I can't believe it! I'm gonna evolve! My fins stretch out to arms with tiny fingers and my tail splits, stretching out to tiny chubby legs and my head shrinks to a round lollipop head as my silver-blue hair cascades like a waterfall over my shoulders. The light disappears and I fall to the ground on my knees. I have knees, legs, and arms now... What the?
I sit on my butt. I have a butt! I wriggle my fingers and toes. Is this my human guise? With soft, azure-colored skin that shimmers? I touch my round face, I have a button nose. I have a nose. I try sniffing. This place still smells like damp moss.
My master bends down, then turns around and taps his back. I didn't expect this. I thought I would grow to double the size like last time. This is very new! I crawl to him. Grabbing his soft silk robe, I steady myself up as I stand, my legs wobbly. I scamper on his back, fumbling with his robe. He doesn't say a word, waiting patiently. Finally, I wrap my arms around his neck, my head on his shoulders. Yes! This is going to be a piggyback.
He swings his arms around my legs. Then stands up. With a side-ward glance, he says: "Hold on tight, we're going straight to the Celestial Realm."
He raises a hand as he summons his air elemental power. With a wave of his fingers, a rune at the back of the chamber lights up, and a door opens.
Hey! He came in the back door and made me go through the front with all those traps?! I guess it's worth it... since I get to evolve.
This new form feels so delicate and fragile. As we swim up from the deep blue, I'm shivering, my teeth chattering. Why is it so cold... This skin is not as thick as the whale skin.
He pauses mid-swim. Lifting me off his back, he slips off his outer robe and swaddles me like sushi. Cradling me in his arms, I stop shivering blanketed by the warmth of his strong embrace, lulling me to a sweet slumber.
***
I wake up to a maid dressing me.
"Hey! Get your paws off me."
The maid squeaks, bowing deeply, and shuffles back as she nervously glances at the Crown Prince. He gives a curt nod, dismissing her, then turns to me.
"Look what we have here? A feisty munchkin."
Long Fei crouches beside me and quickly ties my robe up properly.
"In the Celestial Realm, you must be covered as a female. Modesty is the norm here."
He extends his hands, eyes softening as he gives an encouraging nod.
I take them, my legs wobbling as I try to walk. This walking business is so different from swimming as a whale. I stumble. Before my face plants to the ground, my master lifts me and sits me around his sturdy shoulders. I'm on top of the world!
"This wasn't in the ancient scroll. It said the artifact would help Ling Yue safely evolve with two elemental powers, but I didn't expect her to morph into a three-year-old child..."
His Highness bursts into laughter, nudging Long Fei in the gut.
"I didn't think you would become a father so soon."
I cover my master's eyes with my chubby hands.
"Do I call you father now?"
Long Fei shakes his head. His face heats up.
"We shouldn't spread strange rumors here. It will draw unwanted attention."
His Highness rubs his forehead as he chuckles. "There will probably be a witch hunt for the non-existent mother of the esteemed Dragon of Air's child. I can already imagine all the female immortals' rage." He shudders at the thought.
I lean my head on top of my master's head, wrapping my arms around his chin as I sigh. My stomach loudly rumbles. I sniff the air, the scent of a delicious aroma wafting towards us.
A maid comes in with a tray filled with delicacies, sets the table, and then takes her leave.
I find myself sitting at the table, a bowl of all sorts of food placed in front of me.
"So, does this mean I won't be eating air-cooked krill anymore?"
"Your taste buds may have changed. Try other food for now. Since you're in the body of a three-year-old, don't worry about table manners. You can use your hands."
"I'll set up a guest chamber for both of you. This is for my entertainment. I'm wondering how you are going to train her like this."
I stuff food in my mouth. Tasting all sorts of flavors, then start choking.
My master gently strokes my back, helping the food to go down.
"Take your time eating. No one is going to steal your food."
The Crown Prince grins as he pours wine for his friend and himself. He hands a glass to Long Fei.
"Let's drink to your new calling. Cheers." He clinks his glass with his friend's.
I reach out for the glass, but His Highness stops me.
"Oh no, this is not for you, munchkin. You're only getting milk for a while."
For some reason, I don't mind the sound of that.
Long Fei finishes off his wine. Rubbing his temples, he sighs.
"Tomorrow, we'll start training harder so you can evolve quicker. I don't think you should remain in this form for too long." His face reddens, as he rubs his brow, extending his glass for another drink.
The Crown Prince hands him the entire bottle of wine.
"I think you need this more than me. You mentioned previously that she evolved already. She seems to be evolving quickly, at an alarming rate, the merfolks must have a tough training regime. Come to think of it. Why did you take her here? Wouldn't it make more sense to leave her with the merfolks?"
"She attacked the Queen in rabid beast mode. I had no choice but to knock her out."
The Crown Prince runs his palm over his face.
"I was wondering why you left mid-eating. Thanks for stopping a potential breach in an armistice. I knew she was chaos incarnate. Seriously, would you be okay taking care of her on your own? Do you want me to send a female immortal to keep her company so she can have a female role model?"
I thought about the Queen of Merfolks and her pranks, randomly smacking me with water tendrils. I don't want to endure that again in this form. My body shudders at the thought.
"No thanks. I don't want to be smacked randomly with no rhyme or reason. My tiny heart has enough pranks for a while... We'll manage."
They both look at each other, confused by my comment. Then the Crown Prince leans back and lets out a thunderous laugh.