Mock could hardly believe his eyes. Even if Leo were still alive, he should be nearly ninety years old by now. Yet here he was, looking as young as when he disappeared, with a physique that defied human capabilities. How could this giant of a man be his grandfather?
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"Are you really him? What's going on?" Mock asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
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"We'll talk about it later, once I've confirmed the truth of your words," Leo replied.
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Meanwhile, near the Grandecy city gates, the students were returning to the academy as the "Imperial Ceremony" was just a day away. Cloude didn't feel particularly nervous, but Shoyo was visibly anxious. Rachel, although not selected, felt concerned for Shoyo. "Whenever I think about tomorrow, my heart races," she admitted.
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Cloude, who took competition seriously but recognized the gap between him and Kazami, comforted Shoyo, placing a hand on his shoulder. Rachel noticed that Shoyo's clothes were tattered from training and offered to help. "Hey, give me your clothes. Seeing you in these ruins your spirit."
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"You know how to sew?" Shoyo asked, surprised.
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"Forget that I've been living on my own for years? Simple stuff like this isn't beyond me. Let me revamp your 'Imperial Ceremony special attire.' I guarantee you'll look fresh tomorrow," Rachel replied. She began to take off Shoyo's outer robe and clothes.
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"Aha, a poor lad relying on a girl to mend his clothes?" a nearby man taunted. He was well-dressed and had an arrogant, disdainful expression. His black hair was neatly combed back, and he looked down upon Shoyo.
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Cloude, not liking the man's attitude, stared at him sharply. He recognized him as one of the eight selected candidates, Lambo. "What's it to you?" Cloude retorted.
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"Need big bro's help? Pathetic," Lambo sneered.
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"You're looking for a fight?" Shoyo, already feeling down, wasn't about to let someone insult his friend. Cloude's eyes turned fierce, and he was ready to step in if needed.
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Lambo, however, simply turned away and headed back to the school. "Let's go. I don't want to make a scene. You better be ready for tomorrow, loser!"
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"Get lost, trash talking while you walk away, useless!" Cloude muttered. He continued to comfort Shoyo. "People these days are so boring. If you could choose your opponent tomorrow, I'd step up for you."
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"It doesn't matter," Shoyo replied, his mind focused solely on the "Imperial Ceremony."
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Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the shopping street near the city gates. People gathered to welcome their hero, Leo, who was carrying Rocky and Rose, both unconscious, while Mock led the way.
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"Is that really Leo? He looks just like the pictures!"
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"Is that the legendary Huntector himself? I heard he died over fifty years ago!"
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"Even if he didn't die, he should be old by now. But he looks so young and massive!"
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"No mistake. I saw him in person when I was young. Never thought I'd see him again."
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People chattered excitedly, finding it hard to believe what they were witnessing. Fakeslave, the new breed of Skullbreaker, attacks on the city, assassinations, and great disasters had cast a shadow over Grandecy. But Leo's appearance was like a ray of hope piercing through the darkness.
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"I wasn't lying, Grandpa. You've always been our hero, and we regretted your absence," Mock said, gesturing for the guards to take Rocky and Rose for treatment. He also called in other members of Kingside. "As for those responsible for what happened back then, we will thoroughly investigate."
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Perhaps influenced by the cheers of the crowd, Mock's sincere words carried weight. "I'll choose to believe you for now. Lead me to see the king."
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"That was my intention."
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On their way to the palace, Leo looked towards the Academy of Huntector in the north. "Who's the current Headmaster of the Academy?"
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"It's been Headmaster Baron for the past fifty-plus years. Although he's quite old now, he's still highly respected in our hearts."
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"Oh, it's him. He succeeded me as Headmaster all these years..."
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While Mock knew Leo had the chance to become Headmaster, he didn't know much about Baron's younger days. Baron himself rarely spoke about it. "Do you know him well?"
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"Of course, we fought side by side back in the day, like brothers," Leo reminisced. The thought of the legendary Headmaster Baron in his prime made Mock admire him even more. "It's a shame he's grown old."
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Soon, they arrived at the palace. Kingside and various high-ranking officials were waiting, along with Anwar, who stepped down from his throne and knelt before Leo.
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