Of course, I thought that Master Shiki would go through conventional means to arrange this, but I never expected this.
Adachi: " Are we sure about this?"
Obo: "Is there a problem?"
Adachi: "I just figured we would do something diplomatic and official. Instead, we seem to be sneaking into the Lord's household."
On the same day that we discussed this topic around breakfast, we've snuck onto the Lord's estate. The plan is simple. We will find the room where Alice sleeps and sneak in. Obo seems confident about this, but I see too many problems with the plan. What if she freaks out and causes a commotion, or what if we get caught? Regardless of what I think about the procedure, it seems Obo is intent to execute it.
It's just Obo and I on this mission. Mito is waiting at the back of the estate in case something goes wrong. Unfortunately, stealth is not my forte.
Adachi: "Hey, Obo. Are you aware that I can't sneak around worth a damn? My treasure causes me to be several times heavier than I should be."
Obo: "Ah, I had noticed that you are heavy-set despite your build. It's no problem, though. Just deactivate your treasure!"
Adachi: "Do... do what now?"
Obo: "Oh, do you know nothing of treasures?"
Adachi: "Um, no. Not really."
Obo looks at me with sympathy.
Obo: "I see. Life must have been difficult for you up to this point. Fret not. I shall be your sensei!"
Adachi: "You will? Is there really a way I can control my treasure?"
Obo: "Oh, most certainly. You see, I have a treasure myself. So does Master Shiki."
Adachi: "Really? What do they look like? I've never seen another treasure before."
Obo: "One should never reveal the nature of their treasure too quickly. However, seeing as you're one of us now, I'll reveal mine."
Obo lifts his right sleeve to reveal a blue-colored tattoo of a strange design.
Adachi: "This is a treasure? It looks exactly like a normal tattoo."
Obo: "That it does. This makes it relatively easy for me to hide. But, you see, when someone finds out you wield a treasure, they might decide to kill you for it."
Adachi: "I believe Kiichi told me to be careful of that, as well. Why would someone kill you for your treasure? They can't use it, can they?"
Obo: "Actually, they can. When one is born with a treasure, their body is already perfectly assimilated with it. However, If someone tries to bond with a treasure they aren't yet assimilated with, it may very well kill them."
Adachi: "It could kill them?"
Obo: "Indeed. Just as one can control their treasure with great benefit, if they lose control of it, they could die instead. For example, your treasure makes you rather heavy, correct?"
Adachi: "To the best of my knowledge, that is correct."
Obo: "You know not the inner workings of your treasure. You know that it can make you heavier, but how does it do this? Does it make your body itself denser? Does it increase gravity's effect on you? Until you realize the true nature of your treasure, you can never truly master it."
Adachi: "I see. What does your treasure do for you?"
Obo: "See for yourself."
Obo gestures for me to watch his arm. Standing next to a tree, he swings his arm at it. Instead of a collision, his arm passes straight through the tree.
Adachi: "What just happened? Your arm went straight through the tree!"
Obo: "Exactly. My treasure allows me to pass through objects. I still haven't figured out the nature in which it does this, but I know how to use it. I'm the lucky one. You see, I used to have two brothers and two sisters. I was the youngest of them all."
Adachi: "What happened to them?"
Obo: "I wasn't born with this treasure. My father, a selfish and evil man, forced it upon me. Before me, he forced it upon my brothers and sisters. I watched as every one of my siblings perished from the effects of this treasure. Two faded out of existence altogether, leaving nothing but the treasure behind. One became so intangible that he couldn't eat food or drink water, as they passed right through him. I watched as my ghost of a brother starved to death. The second youngest sibling was my sister, Belle. I begged my father to spare her and take me instead. She was the sibling I was closest to. But, instead of taking my offer, Belle agreed to accept the treasure. I still remember what she said to me that day.
Belle: 'Obo, If there's a chance that I can assimilate with this treasure so that you don't have to, I'll do it. I will do everything to protect my precious brother from that fate. So don't worry! This is my choice.'
She held on for the longest of all our siblings so far. After accepting the treasure, she struggled to maintain her tangible form. Finally, after a month of struggling to survive, she ended up becoming so intangible that she ceased to exist. As she faded away, she said this to me.
Belle: 'Sorry, Obo. It looks like I couldn't do it in the end. You'll live, though! Live through this and take us away on many adventures. Our souls will be within this treasure. Let us be your strength, Obo. We'll always be with you.'
I served under my father for many years, until I had the courage to run away. By running away, I got the revenge I sought for my siblings. He lost the one thing he had worked so hard for.
Sorry, Adachi. I didn't mean to go that far into the story. I said more than I meant to."
Adachi: "No, it's okay. I'm glad you're still here to share your siblings' stories! They truly do live on through you. I just know it."
Obo: "Thank you, Adachi. Now you know! Treasures can be a double-edged sword. Eccentric collectors, ambitious parents like my father, or people who seek power for themselves will pay millions of cuts for a treasure. The power that comes with a treasure is greatly sought out by many, but killing someone is the only way to take their treasure. These people will do whatever it takes to get their hands on it, which is why you must master yours quickly. You will undoubtedly be tracked down by many seeking to take your treasure, and some of them might even have treasures of their own. You must be ready."
I gulp nervously as I realize the gravity of my situation. I'm a treasure-baring Cosmic in an unfamiliar land. I'm fortunate to have made such powerful allies so quickly.
Adachi: "I understand. Please teach me how to use my treasure, Obo Sensei."