The Slime Doesn't Die from Mana Transfer

Chapter 44 : United in Heart and Body

Winnie walked into the weapon shop and immediately unbuckled the sword at her waist, laying it across the counter.

“Maintenance,” she said.

Rozelite took the chance to follow her in. Her gaze fell on Winnie’s sword and the gem set in its pommel—its hue somewhere between green and yellow, shimmering with a strange, indescribable light.

“I thought adventurers didn’t like useless decorations,” Russell’s voice echoed in Rozelite’s mind.

“Looks like even as an adventurer, she still clings to some noble habits.”

“Mr. Slime, you mean that magic stone?”

Rozelite tilted her head.

“That’s not just decoration. I heard that if you inlay a magic stone into a weapon in certain ways, it can grant special enchantments. Lots of fine swords have them.”

“Enchantment?”

Russell sighed.

“If this were a novel, the author must be terrible. Always padding out worldbuilding with random settings instead of advancing the plot—that’s a clear sign of weak writing.”

Still, even without the gem, that sword was obviously no common piece.

“The Twelve Named Swords?”

The bald blacksmith examined Winnie’s blade, eyes glittering.

Winnie gave a faint nod, saying little.

“I never thought I’d live to see this legendary sword with my own eyes.”

The blacksmith’s voice trembled as he cradled it.

“Thank you… truly.”

“Cut the chatter and get to work. I’m in a hurry.”

Winnie waved dismissively.

“Of course.”

The blacksmith hurried away with the sword.

Rozelite seized the chance to step forward.

“Um… Miss Winnie, long time no see.”

“It’s only been two or three days,” Winnie replied flatly.

“Actually… I’d like to ask you to guide my swordsmanship.”

“…What?!”

Winnie shot her a sharp look, making Rozelite flinch.

But Rozelite was no longer that helpless, timid princess. She steadied herself.

“Please, Miss Winnie. I really want to become stronger. I beg you to teach me!”

“Tch. What use would swordsmanship be to you?”

Winnie wasn’t swayed. She glanced at Rozelite’s thin arms and legs, then said offhandedly:

“Besides, whatever you’re doing here, I already told you—I don’t want anything more to do with nobles or royals.”

Rozelite shook her head.

“I’m asking purely as myself. This has nothing to do with nobility or royalty. I just want to grow stronger—nothing else.”

“Stronger? What for? How many times in your life will you even need to raise a sword?”

Winnie’s tone was still indifferent.

“To not drag down the ones important to me.”

Rozelite’s answer was firm.

Winnie couldn’t help glancing at her.

Such pure eyes—no deceit, no pretense.

This child was serious, and she meant every word.

It stirred something in Winnie.

But so what if she was serious?

In this world, everyone was serious about surviving. If being serious was all it took, then there would be no nobles, no royals, no difference between genius and mediocrity.

“Seriousness is meaningless. Swordsmanship requires talent!”

Winnie grabbed a one-handed sword from the counter and pointed it at Rozelite.

“Effort without talent is pitiful. Those born without it are already crippled compared to those who have it. People say hard work can defy destiny, but if the talented work just as hard, what then? One failure is enough to create a gap that the talentless will never close, no matter how desperately they chase.”

“I hate those who prattle about sweat and effort without talent. Reality is cruel. There is no such thing as surpassing everything with hard work.”

Rozelite was shaken.

Russell didn’t argue. Winnie’s words sounded harsh, but reality wasn’t a game. It didn’t care about story logic, stat balance, or fair competition. The greatest divide between people was decided at birth.

“If you want me to guide you, then prove you have talent.”

Winnie said, “You’re fifteen now, aren’t you? Starting swordsmanship at this age is already late. Still, you have some foundation. Show me.”

“How should I show you?”

Rozelite didn’t back down.

“Strike me. You only get one chance.”

Winnie spoke as she walked out of the shop. Too cramped inside, too restrictive.

Rozelite bit her lip, glanced at her sword, then followed.

Snow fell. The wind howled.

On the empty street, the two stood several meters apart.

“Can I really do this, Mr. Slime?”

Rozelite asked nervously.

“There’s no can or can’t. Only do or don’t!”

Russell knew Winnie’s strength well. He’d seen her against monsters. At close range, even if he went all out, he might not win. He was terrible at melee combat.

But this wasn’t life and death. It was a test—whether Rozelite had the talent to be worth teaching.

Which meant only one thing: go all out!

“I’ll help you, Rozelite.”

Russell said, “Remember what I told you? We’re bound by a Bond of Fate. Together, we make one whole.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Rozelite nodded.

Perhaps it was 【Symbiosis】. At that moment, she felt Russell’s thoughts, confidence, and resolve as clearly as her own.

With that, there was nothing left to hesitate about.

“Come at me.”

Winnie raised her sword.

Rozelite readied her stance.

Then swung.

【Magic Enhancement lv4】

【Magic Enhancement lv4】

Both Rozelite and Russell activated the skill—strengthening from within and without.

It wasn’t mere stacking. It was like going from one hand on the sword… to two.

And it wasn’t a metaphor.

In that instant, Rozelite felt it—another hand grasping the hilt alongside hers.

“You’re right, Mr. Slime,” Rozelite thought.

“Maybe we were always united in heart and body. With you beside me, I finally feel whole. Real. More human than ever before.”

Her blade cut through the air.

In a flash, it bridged the distance and slashed toward Winnie.

The speed wasn’t great. Winnie could easily dodge.

But this was a test. What meaning was there in dodging?

So Winnie struck head-on, her blade meeting Rozelite’s.

【Magic Enhancement lv6】

In sheer power, even if Winnie wasn’t a strength-type swordswoman, she should have had the advantage.

But the instant their blades clashed, her expression changed.

“What kind of monstrous strength is this?!”

The shock through her wrist hit like a crashing wave.

Too late to change moves.

Clang!

Winnie’s sword flew from her hands, spinning through the air before crashing into the snow with a clear ring.

Both of them froze.

“So… did I pass the test?”

Rozelite asked blankly.

“No, you…”

Winnie’s face was full of disbelief.

Her gaze dropped to the sword in Rozelite’s hand.

“Let me see your sword.”

“Oh.”

Rozelite passed her the hilt, then added nervously, “Please be careful, Miss Winnie. This sword was really expensive.”

“How expensive?”

Winnie frowned.

“Three silver coins.”

“…?”