Horizon Labs didn't do many tests with amphibians, not nearly as often as with reptiles or fish. So when Chel heard they were going to be uplifting another salamander, she had to be involved in the project. Like any good scientist, she did her research on the test subject first. The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest amphibian in the world, surpassed only by its close relative, the Chinese giant salamander. There was not much difference between the two species asides from size and the bumps on their heads and throats. Which is a bit fortunate as the Japanese salamander could interbreed with its more-endangered relative.
Additionally, the Japanese giant salamander rarely comes onto land and lifts its head above the water to breathe in air through its skin. When threatened, it releases a strong-smelling milky substance that smells much like Japanese pepper, which gave the salamander its nickname of the 'giant pepper fish'. They could also live a remarkably long time for an amphibian, even 80 years in the wild. Chel thought the Japanese salamander was almost as interesting as her own species. She was eager to see what the uplifted salamander would be like.
It felt rather appropriate for the salamander to be placed in the same terrarium that Chel was in before she was uplifted. The large brown salamander was swimming around lazily. The scientists nodded to Chel as she approached the terrarium. "Are we ready to begin?" asked one of them.
"Yes, I've prepared the serum myself," said Chel, holding up a syringe filled with a white liquid. The contents were little more than Chel's milk, but it will help the salamander be able to live a truly amphibious life.
"Would you like to do the honors?" asked the scientist.
"Gladly," said Chel, stepping down into the terrarium. The cool water felt very nice against her feet, but she had something more important to do than take a soak. The giant salamander didn't get aggressive when Chel got close to it. Perhaps it saw her as a fellow salamander, though she was a very different species. But the salamander didn't raise a fuss when Chel injected the syringe's contents at the base of its neck. She then walked to the other end of the terrarium to give it some room.
The salamander was already over four feet long and it was starting to grow even bigger. Chel watched in interest as the legs grew longer, adapting into bipedal limbs. As the salamander was trying to climb out of the pool, Chel helped it stand up straight. From such a close perspective, she was able to see the nipples forming and breasts start to swell out. Chel wasn't very surprised by this. Females tended to be very common for uplifting for some reason.
The salamander was looking more confused as her head reshaped and more understanding entered her eyes. "What happened to me?" she asked in Japanese.
"You've been uplifted," said Chel in Japanese, "You're now a member of Animalia, a community of intelligent animals like us."
"Then what are these on my chest?" asked the salamander, squeezing her new breasts. She shuddered a bit at the unexpected pleasure.
"Breasts, every Animalian female has them," said Chel, "Even I do. I'll tell you what they're for later. Do you know what your name is?"
The salamander thought it over and said, "Well...for some reason, the word 'Koshō' comes to mind."
Chel nodded. It wasn't particularly surprising, since 'Koshō' was the Japanese word for 'pepper'. "I think that will make a fine name," said Chel, "Now, I think we should get you better acquainted with the people who work here."
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While Koshō did find Animalia very fascinating, she wasn't as drawn to hard sciences like Chel. But she soon discovered a love of cooking that she was going to put some effort into. Perhaps when the Asian colony was opened, she could work there as a chef.