In the distance, Phin spots the keystone dome of the Arboretum nestled between adjacent facility buildings. The hemispherical frame, composed of hexagonal glass panels, glistens in the sunlight - a literal and figurative beacon. Along the way, Umbriel gifted Phin a new pair of glasses, and he relishes the clarity of restored eyesight.
So this is where Botanists train... Phin reminisces about his younger days. At school, everyone wanted to become one - well, apart from me.
The Arboretum is part of the much larger Regal District; it adjoins several government-run scientific institutes. This allows for efficient collaboration between the researchers and Botanists, who technically are practical scientists themselves. Honed to perfection in both the body and mind, Botanists bridge the gap between the world of academia and the Floral mysteries it seeks to unravel.
As the helicopter begins its descent, the Arboretum campus is revealed to be teeming with activity. Tiny specks hurriedly commute between the buildings - They're already up and working at this hour... it's barely daybreak! Phin curiously observes.
Phin's view sharpens, and the specks become a heterogeneous mix of hulking, Juiced-up Regals and scrawny scientists. With a sudden whoosh, the helicopter touches down atop an administrative building. As the doors slide open, a chilly blast of air hits Phin's face. It smells like... Regals, Phin notes the sharp contrast.
'Great. Now I will give you a tour of the places you will commonly visit,' Umbriel cuts in, stepping out of the cabin.
As they make their way across the campus, Phin notices the lingering stares. Am I really this much of a visualoutlier? he wonders, unaware that he's still wearing the prison jumpsuit.
Eventually, they make their way inside the Arboretum itself, the residence of the famed Botanists. Immediately, its striking futuristic appeal catches Phin's eye: a massive spiraling framework of paths and platforms crisscrossed every corner of the dome, like neural structures in a supersized brain.
The smell of magic hangs heavy in the air, evoking a strange nostalgia in Phin. Around him, scientists carry transparent briefcases full of Seeds - much rarer and stronger than any he had ever Appraised.
Accompanying them are Botanists, clad in their polished Terrasuits. Unlike the Juicer-abusing Regals, they aren't walking mountains of unmerited muscle; their physiques are lean, toned, and well-balanced - products of years of training and a top-tier natural diet.
'Come along. You will have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with this place,' Umbriel says.
Broken out of his trancelike state of awe, Phin hustles after him, eyes still glued to the magnificent interior of the Arboretum. The two ascend up a skyward path, which, as Umbriel explains, is a 'branch' that connects 'leaves' (platforms). Situated upon the node-like platforms are smaller capsules, categorized into bedrooms, meeting rooms, etc.
'You'll probably want to be careful. We Regals and the Botanists can survive the fall, but you cannot - at least not yet,' Umbriel warns as they proceed upwards.
Phin shudders, peering below their narrow path. With no railing in sight, the free-fall multiple floors down would surely cause death. 'Y-yeah. I'll definitely be careful,' he nervously chuckles. He knew not to get angry at the design - Botanists are expected to have elite coordination, so safety precautions would be unnecessary.
They soon reach a compact, windowless capsule near the top of the Arboretum 'tree'.
'This is where you will be spending the majority of your time,' Umbriel explains. 'In this room, you will have the solitude and resources to accelerate your growth.'
'So how does this training work?' Phin asks. 'It all seems quite overkill, no offense.'
'It may seem like that initially, but we have spent a lot of effort curating the ideal environment for you - and for good purpose. It is our hope that soon, you will be at the forefront of Floral research. With your ability, you can lead humanity to great heights.'
'Hm. Alright, tell me about my training.'
'I'm glad you are willing to listen. A handpicked team of distinguished staff members will accommodate your scholarly needs. You will begin with rudimentary Seeds, many of which you have seen. As your Genetic Appraisal skills improve, you will move on to more complex ones.'
'So... what do I do to unlock this 'Genetic Appraisal'? Just stare really hard at a Seed?' Phin scratches his head.
'You are the only documented person to ever have this power, so only you can figure it out. But don't worry - you will have sufficient time,' Umbriel points out. 'Your training will begin tomorrow; we figured you'd need some rest. Vesk told me you were - er, quite emotional last night.'
Phin freezes, gripped by horror. HE HEARD ME?? But he was literally asleep..?!
'I hope to see you soon, Phin. It will be a joy to witness your development,' Umbriel says, descending back down.
'Yeah... I guess,' Phin murmurs.
He sinks onto the edge of the platform, letting his legs dangle. Despite being suspended nearly 50 meters in the air, the void below doesn't faze him anymore. Tilting his head upward, he gazes through the Arboretum's glass dome - its perfect geometry glowing under the midday sun. Phin closes his eyes, letting the warmth wash over him.
***
Sometime later, Phin decides to explore the Arboretum. He discovers the facility training grounds, sealed off by a dome-shaped energy shield. Pressing his face up against the tinted glass-like barrier, Phin marvels at the sparring Botanists.
Like streaks of lightning, they weave and strike at unimaginable speeds, elegant and destructive. The weaponry they use ranges from rifles to rapiers, each suiting its wielder's style. Phin smiles. The first time I saw sword-wielding Botanists, I thought they were obsolete, he reminisces. Turns out, the larger surface area of a blade allows it to carry more Ichor compared to a bullet.
Ichor refers to Thalodoxin Ichorine, a synthetic herbicide used to imbue the Botanists' weapons. Its creation was dubbed by Supreme Regal Nostreimos to be the greatest scientific feat in human history.
And that's why they want me here... Phin sighs, dragged back to his nagging reality. They expect me to make the next Ichor - the stuff even Grade VI Florae would piss their roots at.
'I'm sorry, do you have a moment?' a female voice reaches out from behind, snapping Phin out of his introspection.
'Hm?' Phin turns around to face the voice's owner. His eyes widen in shock as the memories flood in all at once.
Wait - that face... slightly chubby, gray eyes like the buildings, perpetual look of curiosity - Phin fixes his glasses, mouth agape. It was a face he hadn't seen since his middle school days, one whose smile he used to cherish every day, knowing someone else was just as passionate about Floral science as he was -
"... Amara?"