The Slime Condom Promise
For now, Asha set aside the successfully transmuted pill in its box. She could pop it in her mouth right away to test its effects, but... since it ventured into uncharted territory, a bit of caution was warranted. That, and she was feeling a touch drained. It had been a while since she'd concentrated so intensely, and fatigue was setting in. Maybe because she'd had to focus extra hard on these novel materials.
Sitting in her chair, a sudden curiosity struck her—what approaches were the others taking? Her forehead sweat had cooled by then, so she decided to take a look around. ...They'd all seen what I was doing, so it should be fine, right?
She rose quietly from her chair and tiptoed over behind her mentor. Ariel showed no reaction, deep in her research. A fragrant scent wafted from her water-blue locks. Peeking over her shoulder, Asha saw that Ariel was... investigating the properties of Cecil's blood. It wasn't monster blood, so meaningful results seemed unlikely, but... well, Ariel must have her reasons. She even looked enjoyably absorbed, and those heavy dark circles under her eyes seemed... a little fainter?
Has whatever was worrying her been resolved...? Asha had no idea.
Next, her gaze shifted to Veronica. Oddly, Veronica seemed more interested in Asha's blood than Cecil's. With three people here, it's natural we'd each have different ideas. There's that saying about many hands making light work, after all.
After a quick glance around, Asha returned to her spot. She rummaged through the preservation case and pulled out the materials she'd had in mind. Time to make something for Cecil's request. She'd been planning it for ages, so progress was smooth. ...Never dreamed it'd come to this, though.
Fundamentally, the real issue is that I made that promise in the first place.
"What are you making this time?" Cecil asked with her clear, innocent face.
"...Trying to fulfill your request."
"Really?!" Cecil bounced with joy, letting out a loud cheer that drew stares from the two behind them. Asha broke into a cold sweat and gestured for silence.
"Shh... It's our little secret, remember?"
Cecil's eyes went wide; she clapped both hands over her mouth and nodded vigorously. Once the attention faded, Asha sketched a small transmutation circle. Slime secretions, plus a few supporting materials. This time, it wasn't about the ingredients—it was how to shape them. She scraped together scraps of knowledge from her past life and filled in the circle.
The goal: a condom. To be precise... a slime condom.
...Her face burned. But there was no helping it. She'd promised to give Cecil her first time in that hole—what excuse did she have to refuse? ...Technically, it's already happened once, but since I'm consciously accepting it now, doesn't that make me a virgin there? Can't exactly tell Cecil, 'Hey, that hole's not a virgin anymore.'
And if we're splitting hairs, Cecil was the first one in there anyway, so it's as good as given.
...The problem is she doesn't remember.
That's why this: a safe barrier to keep Cecil's essence from touching her. If it did... it might feel good, convenient even... but the loss would outweigh it. So she'd have to take it sober. Asha pictured Cecil's member in her mind. ...Will it work?
First, she'd need to scale up the result a bit. Add more viscosity too.
Crafting something like this with others around felt weird. But she couldn't exactly sneak off to a room for it. Better to do it openly, then. ...They probably won't figure it out anyway.
There were other reasons too. She could collect Cecil's essence while she was at it... kill two birds with one stone. It'd be useful for future research. ...Mentor doesn't seem keen on spreading it further, but I'm different.
If it's trending that much, vanishing suddenly would raise suspicions. Backlash too. Better to taper off gradually. ...Absolutely not because it'll make money easily.
Anyway. Just like with the pill, she sprinkled the catalyst and transmuted. She hadn't tested it, but she'd seen plenty—this was a perfect condom. Leveraging slime traits to the max: it stretched well, slid smoothly, wouldn't tear... an impeccable semen receptacle.
She packaged it carefully and slipped it into Cecil's pocket, whispering to come find her when the time was right. ...Whenever that is. I don't even know.
Cecil nodded eagerly, face flushed with delight. Quietly this time. ...Good, it's a secret.
Deadline: before she returned to her original body. After that... no way. Absolutely not.
Asha stroked Cecil's bobbing hair, then glanced back. Ariel was staring gravely at Cecil's blood. Their eyes met, and Ariel beckoned her over.
What's this about?
"What is it, Mentor?"
"Hm..."
Ariel paused dramatically before dropping a bombshell.
"The child's... er, Cecil's blood."
"Something off about it?"
Ariel stroked her chin. "Well... it's a problem, in a way. I know not how such harmony came to be, but... it seems to hold tremendous value as a transmutation material."
"Pardon?"
"Normally, you combine things less than 1 to make a 1. This can fill in even if it's short of that."
It was like...
"You grasp my meaning."
Asha stared at Ariel with trembling eyes; Ariel patted her head reassuringly. "Worry not—'tis not so dire as you fear. Still, even a speck of progress would drive the unscrupulous mad... best keep it hushed."
"Yes..."
Might need a bodyguard contract with Claudia instead of supply... If things escalated, maybe. Not yet.
"That's all you've found?"
"What more could there be...? We've scarce begun."
"Ah..."
"Much yet untested remains."
Then tell me after you're done! Rationally, though, with countless materials in the world, full tests in short order were impossible. Her worry for Cecil had rushed her.
Asha sighed deeply and locked eyes with Veronica. She trudged over.
"Hear what Mentor and I said?"
"Huh? Oh... yeah."
"Right..."
Veronica grinned awkwardly. "Don't worry, my lips are sealed."
"...Thanks."
Over Veronica's shoulder, Asha glimpsed the transmutation circle. Wonder what she's—
"Hey! What're you peeking at?!"
"Huh? Oh, just curious what you're making."
"I'll show you the results later, so get back to your seat!"
Veronica shoved her—playfully, like a shy kid guarding her hideout. But it's my blood anyway... Alchemists had their quirks. Some, like Ariel and her, didn't care who watched; others, like Veronica, kept it private.
...But telling me not to look just makes me want to more, human nature and all.
Stealing glances drew Veronica's flushed glare. Better drop it before she got mad.
"...Guess I'll continue too."
She pulled out the box with the earlier pill. Who knew Cecil's blood had such properties? No rejection reactions with other materials, she'd thought. Assumed it was inert human blood. Guess not.
Her heart felt heavy. I made Cecil as unpaid labor and company... but imagining her treated that way? Hate it.
Because Cecil was special? Or just past-life memories? ...Confusing.
Deep down, was she treating Cecil like a prized object? Asha shook her head to banish the thought. She cherished Cecil for Cecil's sake. Body needed rest; that's why weird ideas.
She opened the box, popped the pill, and chewed. Tart fruit eased it down. Soon, her body reacted. Lower half heating up. She waddled to the bathroom to check.