Licht’s eyes quickly swam over the system screen and hit [EVOLVE] as fast as he could. As he looked at the options, Licht cursed that it seemed like he was undergoing a crisis every time he did this.

For such a critical event, he wished he had a clearer head more often. The constant pain he experienced as his body bent under the urge to evolve did him no favors in that.

Evolution Choices Available.

Notice: Evolving will reset your current level to one. All extrinsic stat points will be deducted after evolution.

Evolution Paths:

[Plantlife Humanoid - Matura]

“In a rare occurrence, a plant life form with a rare mindset and enough intelligence may end up creating itself a body resembling the features of the humanoid races. In an attempt to grow closer to these beings, it may also give up crucial aspects of its existence, whether they are capabilities for combat or communication with its kin. In such circumstances, subjects who reach the boundary for evolution almost always choose to evolve closer to the targets of their affection, and to perfect their hybrid states. Plantlife Humanoids give up nearly all capabilities of their kind in order to be as such, but are most often indistinguishable from natural-born humanoids.”

[Ironlight Delia Ego - Unique]

“A unique subtype of Woodland Ego that has affixed its nature to be completely compatible with the Ironlight Delia tree species. Their affinities with both Wood and Light virtues are nearly unparalleled by other plant lives, and they possess the advantages of durability and heightened Ambient Force control that are inherent to the tree. Though the capabilities of this unique species remains to be tested, the effortless and rapid integration of their surroundings into their own body is nearly guaranteed, and likely to work as both a boon and a curse in practice.”

[Great Spirit - Anima]

“In some cases, a spirit without any specialization will gather enough Ambient Force over the course of its existence and evolve many levels higher, into a Great Spirit. These spirits are hailed by many as the ultimate forms of the spirit race, similar to Lords for many other species, but will rarely have an element or group of virtues in which they have accumulated excellence. Of the scant few cases that a specialized spirit has evolved into a Great Spirit, they have been found to retain the aspect of their previous specializations. However, to date, the number of Great Spirits with the [Anima] subrace can be counted on one human hand.”

[Woodland Psychica - Ethereal]

“Having completely abandoned physical form, the Woodland Psychica is an ethereal being that represents a far-removed branch of their evolutionary tree. Nonetheless, this species ranks among the foremost of the world in managing and manipulating their environment via the elements. Without a physical body, they have few conventional weaknesses. Due to their significant psychic affinity, they are also capable of influencing the thoughts of most organisms.”

[Dark Biome Intelligence: Juvenile]

“Rarely, a climate or biome is influenced by an external force and experiences an extended period of lightlessness or a lack of bioactivity. If such an occurrence is caused by a nature spirit presiding over that region, the very environment itself may end up engulfing and sublimating with the spirit, causing it to mutate into a biome with an intelligence of its own. Such locations/beings are extremely rare, and should be avoided for their malevolent intentions and great proficiency in causing misfortune.”

Licht read through the descriptions as rapidly as he could. It was a deluge of information compared to previous evolution screens, and under the agonizing sensation of his entire body on fire, it was hard to stay focused.

Nonetheless, he pressed forward, attempting to weigh the pros and cons of each option in his mind as quickly as possible. This was not a decision he could afford to make in haste, as it would affect what tools he had to progress with in the future.

Though he had messed up during similar times in the past, he was resolute not to share any indication of what he would pick before he actually picked it.

That way, a similar scenario to the moments after his death could be avoided.

Licht thought to himself.

‘Both the Woodland Psychica and the Dark Biome Intelligence are immediately out. I can’t imagine the pros of having no physical body outweigh the many cons, and I’ve given up too much to abandon my physical body now. The Dark Biome Intelligence also sounds like a variant of a hivemind, which is a choice I’ve been given before…’

Likely due to his habit of mentally connecting with the forest, as he had accomplished repeatedly in the past through various means.

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‘...but I hate the thought of abandoning my individuality just as much as the thought of abandoning my body. Though the implications of getting this choice seem dark, as that would mean my forest could swallow me at any moment, even without an evolution.’

Licht wondered with an anxious mind. He had thought about the state of the forest before under a different lens, but now that he knew it could develop into something malevolent if he left it that way, he was more inclined to fix it soon.

Though a hot pulse of pain was sent up the central column of his body in the next moment, and he got back to weighing his options.

‘Plantlife Humanoid is also out. There are really no benefits to choosing that one, and I’d rather be more powerful and able to protect the twins than better relate to them.’

Nothing had ever changed his mind in regards to that. This mindset was only reinforced over the past two years. Licht felt slightly annoyed that the option had robbed him of seeing a decent one in its place.

His eyes fell to the last descriptions.

‘And then these two. I don’t like the idea of returning to an unspecialized race, as in fiction those are usually the weakest ones, or jacks-of-all-trades-masters-of-none, but becoming an Ironlight Ego seems like a bad idea when I haven’t figured out how to counteract the integration side-effect yet.’

And that was a critical piece. He couldn’t afford to adopt the aspects of something that he didn’t have the ability to control, even if it was his own creation.

The Great Spirit seemed like a basic choice, although doubtlessly high on the evolutionary ladder, but he could at least retain his current virtues and specializations in wood and light by the sound of it.

Though it was the difficulty of getting new virtues that worried him. Licht was hesitant to pick it if it meant he wouldn't be able to farm new virtues in the same way, but he had little choice. Every other option was either too risky, or didn’t suit his preferences.

“Alright screw it. I’m in too much pain to turn this into a congressional debate. I’m picking the Great Spirit!”

As soon as he picked that, Licht felt a familiar feeling wash over him, completely overtaking the previous scorching pain he was experiencing.

“Hoh!”

Licht almost cried out in relief. He gave a quick look around his surroundings to the rest of the forest before he fell to his knees. He knew that right now, if he were attacked by a serpenti or nearby beast, it likely wouldn’t go well for him. He felt too weak and disconnected from his body during the evolution process to put up a fight.

Yet thankfully, nothing emerged from the woods in the next couple moments.

[Evolution Complete!]

[Skill Upgraded: Wood Manipulation (C+) -> Wood Manipulation (B-)]

[Skill Upgraded: Light Manipulation (D+) -> Light Manipulation (B-)]

[Skill Upgraded: Bestowal (D+) -> Bestowal (C)]

[Skill Mutated: Passive Construct Body (C) -> Sacred Tree Body (C)]

[Skill Evolved: Biogenical Growth (B-) -> Lifeforce Effusion (B+)]

[+75 STR, +55 DEX, +25 WIS, +50 END, +10 CHA]

[Level has been reset to 1]

Licht’s vision was brought to clarity as the process finished itself. A storm of notifications ran down the interface before him as the evolution completed.

Licht felt a pleasant sense of calm after the storm turn to shock in his mind as he read the changes to his skills.

“Holy shit. What a payday!”

Licht’s eyes widened as he brought up his system status. His immediate thought to check the results of the evolution on his body was cast aside as he saw the status screen.

[Level: 1]

[Exp: 0/1,000,000]

[Name: Licht Welles]

[Race: Grand Spirit (Anima)]

[Health: 2,500/2,500]

[Stamina: 448/448]

[Energy: 260/260 AF]

[Rank: B-]

[106 STR, 99 DEX, 225 WIS, 125 END, 13 CHA]

[Virtues: (Twig), (Branch), (Root), (Heartwood), (Spark), (Glare), (Flare)]

[Specializations: Wood, Light]

[Skills: Psychometric Observation (D-), Lifeforce Effusion (B+), Passive Nutrition Absorption (D+), Passive Acid Resistance (E+), Acid Fiber Infusion (D-), Sacred Tree Body (C), Passive Arboreal Sense (D), Wood Manipulation (B-), Arborescent Skill Graft (C-), Bestowal (C), Light Manipulation (B-), Warmth (D+)...]

“You’ve gone back to basic? Well done, you’re a normie again.”

Licht’s fists curled into balls as he read the full list of changes.

“This…is way more than expected.”

Licht let out a gasp.

The improvements this time were almost too good. It was as if the rate of his growth was becoming less steady over time and more exponential.

“With these abilities, and what my instincts are telling me…”

Licht caught himself.

Woah.

He almost got too excited.

But it was true. Based on the results of his evolution, he might be able to complete another long-standing project of his, and grant one of Siya and Arjun’s greatest wishes.

Licht grinned. He picked himself off of the forest floor and clapped his hands together. A rising sense of anticipation began to fill him as he looked toward the direction of the grove.

“I can’t wait for their birthday.”