Mito: "Before learning more advanced techniques, you must master the basics. It's time for Mito's boot camp!"
I'm still sore from Yesterday's game of tag, but the Dodona trees have finally produced fruit! It seems like a bit of a waste, but to expedite our training, we've begun to use Dodona seeds to heal our muscles more quickly. We have such a surplus of Dodona seeds now that eating one a day isn't a big deal.
I pop one Dodona seed into my mouth and begin to feel its effects immediately. Now it's time to train!
Mito has become my personal trainer. I had thought he despised me before, but now it seems he's taken a genuine interest in my growth.
Mito: "Yesterday, we had you take the weights off so we could test your abilities. Now that we know what you can do, it's time to put them back on."
Adachi: "What?! But I just learned how to remove my weight for the first time! Can't I enjoy it for a little while?"
Mito: "Oh hush! Don't be such a crybaby. You'll only need to have the weight on during training. Then, you can take it off afterward."
Adachi: "Fine... What are we doing?"
Mito: "Regardless of how much you hate your treasure, It's probably the most convenient for training. Let's tone up those muscles using the weight your treasure provides! I want you to become as heavy as you possibly can without collapsing."
Adachi: "Okay. Here I go."
I focus midst into my horn, imagining the altered midst flowing through the rest of my body. Then, immediately, my weight becomes almost too much for me to bear. The ground underneath me cracks slightly, and it's taking everything I have to remain on my two feet. This is as heavy as I can bear.
Mito: "Whoo! Your brute strength is on a different level! You're not using physical enhancement, are you?"
I can't muster the strength to speak, so I just nod my head.
Mito: "Hahaha! You're an interesting guy! Now walk across the yard to the wall!"
Is he serious? I can hardly stand! I suppose I'll give it a try.
I lift my left leg just enough to be able to move it and inch it forward.
Mito: "That's the idea! Your brain is keeping you from injuring yourself, but don't worry about that! You can just eat a Dodona seed! Break past your limits!"
That's certainly easier said than done. I summon the courage, and with a scream of effort, I take a complete step forward with my right leg. As my foot hits the ground, the ground cracks once more, and dust shoots across the field.
Mito: "Whoo-hoo! That's more like it, Adachi! Just one hundred more steps just like that!"
I look across the yard to the wall, and it seems farther than ever. Here we go!
Mito continues training with me throughout the day. I've eaten over five Dodona seeds so far, and each time it gets a little bit easier to walk. I can feel my muscles mending and becoming stronger. Once I made it to the wall, Mito had me do one hundred situps and one hundred pushups. Each set took me the rest of the day and countless Dodona seeds to complete.
I collapse on the ground after finishing my one-hundredth pushup. I'm seriously going to pass out.
Mito: "Seriously?! That's the one-hundredth pushup! You're really determined, aren't you?"
I'm lying face down on the ground, too exhausted to muster a response.
Mito: "By the way, we're done for the day. You can remove your weight."
I cut off midst flow to my treasure and sit upright.
Adachi: "I wish you told me that sooner..."
I look up to see an extended hand and a smile. I take Mito's hand and allow him to pull me to my feet. My chest and arms feel like they're about to explode from those pushups. Mito offers me one last Dodona seed, and I take it. This guy is alright.
We continue to do the same sort of training for the next few days, and I can feel my body becoming superhuman. Today, Mito and I step out onto the field where Shiki stands, waiting. Is this what I think it is?
Shiki: "Are you ready to play a game of tag, Adachi?"