22: Time

"Nu, calm down they aren't enemies!"

Icarus yelled at Nu who had suddenly become aggressive toward Iyo.

Iyo raised her hands and smiled.

"Don't worry about it Icarus, I am the one who offended Nu."

The woman's actions took aback Icarus.

'She can't be serious? Is what she saying about Nu for real?'

Having been silent the whole time Chrona finally spoke up, clearing his throat.

"Well regardless of your friend's origin and lineage, it is clear that he has chosen to be by your side. The only issue I have with this is how to feed him. I recall you said you fed him Kalypto fruits, not only are they unable to grow here, but they are quite expensive and can only be purchased in regional capitals and large cities."

Chrona had a serious look on his face and folded his arms across his chest, but his wife knew exactly what the man was doing.

'He knows keeping something like that in the home was a disaster waiting to happen, but he couldn't just outright refuse.'

She turned and looked at her husband, and as their eyes met, she gave an approving nod.

Chrona looked back to Icarus quickly, fearing he picked up on the exchange.

'C'mon Iyo, don't be so obvious'

Icarus looked at the husband and wife sheepishly,

"So food is the only problem?"

Puzzled by the question Chrona gave Icarus a strange look.

"Well, essentially, yes."

Icarus released a sigh and relaxed and picked up Nu.

"That's fine, I have seeds in my robe pockets, and I learned from the plantation workers back in Vanco Village that there is a trick to grow the fruits in any soil."

Chrona and Iyo's mouths both dropped simultaneously, they never in a million years could have expected this response, they had no way to refuse.

Chrona's head dropped down, he was going to be storing a bomb in his home.

"Since I will be using your garden to grow them though I intended to compensate you and your family, Master."

Like a dead man brought back to life, upon hearing the word 'compensation' Chrona shot up, smiling ear to ear.

"My dear pupil, don't say things like 'you and your family' I told you before, you are part of our family."

Overjoyed, Icarus stood up and threw Nu in the air, "You hear that buddy, you can stay and we're going to grow your favorite fruits!"

"Nuuuu!", Nu cheered as well upon hearing the news.

Iyo had a disgusted look on her face, having never seen this side of her husband.

'I have never seen this man switch up so quickly before, what has come over him?'

Another pair of eyes watched this situation with distaste but for other reasons.

'Mom and Dad are rich, he's not doing this for money. He always talks about wanting to live a peaceful life and kill time fishing, but the old man is bored and wants to play and that kid is his ticket!'

Luna, at first, did not understand why Chrona paid such close attention to the kid, talented or not—friend's kid or not. 

Now, though, everything became clear to her and she was going to put a stop to it.

She made her way from the living room to the dining table where her parents and Icarus were having their discussion.

She opened her mouth to speak but then met her mother's eyes, the woman gave her a look that made one thing clear.

'Don't be a spoiled brat!'

It seemed that Iyo was also starting to catch on and was allowing it, and who was their daughter to ruin the fun of a grown-up.

"Look my dear pupil, I never explained my power to you did I?"

"No, Master."

"It's a magnificent power that can help you in your noble endeavor of growing food for our dear guest Nu."

Having such a caring and understanding master brought tears to Icarus's eyes, he walked over to Chrona and embraced him.

"Thank you for being such a caring and understanding Master."

Iyo shook her head, 'Poor boy's a damn sap, fell right into Chrona's palms'

Luna marched to her room, obviously jealous.

"Now go get those seeds and meet me in the yard."

Retrieving the seeds from his tattered clothes, Icarus raced out to the yard, Nu in tow.

Chrona awaited him, a hole already dug, a smile plastered on his face.

Icarus instructed five more holes were needed as he planned to plant six trees in total. They dug and placed the seeds in the ground.

"What now my pupil?" Chrona looked at the boy who was doing something strange with the soil in his hands.

"Just a moment Master, almost done."

Chrona tried to peer over the boy's shoulder to get a glimpse of what he was doing, but before he was able to get a glimpse he turned around.

"All done!"

Holding six clumps in his hand, Icarus proceeded to drop them each in a hole and then filled up the holes with the remaining soil.

"What was that?"

"I'm not sure Master, but the workers showed me and told me never to tell anyone outside the village. Sorry, I plan on keeping that promise."

Chrona chuckled, 'This brat really does have a strong sense of loyalty, he will be entertaining.'

"That's fine, now it's my turn to show off!"

Clapping his hands together, six circular arrays appeared around each plot of soil, and smaller square arrays emerged inside the circular ones.

"Krono Avancar"

Nova began to be drawn toward the arrays, and the plants began to sprout.

"Kid, Bring water!"

Icarus frantically sprinted back and forth between the garden and the river to provide sufficient water for the plants during the process.

After sixty trips their task was complete and six magnificent Kalypto trees stood before them, each with about fifteen fruits.

"Master, you are amazing. How did you do that?"

With a smile, Chrona looked at the boy, "You can't tell anyone, though alright."

"Of course Master." Icarus made a zipping motion over his mouth to emphasize the point.

"I can control time to a degree, and right now what I did is speed up time for those plants. Now go feed Nu and head inside we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."