As the days turned into weeks, Jace continued to adjust to his new life in the modern world. With Anita's guidance, he began to blend in more seamlessly, learning how to dress in contemporary clothing, how to speak in a way that didn't draw attention, and how to interact with others without revealing his true nature.One of the biggest challenges was learning how to fit in at school. Although Anita's friends had accepted him, Jace was still an outsider in many ways. His mannerisms, his way of speaking, and even his understanding of certain social norms were all out of place in a high school setting.To help him adjust, Anita spent hours coaching him on how to behave like a typical student. They practiced casual conversations, reviewed common slang, and even went over basic school routines. It was a lot for Jace to take in, but he approached it with the same determination that had kept him alive through centuries of imprisonment.Despite his efforts, there were still moments when Jace's true nature slipped through. He would sometimes speak too formally or make references to things that no longer existed. But overall, he was doing remarkably well, and Anita couldn't help but feel proud of his progress.One day, during lunch, Anita and Jace sat with Sarah, Liam, and Emily under their usual spot by the oak tree. The conversation flowed easily, with everyone discussing their latest school projects and weekend plans. Jace, who had been quiet for most of the meal, finally spoke up."I've been learning a lot about your world," he said, his voice measured and thoughtful. "It's fascinating, but also... overwhelming."Sarah nodded sympathetically. "I can imagine. I mean, you've been out of the loop for a while, right? It must be hard to catch up."Jace smiled faintly. "It is, but Anita has been a great help. I'm lucky to have her."Anita blushed slightly at the compliment, but before she could respond, Liam chimed in with his usual humor."Just wait until you get the hang of memes, Jace. That's when you'll really understand modern culture."The group laughed, and Jace tilted his head in confusion. "Memes?"Emily grinned, pulling out her phone to show him an example. "They're these funny images or videos that people share online. Some of them are really clever, and others are just... weird."Jace studied the screen with interest, though he didn't seem entirely convinced. "I see. It seems like your world places a lot of value on humor."Liam shrugged. "Yeah, we do. It's one way we cope with all the craziness."As the conversation continued, Jace gradually became more comfortable with the group's lighthearted banter. He still had much to learn, but he was adapting faster than any of them had expected.