The Weakest Monster

I think I’m gonna be sick.

I struggle to stay standing as the massive monster in front of me flaps its wings, unleashing a violent gust that sweeps through the stadium. The earth trembles beneath my feet as it lands, and the crowd erupts with excitement as the championship match is about to begin.

Its summoner, Arthur—the academy’s most promising first-year—stands atop the monster in gleaming white-and-gold armor and a flowing cape, wielding an equally ostentatious sword and shield. With neat silver hair and flawless composure, he gazes down at me, tilting his head and flashing his usual charming close-eyed smile.

Unfortunately, I now know there’s nothing but animosity hiding behind it.

“I do hope all that talk before wasn’t just bluster. After all, I’d hate for our audience to leave disappointed."

Towering over me and taking up much of the stadium, his summon looks my way, and I’m hit with another wave of nausea. It stares at me with murder in its eyes.

A Black Dragon.

Its claws? Capable of slicing steel.

Its tail? Capable of flattening buildings.

Its scales? Capable of withstanding cannon fire.

Its breath? Capable of incinerating entire villages.

Its intellect? Capable of rivaling even many humans.

A beast considered to be the strongest of all monsters.

“Squee?”

I look down at my side.

Towering over my left shoe and taking up none of the stadium, my summon looks my way, and I’m hit with a wave of calm. It stares at me with love in its eyes.

A Blue Slime.

Its buoyancy? Capable of bouncing at you hard enough to cause mild irritation.

Its ooze? Capable of exfoliating your skin, keeping it youthful and smooth.

Its membrane? Capable of withstanding overly aggressive hugs.

Its breath? Capable of providing mild refreshment on a warm summer’s day.

Its intellect? Some days I’m not even convinced it knows it’s alive.

A beast considered to be the weakest of all monsters…

…but nobody knows Pudding like I do. They don’t know how truly amazing Pudding really is, let alone the bond we’ve built together. I’ll show Arthur and everyone else that monsters are more than just scourges to be wiped out or tools to be used and cast aside.

I don’t care what anyone else has to say. If they think this match is a foregone conclusion, they’ve got another thing coming! I mean, I literally got stabbed in the stomach yesterday—and only cried twice! After everything Pudding and I have been through, we’re not going down without a fight!

I kneel and gently pat Pudding before giving him a reassuring nod.

“Squee!”

With my left hand, I reach into my satchel and pull out a fistful of herbs, feeding them to Pudding, whose form begins to morph. With my right hand, I draw my wand and prepare to cast a spell. I glare up at our opponents, silently daring them to underestimate us.

The Black Dragon lets out a deafening roar, and Arthur points his sword at me, returning my glare with one of his own. His eyes finally open, revealing piercing purple irises as the facade of effortless charm melts away, replaced by a smile far more honest—one brimming with anticipation.

“So… are you ready, little witch?”