I arrived at Cellestra’s home after some time. During my trip back, I had continued to wonder just how big I would get after this evolution, and even more so after my final evolution. My rear was already comparatively large, and I imagined that if my growth continued at the same rate, there was no way I would be able to fit that through the door.

Hell, I was already over half the table’s surface area, and that was with me keeping my legs as close to my body as possible. If I stretched them out, I would probably span the entire table’s width.

As much as my growth allowed me more safety, it also made me fearful of my future interactions with Cellestra. If I couldn’t get inside the building anymore, I would have to find or make a safe place to spend the night outside. Besides that, she’d also have to spend more time outside in order to communicate with me.

I hoped I could grow out of it quickly. Speech would make things so much easier.

I guessed that after acquiring my final evolution it would be a good time to continue my search.

I entered the open door and found Cellestra sitting at the table with one of the wolf pelts laid out before her. She was treating the inside of the fur with some kind of yellowish paste.

She removed the pelt from the table as she saw me walking inside, making space for me while she continued her work.

“Hey, Kealyna. How did things go?”

She took the pieces of paper that she had placed on the tarantula enclosure and laid them on the table as I climbed up.

“Good. Can evolve again,” I spelled out for her.

“And what evolution will it be?” She asked me out of honest intrigue, that was, if the glow in her eyes was anything to go by.

That was a good question. Although my mind was still conflicted that there was an excellent evolution that would be befitting of a knight, I had already mostly resolved to go for the blue one in order to see what new skills I could learn.

If that wasn’t the case, there would also be the follow-up of the yellow evolution that allowed me to merge some skills. The yellow evolution would also offer me support spells. I secretly hoped there would be a spell that could help Cellestra’s… situation. I had received a healing spell before, so why wouldn’t there be one that could get rid of curses?

What I was hoping for was that there was a way that I could create a new spell that could help the elf if my primary spells didn’t do the trick. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I so desired to help her if I could…

Elysa, what do “Some skills” mean, anyway? Can’t it be all spells, instead?

So, basically, this ability would grow stronger as I evolved.

“Kealyna?” Cellestra asked again.

I must have taken too long to think without replying.

“Evolution that gives more spells. Hoping it helps to grow stronger faster. Next evolution gives support spells. Hoping there is something that can help you.”

That was a bunch of words to spell out and it took a while. At the end of it, the elf seemed shocked.

“Kealyna, you don’t have to choose for my sake. Pick whatever you need to help yourself.”

I shook my pedipalps before I continued writing. “Support spell evolution also allows merge spells into new spells. Will still help me.”

“I see,” Cellestra spoke softly. “I hope it turns out the way you want it to turn out. I don’t want to be the one to tell you what to choose, but I just want you to know… don’t do it for me, okay?”

“Ok,” I spelled with two letters.

I was going to do it either way. I was used to helping others, it was in my nature. Those support skills also included defensive skills. With those, I would be more than fine until I could pick the evolution that I was leaving for last. The one that I should, and was inclined to take first as it best reflected who I am, who I was…

As much as I still agreed and tried to uphold my knightly values, there was just no way I could do it effectively. Even the choice of relying on magic was only made because it seemed to be the fastest way to grow stronger. Once I had achieved my final evolution, I could always try to reflect on the matter.

Then again, could I ever go back to being a knight?

I didn’t think my body would allow me to.

Still, I would try my best.

“I’ll be here when you wake up,” Cellestra reassured me with a smile as she continued applying the paste to the wolf pelt.

“Thanks,” I spelled out as I watched her smile.

I could watch that for hours…

It was a beautiful thing to observe as I confirmed my evolution into the blue rainbow Kizerain. I prayed I’d made the right choice.

____________________________________________________________________________

When I awoke, I noticed I couldn’t stand up. All my left legs were dangling off the side of the table.

“Easy there,” Cellestra said softly. “You’ve grown a fair bit. My table is almost too small for you. Be careful not to fall off.”

I looked at my surroundings and noted that what Cellestra had said was true. My body from head to the furthest point of my abdomen was now about the same length as the table, which was about five feet, I would guess?

My right set of legs was cramped due to the presence of the two terrariums on the table. I could easily put them over the edge on both sides if they hadn’t been there.

All in all, I was a massive spider…

I noticed that the color patterns on my body had changed as well. From spinnerets to my head, I now had Orange then green, then blue, then purple stripes.

Maybe there was redemption for this rainbow, after all…

I only needed two more evolutions and I’d have a proper one.

“Here,” Cellestra called out as she laid four new pieces of paper with letters at one end of the table. “I’ve already made these for you. You look like you can use them.”

Thank you, Cellestra.

“How are you feeling?” The elf asked.

“Feeling good. Bit groggy but normal.”

I didn’t know whether the grogginess was because of the physical changes my body went through, or because of the new perspective that took time getting used to. My size was getting close to what I had been when I was an elf.

And I still had four evolutions to go…

“Good to hear. You’ve been out for a while. It’s evening already. I was just finishing the second round of applying this paste to the pelts. Dinner’s already in the stove as well. Don’t suppose you’re surprised to hear it’s boar again?”

She recapped what happened in hours within a few sentences. I mentally laughed at her last comment. Cellestra was so kind, and she was funny too.

I could do with some boar right now. This evolution had left me starving…

Cellestra took the pelts and brought them to her bedroom. I quickly compared myself to them and noted that I had actually outgrown the creatures that I’d slain. It had me worried that wolves may not give me as much experience anymore.

Speaking of experience…

Elysa?

I should really start shrinking this list...