Chapter 78: The Academy (I)
Crossing over through the door, we arrived out from the building's side next to the town square. I couldn't help but cover my eyes from the obnoxious bright light. I welcome the escape of near death.
My bones were creaking, compacting, and even squeezing the muscles together like squash. I could feel myself growing back to my original size. Waiting for my sight to adjust, I could hear the loud bustling sound of the people.
"Who is that?" A walking pedestrian looked over curiously at us. More and more people stared, wondering what was going on.
"Where did they appear from?"
"Are we under attack?"
The voices of concerned town folks stared at us in the distance, not a single one took the initiative to step forward. For the aura around us was quite intimidating for the ordinary people. Coco and Phil coldly looked out towards the crowds, telling them not to approach even if they wanted too.
"Young mistress, we are back," Coco spoke with delight, her coldness melting away when she started to talk with me. "I cannot help but be happy that we are away from that awful polluted air and that monstrous creature."
"We're home." The word 'home' struck a clear ring in my heart. My eyes finally adjusted in the bright light, and I could see the change in the town. The whole ordeal of running away from the Titan was truly a nerve-wracking experience. I really didn't want to meet the original Titan in this world at all.
I know this was selfish, but I was immensely glad that the Titan wasn't our problem anymore.
Though I noticed that more people were hustling and bustling busily in the streets. Large buildings that reached up fairly high in the sky were a lot more present than before. In nine days that we have been away, did so much change? I was confused.
"Coco, how long have we been gone?" I asked her, hoping that I didn't just see things.
"Since the last time I was here, it has been twenty-three years, but I think it might be twenty-five by now."
"T-twenty-five?" My voice gave out an exasperated gasp. How did a time skip so quickly? "Nine days on earth equal to twenty-five years?" I couldn't believe such a significant gap in time could happen in such a short amount of time.
"What?" Don's eyes bulged from surprise. "That would make sense on how all these buildings have just sprung out like weeds. I could already see the twenty-floor condo, the academy, the marketplace, and the bazaar that I know for sure would've taken about five years to complete."
"Yes, young mistress. Inside the castle, time does not pass without you in it. Only when we step outside do time flow."
This was a huge piece of information that I didn't know about until now. For Coco to not even age a single bit was something that I didn't expect. Now it made sense why Coco still looked the same. She didn't age one bit.
Everywhere I looked, the town was more modernized. Even the carriages here were floating without any wheels. The only thing that was pulling the wagons were the horses. Even the clothing style had changed to a more crisper look that shouted a new era for the younger generation.
Not only that, but I could also sense that the number of people that lived in this town quadrupled in size, making me wonder where all these people had come from. Many things have changed that I couldn't help but wonder what had really happened in the past twenty-five years.
"Young mistress awoooooo!" The howling sound of Tart's voice echoed throughout the town. A large wolf ran through the crowds like lightning. He leaped forward towards me, startling me in surprise. I unconsciously took a couple steps back Coco twirled around and did a perfect dropkick in the air, slamming Tart into the ground.
"Gah!" Tart yelled in pain as he crashed down with a sudden vicious thud.
"Don't touch, young mistress pup!" Coco glared and scolded him. She fluffed up her maid outfit and stood up straight and pristine.
Tart groaned. Glaring at Coco, he shook himself and growled under his breath. His throat rumble was deep with anger. "I can touch young mistress. However, I want!"
"How vulgar." Coco hissed. "Keep your dirty paws to yourself."
Tart barked and spat, showing his gleaming white teeth. "Coco, this is the last time I am going to allow you to boss me around. I'm not a kid anymore."
"You're always a pup in my eyes. Your kind is still considered a child at this age. You're not even a man yet!"
Tart lunged forward with gaping jaws, he snapped towards her face with spit. Coco dodged his attack flawlessly, bouncing around as if they were doing their own tango.
I couldn't help but gaze at them with jealousy. Their skill and techniques had grown exponentially since the last time I saw them.
"You guys." I coughed, trying to get their attention. It made me wonder how long Coco, Tart, and Moca lived. "If Tart was still considered a budding teen, then does that mean that he can live for a long time?"
"Yes, young mistress. All three of us can live up to a thousand years." Tart stopped and wagged his tail.
I couldn't help but chuckle at how adorable he looked. He reminded me of a giant dog instead of a wolf. Shifting into his human form, Tart gently bowed.
Everything about Tart had changed. He was no more the young boy but a handsome young man. His sharp angular face and eyes, graceful demeanor, and golden hair were slicked back with gel. His posture was noble and healthy, the only thing I could think up of was his elegant gait that would put any royalty to shame. I stare gaping like a fish. What is with this world and good looking guys? Are all shape-shifting monsters handsome or beautiful? If they were, for sure, all of humanity would fall under their spells.
"I'm glad to see you again, Tart. You have grown up well." I cleared my throat, trying not to stare too long.
"Thank you, young mistress. It's been so long since your return." Tart had tears in his eyes that made me gulp. It looked just too beautiful even when he was crying. "I wanted to come along with Coco, but I couldn't. Next time, please take us with you."
I felt a tremendous guilt in leaving behind my friends for so long. It made me realize that the movement between worlds would blast through their lives like water if I was not careful. I, for sure, would bring them along with me the next time if I visit Earth.
"How many years has it been since we left?"
"Twenty-five years young mistress. So many things happened that it might take a whole day to explain."
"Please go on ahead while we head back to the castle."
"Yes! I will get things ready for you, especially your favorite apple pie!"
"Thank you, Tart."
"Wait." Phil cut in on our conversation. Tart froze from dashing forward back to the castle. "Where is Duke Hon's and Grandma Mary?"
Both Coco and Tart went silent and solemn.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't inform you sooner, but both of them had passed away five years ago." Coco spoke.
"They're dead?" Phil was in shock. "How? Where? Why?"
"Both of them died in their sleep. Their age finally caught up to them."
"Where are they buried?" Phil's voice was so low that we barely caught it.
"I can take you to them." Coco began to head towards the hills. Phil followed closely behind with a stone-cold face.
We arrived on top of the hills where a large number of stone graves were placed. A large tree canopy over the tombstones. Three figures were present on the hill when we got up towards it.
An elderly man that closely resembled Duke Hon stood over a tombstone. Next to him was a lady and a young man in his teens.
"Uncle Jeremy?" Phil called out.
The elderly man turned around and stared at Phil in shock. "Phil? Is that you?"
Phil ran up towards them and stopped. "You've gotten so old. I could barely recognize you."
"It is Phil." Uncle Jeremy gave him a soft smile and hugged him. "We were worried about what had happened to you."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Jeremy. I-I didn't know it would take this long to come back. I was too late." Streams of tears fell on Phil's face. This was the first time I ever saw Phil cry. I couldn't help but stifle back my own tears. I only knew Grandma Mary and Duke Hon's in a brief moment; even still, they were wonderful people that I could never forget.
"When you stated that you were taking Berry far away to get healed, Duke Hons and Mary were worried sick about both of you. They kept you in their prayers for your safe return."
"We didn't know. We couldn't possibly know." Phil reel back the pain in his heart and steel himself.
"I know." Uncle Jeremy patted him on the shoulder. "I'm just glad that you are back."
"Me too."
The silence between them was heavy until Uncle Jeremy broke it with a slight smile. "Where are my manners. I need to tell you that our family has increased by two."
Phil pulled back, confused.
"This is my wife, Christina, and my son Blaze."
"Your son?" Phil stood back and noticed the young man and the mother. Christina was dressed in brown and green. Her slender body and perfect skin made her look a lot younger than she seemed. Her pretty brown hair and large eyes resembled a doe. Next to her was Blaze, who had a similar appearance as Uncle Jeremy. He was pretty good looking with buff muscles, complete opposite of Phil.
Christina gave him a brilliant smile while Blaze just nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yes, my biological son."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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