【Interstellar Contract Magician】Ruyuanke

Chapter 477 [Empire] Girls and Slime

Qianmo was a little bewildered at first, holding the slime in a very stiff manner, as if ready to return it to me at any moment. But the slime didn't mind at all, and even slowly squirmed in his hands to adjust its position, as if looking for a more comfortable angle.

Gradually, his fingers relaxed their tension and he tentatively pressed the slime's soft body. The slime chirped excitedly, and the crystal light within its body flickered slightly, as if responding to his touch.

He looked down at the little thing in his arms, as if he had finally gotten used to its existence. His tone was a little curious: "It... is quite special."

"Of course." I smiled slightly, "Why else would I keep it?"

He didn't say anything else, just gently caressed Slime's body, as if immersed in some gentle emotion. I looked at his profile and suddenly felt that this person was actually more adaptable to new things than I thought.

Along the way, his posture gradually became more natural. He no longer held the slime stiffly at the beginning. Instead, he held it casually, occasionally looking down to see if it was moving around. The slime actually enjoyed it, occasionally swaying in his arms, making soft "chirp" sounds, as if it was acting coquettishly.

When we reached the dormitory door, I couldn't help but tease him, "You're not planning on holding it forever, are you?"

He was stunned for a moment, then looked down at the slime in his arms. He seemed to think seriously for two seconds before he slowly said, "It... doesn't resist."

I almost laughed at his words: "So you want to wait for it to jump out of your arms on its own?"

He didn't answer, but gently placed the slime back on my shoulder. He reached out and pressed its body, as if he couldn't bear to let it go. The slime swayed on my shoulder, its rainbow-colored light reflected in its slightly downcast eyes. It looked a bit like... reluctance?

I smiled, opened the dormitory door and walked in. Slime is a good thing, it can make people let down their guard.

I bought this at a breeding ground on an agricultural planet, where many people take the exam to become exotic animal breeders. I touched the slime on my shoulder.

"Agriculture Planet?" Qianmo repeated softly, seeming a little surprised by the information. He looked at Slime, then at me, and after a pause, asked, "Have you been there?"

"Well, I went to take a look while on my way to the mission." I said casually, pressing my fingers lightly on the slime's soft body. It chirped comfortably, and rainbow light flickered slightly in its transparent body.

Qianmo nodded thoughtfully, as if he knew something about Agricultural Star, or maybe he was thinking about something else.

"Are you interested in breeders?" I looked at him. "Or... in slimes?"

He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Just... curious. Your choice of this strange beast doesn't seem like your fighting style."

I laughed. "Why? You think I should choose a more ferocious one?"

He didn't say anything, just stared at the slime for a while, then slowly said: "Not really... I just didn't expect you to have such a guy."

"Something softer is necessary sometimes," I said casually, my eyes falling on the slime. It swayed gently on my shoulder, the rainbow light making it look like a small lantern.

Qianmo seemed to want to ask something else, but ultimately kept silent. The dormitory lights shone on us, making us seem quiet and peaceful.

After a long while, he suddenly blurted out, "Very girly."

I raised my eyebrows slightly and looked at him: "Hmm?"

Qianmo hugged the slime, looking a little unnatural: "It's just... a very girly choice."

I chuckled and reached out to flick the slime's soft body. It shook with a "chirp" sound, and a circle of rainbow-colored ripples appeared on its transparent body.

"Are you saying I look like a girl, or are you saying slimes look like girls?"

Qianmo paused for a moment before whispering, "A little bit...of both."

I looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but laugh. This guy is really cute sometimes.

"Is it comfortable to hold?" I teased.

Qianmo's grip on the slime tightened slightly, and the tips of his ears turned red, but he still nodded seriously: "Hmm... It's quite soft."

I chuckled, narrowed my eyes, and nodded in a serious tone, "Right? It's very healing."

The slime felt me ​​approaching, squirmed softly, and stuck to my hand, making a soft "chirp" sound.

Qianmo looked at it, then looked at me, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

I raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you addicted to hugging?"

He turned his face away, coughed, didn't answer, but still held her tightly.

I continued to observe him.

Qianmo lowered his head, seemingly unused to being stared at. The slime in his arms squirmed slightly, and he subconsciously adjusted his position to make it more comfortable.

I held my chin, my eyes moving from his expression to his fingers, and then to the slime.

"Do you like it very much?" I said slowly.

He was silent for a moment before nodding slightly: "...Not bad."

I curled my lips: "Really? But you hugged me so tightly."

Qianmo's movements stiffened slightly, his ears turned redder, but he didn't let go.

This look amused me greatly. I slowly approached and lowered my voice, "Why, it looks like you're reluctant to return it?"

After a long while, he finally spoke: "Actually, you are quite suitable for the Beast Taming Class."

"Oh?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at him meaningfully. "You think so too?"

Qianmo looked down at the slime, then looked up at me and repeated calmly, "You're quite suitable for the Beast Taming Class."

"What's the reason?" I leaned on the edge of the table, lazily fiddling with the slime's soft body with my fingers. It chirped softly, as if it was acting coquettishly.

"You get along well with them." Qianmo paused, his eyes falling on the slime. "Not just the slime, but also the sapling, and..." He paused here, as if trying to organize his words, "...the vines in your backpack."

I narrowed my eyes and smiled nonchalantly: "You are quite observant."

"It's just the facts." His voice was steady, without any emotion. "The supernatural class isn't suitable for you. Your abilities are more inclined towards beast control."

"Really?" I smiled even more deeply, my fingertips lightly tapping the slime's soft body. It rubbed my palm happily. "It's a pity, I'm already in the supernatural class, and I can't change classes in the short term."

After hearing this, Qianmo looked at me thoughtfully and said nothing more.

But I suddenly felt curious: "——What about you?"

He was slightly startled: "What?"

"What about you?" I blinked. "If you had the choice, would you still join the special abilities class?"

"Superpowers are my strong point. They are also my choice." He seemed to be thinking, but also seemed to be just saying an answer that was already obvious.

I chuckled and looked up at him, "So, if you didn't have super powers, what would you choose?"

Qianmo was silent for a moment, as if troubled by the question. Finally, he murmured, "Then I can only do what I'm good at—taking care of plants, or other things that connect me to nature."

I nodded, a strange feeling suddenly welling up in my heart. Although he seemed calm, he also had a kind of fervent persistence in his heart.

"Then don't you think that sometimes superpowers may not be the most important thing?" I suddenly asked, my eyes drifting slightly to the window. The deep night seemed to reflect my mood.

Qianmo didn't answer immediately. After a moment's silence, he said softly, "Sometimes, choice is also a limitation. The power and opportunities brought by superpowers may be powerful, but they also cause people to lose something."

I was slightly stunned and silent for a few seconds before I slowly spoke: "Yes, every choice has a price."

"What about you?" He suddenly asked me, his eyes flickering. "If it weren't for that 'battle plant', what kind of person would you be?"

My heart tightened, and my fingers unconsciously stroked the hem of my clothes. This was a question I had never asked myself, perhaps because I lacked the courage to face the answer.

"I..." I lowered my head, my voice so soft that it was almost inaudible. "I don't know. Maybe I've become accustomed to its existence."

Qianmo didn't ask any further questions, but just looked at me quietly, as if he understood the heaviness and mystery in my words.

"You're a girl, so is your gender the new woman? Are you... a healer?" His tone was a little cautious. I was silent.

I could sense the uncertainty and caution in his words, as if he was testing something. I looked up and squinted at him.

"What do you think?" I asked back, my tone calm but with a hint of provocation.

Qianmo was obviously startled by my question. His expression changed slightly, and he looked a little embarrassed. He frowned and said in a low voice, "I'm... not sure. I just feel that there's something different about you."

My heart moved slightly, and I suddenly remembered what Nightingale once said to me: "A truly strong person does not need to care about what others think."

I looked up at his confused eyes and smiled softly, "Don't overthink it. Neither the 'new woman' nor the healer is anything."

"Then what are you?" He finally asked his doubts, his eyes full of curiosity and expectation.

"I'm just me." I responded lightly, with a glint in my eyes, as if I was saying this to myself.

He was silent for a long time, then asked, "Why did you come to the military academy? They only accept new men..."

I looked into his eyes, a complex mix of emotions flashing through my mind. Military academy, this place, is no longer my original choice, nor is it the direction I'm pursuing. However, I couldn't answer this question directly.

"Because here," I uttered a few words softly, "something must be done."

He didn't seem to understand, or perhaps he didn't fully grasp the meaning of my words. Qianmo frowned slightly, but didn't ask any more questions.

I could sense that he was no longer as casual as before, but was carefully approaching me with words, as if he was exploring a mystery that he could not fully understand.

I suddenly felt a little tired, thinking of the nightingale and my past experiences, the responsibilities lurking deep in my heart, and the heaviness they brought to me.

"Don't ask me these." I finally said it, my tone was indifferent, but there was a sense of powerlessness in my heart.

He paused for a moment, then seemed to realize I didn't want to continue the conversation, and nodded silently. Silence spread once again, as if everyone around was waiting for some kind of answer, but no one dared to disturb the tranquility of the moment.

"I remember the symbol of the new woman is healing power?" I suddenly asked.

Qianmo's eyes flickered, as if he hadn't expected me to ask this question. After a moment's silence, he nodded gently. "Yes, healing abilities are a hallmark of the new woman, though not the only one." There was a hint of uncertainty in his tone, as if the topic made him a little uneasy.

I sensed his cautious attitude, and a slight stir in my heart. I didn't ask any more questions, but continued to gaze out the window. The topic suddenly became a bit heavy. I didn't consider myself a typical modern woman; I might even say I didn't fit in.

"So, do you think I look like him?" I asked, my voice flat and almost emotionless.

He seemed stunned for a moment, his gaze fixed on me, a complex expression in his eyes. "You... don't look like that." He seemed to be trying to find the right words, "But, I'm not sure."

I smiled faintly and didn't ask any further questions. Perhaps his vague answer was exactly what I was expecting.

"I heard there are special schools for new women, and they are forced to attend without special reasons."

Qianmo nodded, a subtle hint of contemplation in his eyes. "Yes, there are indeed specialized schools. These schools mainly train users of healing abilities, and the education also includes training in areas such as emotional control and strength regulation."

He paused, as if considering whether to continue. "However, cases like yours, where there are no outward signs, are rare. Most new female psychics are identified early on and enrolled in schools like these."

I frowned slightly, feeling a bit uneasy about this topic. Perhaps I'd been ignoring these hidden rules and labels. While this felt like a heavy burden to me, it also brought with it some unspoken doubts.

"So do you think... I'm like a new woman?" I asked, my tone a little relaxed but without any particular emotion.

Qianmo seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes looking into the distance, "I'm not sure, but judging from the path you have chosen... maybe it doesn't conform to the traditional new female role." His voice was low and seemed a little helpless.

I didn't respond immediately. I lowered my head and gently stroked the slime in my arms, but in my heart I was thinking about areas that I had never explored in depth.

"Do they have a choice?" That's what I'm most concerned about.

Qianmo was silent for a moment, as if pondering his response. Finally, he spoke softly, "The choices... aren't many. New women are mostly educated and expected to embark on a path of healing. Their special abilities are often seen as a 'gift,' a calling. Many may not fully understand the significance of these abilities, but are more likely to habitually fulfill society's expectations of them."

He paused, looked at me, and his tone became slightly heavier. "But doesn't everyone have the right to choose? Even if they are born with such abilities, they shouldn't be constrained by predetermined roles."

As I listened to his response, my heart grew heavier. Every new woman seemed to be etched with some unspoken destiny. Had I, too, been unconsciously placed into this standardized trajectory?

"You're right." I finally spoke, my voice a little low, "But...if I don't take that path, what are my options?"

Qianmo didn't answer immediately, but looked at me quietly, as if waiting for me to find the answer myself.