A couple of weeks have passed now. Kiichi and I have finished clearing the grove to plant the Dodona seeds I found leftover at the tree. After working the grove for the day, I'll go and train myself in the mountain. I've grown much better at midst concentration and conditioned my muscles more without it.
From the fruit I plucked, we gathered only three Dodona seeds. Unfortunately, we only have three shots to make them grow, so we better make them count.
As Kiichi and I make our way to the grove, I wonder what method Kiichi has planned for farming the Dodona trees.
Adachi: "So Kiichi, what are we going to do when we get there?"
Kiichi shoots me a puzzled look and continues walking.
Kiichi: "I'm not sure I know what you mean. We're going to plant the seed, of course..."
Once at the grove, I observe Kiichi sinking his shovel into the ground and dropping the seed in. As he covers the seed with dirt again, I realize that he's not doing anything special. He's planting it just like any other seed.
Adachi: "Kiichi, isn't there some unique way to farm Dodona trees that we're supposed to try?"
Kiichi: "How would I know? That's why I'm just going to drop a seed in the dirt and observe what happens."
Kiichi confuses me sometimes. I often wonder which of us is the child and which is the adult.
Kiichi steps back and looks at where he had just buried the seed.
Kiichi: "Now, we wait."
I turn around to start walking to the cabin, but Kiichi grabs my shoulder and pulls me back.
Kiichi: "Adachi. We're going to wait here."
My face betrays my disappointment. So we're just gonna sit here and watch a seed grow? You've got to be joking. I suppose I'll humor him for a little bit.
Kiichi and I sit down on the dirt and stare at the dirt patch. Trying to take this seriously for Kiichi's sake, I stare intently at the ground. It may be my imagination, but it looks like the dirt is shifting... No, surely not.
Out of the ground, a tiny sprout emerges. It begins to grow at a rate that is observable but not rapid.
Adachi: "No way!"
I sit back on my hands and watch as the Dodona seed blossoms into a sapling, then grows into a tree. It takes a half-hour for the tree to reach its full height. The branches begin to curl out slowly at first, but they grow more intricate as they extend.
The tree has stopped its growth, and now it looks similar to the one in the cave. Tiny blossoms appear in various locations along the tree's branches, and Kiichi stands up.
Kiichi: "What a show!"
Kiichi grins widely and begins to applaud loudly.
Kiichi: "Honestly! I didn't expect it to grow on the first try! So let's bury the other two and come back tomorrow, Adachi. At this rate, maybe it will have fruit tomorrow!"
Recovering from my shock, I feel warm from Kiichi's grin. When he's happy, I always find myself happy as well.
Adachi: "Okay. Let's do it."
Kiichi and I plant the other two seeds and begin to head back to the cabin.
Adachi: "Kiichi, why did the tree grow so quickly?"
Kiichi: "This is why I wanted to plant in this grove so badly, Adachi. Because the Dodona tree is so intertwined with midst energy, I figured that planting in a midst-rich environment would be ideal. However, I had no idea it would be this effective!"
I smile at Kiichi's enthusiasm and continue walking with my hands in my pockets. I've made up my mind. Before the end of the year, I will leave this place and adventure the lands beyond the mountain. Even with me gone, it seems that Kiichi has found a new purpose. His Dodona farm will likely save the species as long as it remains hidden from public knowledge. There is no more reason for me to stay behind. It's nearing the end of summer. Before winter begins, I will start my voyage.
Over dinner, I tell Kiichi of my plans. He looks disappointed at first but then smiles and looks me in the eye.
Kiichi: "Okay. I understand, Adachi. But I'm going to train you to the best of my ability until you go!"
Adachi: "I'm counting on it."
Days pass as Kiichi goes over the basics of physical enhancement with me once more. We do training exercises such as channeling midst into different limbs quickly, attempting to harden my focus and midst control. Kiichi and I spar at the end of every day's training session, and I begin to get a feel for battle. Growing quicker at predicting his movements, I begin to catch up to him.
One day, at the end of the training, Kiichi tells me something over dinner.
Kiichi: "Seriously, Adachi. Sometimes when I watch you fight, it feels like I'm watching your father all over again. You really do take after him, despite the blue hair and eyes. Speaking of which, we need to teach you how to mask those attributes. Being a Cosmic can be a burden in society, so it's best if you don't let others know of your race."
Adachi: "Why is that Kiichi? Am I not just a person like everyone else?"
Kiichi: "Sadly, that's not how people choose to see things. Cosmics have large midst pools and often have other foreign abilities as well. Admittedly, I was worried when raising you that you would have some sort of power that I wouldn't know how to deal with. That goes to show how much ignorance and fear can influence one's treatment of others. You'd do well to remember this Adachi."
Adachi: "Is there really that little known about Cosmics?"
Kiichi: "It doesn't matter how much is known. As long as someone is different, they will be discriminated against. "
Adachi: "I see..."
Kiichi: "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This old man may be smarter than you, but he's not an all-knowing being. Somewhere out there, the answers to your questions lay waiting for you to find them. Unfortunately, you will not find them with me. One day, when you return, you can tell me what you've discovered in your travels."
I smile and nod my head.
Adachi: "I'll be sure to do that. However, my body is tired, and I'm ready to get some sleep. Goodnight, Kiichi."
Kiichi: "Goodnight."
As I lay in bed trying to go to sleep, I think about my adventures soon to be. I can't wait to experience what this world has to offer.