Shane had to trust that Sharlot would stay alive without his intervention as he swiftly opened his menus and quickly tabbed over to his spells page. He felt cold sweat bead up all over himself while looking for the prompt he needed to accept within the "Regeneration" spell's window.

-Regeneration-

(Uncommon Light Spell)

Heals user 2 HP every second for 25 seconds

Cost: 20 Mana

Range: Self/20 ft and Line of Sight

Cooldown: 30 Seconds

Requirement: 12 Intelligence/10 Wisdom

Evolve To (Rare Light Spell) For 2 Soul Points?

Accept/Cancel

He quickly smashed the "Accept" prompt, and a new window popped up, revealing a more powerful healing spell.

-Major Regeneration-

(Rare Light Spell)

Heals user 3 HP every second for 40 seconds

Cost: 25 Mana

Range: Self/30 ft and Line of Sight

Cooldown: 25 Seconds

Requirement: 18 Intelligence/12 Wisdom

Morph "Major Regeneration" Into A Specialized Variant?

Accept/Cancel

First things first, Shane needed to buy her as much time as possible. To accomplish this meant overwriting his last healing spell with this stronger version. Shane held up his hands and cast "Major Regeneration" at Sharlot. Bright, glowing small orbs appeared around her just like before. A single, much larger ball of energy arose above her body—shining like a miniature sun.

The sizeable orb slowly rained down sheets of sparkling, multi-colored points of light that infused themselves into her body—quickening the mending of her wounds. Unfortunately, even with that strengthened healing, Sharlot was still losing one HP per second—but it did buy Shane some more time. He immediately hit "Accept" to morph "Major Regeneration," hoping against fate the two morph choices given would be beneficial for this dire situation.

(First Morph)

-High-Speed Regeneration-

(Rare Light Spell)

Heals the user or target 10 HP every second for 10 seconds.

Heals less overall but much faster.

Cost: 28 Mana

Range: Self/30 ft and Line of Sight

Cooldown: 22 Seconds

Requirement: 17 Intelligence/14 Wisdom

(Second Morph)

-Restoration-

(Rare Light Spell)

Heals user or target 50 HP and Cleanses 1 affliction.

Heals a lower amount in total and cleanses 1 status effect in return.

Cost: 30 Mana

Range: Self/30 ft and Line of Sight

Cooldown: 20 Seconds

Requirement: 19 Intelligence/16 Wisdom

These morphs were both helpful in their own unique ways. However, what Shane needed at this moment wasn't just healing but a cure as well. Shane chose morph two and immediately cast it upon Sharlot—he was incredibly thankful the spell's cooldown reset after the morphing process.

Sharlot's health bar increased nearly forty percent as the spell instantly took effect. Instead of golden orbs surrounding her, she began to shine bright gold as a wave of glowing energy burst outward from her now-fixed wounds. To Shane's relief, the bile that coated the front of her dissipated into the air while her body shined. Seconds later, the effect faded with his previously-used healing spell still working on the last of her injuries.

Aside from her poor judgment, her combat ability greatly impressed him. This whole time she had been continuing to dodge the Blightling's attacks and even attacking during a few scant openings. Against an enemy that was at least an entire tier stronger than her in every way. Sharlot's feats, spells, and her utilization of them really made the difference here, he mused with satisfaction.

At first, Sharlot was annoyed with her master for assisting her in slaughtering these foul, toxic beasts. They were weak, stupid creatures, and the first three she dispatched easily. This last one, though, even she had to admit, was strong in its own nasty ways.

When Shane cured the acid eating away at her, she couldn't help but feel even more grateful to him.

She was sure he would praise her if she could finish this Blightling. To her delight, the Blightling recoiled at the sight of her shining body during her master's spell. If she could grin evilly, she would have, as she quickly took advantage of its confusion by disengaging backward from its personal space. While jumping back, she aimed her thorax towards the Blightling and spewed a massive swarm of her younglings at it.

Dozens of tiny black spiders scampered toward the blightling, who began trying to squash them savagely with its feet. Unsuccessful in its efforts, the arachnid horde began climbing up its legs. The Blightling made a face of intense disgust and began spewing corrosive bile in front of itself. Its desperate attempt to rid itself of the crawling, biting swarm proved only partially successful.

The swarm that was already upon it was all biting in unison. While the bites must have caused slight pain, the real advantage came from each spiderling, causing a tiny bit of fear. Since there were already many of her brood upon its flesh, the fear effect was compounded. This caused the Blightling to uncontrollably retreat a few steps from Sharlot as it continued to swipe at itself.

Unbeknownst to the swarmed creature, Shane had been observing intently. As he slowly approached it from behind, he glanced at his HP and mana. He was keen on finding the perfect moment to finish the thing since its health bar showed its HP was low enough for a finishing blow.

HP: 175/175

Mana: 37/112

Fatigue: 05/143

A spell wouldn't be enough here, not with his remaining mana. No, it was time for some good ol' fashioned karate. Shane snuck up behind the Blightling as the spiderling swarm distracted it. When he was within five feet of the creature, he used [Splitting Swordhand Chop] on the top of its skull. With a vast arcing motion, Shane's hand crashed into the Blightling's skull with such force that it cut right through its rough hide to the ground. The power of the blow went so far as to leave a long gash in the decayed dirt below them.

132 Damage! Critical Hit!

Sharlot was passively observing both of them and danced with glee upon seeing her master chop the Blightling in two with a critical strike. The creature's now two halves fell in opposite directions as its innards left a trail from both ends. Shortly after, the spiderling swarm dissipated into visual noise—Sharlot no longer needed to continue fueling the spell.

Shane jogged over to the obviously delighted spider. Before she could shower him with praise, and lord knows what else, he spoke up.

"I was impressed with how well you handled that fight, Sharlot. You were amazing," he said while resting a hand on the top of her dark bald head.

She stood there silently, with slight tremors running through her body from her master's praise. Sharlot's gleaming eyes stared up at his own like that of a faithful hound.

Shane removed his hand and folded his arms—his expression becoming grave.

"However, you were almost KILLED!" He shouted sternly.

"It was beyond foolish to put that kind of pressure on yourself! Listen, you'll always be the Sharlot that I summoned, whether you can win or not. So let me help you when you need it. The same way you would help me when I'm in trouble."

Shane didn't want this kind of thing to happen again, and while he hated feeling like this and yelling, he wanted to nip that kind of destructive behavior in the bud.

Sharlot's happy tremors stopped as she broke eye contact with him.

"I understand, master. I won't let you down again."

Shane smiled, feeling like a successful teacher guiding a student toward higher grades and a better future.

"You're Sharlot, the kick-ass Arachnid. I know you won't."