They moved to the Apotheca where Deki saw shelves of neatly stacked bottles filled with strange herbs and chemicals in organized order, each bottle was labeled with a piece of paper with the name of the ingredient written on it. On the ground, there are various pots, pieces of equipment, and hand-crafted machines. The girl put her basket onto the table before turning to Deki and Reiya to say:

"I believe we still owe each other a proper introduction. My name is Acacia, I'm considered somewhat of a doctor in the village."

"Deki...nice to meet you" he responds in a small and shy tone while averting his gaze and looking over to Reiya who couldn't help but let out a chuckle patting him on the back before saying

"He's a wimp, talking isn't his specialty but at least you get to pour your complaints on him without hearing his own," she said jokingly.

"Nice to meet you Deki, if I heard it correctly from Reiya.That means that we will have plenty of time to get to know each other" Acacia said offering a handshake and a warm smile, he shook her hand smiling back. It was then that Acacia was able to have a better look at his left arm and eye.

"What happened to your arm? And your eye as well. It is a fake one, isn't it?" he was shocked that she was able to see through something that his mentor created to cover up the hole in his left socket.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I touch some unpleasant memories? I shouldn't have stuck my nose into others' stories" She let go of his hand looking away with guilt. Reiya walked over putting her arm over Deki's shoulder leaning onto him with a bright smile saying:

"Don't worry about it, hon. He was merely surprised that you were able to see through the replicated eye I made for him, isn't that right Deki-kun~?" Deki was left with more confusion as to how she was able to read his mind so effortlessly but he brushed it aside as he gave her a reassuring nod. Acacia crossed her arms with a slight frown saying:

"Don't go pulling Deki's leg now, will you? You're making him uncomfortable."

"Look at who's saying~ I am merely cleaning up the mistake you made, if anything I felt like I deserved a little pat on the back and a 'thank you sensei, I love you so much~' for that~," she said covering her mouth before letting out a mischievous laugh. Acacia let out a defeated sigh but kept her judgmental stare at Reiya, she rolled her eyes swallowing her mistake with a grunt before saying:

"Fine then, I admit this time it was my fault. Now I'm guessing you are starting him in this village so you can train both me and Deki while remaining hidden from the Alae's eyes, am I correct?" Reiya let out a whistle admiring her little apprentice smiling at her while shaking Deki in her grasp. Acacia remained unsurprised still staring at her, Deki could read her thoughts of "she's dumping her chores on me again, isn't she?" on her face.

"Spot on~, but not only that. He's here to keep my end of the bargain and to prove to the villagers that their lovely daughter of the village is in safe hands" She takes off her glasses again to stare into Acacia with her mesmerizing purple eyes, which shine dimly with flecks of a deeper violet dancing near the pupil, like embers flickering in the twilight. Having a closer look, it captivated Deki with a beautifully vivid image of athemyst that left him speechless, silently admiring its majestic beauty. He soon shook off the feelings as the word came out of his mouth:

"Alae?" his question captured their attention as Reiya put back her glasses and Acacia set aside her stare to turn her gaze to him.

"You haven't told him about it?" she asked Reiya who gave her a little side whistle, avoiding and turning her face away while the annoyed Acacia sighed."I should've expected less of you," she said taking out a map depicting various places. She placed it on the table before pointing toward the drawing of an enormous citadel in the left center of the map with the name 'Acies Fidei', it seemed that Alnerwick was built to the northern side of the citadel.

"Acies Fidei, the Bastion of Faith. They are faithful followers of the goddess Orleria, Acies are known for their unbelievable architecture. It was built to simulate such impossible height that to a mortal's eye, it looks like a work of gods" She takes out a few photos, which seem to him like photos she took when she visited it. The towering walls bathed in white with monumental symbols placed on them make it seem like something mere mortals cannot comprehend let alone construct with their hands.

she continued to take out a picture of a silver badge with the picture depicting a wing spreading its reach, feathers falling from the wings down to the lower half where the name 'Alae' was carved.

"Argentum Alae,The Silverwings. They are the most elite group of soldiers in Acies Fidei, they are recognized as Knights in ironclad armor and their signatures angelic wings on their backs. Orleria gave them wings so they could be closer to god than ever, conquer the sky, and stay in god's domains"

"They are a pain in the ass with their high and mighty talks, giving me a headache every time I have to report about my stay or my actions in the kingdom, jeez," Reiya complained as she took a seat, letting out a yawn as she lazily leaned back onto the chair. Acacia glared at the show of boredom before muttering:

"I could say the same to you, that's for sure." Deki tried to distract her, pointing at the barren wasteland with a giant hole named "Astrum Desolation" in the right corner of the map.

"We don't have much information for that place, but from my understanding. The Acies Fidei sent the most dangerous criminals there as a death sentence, it is filled with dangerous monsters born from these stones that look almost like fragments of the sky that have fallen onto this planet" Reiya stood up again before saying with a smile:

"It's also where Deki was born~yay~!" Her sarcastic tone toward the revolutionary news left the two teenagers speechless for a while." eh? I thought that would catch more than a silent treatment from you" Acacia took a good moment to process the information before having a curious look on her face:

"How could someone reproduce in such a harsh environment?"

"ah hah~! that's where you are wrong, hon. He's even farther of a stretch because he is a newborn Ashenkin created from it just a couple of months ago~" Acacia's eyes widened as she curiously and uncomfortably walked closer to give him a thorough look. She examined his left eye scar and shoulder in fascination, going further to reveal the roots growing into the crevices of the iron arm.

"How captivating...Your body has recognized this creation as part of your limbs like a hermit picking up a new shell for itself" She hadn't realized how close she was, Deki was left confused and flustered, unable to make of his current situation as he glared over to Reiya pleading for an escape. She chuckled at his desperate attempt and decided to throw him a bone:

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"It's a good thing to know you are so eager to learn more about your new colleague~ why don't we take this excitement into energy for today's lesson?"

"Lesson? Shouldn't we be out there helping the folks for your arrival celebration?"

"Don't fret over it my dear student~! For I being a shining role model for you have taken care of it while you two were busy snuggling in that love cave~" she said proudly making a dramatic pose being full of herself.

"Let's go, Deki. I'll show you the place where we use for training" Acacia took his hand and led him out of the Apotheca, ignoring her words.

She led him to an open field with Reiya already waiting for them, Deki stopped in his tracks looking around confused trying to find a possible route that she could've taken without their notice.

"Don't bother thinking about it, Deki. She's just like that and you just have to get used to it" Acacia said while walking over to Reiya.

"What took you so long~? I was about to come to pick you up myself~"

"If that shuts your annoying blabbing, be my guest." Reiya chuckled at her annoyed answer before turning to Deki saying:

"Today isn't about a lesson but rather a test for me to see your proficiency in combat as well as judging how far ahead Acacia is compared to you" She takes a step to the side to reveal Acacia has already taken a stance, she stays outside of the combat range with her arm crossed looking at the two with a grin.

"Remember to have fun while giving it your all, okay ~? Ready, set, go~!" As soon as she shouted, Acacia made the first step, coming toward Deki with a punch aiming directly toward his face. Out of instinct, he sidestepped to the right and retaliated with a left hook toward her stomach. When his fist collided, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on his knuckle, Acacia took advantage of his momentary distraction and retraced her arm, taking a step forward and hitting his face with her wrist. The hit caused him to retreat to a safe distance while trying to understand the sudden event.

"Are you perplexed by the unknown pain you felt when you were countering my attack?" Acacia stopped for a moment to reveal a small layer of barrier created above her apron.

"Knowing Reiya, you are not taught about the various spells and techniques that can be applied when using Sakti." she stretched her arm out to create a ball of light, the ball was then confined by a layer of protection in the form of a barrier.

"Using her half-baked explanation, I was able to perform simple spell casting and process information to create a defensive spell that creates strong bonds when manifesting Sakti." She continued to demonstrate ignoring the distant booing of her teacher, she dropped the ball of Sakti to kick it with unexpectedly intense force. Sending it straight at him like a flying ball, Deki couldn't match its speed so he resorted to trying to catch it with his left arm.

The impacting force sent him flying a small distance before falling on his backside, he could still feel the pain in his left arm despite it not being a part of his body. Had he been hit in any other part, it would have left a mark on his body. He stood up again absorbing the ball of energy into his arm, making Acacia even more curious about his capability.

Shaking off the small daze from the blowback, he stood up stretching his hand forward pointing his finger to her to fire a shot, and dashing to the side. Acacia quickly deflected the shot turning her attention toward Deki who came at her with a strike with his right hand. She blocked it and prepared to strike back but stopped and her eyes widened up as she realized his true intention. Distracting her with a fakeout and revealing his charged left arm releasing a blast of energy beam point-blank.

Dust blows as a result of the blast colliding, and Deki drops his guard believing he has landed a critical blow, opening an opportunity for Acacia to continue her onslaught. She grabbed his metal arm and wrestled him down with absurd strength, twisting his arm and stepping on his back. Deki felt an extraordinary pain in his left shoulder looking up at her to see the cold-blooded look of a predator.

The driving pain gave Deki a clearer mind as he desperately searched for an escape. He noticed a window in her apprehension, and she lightly grunted at the bleeding wound on her side. Taking the opportunity he bounced up turning back to the falling Acacia charging and releasing a blast from his arm immediately. Acacia created a protective barrier around herself, being knocked away by the blast.

He gave chase to the flying Acacia but before she landed she had already finished chanting a magical spell, it shot out an arrow of light that pierced his chest. He fell on his back coughing blood, he gave in to the pain in his arm and chest. The calm and composed Acacia quickly becomes panicked as she realizes the mistake she made.

"Oh gosh! Are you ok?!" she rushed over ignoring the pain of her wound as she examined the damage on his body but in to her surprise. His body was regenerating rapidly, cells multiplying and replacing themselves at a staggering rate. He was fully healed in a matter of seconds, he sat back up smiling and scratching his head to admit his defeat while Acacia was left speechless at his miraculous recovery.

"Surprised? That's something that his species is known for, they are all supernatural creatures that only resemble humans but couldn't be more different in everything else" Reiya walked over to her students smiling and holding two bottles of water. Both of them took the bottles and wiped off their sweat, Reiya attended to Acacia's wound giving it treatment with a soft glow on her hand, healing the wound while saying: "He may look like a twig with that body but it's sure as hell a hard stick to snap" She chuckled while Deki was left conflicted about whether to take it as a compliment or a sarcasm.

"Well that battle didn't take long, did it? how about we come back to the village now, the folks are probably ready to start the party now" She started to walk back in the direction of the village, Acacia helped Deki stand up looking away with guilt written on her face.

"I'm sorry...I tend to get carried away when I am focused on something. And despite her annoying personality, Reiya has taught me really well in the concentration of the mind" She giggles awkwardly not sure what to make of this, Deki only gives her a shy chuckle and a look of admiration for her strength. She blushes lightly at his look, averting her gaze and getting up and saying: "A-anyway...we should catch up to her before she starts to make a fuss of our late return" She gets up hastily and begins to try and catch up to Reiya while Deki stays for a while longer examining his left arm and then his chest. He doesn't fully understand these feelings and experiences but to him, every day waking up is a new invaluable experience that he wants to hold dear to.

He returned to the village to see the folks standing at the entrance with Reiya and Acacia, the soft melodic tone of work he saw coming to this village had been overwritten by the cheerful festive spirits of the party. Houses decorated with colorful lights and warming welcome signs. Behind the folks were various tables filled with different appetizing dishes placed in an organized order, they had brought out instruments and furniture from their home to fully embrace the joyous atmosphere of the party.

They clapped and cheered in joy at their newest member in the community, the man from before named Aron came to his side placing his big, strong arm on his shoulder with a big smile:

"Folks, today is an important day as we all know. Alnerwick is home to all and everyone in this village is family to each other and so I would like to speak on behalf of everyone standing here. To welcome you to our family with hostility and kindness, may your stay one to remember for you shall always be family to us. Let us feast in celebration in this big 'get-together'~!" his proud speech was soon followed by the thunderous cheers of the entire village. People start to gather in the center with various foods and drinks, Reiya has joyed the adults at their dining table leaving the children on their own.

"It seems like someone was very thrilled to have a party about themselves" Acacia came over to Deki with a group of children behind her and a smile on her face. It's the same children who gave him the crown of flowers and gave him directions to find her, they happily gather around their big sister and brother with various treats. Some offered them, sweets, others bought the foods they helped their parents with preparations and wanted Deki to taste the hard work that they had put into it.

He couldn't say no to any of those adorable innocent faces and quickly joined Acacia in their respective seats. Seeing the cheerful faces of people smiling and laughing seemed to have sparked something inside him, a desire to make others smile as he sees now. After the wonderful feast, Reiya rented them a place in the inn to end the eventful day.