Woah… Look at this thing! I actually did it!
It's been two months since I first planted that Eden Apple seed, and now, it's grown into a small, proud plant.
Every single day, I've been nurturing it using [Agriculture] and pumping it full of mana until I could barely keep my eyes open. Growth was slow—about half a centimeter per day—but consistent.
Now?
It stands tall at about 60 centimeters. Half a meter. To a baby like me, that's massive!
Its green leaves shimmer under the sun, dozens of them sprouting outward. Its stem is thickening, its roots deepening. Mom gave me a special planter to raise it in, and she even shared some of her Spiritual Water to feed it daily.
Over time, this plant became more than just a project.
It's like… my companion.
I know it's not a pet—I mean, it doesn't move or bark or purr—but I talk to it, stroke its leaves, and spend time beside it. Watching it grow day by day is addictive. It's progress I can see. It reflects my effort.
And it makes me proud.
---
Also—big news—I can finally move properly.
No more endless rolling. My muscles have developed enough that I can crawl on all fours. One baby step at a time, but still… freedom!
Because of this, Mom finally lets me explore the house. Just the first floor for now, but that's more than enough. And let me tell you—our house is huge. I didn't notice it before while stuck in the crib, but it's at least 20 meters across. Built from some sort of magically reinforced fireproof wood too.
I've discovered a new hobby: sneaking up on my parents.
---
Just this morning, I spotted Dad reading in his room, taking a break from farming. He was sitting peacefully, immersed in a thick book—probably some kind of fantasy novel. I can't read yet, but I'm working on it.
I tiptoed—well, crawl-tiptoed—toward him.
"Chu!"
He looked up. "Huh? Did I just see a mouse?"
He stood and walked outside.
I snuck under the couch.
"Hm… must've been my imagination."
Hehehe…
"Fufufu…"
"Ah? Gotcha!"
He turned suddenly and grabbed me mid-crawl!
"GRAAA!"
I roared dramatically and bit his arm. His skin was tough like metal—not a dent.
"Hahaha! Playing the bear again, huh? You dare challenge Father Bear?"
"Graooo!"
"GRAAA!"
And so began our usual father-son ritual: Bear Fights.
We growled, clawed, and playfully attacked each other. Well, mostly him tickling me to death. My baby body is ridiculously sensitive.
"Bwahaha! That tickles!"
"You're so cute, Leon! I'm going to tickle my little bear cub forever!"
"Stoohp—heehee—!" I squealed.
Then came Mom's voice from downstairs.
"You two bears! Come down! Lunch is ready!"
Dad scooped me up effortlessly and carried me downstairs in his big, strong arms. We settled into the table for another magical meal together.
---
Mom glanced at the planter beside the window.
"Wow, Leon… the tree you've been growing is incredible. I can feel so much mana radiating from it."
"Really?" I asked, turning to the leafy green sprout.
She nodded. "It's very special. It's going to grow into a mighty tree one day… but we'll need to plant it in the earth soon. It won't grow properly in a pot forever."
"Eeeeh?"
"I know, sweetie. But if we want it to thrive, we'll need to plant it somewhere with space and sunlight. What about right outside the house? That way, you can still see it and help it grow every day."
"Fine…" I sighed.
It made sense, but parting from the planter felt weird. I'd grown used to having it at my side.
Dad placed a hand on my head. "Why don't you give it a name?"
"A name? But it's just a… tree…"
"Not just a tree. You've nurtured it, cared for it. That makes it your friend. Give it a name."
"Even plants have souls," Mom added gently. "Even the smallest blades of grass. And this tree… it has a very special soul. I can feel it. It's grown attached to you."
"Attached… to me?"
She nodded. "Its light shines brighter when you're near."
Dad added, "And this isn't just any tree. The Eden Apple was said to be a divine gift from the Goddess of Life herself. A holy fruit that once nurtured mankind in ancient times. It's forgotten now, but it's sacred. More than just a tree."
I stared at the small tree, still too young to bear fruit, but already full of quiet life.
I couldn't see any glow like they did, but… maybe they were right.
"I shee…"
---
Three days later, we planted the tree just outside the house.
We chose a spot where it could get full sunlight throughout the day. I sat beside it while Dad dug the hole, and then, once it was placed and rooted, I whispered:
"Your name is… Yggdra."
I'm not sure why. It just felt right.
I decided she was a "she." Mom chuckled and told me Eden Apple trees are actually hermaphrodites—they pollinate themselves—but that didn't matter to me.
Yggdra was… her. My first real companion in this world.
---
That day, the breeze was soft and comforting. I sat beside her as the wind rustled her leaves.
And then I saw it.
A faint glow.
So faint, it was almost not there.
Then…
"Thank you…"
I froze.
Did she… speak?
Was that real?
Or did I imagine it?
There was no other sound. Nothing else followed.
But my heart pounded.
Even if it was just my imagination…
It made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time.
Connection.
---