After our session, Seris approached me during rest. Her silver hair was tied tightly back, her pale face flushed. "Do you think you're the best one here?" she asked with her arms crossed. I blinked, staring at her, confused. "What?"
"You're powerful in the force and very talented. All the Knights and Masters know this. I've seen you help other younglings who are falling behind catch up to the class."
"Oh, you saw that?" I said nervously.
Seris folded her arms with a knowing look. "Of course I noticed, and you would be ignorant to think the others didn't notice it as well. I'm curious about why you are helping them, though?" I stared at Seris for a moment. It was sad how little empathy this girl has.
"Is it a problem that I want to help others and see them succeed?" I said. Seris paused before answering my question, like she was thinking of the right answer. "Of course not, but it is the responsibility of the instructors to help, not you. If the others can't keep up, then they were not meant to be Jedi." She said confidently.
I sighed internally. Yup, this girl has a chip on her shoulder. I wonder where she got that from. I guess it's best to start with changing the order from within, by starting with the children around me. "Oh, I didn't know you were made a Jedi Master."
"What?" Seris said, confused, shocked by my statement. "What do you mean?" I stared at her blankly, seeing the cracks in her facade. "What I mean is I didn't know they made younglings as young as five years old into Jedi Master's is all. Or are you the new Grandmaster of the Order?"
Seris blushed, looking flustered from my statement. "Don't be ridiculous, there is no way they would make me a Master or the Grandmaster. I haven't even taken my initial trials yet."
"Then why do you act like you get to decide who can and cannot be a Jedi?" I said coldly to Seris. "That's not what I'm saying." She says, frustratedly. "I'm saying if they can't keep up with the training, leave them behind and focus on yourself. What good would come from helping others who aren't as talented as you?"
Yup, this girl doesn't understand anything about learning and being a child. I guess it's my responsibility as a proper adult to teach her a lesson. Then I remembered I'm still in the body of a five-year-old. I sighed, then spoke. "That doesn't sound very Jedi to ignore those who are struggling, and focusing on yourself because you think you're better than them."
"I don't think I'm better than the others, I know I am, and so do the instructors." I didn't say anything, I just let her speak. "I come from a long line of Corellian Jedi, so I know what I'm talking about."
"You should be careful, you're starting to sound pretty arrogant. That doesn't sound like something a Jedi should be saying. Or have you already fallen to the dark side?" I said smirkingly. "What did you say?" Seris looked really annoyed now. Good
"I'm saying, a lot of Jedi in the past thought the same way you did. A few of them rose high into the ranks of the order. While others fell and became dark Jedi or worse, Sith. I'm not saying that's you, but it doesn't hurt you to help others who are struggling to improve themselves."
"You talk about coming from a long line of Corellian Jedi, but why are you here and not with them. Why haven't they made their own official order away from this one?" Seris' face made a frustrated expression, like I hit a nerve. "I apologize," I said. She then looked at me with a surprised expression. "I don't know why you're here at this temple, and I'm not trying to say anything bad to you. You were amazing in our sparring sessions earlier, and you're very talented. I hope you can teach me from time to time, and help me improve as well."
Seris looked more surprised than before. Like she didn't expect me to be nice to her. "Are you trying to pity me? Do you think I'm like the others, and I need your nice words for approval?" I didn't answer immediately. I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "No, I don't pity them, and I especially don't pity you. I do believe you are talented, and we can help each other grow and become better together." Seris' expression changed to one more calm, waiting to hear my next words.
"I helped because they needed it, but they did the rest on their own. My helping them doesn't hurt anyone. I believe if I had never come to this class, you would have been the one helping them eventually."
Seris narrowed her eyes. "What makes you say that?" I smirked. I'm starting to get past her defenses. "I believe you're capable of leading others to greatness, and I need people like that around me for the future." Seris is now more curious. "What are you trying to do in the future?" I smiled and walked towards Derren and said, "If you want to see it, then keep improving with us."
I walked away, hoping I planted the right seeds. Hopefully, changing her mentality for the better in the future. I will need all the help I can get.
Later that week, we sat in an archive classroom. Chief Liberian Jocasta Nu. Went over our Galactic basics and other Languages. "These are the languages of the galaxy. Mind you, young ones, there are many. But do not be overwhelmed, Basic and Droidspeak is what we will cover over our time together. Should you want to become more fluent in other languages, please research them in your free time. Should you seek help or guidance, other masters and I will be available to help you."
My hand twitched. And Derren noticed it. "You ok, Cain?" I nodded frustratedly. "Yeah, I'm fine." But no, I wasn't. My brain hurt trying to understand these new languages. Mind you, a child's mind is perfect for learning multiple languages at an early age. It also helps that I have the learning discipline of an adult, so I can comprehend more than most of these kids. But I wasn't trying to learn one language at a time.
I was gonna learn Basic, which it seemed like this body's brain had a comprehension of already. Droidspeak would be a little difficult. I need to learn Mando'a for my plans to save that world. Trade languages like Sy Bisti or Jawa trade are gonna be needed.
Sithese would be helpful in future events. Huttese and Shyriiwook feel like the hardest languages I'm gonna have to learn. I know I'm doing too much, but I can't help it. Seris and Derren looked at me, then at each other. "He's thinking too hard," Derren said. "It looks like he's gonna burn a hole through the holopad."
Seris looked unbothered, saying. "It's his own fault if he takes on more than he can handle, as she said as she focused on her holopad." Derren cracked a smile. "Don't be like that. I know you care." Seris' pointy ears twitched, but she said nothing. She just got up and sat next to me.
"Focus on one thing at a time." She said. As I looked up, not noticing her sitting next to me, until she said something. "You're right, I'm sorry for worrying you," I said, smiling at her. But she didn't smile back. Instead, she kept her stoic expression and graceful posture. "I wasn't worried about you, but if you fall behind, because you took on too much, then who will I compete with?" She said, trying to sound mature and cool.
Then Derren smirked, looking at us. "Wow, the ice princess does have a heart." He said, chuckling. "I guess Seris can feel things." He chuckled with some of the other younglings following behind him. Seris looked annoyed, and her cheeks went red with embarrassment. Then she corrected her expression and looked at Derren. "Of course I care about my fellow youngling's Derren. I care so much that next time for saber lessons, I will be sparring with you the entire time."
That made Derren's smirk disappear in an instant. "Oh no," Derren said nervously. "Oh yes indeed," Seris said. Her eyes looked like a lioness ready to hunt her prey. Seeing this side of Seris made me smile.
That night, I sat in the dormitories meditating, my white hair reflecting the soft glow of the nightlamps. I reached out into the Force, and then after a while, the temple around me disappeared, replaced by a black void. Just like before, a golden light appeared above me, and I saw the shimmering lights like before. This time I focused more than before. Centering myself and trying to explore this realm closely.
I never heard of a Force ability or technique like this, so I'm excited to see what I can do with it. I focused for a while, but nothing came. In the distance of the black void, I saw Anakin and his bright light. Shimmering multiple colors like before, and a small shadow figure with bright, shining blue eyes.
Then I realized it. I looked back at the shimmering green light close to me and focused on the center of the light. I was surprised and in awe. It was Master Yoda meditating in the center of the light. Then I look next at the Blue star with the flickering yellow hue near it. In the center was Master Plo Koon. He was in a standing pose with his hands together like a meditative prayer.
I was starting to get the idea now. I'm seeing Force sensitives around me who are strong in the Force. From what it looks like, there's a difference between those who are in the center of their lights. While there are those like Anakin and me who are outside of it. I wonder if it means how much of our potential we have managed to tap into.
The next day, after morning meditation, Master Yoda gathered the group for sparring drills.
"Promise you are all beginning to show, yes," he said. "Then we started are drills leading into a sparring session between one another. Like Seris promised, she sparred with Derren. He begged me to save him. I told him he would be fine. He wasn't, Seris beat him quicker than Derren could land a proper strike. Derren is actually pretty talented and has a lot of potential. He just doesn't know how to use it yet. I feel like he could be the next Kao Cen Darach, or Cin Drallic, if trained properly.
Again, another problem I noticed this order had. These children, like so many others before them, have talent, but the order doesn't know how to properly nurture their talents. One of the things I liked about Luke Skywalker's order. There were many talented Jedi with old and new Force abilities and techniques that rivaled the older Republic Jedi of Revan's era. But his order wasn't long-lasting either.
Later that night, during free time. I sparred with Derren and Seris, working on our Form One near the Temple's Meditation Gardens. Yoda introduced us to Form II: Makashi before the end of class. The three just wanted to get ahead of the class. So we sparred with wooden practice sabers for a while before calling it a night.
I stayed in the garden's choosing to reflect on my plans. Making notes of all my otherworldly knowledge I remembered from Canon and Legends lore. Putting it all into a holo pad before I forget anything, big or small details. Then I heard a faint child's voice. "You look like you have a lot on your mind."
I turned slightly. A young girl stood just inside the archway, watching me. Her skin was a soft green, face a Mirialan I noticed. Her dark blue eyes shimmered in the faint light of the temple. That's right, I forgot Barriss is closer to Anakin's age than Ahsoka's, so she would already be at the temple.
I composed myself and responded calmly to her statement. "I tend to like to think a lot about the coming future and prepare myself." Barriss' expression softened with curiosity. "What could a youngling like you need to prepare for right now besides the Initiate trials?"
I smirked. "I'm thinking past that, and past just becoming a Jedi Padawan, Knight, or Master." She didn't say anything at first. Then she spoke, and the air around me shifted. "It's scary to think so far ahead, when we don't even know what will happen tomorrow. If I were you, I would focus on the now before it passes you by. That's something I heard Mater Plo Koon say one time." She said, smiling.
It's funny, I'm technically the adult here, and here is a kid lecturing me on staying in the now. If only I had that luxury. Unfortunately, I don't, but I should learn to enjoy the little things in the now, now and again. "Thank you, I believe you, or should I say you and Master Plo, are both correct. I will make sure to do that more." I said with a smile.
She then walked forward and stood across from me, holding out her hand. "I'm Barriss. Barriss Offee." I extended my hand to shake her's. "I'm Cain," I said, smiling gently. "It's nice to meet you."
Barriss then spoke," I know who you are. So does the whole temple. I saw you in the meditation room when you first arrived. I thought you were beautiful, how you shone like a golden star." I blushed. Of course, she saw me. I wonder why I haven't seen her until now?
Elsewhere in the upper balcony of the Temple, Master Fay stood at the edge of a high balcony, her long blonde hair drifting in the breeze like moonlight. She wore her traditional Jedi robes, only a simple pale gown that shimmered faintly under the glow of the Coruscanti skyline. She watched Cain and Barriss's interaction with intrigue.
Footsteps approached from behind her. It was Seris standing in the Archway. The young sephi girl came to a halt, breathing slightly heavy from her training session. She bowed. "You summoned me, Master?"
"I did not summon," Fay said softly. "I invited. How are your classes going, little one?"
Seris stood straight, uncertain. Fay turned to face her. "They are going well, Master. I have been staying on top of all the materials." Fay looked at her Seris like she had her undivided attention.
"Is that all? How are you doing with your fellow younglings? Are you getting along with them well?" Seris's ears twitched before she spoke. "I'm not worried about getting along with the others. I don't dislike anyone, but I'm more focused on learning." She said.
Fay walked gracefully towards Seris, kneeling, and looking at Seris with a soft maternal expression. "I'm glad you are excelling in your lessons. Master Yoda tells me once and a while." Fay said. "But your heart and spirit must learn to open and connect with those around you. Otherwise, your connection to the Force will be limited."
Seris didn't answer at first. She stood there with a frustrated expression on her face before she composed herself. "I will understand, Master, I will open myself up more to those around me."
Fay gave a small. "Thank you, Seris, that's all I ask. Also, how do you feel about the youngling Cain?" Seris's expression shifted with confusion. "I don't understand what all the fuss is about him. He is strong in the force; it's nothing the order hasn't seen now and again." Fay looked closely at Seris's expression.
"Seris, are you jealous of youngling Cain's abilities?" Seris chuckled, "No, master, I'm not. If anything, I welcome the challenge to push and test myself against what some are calling the second coming of Master Yoda or the Chosen One."
"Do you like youngling Cain, Seris?" Seris' eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and her ears were twitching. "Of course not, Master, what is there to like about him. I mean, I'd be lying if I said his golden eyes aren't beautiful. But I'm working to become a Jedi; we aren't allowed attachments.
Fay smiled with a knowing look. "Seris, you come from the Corellian sect of the Jedi order. You are allowed to leave in the future with Youngling Cain or anyone you want and start a family." Seris blushed, then composed herself and spoke. "I have no reason to go back there, master, I am happy here."
Fay nodded. "Your grandmother would be sad to hear that, but I understand. Thank you for your time, youngling Seris. You are free to leave if you have nothing to say. Seris bowed, saying good night to the Jedi Master, and left the high balcony. "So much like my sister," Fay said as Seris left.