Jack, Stella and Tenny sat at the table. Ace in the kitchen creating an aroma that causes the trio to pause momentarily to make sure they aren't drooling. The awaiting team laughed about the looks on the face of Boras and how they hope to never come across someone like Captain Rodriguez again. The plates hit the table cuing the sparkles in the eyes of Tenny and Jack.

"Rice in a spicy black bean sauce with steamed carrots, peas and a topped with fried pork skins. I'm sorry I don't have much more protein to offer, but my ledger was spread a bit thin for the four of us," Ace addressed while pouring water in their cups. "Dig in, we can talk after our bellies are full."

"This is wonderful, I have eaten many great meals and this one can really stand up there with them," Stella said in delight. Her mind still at a slight unease at the kindness she has been offered in one day. She was grateful, but what was the cost? For now, she would be content that Ace was happy they enjoyed his food and hear out his request.

Ace leaned back in his chair and took a moment to stare at the ceiling. The pair knew it was coming now. How can they save the world? "In the near future, a dragon that is capable of killing anything will be arriving, and I am pretty sure that it will be on a war path. I would like your help to stop him when he arrives." Ace looks into their fully opened eyes. Tenny casually continues fiddling with Jacks hands as they process the vague and ridiculous request.

"How do you know this?" Jack broke the moment of silence.

"When I came to this village, I was coming from another dimension. It just so happened that the dragon was following me as well. It is taking him a little longer to get through the portal, but I have reason to believe that he should be out in roughly four years, although it can be sooner, or there is a slight chance he may never come at all."

"Another dimension? That exists? What was it like there? Do you have proof? Also, what kind of estimated time frame is that? It makes no sense." Stella flurried him before he could answer anything specific.

Ace chuckled as if he wanted this exact reaction. "I'm sorry, you are just going to have to trust me. Even on the vague estimation but assume four years for now."

"Okay so if we do trust you, why are you coming to us? Shouldn't you tell the military, or maybe Virgo can help?" Jack said after realising he can get through the situation if he treats it as a hypothetical.

"That is a good question, but it has some complicated reasoning. The simple answer would be that the story is unbelievable. I was planning to search around for any proof, but I am not even sure on where to start. I also thought about it and really would prefer to take control of the situation without scaring the population and the larger group I work with then the harder that becomes," Ace said with a weakened resolve. Stella especially seemed to have her own thoughts on this flimsy excuse. "As for Virgo, I don't know him, and I assume it isn't easy to get in contact with the strongest person in the world. Truth be told, if this world is similar to the one I am from, and so far it has been, then I am one of the strongest here. The problem is that I am still not enough, and I cannot use any mimics, so it puts me at a bigger disadvantage—"

"Are you a berserker? How did you use the ring to evade the captain? Did you lie to the captain about the divine gem?" It seemed everything Ace said led to more questions Stella flooded him with.

"No, I am not like a berserker, I have no mana at all. It seemed to have vanished when I arrived here, and no that really was a divine gem with a high-class wind movement spell. I just didn't use it, I also never told him that I used the ring to move, I just asked if he noticed how fast I am." Ace chuckled, clearly patting himself on the back at his clever wording.

"That makes sense! There was no green path like when Rodriguez moved." Jack pieced the new information to the magic trick of before. "It was still a lie though."

"Yea, I guess so, but back to the proposal though. If you give me the time, I believe I can give you and maybe a couple of allies a strength and opportunity to do anything you want in this world. You just have to help me fight Ira when the time comes." Stella and Jack have no words at the moment. "I have studied a lot of magic and tactics, so I believe this is the best plan." There still was no response.

"If it is his words that you doubt, I can swear to you as a Mystical Creature, Ace can help you find power that few in the world have ever seen," Tenny reinforced.

"I am sorry I think we might have thrown a lot at you. There are some fruits in the kitchen, you guys can talk about it and come up with any questions while me and Tenny wait outside." And so they left.

"You know him best, is he serious?" Stella stared intently into Jack's eyes trying to decipher if he might be lying as well.

"I don't think he would be lying about this. Tenny is a Mystical Creature, and I have never seen a Mystical Creature with a person. That should mean something."

"He was also carrying a divine gem, but if he is from another dimension then how could he have one of those? Well, I guess I can't look into that too much because I have no idea what another dimension is like. Ughhh I feel like I have more questions for him."

"I can understand that for sure, but let's just take it as he says. A dragon is coming in a few years to kill everything. He can make us really strong. Will you be willing to join him?" Jack asked.

"When you put it like that... I do owe you guys...It does sound like something I would have wanted to be a part of anyway," Stella articulated in short burst. "Finding my sister comes first, and I don't want to make promises until I finish my own mission. He knows you better, and I have a feeling the invitation was more aimed at you. I can maybe join you guys later on."

"I am not sure. I respect him a lot and I really want to be useful. I don't think he has ever asked me or anyone for anything in his 6 years here. I really want to be able to help, but this seems like a lot." Jack's eyes are focused on the ground. Maybe he shouldn't have eaten. He didn't like the back flips his stomach was doing at the moment.

"I feel bad for saying this, but are you sure you can trust him? He hasn't given me a bad impression, but when I was in town earlier, many people seemed weary of the house on the hill. He even said it himself that he hurt a lot of people in the village, including your dad." Stella's volume lowered for safety.

"Oh, I am surprised he mentioned that. 6 years ago, there was a large explosion in the forest, and it led to a fire spreading throughout our village. A lot of houses were destroyed, and a few people lost their lives. My dad got me out of the house, but he panicked and went back for a painting of my mom and our home collapsed. People rushed in and they found him under the rubble clutching the painting but missing his legs. Ace showed up the next day after everything was under control and said the fire was his fault. He apologised and started staying on this hill." Jack rubbed his own legs while telling the story. Stella could see that it was a memory he preferred not bringing up.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have pr—"

"No, it is okay," Jack quickly said with a small awkward smile. "What I am getting to...is that he isn't a bad person. When the townsfolk inspected the forest, they found the fire was somehow contained to a small area. They figured Ace had to do something with that. In a couple of days, the military came to inspect if the explosion was a threat, and they began to seize control of the village. Ace had two divine gems that time and he traded one with them for a lot of resources and he helped build back the town. He also began to double the lumber output of the village by himself so that everyone had less to do on their ledgers. The military liked that very much, so they stuck around. I am not sure how much harder things were before, but I hear the townsfolk talking about how much free time they get now, and then there are some of the townsfolk that dislike that the military sticks around and harasses them. I think everyone avoids Ace because he avoids them out of guilt, and too much time has passed for it to change."

Stella felt her stomach begin to turn. It shouldn't be surprising that he saved them. She kind of wished that she didn't know this because she felt guilty for doubting him now. She was really starting to dislike Ace, but only because she wanted to be around and find out more.

"I think you should consider going then, I really can't afford to do anything else besides finding Luna." Stella stood up as to indicate that he should make his decision now and not keep them waiting.

"I am no hero. I also have to be here to help out my dad. I am sure Ace can find others," Jack said following her outside. They paused at the door for a second. They were going to disappoint the man who just helped them out. They deserved a deep breath before going through those feelings.

The door opened to reveal Ace swinging Tenny by his bottom paws as if he was going to launch him to a far-off land. "Help Me!" Tenny exclaimed as the sound hit their ears in waves. Ace put down the creature, who was now stumbling around.

"I am sorry you had to see that. I caught Tenny trying to listen in, and I was trying to teach him a lesson," Ace said with a surprisingly believable smile.

"Liar! I was going to tell them you were eavesdropping, and you started spinning like a top," Tenny growled back.

"Ignore him, but since Tenny explained what he heard. I understand and thank you for hearing me out. Miss Stella, you do have a mission to accomplish and if I hear anything, I will try and contact you. Jack, you are a great kid, keep it up. I have put this off for quite some time, so by next week I should be out of here. I would appreciate if you don't tell anyone, I would rather the word not spread needlessly," Ace explained.

They didn't expect to find so much comfort in his words. He wasn't upset, he didn't really seem disappointed. He even sent some food for Jack's dad when they were leaving. They figured that he knew it was a crazy request in the first place. It was a crazy day overall, but now it was back to their normal lives. Jack offered Stella to stay with them for the night before she had to make her journey.

"You really plan on taking them?" Tenny questioned as they both sat on the porch.

"I have my reasons."

"I'll help you as much as I can, but don't lose track of the mission."

"You know I won't Mr. Tennebrae."