The laughter of the General echoed through the grand hall, filled with a renewed sense of life. Leigh’s sharp gaze lingered on Arden as if she were reevaluating everything, she thought she knew. As the sound settled, the faint hum of an engine signaled the arrival of new guests. Arden’s journey into the unknown deepened further.

The cobblestone driveway gleamed faintly under the waning sunlight as the sleek car came to a stop in front of The Sentinel’s Peak Estate. Arden followed Leigh to the entrance, her posture straight and purposeful. Two figures stepped out of the car: a tall, broad-shouldered man whose presence radiated quiet strength, and a woman with sharp eyes softened by concern.

“Papa, are you alright?” the woman called out, her heels clicking against the stones as she hurried toward the General, who now stood waiting just inside the doorway.

The General chuckled, waving her off. “Relax, Lucia. Thanks to this boy, I’m still here to keep annoying you.”

Lucia’s gaze shifted to Arden, her sharp features softening as she studied him. “You’re the one who helped my father?”

Arden nodded, slightly unsure how to handle the attention. “I just did what I could.”

The man stepped forward, extending a hand toward Arden. “Thank you, son. You have no idea how much this means to us.”

Arden hesitated for a moment before shaking the man’s hand firmly. “It was nothing. I only used what my Lolo taught me.”

Lucia exchanged a glance with her husband before turning back to Arden. “What you did wasn’t nothing. It’s rare to meet someone who can act with such calm under pressure, especially at your age.”

Before Arden could respond, Leigh interrupted, her tone light but pointed. “Mama, you’re going to scare him off if you keep this up.”

Lucia smiled faintly but stepped back, giving Arden a bit of space. “Well, you’re welcome here anytime. And tonight, you’ll stay as our guest.”

“Uh, thank you,” Arden said, still feeling out of place in the grand estate. “I appreciate it.”

The General clapped his hands together, his voice cutting through the lingering tension. “Enough standing around. Let’s sit. We’ve had quite the day, and I’d like to hear more about this young man who saved my life.”

The family and Arden moved into the grand hall, the chandeliers casting warm light across the room. Arden couldn’t help but let his gaze wander to the walls, where antique weapons, military medals, and old photographs told the story of the General’s life.

As they settled into the plush seating, a servant entered with a tray of tea and snacks. The warm aroma of ginger and lemongrass filled the air, grounding Arden amidst the unfamiliar luxury.

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The General leaned back in his chair; his sharp eyes fixed on Arden. “Tell me about your Lolo, boy. What kind of man teaches skills like yours?”

Arden’s expression softened at the mention of his Lolo. “He was a healer. An albularyo. He raised me in the mountains and taught me everything I know about plants, balance, and… Pangamot.”

The General’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Pangamot, you say? That explains those movements you showed me earlier. It’s been years since I’ve seen anything like it.”

Leigh tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “What is Pangamot, exactly?”

Arden set his tea down, his voice steady as he explained. “It’s a martial art, but it’s more than that. It’s about understanding the flow of energy, learning how to move with it instead of against it. It’s as much about healing as it is about self-defense.”

The General chuckled, nodding approvingly. “That’s wisdom you don’t hear often these days. Your Lolo must have been a remarkable man.”

Arden’s gaze dropped briefly, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. “He was.”

Lucia leaned forward slightly; her tone gentle. “What brought you down from the mountains, Arden? It sounds like you had a good life there.”

Arden hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Lolo always said there was more to learn outside the forest. He wanted me to see the world, to find my own path.”

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of his words settling over them. The General finally broke the silence with a soft chuckle. “Well, boy, it seems your path led you straight to us. Fate has a funny way of working.”

Just then, a door at the far end of the hall opened, and Dr. Mateo Santillan entered, carrying his medical bag. His silver hair caught the chandelier light as he approached with brisk steps.

“Good evening, everyone,” Dr. Santillan said, nodding to the group before turning his attention to the General. “I wanted to check in on you one more time before I head out.”

The General waved him over with a grin. “Mateo, come in, come in. We were just talking about our young hero here.”

Dr. Santillan’s sharp gaze shifted to Arden. “Ah, the boy with the miracle hands. I still owe you for keeping this stubborn man alive long enough for me to get here.”

Arden shrugged modestly. “I just did what I was taught.”

“Well, whatever you did,” Dr. Santillan said, setting his bag down, “it worked. But General, you still need to follow through with lifestyle adjustments. No skipping rest days, no overexertion, and definitely no stress.”

The General groaned theatrically. “Fine, fine. But if I’m going to take it easy, I expect you to keep me entertained, Mateo.”

Dr. Santillan chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll do my best.”

The doctor then glanced back at Arden, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Arden, was it? Tell me, where did you learn to diagnose so quickly? Your techniques are… unorthodox, but undeniably effective.”

Arden hesitated for a moment, then answered. “My Lolo always said to trust what the body shows you. Signs like breathing, skin tone, or how someone holds themselves… they tell you a lot, if you know how to look.”

Dr. Santillan nodded thoughtfully. “Wise advice. Perhaps I could learn a thing or two from you, young man.”

Arden offered a faint smile, unsure how to respond to the praise. The General broke the moment with a hearty laugh. “See, Mateo? You might have to take some lessons from him. This boy’s full of surprises.”

Lucia called on the servants, her tone composed but firm. “Please ready the dining hall,” she instructed, turning her attention back to Arden. “You’ve had quite a day, Arden. Let us show you some of the comforts of home.”

After dinner arrangements were made, Lucia instructed the household staff to escort Arden to the guest room. Arden, though raised in the mountains, carried himself with quiet confidence—a skill ingrained in him by Lolo Lando. He knew how to adapt and observe without betraying ignorance. His composed demeanor impressed even the experienced staff, who noted his grace despite his rustic appearance.