Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 60

The inside of the classroom was silent.

So silent, in fact, that you can hear the students swallow saliva.

Ranga ran up to me while waiving his tail.

ŒAlright, kids, have you been working hard?

Though I faced them with a bright smile, they did not return it.

Of course, if I consider things from their perspective, it makes more sense"they just might think of me as just some bastard to kill.

However, this world follows the survival of the fittest principle.

There's only one thing you can hate"your own weakness.

ŒOkay! Kids, you seem to have things to say, so let's have a test!

I so declared.

ŒWha-! How did it turn into that!

ŒA t-test?

ŒUeee!!!

They responded with loud criticism.

Yep. Tests are hated in just about every world.

ŒHey, don't worry! It's not like I don't get what you're saying.

But listen,

What will happen from now on is absolutely necessary for you!

ŒWhy?! We'll just kick the bucket sooner or later!

There's no point to studying, is there?!

ŒR-right... all the teachers until now have been bringing us toys or picture books telling us to have fun...

ŒWe haven't studied from the moment we have come here...

ŒI... want to read... more picture books...

Œ.....

All they do is complain.

However, they lack yesterday's "vigor". Did they tire themselves out picking on Ranga?

Well, I guess the fact that they even responded to my words is admirable enough.

But, this is necessary to them. Unfortunately, I cannot compromise on this.

ŒAlright. I understand your point.

But, the test (game) that we'll play from now one will help you kids... you brats get to vent some anger. It should be fun.

In a second, you will have a mock battle with me.

The rules are simple. You can go all out and use anything you want. Should you bring me down, you win.

If I am still on the run after twenty minutes, I win. Simple?

ŒJust that?

ŒYeah. We'll have the test inside this room. I'll erect a barrier, so no one can get out.

Those observing also cannot help.

Do you understand the rules? If you do, then decide who goes first!

A simple mock battle.

I am not planning on attacking at all. I just want to verify their abilities.

If they are incapable of acquiring a unique skill, I wouldn't know of another method to consume the terrible power in their bodies.

According to my analysis, their magical energy, as compared to monsters, would have them A ranked at least.

Though adventurers rely on fighting strength to decide their ranks, monsters tend to judge by power alone.

I was at first surprised to see B rank adventurers whose magical energy is hardly C ranked.

I only learned of this after having become an adventurer myself.

Normal monsters do not concern themselves with skill proficiency, so they were usually evaluated based only on raw abilities. Of course, there are plenty of monsters that do hone their skills...

So generally speaking, these kids are A ranked.

If they can properly use their abilities, they should be formidable opponents...

They finally decided the order.

With an eager face, Misaki Kenya is coming at me.

He's just an eight year old troublemaker. Is he the leader of these brats?

ŒHey! I can use the sword, right?

Impudent little...!

ŒGo ahead. And brat, when you lose, I'll have you address me politely from then on!

ŒHmph! I won't lose to a lousy adult. I've only lost against Shizu-san!

ŒHeeeeh. How about you leave the self praise for after you win?

Thus we were ready for the match.

I'll have the children keep time. I acquired a sand watch the other day, and showed the kids how to use it.

Now then, shall we start?

ŒB-begin!

Kenya moved on Alice's command.

He moves well for an elementary school student. Actually, he's defeated adults before..

Not that it'll have any effect on me...

ŒGo for it Ken-chan”!!!

ŒDon't lose!

Hearing their encouragement, Kenya redoubled his efforts.

He desperately tried to land a hit on me, but I avoided them with room to spare"without a need to predict.

After ten minutes, with tears in his eyes, he started shooting fire at me.

Hmph. What a pathetic flame that was.

It would be hard to compare it to the flame I use, so I'll just say that the flame was really weak.

An A rank monster, using all his strength to create a fireball, can easily surpass a temperature of 1,000 degrees...

But this is even weaker than Ellen's fire ball attack.

Inferior to magic used by a B rank adventurer.

He definitely learned it by watching, so this would be poor representation of his real abilities, right?

ŒHey, you're focusing too much on the flame. Try shooting out a ball of pure energy

ŒShut up! Shizu-san used this skill, and it was powerful!

I won't listen to what the likes of you have to say!!!

What an arrogant brat.

In the end, he ignored my advice, and, when the twentieth minute passed, I was declared the victor.

ŒAlright, that's enough! Address me properly as sensei from now on!

Who's next? Come at me!!!

Dropping his shoulders, and visibly depressed, Kenya rejoined the kids.

Well, I'd be in for a shock if I had lost to a brat who hadn't even turned ten.

Next one up was Chloe O'Bell.

An eight year old girl with a rare hair color. It was black with silver mixed, ever seen anything like it?

Anyways, she was a beautiful girl with an interesting hair color. I wonder if she's part Japanese?

She has this Eastern-Western vibe.

So, shall we begin? If looked from afar, people would see a middle-school kid bullying a little girl.

Even so, this test is crucial! I'm acting all cool and all, but if I really lose... what a bad joke that would be.

ŒKurocchi, don't push yourself!!!

ŒDon't hurt yourself, Kuro-chan!

(TL Note: Chloe in Japanese is written Kuroe, hence the nickname Kuro)

Most of the the kids' said "Don't hurt yourself!" rather than "Do your best!"

I guess that's just how it is.

The signal was already given, and the match had begun.

Though there was a five minute intermission, I chose not to take a break. Even so, I was not tired in the slightest.

All I've been doing is dodging, so it was an easy win.

Now, Chloe, what kind of attack will she show me?

I wonder if she just likes books, but she's got one on her right now.

Is that it? Is she planning on hitting my head with it or throwing it at me?

Will she suddenly say "This is not a book, it's a blunt weapon!"... Nah, probably not.

While I was thinking this foolishness.

Œ"In an eternal flowing stream, bind my foe (Water Prison)"

Uoo! Suddenly, water appeared at my feat. According toŽHeat Perceptionit's real water.

Magic! What an amazing child. Let me a guess, a genius?

While I was feeling impressed, the water continued to rage and enveloped me in a bubble.

When I tried poking it, it stretched out a bit.

I wonder if she is fixated on accelerating this skill"making it something akin to my water blade.

Wonderful. But, what will she do now?

ŒThis magic's next step is to fill the bubble with water!

If you accept defeat, I will let you go. If you don't, you will die!

So young but so dreadful!

Kenya was so much cuter in comparison. But a skill of this level... yeah...

ŒYup, that's some amazing magic. But it won't have any effect on me.

But this magic is superior. Make sure to continue practicing later!

I said, while stroking her head.

Prison? That kind of thing is pointless in the face ofŽCloning.