Chapter 103: Finally Got That Cake
Hugo was currently driving the [Proto-Truck] in its truck mode, moving through the streets of NQSC.
He did not really have a driver's license, but he could manage, learning such mundane things was not difficult for awakeneds, let alone an ascended like him.
On the passenger seat, Zed was currently busy munching on a bunch of snacks he had 'borrowed' from a local grocery store as XLR8.
He had contributed much to humanity, so he was definitely allowed to do some petty crimes such as theft...
He would currently be feeling guilty about that ridiculous excuse, if not for a certain entity weeping in his ear right now.
"Little Hugo!" Serena cried, "I'm so proud of you! You did the right thing, but it was so sad... So terribly sad!"
She even tried hugging him to comfort him, which didn't really do anything, but Hugo didn't have the heart to tell her that.
His shadow was also crying for some reason, or at least it was mimicking the gesture of crying which he found... A little strange, considering his little shadowy friend was born from Shadow God lineage.
He had expected him to be more... Intimidating.
'I'm surrounded by sentimental people...'
He sighed.
"You can stop crying now, I'm fine."
He took a turn, making sure not to go over the speeding limits.
His truck had gotten many looks from the people of the city, as it seemed out of place due to its design and colors. Most people in the city used a PTV to move around, or the local train so it was no surprise that a truck from before the dark ages had caught the attention of a lot of people.
Hugo really hoped that the police would not end up arresting him.
"Where are you going anyway?" Serena asked, changing her tone.
Hugo answered her calmly: "The Awakened Academy. I have two teachers that I need to meet. They were basically really good to me back when I entered the academy, so I'm hoping I could meet them again."
"Oh! How wholesome! I didn't know you had people that cared for you, well except for this dog." Serena looked at Zed, before adding "Dear, you should really make sure you give her a shower after this."
Hugo breathed in and out. Letting Serena get on his nerves was pointless, considering she doesn't even realize how insulting some of her comments were.
After about an hour long drive, one that was composed of Serena blowing his ears out with random stories, Zed constantly licking him, and his shadow giggling like an idiot while browsing the network, Hugo finally reached his destination.
The Awakened Academy stood in all of its glory, just like he had left it all those years ago.
Its magnificent walls still towered over most things he had seen, aside from the walls of the Dark City, of course.
He parked his truck near the entrance, and got out of it calmly before dismissing it back into his soul sea.
Zed moved next to him, her eyes darting around in excitement.
The gates did not open for him like they did back when he was a sleeper, after all he was a stranger this time.
But he was sure they would open it soon enough after they realized his identity.
And sure enough, the gates of the academy opened up for him, and behind them, a young man with a thin face and a pale complexion emerged, wearing a fancy black suit.
Hugo could tell that the young man was an awakened due to his Titan and shadow senses, but he strangely did not have the build of an awakened.
That was actually not that uncommon, after all many awakened were simply not built for the life of fighting nightmare creatures, so they end up having more mundane jobs compared to their peers.
"G-greetings Master Hugo, we were not informed that you would visit, especially considering you have only returned this morning... I'm Awakened Harper, I will be helping you with whatever you might need..."
'Oh right, the world is still freaking out about me.'
In the last twenty-four hours of his return, the world had gone upside down as the legendary Martyr of the Forgotten Shore returned from the grave, appearing in a magnificent star.
He was also an Ascended, no less, a fact that changing star herself had announced to the public. She had stated that he was currently unconscious while being a master, which was why he wasn't sent the Dream Realm again.
The government had shifted its propaganda machine from Nephis and the Fire Keepers and into Hugo, painting him as the sleeper who had overcome all odds, and challenged the second nightmare, conquering it and returning to the embrace of humanity as a master.
Of course, that couldn't be further from the truth... Considering Hugo was not a sleeper when he challenged the second nightmare.
Hugo also did not like the fact that the government was using his name like that, even if their cause was to simply give the people hope in this dark age.
Hugo walked into the academy calmly, before turning to harper and saying.
"I'm here to meet Instructor Rock and Professor Jasmine, if possible."
Harper followed Hugo as they entered the academy grounds, putting on the best smile he could muster.
"Of course... But I have to tell you something. Professor Jasmine left the academy around a year ago, and transferred to Clan Valor, so she isn't available right now. Instructor Rock is definitely here though."
"Alright, thanks for telling me," Hugo said, as he continued walking.
"Sir... I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, but could I have a moment of your time?" Awakened Harper said, causing Hugo to stop in his tracks.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's just... I'm actually one of the survivors of the Forgotten Shore. I was one of the receptionists at the Bright Castle, and I just wanted to say... Thank you. For getting me out of that hell. For getting all of us out."
Hugo was actually surprised by this revelation. Usually, the awakened from the Forgotten Shore went on to join legacy clans or make names for themselves, but Harper seemed content with his regular job here.
Of course, it did not Hugo long to realize why.
'Ah, right... How could I forget... We were all just children back then. On the Shore...'
Some people never wanted to be dragged there but were forced to adapt to that terrible situation because of the nightmare spell...
Hugo offered him a smile and said.
"Glad to see you doing well, Awakened Harper."
Harper beamed at his words, his nervousness leaving him for a moment
"Thank you sir..."
After a while, Hugo was waiting near one of the academy's facilities, with Zed nearby chasing her tail in the rain.
Awakened harper had left to inform instructor rock that he had a visitor and Hugo was left on his own.
He wistful, looking at the place...
The awakened academy had not changed one bit. All of it was still the exact same as the day he left it, with the same buildings and even some the staff that he recognized from afar.
'How nostalgic ' he did not really miss being a sleeper, but his memories of this place were not that bad, not at all.
"Well that's one weird ass dog," a heavy voice came from behind, causing Hugo to turn around with a smile.
It was none other than Instructor Rock. That bear of a man was still as big as he was two years ago. His hair was still the same as well, as if he hadn't aged a day.
"Good to see you too, Instructor," Hugo said.
Rock smiled, as he suddenly pulled Hugo into a tight hug, which would have definitely crushed him if he wasn't one rank higher.
"You rascal! I knew you would come out alive!" Rock said, chuckling to himself.
Hugo laughed hesitantly "Please put me down, I'm suffocating..."
Rock ended up putting Hugo down and escorting him inside into one of the dining areas, where they both had a great meal together, chatting about what happened in the last two years.
Hugo had told Rock about the abominations he fought, making the seasoned instructor shiver, while Rock had told him about his disappointment in the new generation of awakened, as none of them were as good as his two most successful students, Changing Star and the Paragon of Purity.
The conversation had drifted off into random things as rock begun drinking.
"You know, I never understood the whole 'By the Spell' thing. It's completely ridiculous!" Instructor Rock said, slightly drunk now.
Hugo tried to calm him down a little "Well, the Nightmare Spell is the closest thing to a true god in this day and age, so it makes sense in a way... It's still pretty heavy on the tongue though."
"Exactly! 'By the dead gods' is a little dramatic but it makes sense. 'By the Spell' is... Weird! just weird," he said, crushing another can of beer "You sure you don't want some? You're an adult now!"
Hugo politely declined "No thank you, I have a bad history with alcohol, and also, no mundane drink could get my ascended body drunk."
"What a bummer, did you really have to go an ascend? I guess the student does surpass the master after all..." Rock said.
"Drinking with your students now, Rock?"
A sudden feminine voice said, causing both Hugo and Rock to turn around.
Of course, Hugo had already sensed her shadow and awakened soul before she entered the room, but he still pretended to be surprised as to not ruin the moment.
That was none other than Professor Jasmine, wearing a heavy red jacket and baggy blue jeans.
In her hand was clearly a cake-shaped box.
"It's been a while Miss J... Sorry for missing your retirement." Hugo said, offering her a sorry look.
She smiled, sitting near them and placing the cake in the middle of the table.
"Nonsense! I still haven't fully retired from the academy just yet, so you didn't miss anything. In fact, I'm planning on retiring at this exact moment, so you are right on time."
She said, cutting him a piece.
"I'm glad you made it, kid."
Hugo smiled, stopping instructor rock from falling to the ground.
"I'm glad I did..."
Life was surely full of surprises... But it was good enough for Hugo right now and finally, after all of that suffering, he had finally gotten his cake.