My Slime Wife: Training and Pampering Her Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 40: Laser Shot

Chapter 40: Laser Shot

Lydia stared at her right hand for several seconds.

She slowly opened and closed her fingers, as if expecting to feel some kind of change after obtaining that strange new skill.

Then she looked up at Liam.

"I think..."

She paused for a moment.

"...I want to try this Laser Shot."

Her eyes shifted toward the hole Liam’s training had left in the target.

"Although it sounds pretty dangerous."

Liam immediately smiled, walked over to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Dangerous?"

He nodded enthusiastically.

"A laser shot sounds awesome!"

Lydia couldn’t help but laugh.

"What?"

"You’ve got the exact same expression as a little kid getting a brand-new toy."

Liam didn’t even try to deny it.

"And what’s wrong with that?"

"A little bit."

She laughed again.

Liam gave her a thumbs-up.

"Come on, honey! You can do it!"

The moment he finished speaking, a small blue window appeared before his eyes.

[You have used Encourage on your Slime.]

Liam blinked.

He didn’t even have time to think about it.

Lydia had already raised her hand, pressed her thumb against her middle finger, and left only her index finger extended like a pistol.

"Alright..."

She took a deep breath.

"Here goes."

She aimed directly at the target.

[Laser Shot.]

A crimson flash illuminated the shooting booth as a thin beam of light burst from the tip of her index finger at incredible speed.

Fiiiiisshhh!

The center of the target vanished instantly.

But the laser didn’t stop.

It pierced straight through the thick steel plate behind it...

...continued onward...

...and drilled clean through the concrete wall beyond.

For several seconds, no one said a word.

Liam stood there with his mouth hanging open.

Lydia slowly lowered her hand.

She looked at the perfectly circular hole she’d made in the target.

Then at the hole in the wall.

Then back at her husband.

"I think..."

She swallowed nervously.

"...I did something bad."

◇◆◇

Without saying a word, Liam walked over and placed both hands on her shoulders.

Lydia lowered her head slightly.

"I’m sorry..."

But instead of scolding her...

Liam wrapped her in a tight hug.

"That was amazing!"

Lydia’s eyes widened.

"Huh?"

"Did you see that?!"

He pulled back just enough to look at her.

"You shot through the target! And the wall! And probably three more walls after that!"

Lydia couldn’t help smiling.

"You’re not mad?"

"Mad?"

Liam shook his head vigorously.

"I’m impressed!"

She let out a soft laugh.

"I knew you’d like it."

"It’s a laser!"

Liam exclaimed as though that explained absolutely everything.

◇◆◇

A fake cough sounded behind them.

"Ahem."

Both of them turned at the same time.

A few meters away stood Instructor James and Millie.

They had witnessed the entire scene.

Millie wore an amused smile.

James stood with his arms crossed.

Liam felt a chill run down his spine.

"Uh..."

He scratched the back of his neck.

"I’m... not really sure how to explain this."

James raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"No."

Liam pointed at the perfectly round hole in the wall.

"Whatever repairs need to be done... just put them on my tab."

James studied the damage for a few moments.

Then he burst into laughter.

"Don’t worry about it."

"Huh?"

"This area is insured."

He pointed toward the ceiling.

"The training rooms get destroyed all the time. The guild covers the costs."

Lydia, completely embarrassed, began blushing.

Her body started melting.

In an instant, she had transformed back into a small green slime.

She bounced several times in front of James.

"I’m so sorry about the walls! I didn’t mean to!"

James laughed again.

"It’s fine. Believe me. I’ve seen much worse."

Lydia bounced once more.

"Even so... I’m sorry."

◇◆◇

Liam looked at the instructor.

"What brings you here?"

James slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I came because I needed to tell you something important."

Millie nodded.

"We thought Evan would’ve already explained it."

Liam glanced through the opening between the shooting booths.

Evan was still talking to the same female hunter...

...and smiling a little more than necessary.

Lydia slowly returned to her human form.

Her white dress reappeared around her body.

She discreetly pointed in his direction.

"I don’t mean to gossip... but Instructor Evan is still over there flirting with that girl."

James burst out laughing again.

"That kid never changes."

Millie sighed in resignation.

"He definitely forgot all about you."

◇◆◇

James pulled two forms out of a folder.

"As I was saying... I wanted to talk to you about the Squad Selection."

Liam tilted his head.

"What’s that?"

Millie answered.

"It’s an event held exclusively for newly certified hunters. Everyone who has just earned their rank participates."

Liam listened carefully.

She continued.

"Each squad within the guild is led by a vice-captain. Like Amber."

Liam nodded.

"During the selection, the vice-captains observe the new hunters’ performances. Afterward, they choose the ones they want to recruit into their squads."

Lydia’s eyes widened slightly.

"So... we could end up in Amber’s squad?"

"If you perform well."

Millie smiled.

"Yes."

James continued.

"There are many advantages to joining a squad. The expeditions are larger. So are the rewards. And you’ll always be fighting alongside experienced hunters."

Liam began imagining it.

They wouldn’t have to enter dungeons alone anymore.

They could learn from veteran hunters.

Improve.

Grow much faster.

He smiled.

"That sounds really interesting."

James nodded.

"That’s why I came. The event will take place in one month. I want you to start preparing now."

Lydia reached for Liam’s hand.

"What do you think?"

He looked at her...

...then at James.

"I think... we want to participate."

James handed them both the registration forms.

"Then all that’s left is to sign up."

Liam picked up a pen.

The first questions were simple.

Name.

Age.

Rank.

Gift.

When he reached that final category...

He paused for a moment.

Gift:

Lydia looked down at her own form.

"What should we write?"

she asked.

Liam smiled.

"I guess..."

He slowly wrote:

Tamer

Then added in parentheses:

(Partner Beast: Shapeshifting Slime Wife)

Lydia couldn’t help laughing.

"It sounds so weird seeing it written down."

"But it’s true."

She began filling out her own form as well.

When she reached the line labeled Species, she hesitated.

Finally, she wrote:

Shapeshifting Slime

Then, under Name, she smiled and wrote:

Lydia Davis

When they were finished, both of them signed their forms.

James collected them and gave them a quick review.

"Perfect. You’re officially registered."

Millie beamed.

"I’ll be seeing you at the Squad Selection!"

Liam felt both excited and nervous.

One month.

They only had one month to prepare.

He glanced at Lydia.

She was already looking back at him.

Without saying a single word...

...they both thought the exact same thing.

They had gone from being unemployed and drowning in debt...

...to preparing to compete for a place in one of the elite squads of the Ace of Swords Guild.

The future felt far more exciting...

...than frightening.