“Because if you choose a different evolutionary pathway for a monster, you will have to start at the beginning again. The creature may retain some of the upgraded levels it has gained, but it’s not guaranteed. You may end up with simply an imbalanced monster, and it’s potentially wasteful if the creature has reached a high level.”

I considered it thoughtfully for a moment. The choice between the evolutionary paths was a difficult one, since they all had their advantages and disadvantages, but overall the Flora Whelp was most attractive just at the moment because it was the only one available to me. I wanted to see one of my creatures evolve, so I figured it would be worth it, even if it were a little premature.

Also, I had to keep in mind that I would have other monsters as time went by. The ability to go out and capture new creature cores—or, for that matter, to have Astrid, Belinda, or Selena go out and get me new creature cores—meant that I could end up with a very diverse range of monsters, suitable for every possible situation and requirement. If I missed an advantage by choosing the Flora Whelp evolutionary path, I would almost certainly be able to gain that advantage with another monster’s evolutions later on.

“Right, I’ve decided,” I said. I reached out to my command center and tapped my fingers on the Flora Whelp evolutionary pathway. Astrid and I turned to the Dragonling with interest, waiting to see what would happen.

There was a shimmering of greenish-gold light around the Dragonling, and it began to change before our very eyes.

The transformation was amazing, as if the creature had sloughed off an old skin. It shook itself then stepped forward, wisps of mist evaporating off it like steam. The Dragonling had evolved into a Flora Whelp.

The Flora Whelp was roughly the same size that the Dragonling had been, though it seemed a bit sturdier across the shoulders. The bright pink of its scales had vanished, replaced instead with alternating stripes of vivid emerald and deep, lustrous teal.

At the end of the tail, there was a broad flap of hide, shaped like a leaf. It had a keen edge, and I guessed it could cut any enemy who approached from behind.

Running up the creature’s back there was a double row of leaf-like spines in alternating teal and emerald, also looking like they were sharp enough to impale an enemy. At the base of the creature’s short, thick neck, a frilled mane of sharp spines pointed away from the head.

It reminded me of some kind of dinosaur. As it opened its mouth, it showed off a set of vicious, razor-sharp teeth.