
Slimelet bounced across the room, jiggling like jelly, her semi-translucent body gleaming softly under the dorm lights. Sprout Maiden giggled as the slimegirl plopped onto her lap, leaving a shiny smear on her thigh. "Mmm~!"
"Hey, don't get too sticky," Ren chuckled, watching the scene unfold from his bed. Slimelet squished around the floor like a playful kitten, occasionally bouncing up and landing against Sprout Maiden's leafy chest, which wobbled with each impact.
Sprout Maiden rolled back with a soft sigh, her skirt-like petals fluttering just enough to show a teasing glimpse of her smooth, vine-wrapped thighs. She lay on the floor now, giggling as Slimelet climbed onto her belly and bounced again, making playful "pff-pii~!" noises.
Ren blushed slightly and cleared his throat. "You two… geez. Act like this is your dorm."
[Quest Complete: Victory Over Zane]
Reward: EXP +500 | Skill Scroll (Slime-Type) Acquired
Focusing on the interface, Ren selected the scroll.
"Let's drop Mucus Net."
[Mucus Net replaced with… Slime Surge Combo!]
Type: Slime Physical | Power: 3x4 | Accuracy: 85%
A wild 3-hit combo of gooey slams, bursting slime in every direction. Each strike has a slight chance to slow or flinch.
As the scroll dissolved, Slimelet lit up. Her body shimmered, and she leaped into the air. "Pii-PAA!!"
She landed in front of Ren and gave a quick spin, her jelly form bouncing in rhythm—then accidentally flung a bit of goo right onto Ren's chest.
"Wha—! Hey!" he laughed. "Okay, I get it. You're proud."
Sprout Maiden clapped daintily, cheeks flushed with amusement. She leaned over Ren's lap to poke Slimelet with a glowing finger. "Mmm~."
The girls cuddled up on the floor in a pile of leafy hair and gooey arms, their soft bodies pressing against one another in a strangely hypnotic, fanservicey mess.
Ren gulped. "I need to focus. Really."
Still, he smiled—heart pounding with the thrill of victory, and maybe just a bit of something else.
"One down... many to go."
[Next Morning – Card Beast Academy Grounds]
Ren stepped out of his dorm, stretching with a yawn. "Ugh… that slime pile last night almost suffocated me…"
He glanced back inside briefly. Slimelet and Sprout Maiden were still tangled up in his bedsheets—soft snores and quiet "pff~" sounds coming from the jelly girl as she clung to Sprout like a squishy body pillow.
He smiled, then headed toward the main path.
"Yo, that's him!"
"Huh? That's Ren, right?"
"Dude's monsters smacked Zane's Belladusk!"
Ren blinked as a small crowd of students waved or nudged each other when he passed.
"Morning, Slime Slayer!" one called out jokingly.
"Your slime girl was like paff! and then boom boom boom! Haha!"
Ren scratched his head, face flushing slightly. "It wasn't that dramatic…"
"It was! I was there! Zane didn't land a single move!" another girl giggled.
Just then, a red-haired boy stepped forward and pointed at Ren. "Hey! If you're strong enough to wipe Zane, then fight me next!" His beast was already floating beside him—a tiny elemental fire fairy girl with wild flame-hair and smug eyes.
Ren blinked. "Huh? Already?"
"Same here!" a green-haired girl stepped in, her beetle-type girl with big armored limbs buzzing beside her.
Before he knew it, three other students had gathered around, grinning, holding up their capture cards.
"Looks like we've got a little line now," Ren muttered.
He sighed—then smiled.
"If they wanna test my girls…"
He looked over his shoulder toward the dorm.
"…they better be ready for a cute beatdown."