Edward L. Dizon
Alchemy
It had been two years since the boy had gotten his dragon tattoo. He had begun the slow transformation into the man he would become. The boy continued his regiment of 200 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats a day before taking a shower.
He began waking up earlier in order to complete his entire session before school. But every morning, no matter what, he stopped to water the plants on the metal racks, light an incense, and pray.
He started to not care who observed him praying during one of his 5 daily allowances where he faced the sun. He even started to meditate under the trees between classes.
Even though he was now a dragon, he found that the old man still had plenty of ‘tricks up his sleeve’. The old man began to teach him more advanced techniques, and they even started practicing Tai Chi together.
He had also begun growing his own mushrooms, having started the day he got his tattoo. The old man was right, it was harder than he expected, and he failed several times before he was successful. It truly was an alchemical process.
He felt that while the mushrooms were using him to grow, he was using the mushrooms to grow as well. He still only grew one cannabis plant in his shed at a time, finding a zen like peace in tending to it from seed to harvest.
The shop had become busier as well, with the boy having told everyone at school about all of the many books and divine crystals that were available for purchase at Mystic Management. Again, the old man was right, college kids loved to experiment!
He must have sold mushrooms to half of the students at the college, and as well as some of the faculty. He guided first timers in the same way the old man had done with him, and in return he began receiving gifts. His guidance had helped many people discover their truth, so in return they would bring him food, or jewelry, or books. One person even gave him a hand knitted sweater for Norman, which to his surprise, he actually didn’t mind wearing.
The boy had made many friends, but still held steadfast in self discipline, rejecting invites to go out to parties or events. He even resisted the advances of various women he met, preferring to invite them to his shop instead.
He never brought a single person around his home.