Polymorph! My First Human Body
Polymorph!
When the humans approached me, I felt a thrill for the first time in ages. Is it because my worries have finally melted away?
The blond mage Liandel stepped forward cautiously, holding two bottles in his hands.
I flared my petals wide open in an instant. Ooh! Booze!
These humans who'd come this time were good ones. The mage named Liandel politely offered the alcohol and bowed deeply.
"H-Here's some beer and wine."
His voice trembled slightly.
"We fled from a crystal basilisk that appeared out of nowhere on the lower floors and made it here. May we rest a bit in this place?"
Of course! In my delight, I stretched out a root and snatched the bottles from his grasp. I smashed them open and sucked in the contents—a truly delicious booze that spread through me. My mood lifted instantly, and I scattered pollen in joy.
As I drank the booze and sprinkled healing pollen, they all cheered in excitement.
"Wh-What..."
"Huh, my wounds are healing all of a sudden!?"
"Mine too...!"
My pollen was mending their injuries. I could feel their vitality returning, which made me happy too.
The humans sighed in relief and set down their gear on the cavern floor. That's when a faint energy leaked from the bag Liandel had brought.
...What's that?
I extended a root tip and tugged at the bag's strap. Huh? It won't open?
There was some kind of transparent barrier around the bag. A protective spell, maybe?
Liandel brought his hand to the bag in surprise. "I'll open it for you! Is this what you're after?"
He spoke hurriedly, with utmost courtesy. He opened the bag and carefully pulled out a blue-glowing gemstone.
Oh, that's just a Frost Ether Ore.
I eyed the stone with mild disinterest. Lote wouldn't even eat that—it was a common mineral in labyrinths like this.
No, not that one.
The adventurers jumped in shock when I wrote the words. Come to think of it, ever since Master left, I hadn't chatted with any humans besides Hafel and Brian. Everyone else had just been a hassle.
I thrust my root deeper into the bag. Something heavy bumped against the tip.
This is it!
I slowly pulled it out. A brilliant golden light illuminated the cavern.
It was a round golden orb etched with intricate white patterns.
"...!!"
Liandel's face went pale in an instant. Was it valuable? An intense flow of mana surged through my root tip. Inside the object, immense magical power was condensed like brimming life force.
This feeling—definitely...!
If I absorbed this mana, I could finally achieve the polymorph I'd dreamed of.
"W-Wait! That's—!"
Sensing what I was about to do, Liandel cried out desperately. But it was too late!
I plunged my root into the orb and sucked in its tremendous mana. Like water in a desert, an endless torrent poured into my body.
"No! That's a Prinnel Orb! It's the Magic Tower's treasure!"
Liandel shouted, but I was already lost in ecstasy. The massive mana flooding into me vibrated my entire body. I felt it coursing through every part of me—refreshing and utterly blissful. A sensation I'd never known before.
Right now, I could really do it. Polymorph!
I shouted it fiercely in my mind, imagining a human form. My body began to glow red.
This...! It's real this time!
"What in the—!"
"Eek!"
The humans flinched back in shock. Black-red smoke billowed up, enveloping me. My petals quivered, and my roots began to morph shape. My body shrank, taking on a human silhouette.
Ah, finally...!
It had been so long since I'd had a human body. The moment I transformed, I plopped down without thinking.
How do legs work again...?
I tried moving one leg carefully. It didn't respond as I thought. It felt sluggish, like it was numb.
Hmm...
Very different from roots. For now, still sitting, I tried to check my appearance. Huh? My third-person domain radar wasn't working.
Wait, can't use it in human form?
Looking around with my eyes, I was surrounded by black-red mist. It felt like my own private world. I couldn't see the humans' gazes or the bugs' movements through the fog. Just my first meeting with myself.
Okay...
I blinked, trying to see myself. Looking with eyes feels weird too...
As a flower, I'd sensed everything omnidirectionally, but now my vision was limited. Only what was in front of me—this would take getting used to.
My two arms came into view first. I raised my right hand in front of my face. Thankfully, my arm moved naturally. Five slender fingers wiggled at my command. Thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky. I folded and unfolded each one. So amazing.
These are my hands...
The fingertips were slim and smooth, the skin porcelain-white. I flipped my palm over. Clear lifelines etched across it. I pressed thumb to index, feeling the texture more closely. Totally different from root senses—far sharper and more delicate.
Wow...
I touched my face with my fingers. Soft skin, plump lips, a pert nose, long lashes. The blink of eyelids, the breath in and out, the heartbeat... everything was novel and wondrous.
Long black hair cascaded softly over my shoulders. And peeking inside, it was pink.
Secret two-tone...?
I ran my fingers through my hair. A soft, springy texture transmitted to my fingertips. More delicate than petals. Pulling some forward, it was black with subtle pink mixed in—like the colors from when I was a sprout.
Touching my nape sent an itchy tingle. No such sensation as a flower. I giggled without realizing.
"Heehee..."
My first sound. My voice was clear and bell-like, like cheerful water droplets.
Let's try again. "Ah... aaah..."
Making sounds was easier than expected. Moving lips, tongue, vocal cords—it felt instinctive, like I'd known it since birth.
Glancing at the icy floor, a cute girl's face stared back.
That's me...
Red eyes gazed right back at me. Soft facial lines, neat features—stunningly pretty. I smiled without thinking, and my reflection smiled too.
Finally, I checked the black dress I was somehow wearing. Exquisite, with red accents throughout—elegant and luxurious.
Without the trait from Nis, I'd be naked...?
Whew, that would've been a disaster. I touched the fabric. Silky smooth. High-end silk material. Lifting the skirt revealed lace and ribbons. Delicate red stitching adorned the whole dress, like flowing blood patterns. It reflected my true nature.
Nis's taste all over it... but it's really pretty...
I felt her deep consideration. Preparing this trait meant she believed I'd polymorph someday.
Then, a tiny wing-flap sounded from the mist. Miel?
I reached out carefully. A small butterfly landed on my finger. The vibration tingled my fingertip. Human touch could feel even this fine tremor—astonishing.
"Miel~"
The butterfly's antennae perked up. Miel crawled up my arm to my hair, recognizing my scent. Soon, a fiery glow pierced the mist. Cecilia, with her three pairs of wings. She seemed startled by my change but settled on my shoulder, sharing her warmth.
"Heehee. Cecilia came too."
I had ultimate ice immunity now from evolved frost block, but Cecilia's heat—my personal hot pack—always felt great.
The mist was clearing now. Time to show the humans my new self. Part excitement, part nerves.
Master will be shocked...
The thought made my heart flutter. I couldn't wait to show her.
As the black-red mist dissipated, the humans gaped in shock and awe. The bugs swarmed my changed form—Lote orbiting my shoulders after falling off during transformation, Glessia buzzing around curiously for once.
Hehe. Time to greet these dumbstruck humans.
"Hi?"
I curled my lips into a playful smile for them.