I gripped my sword tightly and focused on Wilhelm. I didn't let my eyes wonder for even a moment, lest I get cut.

I focused on his eyes more intently than anything else. Even the most capable of fighters have to look before they act.

When you think like that, my Mana Sense is a big cheat, huh.

Just when I was thinking that, Wilhelm moved, almost as if noticing my leisurely thoughts.

He was looking all around, not giving me an idea of how he would attack. His footwork didn't help with that, it was perfectly capable of going in any direction.

I had no choice but to adopt the same style of omni-directionalism.

When he finally got in reach, his attack came from the left- that's a feint!- came from the right.

I managed to block it, then did a counter attack.

Wilhelm perfectly parried and moved even further on the offensive. I was forced to step back, but that wasn't too bad.

Whenever I saw his strikes, I couldn't help but be confused. All of them were so sharp and fast, that distinguishing between feints and real strikes could only be done at the latest of moments.

On the other end, by looking at how his eyes moved, I could tell that he perfectly understood my strikes. The power behind them, the speed, which ones were real or not.

It was the difference in pure experience.

His mana boosting was also much superior to mine.

He would use mana only at the latest of moments, to add more power behind his attacks, but also not to waste any.

Everything about his fighting was perfe-

Eh? Wait, did he mess up?

I could see it. He clearly made a mistake. It wasn't a big one, but it was still one I could capitilize on.

So I did just that, I struck the weakness that he exposed.

He managed to block it, but not only was his rhythm now broken, his stance was too.

I knew that he would recover in a blink, so this time around, I pressed on the offensive.

Each of my strikes further and further destabilized him.

Holy shit! I might actually do it!

I could see it, a path to victory. It would be a dirty victory, one that wouldn't be possible for anyone else, but still a victory.

First of all, stone bullets.

He dodged them by jumping to the side, but that was exactly what I calculated.

His stance was already quite shaky, but I ate the ground beneath only one of his feet. He managed to recover, but too late.

I was already in front of him, fully ready to attack.

But I knew that a normal strike wouldn't work, a feint would probably fail as well. So I closed my eyes, used Mana Sense and did a feint... after another feint! A double-feint!

And just like I thought, I obtained victory.

I...

...

I scratched him!

I opened my eyes. Right where I was looking, on his torso, there was a small cut with blood flowing out.

The happiness I felt couldn't be described.

Then, I felt something hit my face from the side with immense power.

I immediately flew to the side, but managed to stop by stabbing the ground with my sword.

But even that attack couldn't get my eyes off the cut that I made.

It was so, SO goddamn beautiful!

If I wasn't a slime, I would crying a river because of how much joy I felt!

All my blood, all my sweat! It wasn't for nothing!

I didn't even care that I didn't have any of the things I mentioned, I was just so damn happy!

Ahh. Pure bliss.

I fell to the ground and closed my eyes. Whenever I imagined that cut, joy that you couldn't describe overcame me.

"Cylob."

I was in a world full of bliss. My body wasn't on the ground, no, it was instead floating in the skies, all the way on cloud nine.

"Cylob!"

Ah, how much I would like for this to last fore-

"CYLOB!"

I was forcefully yanked up. I woke up from my nirvana and stood up.

Cylob: "Ngh, I was so happy. Why did you have to stop it, Wil-san?"

Wilhelm: "Because the fight is not yet over, Cylob. *sigh* Being happy isn't enough of a reason to completely stop fighting. And it's not like you won against me, you only managed to wound me."

Cylob: "Excuse me?! 'Only'?! 'ONLY'?! Wounding you is one hell of a feat! Especially since my body changed so much! I'm head and a half taller than I was before! Do you know how hard it was to get used to this new body?! And despite that, I still managed to wound you! If that's not the best thing that's ever happened to me, then I don't know what is! Now, let me cherish this moment for a bit longer!"

I plop down on the ground and my mouth naturally forms into a smile.

Ahh. Pure bliss.

"Hoho. Fine, I'll let you rest. You truly did work hard."

I could feel my hair being ruffled, it was quite comforting.

Now that everything is done, time to fully bask in this glory of mine.

I stayed in that exact position for the next 4 hours.

.▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒.

I was standing up while using my sword as a walking stick. My entire body was full of cuts, and some of my clothes were still burning.

Haa, I'm still no match for Julius.

My special training with Julius had been reinstated and he was going harsher on me than ever before. It was probably because Crusch revealed my abilities, including the fact that I regenerate and don't have any organs.

But it's not like I was complaining, this was making me stronger after -

I actually managed to destroy his 'perfect knight' look. His clothes are all tattered and dirty. But I didn't manage to wound him even a bit even though I wounded Wil-san... is it because I'm more familiar with Wil-san's style of fighting? That's some food for thought.

Julius: "It is truly a shame that you're that dangerous. I would have gladly welcomed you into our camp."

I snapped back to reality at Julius's words.

Cylob: "I don't really know if it's a shame for me though. Besides, I'd feel bad if a had to go away from Crusch's camp right now."

Julius: "Might I ask why?"

Cylob: "There's a girl who likes me, she works under Crusch. I can't leave her before giving her an answer."

Julius widened his eyes, this was a rare sight so it seemed like he was very surprised.

Hmm... I don't know why, but the fact that he's shocked makes me feel annoyed for some reason. Why is that?

He brought his hand up to his chin in thought.

Julius: "Can't she start working under Anastasia?"

Cylob: "No. She doesn't work for money, but for Ferris's healing. Anastasia won't do that, will she?"

Julius's eyes widened once again.

Julius: "I see... It's true that Anastasia won't do it. She can make it happen, but that'd be too big of a price to pay for a single worker."

Cylob: "Right? But it's not like that's my only worry. I've gotten quite close to Wil-san, Ferris, Crusch, Maria,Heinrich and everyone else there. Leaving them all behind and being thrust into a workplace where I don't know anyone sounds like a not so pleasant situation."

Julius: "I see, I can understand that."

Cylob: "Soooo~, since you understand it, will you help me avoid that fate?"

Julius: "I cannot. Once my mistress sets her eyes on something, even I can't stop her."

Yeeeeeah, it was kinda useless to ask him. He was there when the negotiation took place but didn't try to do anything to stop Anastasia, it meant that the situation was already out of his control.

Julius: "And while this might sound selfish... but I would like to be the front man of your growth."

Cylob: "Well... damn. Color me surprised. I didn't expect for THE Julius Juuklius to be selfish. It seems like Anastasia's finally having a good influence on you."

Julius: "It seems like you know quite a bit about me." He lightly chuckles.

Ah, right. I didn't tell him that yet.

Cylob: "By the way, when can I talk with Anastasia again?"

Julius: "Do you have something to talk with her about?"

Cylob: "Yes. Our last talk got cut short after all. I'll also need you there. You can hold back on bringing Ricardo though. He might actually slow down the discussion more than anyting."

Julius: "I see. But what is it going to be about? My mistress is very busy nowadays, so she won't waste time on anything useless."

Cylob: "Let's see..."

What's a topic that I can use to get Anastasia's attention? I can blackmail her again, but she'd just blackmail me back.

Hmm... fine. I'l just go with the easiest topic.

Cylob: "It's about the Witch Cult."

Julius: "The Witch Cult?!"

Julius's eyes widened for the third time. It was funny to see how each of his reactions were more intense than the previous.

Cylob: "That's right. I'd like to talk to her about that."

Julius: "But isn't the Witch Cult something everyone needs information on? If you have information on it, then it'd be better to tell not only my mistress but also to the other Royal Selection Candidates and the Council Of Elders too. In fact, why didn't you bring it up when you were summoned to the conference?"

Cylob: "The atmosphere back there was too scary, I just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible, and that thought didn't even cross my mind. But yeah, now that you say it, telling everyone is the best solution. Boundless questions are going to rise up, and delievering all of that by letter will be a pain."

Julius: "Then you should come with Crusch when the conference will be held again. The last one was cut short after all."

Ack! Because I ate the window, another conference will be held! Everything I do comes back to bite me in the ass... I wonder, will the situation with Echidna - or I guess Omega now - be the same?

As I was having such dangerous thoughts, Julius raised his sword.

Julius: "It seems like you managed to recover in that short span of time. Crusch didn't lie about your regeneration capabilities."

It's all because of The Power. It started regenerating slower after the conference, but it still exists.

I gave an exhausted sigh as I raised my sword too.

Cylob: "Please go easy on me, my mana's not recovered yet."

Julius: "Don't worry, I'll hold back adequately enough."

For some reason, I feel like the wind is blowing around him.

I was on the ground not even 5 minutes later.

.▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒.

"Pue."

I plop my head down on the desk.

Ferris: "What kind of sound even was thyat?"

Cylob: "It was the sound of a man who's dying of overwork."

Ferris: "Aren't you jyust a boy though, not a myan?"

Cylob: "Please shut up. I'm trying to act sad right now."

Crusch: "If you have time to banter, then use it to work instead. Especially you, Cylob. You've been giving me one problem after another."

Crusch looked at me with eyes that looked lifeless but scary at the same time.

Cylob: "Eep! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll get back to work right now!"

I started working on the documents again, and was once again reminded of my stupidity. Not only were some of them on the topic of the massive shadow (That was three weeks ago, how are there still documents about it?!), but also on the topic of the conference being postponed.

I was once again causing Crusch some very serious headaches.

Uwaaaa, I'm sorry!

Her eyes were so scary, that I couldn't help but apologize even inside my own mind.

Ferris: "Hm, I don't like this atmyosphere, both of you nyeed a change of pace. How about you fight each other fyor practice?"

"Bwueh?!"

Ferris: "Anyother weird sound. I'll rate it 7/10."

While Ferris was being quite calm, all of my cells were standing on end as Crusch's eyes were boring into me.

Crusch: "Hoh. Fighting against each other, that's not that bad of an idea. Overworking is bad, and this might help me relieve some stress."

Heeee! Why are you throwing me under the bus like that, Ferris?!

I looked at Ferris with a terrified and pleading expression.

But instead of helping me, all he did was mouth the words: "You reap what you sow".

Noooo! You traitor! How do you even know that ideom?! It's supposed to be native to earth!

Don't tell me... did he learn it from me?! He's making fun of me by using my own words! That's way too cruel!

Now that I looked carefully, Ferris was really pissed at me too. It seemed like he was angry at me for causing Crusch so many problems.

Ugh. All I have are enemies. Where did all my allies go?!

I was pretty much forcefully dragged to the knights' battling ground.

Eh? Wait, isn't this my first time coming here?

Yes it was. And upon closer inspection, this was the same place where Julius beat Subaru's ass, though it was much more deserted than at that time.

Crusch: "Ferris, you'll be the one to give the command to start."

Ferris: "Yes, Crusch-sama!"

Before I could process what was happening, I was already standing on the opposite side from Crusch.

Hold on, this is progressing way too fast!

I looked at Crusch. She was pissed. Very pissed.

Her eyes now reminded me of the time when she cut off my arms.

I unconsciously cuddled myself.

Ahh, shit. Is this what they call phantom pain?

This was way too serious, I was actually getting nervous and my arms started hurting for some reason.

I could feel myself physically trembling.

I... don't wanna die.

I drew my sword, but my feet were unsteady, my vision was blurry and my arms hurt like hell.

I was completely unprepared for this.

Crusch eyes are just way too sca...ry?

No wait, now that I look at them, they actually hold concern for me?

My vision was slowly returning to normal, and instead of the hateful look that I expected, I saw the concered face of not only Crusch but also Ferris.

So... that was just an act, huh.

I gave a relieved sigh as the tension drained from my shoulders.

Yes... that's right. They would never actually want to hurt me.

But even with that knowledge, I still couldn't stop the shaking of my arms.

While my mind was at peace, my body was still full of worry.

It was something instinctual. Something I couldn't do anything against with something as pitiful as willpower or thoughts.

Stay still.

I grabbed one hand with the other and squeezed it as hard as I could.

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.

"Are you alright, nya?"

I lightly jumped at the sudden sound.

Cylob: "Ah, Ferris. No, I don't think I am. I just... can't stop this shaking."

Ferris: "Hold on, let me see."

He grabs my hands and looks me straight in the eyes.

He was staring really intently, it was somewhat unnerving.

Ferris: "Just like I thought."

Cylob: "What? What is it?"

Ferris: "A very unique case of PTSD."

...Eh?

Cylob: "Hold up, PTSD? Are you kidding me? There's no way I've went through anything dramatic enough to cause PTSD."

Ferris: "That's why it's a unique case. And the trigger is probably a battle with Crusch."

Cylob: "A battle with Crusch...?"

No, there's no way it's something like that. I'm not afraid of fighting Crusch. I'm afraid of-

"It's the eyes."

Ferris: "Hm?"

Cylob: "I'm afraid of those eyes. Those eyes that percieve me as a threat, but can kill me any time they want. I think that's the trigger."

Ferris: "I see... This is complicated. Is this also because of your species?"

Cylob: "How does my species tie into this?"

Ferris: "How do you think normal PTSD works? Do you think people would act and think normally under its effects? No, they would go crazy, completely disregarding reality around them. You aren't like that. You're thinking properly, and you're even able of handling a conversation."

Cylob: "Then aren't you just blowing this out of proportion? Aren't I just scared? Just like you said, this isn't at the level of PTSD."

Ferris: "Then let me ask you this: Did you notice the magic I was using?"

Cylob: "Magic? What, when?"

Ferris: "I used magic that forcefully makes the person sleep. I experimented a bit, so I know this spell can't make you go to sleep and only makes you calm. Well, do you feel calm?"

I thought about it. In fact, what he said was true. I could think very calmly and rationally.

Cylob: "Yeah, I do. My mind is very clear."

Ferris: "And what about your arms?"

Cylob: "They are..."

still shaking.

This made no sense. How could this possibly make sense?

My arms were intact. My body was intact. My mind was clear. Everything was in good condition-

So why do they keep shaking?!

Ferris: "That's right. Even though you are completely fine, your body is not. That's why I think it has something to do with your race. You said something about every part of your body being a brain, muscle and everything else at the same time right?"

Cylob: "Yes. That's how a slime works." Or at least how Rimuru works.

Ferris: "Well doesn't that mean that your arms could have a mind of their own? What if they're scared while you yourself are fine? You-

"Please don't talk about something like that even if it's true. Do you think I want to have an identity crisis right now? Telling me that will make me question so many things that it's not even funny."

I looked at Ferris straight in the eyes with seriousness that I've never felt before.

"It's just a unique case of PTSD, nothing more."

A loud silence followed my words. I kept staring at Ferris, and he stared back.

...

Ferris: "*sigh* Fine. If you want to do it like that, I'll let you. I'm not sure how good that'll be for your mental health, but I'll just have to see for now."

He flicked me in the forehead.

Cylob: "Hey, what was that for?!"

Ferris: "To get you back in your right mind. I just used the same magic as before."

Huh? Oh, yeah, he's right. I feel somewhat clearer than a couple of seconds ago.

It was kind of an awkward interaction for me, so I had to change the topic.

Cylob: "So, um... what about the fight?"

Ferris: "Crusch is no longer in the mood for it. In fact, doing it right now will only make her feel worse. It seems like she still feels guilty over cutting off your arms back then and this incident reminded her of that."

Cylob: "Ah, I see. Kinda funny that we both have traumas over the same incident."

I just meant that as a passing joke, but Ferris stared at me like I was the most surprising thing in the world.

Cylob: "What? What is it?"

Ferris: "Nothing."

"This might be bad" He murmured to himself, but I was still able to hear it.

Hm? What's bad?

Ferris: "Anyway, let's gyet back to work, nya~! We can't let Crusch-sama dyo all of it by herself, nya!"

Cylob: "What a fast change in gears, but yeah let's go."