Standing before them, Ace's appeared to be taller than before. His entire frame had taken a drastic change, including his broadened shoulders.
His hair, previously the striking white that had marked him throughout the tournament, had darkened to a shade so deep it was almost black, with silver threading through the strands at his temples. His skin had lost its youthful smoothness, taking on a marble-fine quality that made him look both younger and older at the same time.
His eyes were the biggest change.
Where before Ace's gaze had been playful, curious, and amused, now it was more serious.
His clothes had changed too. The tournament competitor uniform he had entered the venue in was gone, replaced by dark robes edged with silver. Tom could tell that these were third order items at a glance.
Ace looked at Samuel first before smiling.
Tom's grin faltered. "Well." His voice came out soft, uncharacteristically quiet. "That's certainly not the same boy from minutes ago."
