Caro POV
A few months have passed since we started training under Gohan and honestly, holy fuck this was harder than I thought. I'm not struggling with anything physically that's far from the problem, it's the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. I have to hold back so much of my strength that I really didn't think would be too crazy but it is. I also have been needing to focus on regulating my inner nature.
Recently my anger got the best of me and I made a huge crater in the waterfall on the side of the mountain from skipping a rock frustrated about not having my technique correct. I literally try to memorize this stuff from the molecular detail of the movement but supposedly I move too aggressive and sluggish or I move too loose in a rush and careless. I guess I'm a perfect balance of Goku and Vegeta.
"Have you prepared the cloth for hanging yet Jr?" Gohan asked seeing that Caro was working on his moves. Caro shook his head in frustration due to wanting to master the move he's been struggling with.
Caro senior and Stalks were actually pretty much done with everything Gohan could offer as far as moveset due to their body and experience. This came too casual with them however they weren't doing much better with serenity than baby Caro.
The one thing Caro didn't know was that he's pretty much gotten the moves down that Gohan could teach but he's rushed so much of the process, Gohan has been trying to give him a lesson and humble him to learn to love training and not rush results which its taken time but the results slowly show. Gohan sent baby Caro who's on his two feet by now nearing to finish his chores and prepare for reading and quizzing. One thing Caro has thrived in more than his parents was his studies. After a lifetime of studying prior this is the one thing he's accustomed to more than the brutes he's an offspring to, not that they're dumb but to him they are practically children.
Senior returned alongside Stalks with select choices of few dino meats, large fish, and human sized bug like creatures that nobody even knows the name of. Stalks was holding many coming materials such as fire wood, seeds, seasonings, fresh greens, and many other things. Is this what saiyan grocery shopping looks like? Just holding a bunch of shit with pure will and audacity no bags or nothing? I'll be damned.
"Quiz time!" Gohan exclaimed
Ah fuck me, he gives me study material then quizzes me on something entirely different every time. High school all over again.
"Unlike the other quizzes I've given you that match elementary to collegiate level quotients, this one will challenge your memory, your interests, and it will see if you've done anything in your own time to sharpen your mind in seeking wisdom. With that being said, I'll say a quote and you'll grab a book instead of using transcription. Nod when you're prepared." Gohan said with a very serious tone very different than his usual bubbly attitude to life. Baby Caro immediately nodded ready for a different challenge.
"Alright, 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' which novel does this source material originate from?"
As the food was being prepared , senior and Stalks weren't ever interested in these things but they knew this time was a different scenario of mental training that may be necessary for growth in their boy. It was more entertaining to see how far he's come in his first year of life as well, carrying the saiyan pride on his back.
Caro went to the book shelf and pulled out The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
"Correct, now for the next quote it will be 'Act out being alive, like a play. And after a while, a long while, it will be true.' Which book has this transcription?"
Caro without hesitation smiled and grabbed the book off the table he was currently reading for the umpteenth time due to it being his favorite. This book was East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
Gohan smiled a soft smile, knowing he's seen Caro's face buried in this book often after finishing every book he's read. It's spoken volumes to him that his student enjoys reading so he gave him an easy one.
"I expected as much, correct. Now I'll ask three more and you pass the quiz and are permitted to have dinner. The next quote will be 'Come, we must see and act. Devils or no devils, or all the devils at once, it matters not; we fight him all the same.' Tell me your answer.
This one was a bit of a challenge for Caro due to not finishing the book but he's read enough about it to remember it. Caro responded a bit later than the first times and pointed at the book Gohan had in his hands behind his back called Dracula by Bram Stoker. From what Caro could tell this was Gohan's second favorite book of all time so it was nearly a gimme.
"Again correct. This last one is a bit more spontaneous and longer but here it is, 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.' Which book is this from?" Gohan asked in curiosity if he'd get this one. This one might have been a bit harder due to length and acquired taste in genre Gohan assumed.
Caro sat for a split moment looking at the ceiling and then went outside. Everybody sat there thinking maybe he gave up on the quiz, it was a long quote not many would know. A very random selection too.
Caro returned within thirty seconds with a dead mockingbird and a smile on his face. This puzzled Gohan extremely and left the other two far beyond understanding, they were totally lost.
"That's enough you've passed the test in flying colors with creativity added to it. Congratulations Caro, You've mastered everything I could possibly teach you on my own. This quiz was to determine if you had the fortitude to move on without anymore lessons and you're the sharpest kid I've ever seen. Plus I can't teach your parents anything besides technique." He added.
Caro was surprised he was looking forward to more days with Gohan he could understand Kakarot's love towards this man's generosity and patience he holds. He would call him grandpa as well when his vocal cords were stronger.
"But wait what even was the answer? And there was still one more book wasn't there?" Stalks asked in genuine curiosity.
Gohan responded with, "The answer was to kill a mockingbird which he gave an unique touch by somehow bringing a dead mockingbird that I'm not sure if it was already dead or he killed it. I hope he didn't but I have faith he knew it was dead already. As for the other book it wasn't going to be hard it was just my favorite book of all time, a book I've read to him and a book I believe you all to be worthy of possessing the same ability of."
"Well what's it called you old geezer?" Senior demanded for the answer.
Gohan retreated in small irritation due to the remark but went to the book at the top of the shelf and grabbed it.
"It's called Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. I believe your kind or your son at the minimum to be a perfect example or replica of the story. There's many quotes and lessons in it that I'm sure he'll be talking with him but the quote I chose was 'Life is like rowing against the current; if you do not advance, you will retreat.' There's nothing more I have to offer you other than a roof and cloth so if you feel you want to move on you may."