'No, don't open the list. Evolve the class directly.' Slime#47 roared internally.
[ Ding! … ]
The system paused, as if hearing Young Slime's words.
[ Ding! The class Elemental Lord {Uncommon+} began evolving! ]
He felt a flood of energy as his class began to evolve.
He didn't want to check the list and feel bitter over the massive number of available class evolutions.
It was better not to see than to feel depressed after finding that they were very powerful, but he couldn't pick them.
[ Ding! Class Elemental Lord (Uncommon+) has evolved to Elemental Overlord (Rare+)! ]
[ Ding! Your trait Mana Furnace {Uncommon} has evolved to Mana River {Rare}! ]
[ Ding! Your trait Aura Furnace {Uncommon} has evolved to Aura River {Rare}! ]
[ Ding! Your trait Lesser Elemental Resistance {Uncommon} has evolved to Intermediate Elemental Resistance {Rare}! ]
[ Ding! Your skill Blue Elemental Variation {Uncommon+} has evolved to Cyan Elemental Variation {Rare+}! ]
[ … ]
….
"So, the next is Cyan Elemental Variation," Young Slime muttered with a slight grin as he swept through the notifications.
He wanted to check their power right away, but held on.
'It should be this skill…' He then recalled the burning piece of lava on his head when he was learning languages under Seralyth.
He knew its power—he had seen it in action when Seralyth burned a cat demon in class for not paying attention.
He tapped on his class, wanting to check its description.
[ Class
—Elemental Overlord {Rare+}—
—A lord among lords, ruler of all basic elements.
—Has extraordinary power over all five basic elements.
—Grants a significant boost in training mastery of all basic element magic runes, basic element aura skills, mana, and aura.
—Increases talent in training all elemental skills and spells.
—Gain class skill: Cyan Elemental Variation {Rare+}
—Gain class skills' knowledge ]
He clicked his tongue when he saw it didn't grant any boost, nor talent to True Magic.
He sighed, then muttered, "Status."
A shimmering panel popped up in front of him.
[ Status
Name: Slime#47 {Temporary}
Race: Elemental Slime ★ {Rare+}
Class: Elemental Overlord {Rare+}
Traits: Eternal Mastery, Fearsome Elemental Viscous Body, Amorphous Being, Adamant Soul, Intermediate Elemental Resistance, Aura River, Mana River
Titles: True Language Creator, Demon Colonel, Oakfield Village Saviour, True Demon
Level: 100
Tier: 3
Strength: D-
Endurance: D-
Will: E- {Original: D-… cracked and dispersing}
Wisdom: D- {C+}
Dexterity: D-
Perception: D-
Agility: D-
Vitality: D- {C+}
Aura Power: D-
Mana Power: D- ]
'Incredible… I've gotten much stronger.' He mused with a light grin as he glanced toward the Wisdom and Vitality stats.
He sensed his aura and mana had really become vast—like a river, just like his trait declared.
Meanwhile, Nobi's eyes turned sharp as she glanced at Young Slime.
'He got that strong with a single class upgrade?' She was shocked.
"Incredible… he is indeed talented," Thomas muttered, glancing at Slime#47 with narrowed eyes. "This kid will surely surpass that Michael kid."
'He might even recreate the legends of Demon King Remora,' Thomas mused, very impressed by Young Slime.
Slime#47 had gotten both Mana River and Aura River due to the combination of Elemental Slime race and Elemental Overlord; they had high compatibility.
Not every class and race combination granted traits this powerful.
The smile on Slime#47's face disappeared when he glanced at his Will.
Despite his Will rising due to his level up, it was still sealed and suppressed. He could still feel his soul essence leaking away.
'I can sense my soul… but I feel like crying,' he thought bitterly.
Due to his Perception stat increase, he could sense his soul without any external help.
That brought him no joy—only a reminder that his time was running out.
He patted his face—Pat!—muttering, "No use dwelling over the past."
He quickly went through all his skills, traits, and other sections.
He glanced at Thomas, who was standing with his arms behind his back.
"Looks like you are done checking your panel," he said.
Slime#47 nodded.
---
After a few hours—
[ Ding! You have leveled up to 101! ]
[ Ding! All your stats rose to D- to D ! ]
Instructor Thomas had made him level up one more time, since Level 100 was just the beginning of Tier Three.
Level 101 would bring the actual power of tier 3.
And like that, Young Slime had gotten even stronger.
Thomas waved his hand, canceling the gravity spell.
Slime#47 glanced at the lion-headed instructor with focused eyes.
"It's finally time to master battle style," he said with interest, recalling there were only sixteen days remaining.
"Young Slime, what do you think is meant by the term 'battle style'?" Thomas nodded and asked, glancing coldly at Nobi.
She wanted to answer instantly, but she fell silent as she sensed the piercing gaze from the lion.
"The way we fight," Young Slime replied without thinking for a second.
"Well, that's correct," the instructor nodded. "But it's not all. There are many ways to fight. And if a sharp, calculated person fights—"
Nobi cut in, "He would improvise his skills and method of combating his opponent on the spot, in the middle of a battle."
The lion just glanced at Nobi, who blinked innocently.
Young Slime nodded—he would also change his tactics in the middle of a fight, or improvise based on the situation.
Like when he had used Earth Mold to catch Thomas off guard, and when he had used Mana Shield to jump at his opponents. Like he had done against the slime farm owner.
"Good. And this is where battle style comes in," the lion head instructor nodded, spotting Young Slime's understanding.
"If you pick the right one, you fight better and move with the flow. As you follow your own battle style, you get stronger and stronger in the middle of battle."
Young Slime nodded, but he was troubled as he asked, "But how would I get stronger and stronger in the middle of a fight when—"
He glanced at Nobi and Thomas, who were exchanging sharp glances. "I change my tactics instead of overpowering my enemy with fists? Like hiding, sneak attacks, or so, instead of smashing the opponent with kicks or fists."
Nobi answered right away, "This is why style must be chosen carefully. If you pick a straightforward battle style and then sneak attack, your power won't increase."
As Young Slime felt it was disadvantageous to learn it, Thomas clarified, "Your power won't fall if you don't follow a battle style. But if you follow it, it will increase."
'I see… If you follow, it increases. If not, your combat power stays the same,' Young Slime thought.
"So..."