Chapter 52: Becoming a Teacher

Five pairs of eyes fixed on Sora.

Emerald green.

Soft violet.

Golden amber.

Icy blue.

And Ryan’s strange glass-like silver eyes.

Sora’s heart skipped a beat.

Thank goodness it’s daytime.

If this had happened at night, with five pairs of glowing predator eyes staring at her...

She would have fainted on the spot.

Honestly, she hadn’t expected all five of them to volunteer.

Especially Ryan.

Wasn’t he the one who looked like he’d rather wrestle a crocodile than stand next to me?

So why was he suddenly offering her a ride?

Sora seriously considered it.

Ryan’s sleek silver tail looked surprisingly comfortable...

But then reality struck.

Wait...

He’s a merman.

How exactly does a fish carry someone across the savannah?

She imagined herself sliding off his tail every three steps.

"...Maybe not."

Her gaze shifted to Xavier.

The enormous python patiently waited, coiled beside her.

Absolutely not.

She respected him...

But riding over those overlapping scales while she was on her period?

Her backside would file an official complaint.

Next was Ace.

The white tiger looked incredibly soft.

Like an oversized luxury blanket.

Unfortunately...

Ace believed every journey was a race against the wind.

He treated hills like launch ramps.

Normally, Sora could survive his driving.

Today?

Her menstrual pad deserved better.

Lucas spread his brilliant wings proudly.

Flying looked amazing.

Until she imagined the turbulence.

Nope.

One strong gust and she’d probably discover exactly how much absorbency she’d actually designed into her homemade pad.

That left only one choice.

She walked over to Lukan.

Without hesitation, she climbed onto the silver wolf’s broad back.

His thick fur felt like sitting on the world’s fluffiest mattress.

She sighed happily.

"Perfect."

Lukan’s ears twitched with quiet satisfaction.

He lowered himself slightly to make it easier for her to settle in before carefully standing again.

Ryan merely watched from where he stood.

His expression didn’t change.

He had only stepped forward out of courtesy.

After all, he was the one who had asked to learn pottery.

Offering her a ride was simply the polite thing to do.

The others weren’t disappointed either.

Lucas and Ace had carried Sora before.

Besides...

Anyone who cooked like she did deserved chauffeur service.

As for Lukan...

In his eyes, caring for the female of the household wasn’t a favor.

It was simply what a good husband did.

Once Sora had a firm grip around the wolf’s neck, she smiled.

"Alright."

"Let’s go."

The caravan finally set off.

Clare and Zainabu watched from atop their wolves, exchanging wide-eyed looks.

Every single one of Sora’s husbands had volunteered.

Without being asked.

Without arguing.

Without bribery.

"...The rumors were true."

"They actually spoil her."

The two women couldn’t understand it.

There were prettier women in the tribe.

Women with lighter skin.

Slimmer waists.

Perfect smiles.

Several had openly flirted with these five warriors.

Not one of them had even earned a second glance.

Even Serena—the acknowledged beauty of the tribe—could only exchange polite greetings with them.

Yet somehow...

Sora had five powerful husbands practically lining up to carry her.

Clare leaned closer to Zainabu.

"...Do you think she’s using magic?"

Zainabu whispered back,

"If she is..."

"I want lessons."

The two women silently promoted themselves to founding members of the unofficial Sora Fan Club.

Their first objective?

Figure out the mysterious art of making stubborn beast husbands become obedient.

Meanwhile...

Sora had no idea she’d just gained two admirers.

She was far too busy appreciating Lukan’s riding skills.

This is wonderful...

No bouncing.

No flying.

No near-death experiences.

Just soft grey fur and a smooth, steady pace.

Her homemade pad remained perfectly undisturbed.

She mentally awarded Lukan Five Stars for Transportation Services.

After several hours of walking, everyone began looking hungry.

Clare and Zainabu reached into their baskets for wild fruit.

Before they could eat, Sora pulled several golden cakes from her bag.

She handed three to each person.

"For breakfast."

The women blinked.

"...What’s this?"

"My egg-and-corn cakes."

"I made them yesterday."

Cornmeal.

Fresh eggs.

Fried in rendered boar fat until crisp outside and soft inside.

The women thanked her politely.

Then took cautious bites.

Their eyes immediately widened.

"...It’s delicious!"

Soft.

Crunchy.

Rich with egg.

Nothing like plain fruit.

Even their wolf husbands forgot their manners and devoured theirs in seconds.

Ryan accepted one as well.

He had already eaten breakfast...

But refusing food someone prepared felt unnecessarily rude.

He glanced sideways.

Lucas...

Ace...

Xavier...

Even Lukan...

All four were already halfway through theirs.

Clearly this wasn’t their first time.

Ryan took a bite.

Crunch.

A rich buttery aroma spread across his tongue.

The crisp crust gave way to a fluffy center.

He paused.

...This is unexpectedly good.

So this was why those four practically lived in Sora’s kitchen.

Perhaps...

They weren’t exaggerating after all.

Ding!

The familiar system notification echoed inside Sora’s mind.

Congratulations, Host!

Ryan’s Affection has increased.

Current Affection: 0.01

"..."

Sora stared into space.

"Zero point zero one?"

She almost laughed.

"Really?"

"That’s it?"

She looked toward Ryan.

He calmly continued eating his breakfast as though nothing had happened.

Sora wanted to cry.

I gave away one of my precious breakfast cakes...

...for one hundredth of a point?

That wasn’t affection.

That was a rounding error.

She mentally crossed her arms.

Next time he can bring his own breakfast.

Ryan’s affection was officially the stingiest thing she’d encountered since arriving in the savannah.

After breakfast and a short rest, the group continued toward the red clay deposit.

Once they arrived, Sora slid gently off Lukan’s back.

She pointed toward the exposed bank of crimson earth.

"This."

"This is what pottery is made from."

Clare and Zainabu stared.

"...This mud?"

The wolf husbands were equally stunned.

"You mean ordinary dirt becomes pots?"

"That can’t be real."

Sora laughed.

"I could explain it all morning."

"But it’s much easier to show you."

"Seeing is believing."

She picked up a sturdy stick and dug into the clay bank.

Soon she had a large lump of sticky red clay.

Without another word, she began kneading it.

Lucas, Ace, and Xavier instinctively joined in.

They collected clay.

Kneaded it smooth.

Rolled it into workable coils.

Then quietly placed each piece beside Sora.

No instructions needed.

It had become second nature.

Sora smiled.

"Hold on."

"Let me teach Clare and Zainabu first."

The three obediently stepped aside.

Clare’s eyes practically sparkled.

"They don’t even need to be told what to do..."

Zainabu nodded in admiration.

"Sora really has them trained."

Lucas nearly choked.

"We’re standing right here."

Ignoring the comment, Sora focused on the clay in her hands.

"You can shape this into almost anything."

"A cup."

"A bowl."

"A cooking pot."

"But the walls must stay even."

She gently turned the clay as she spoke.

"If one side is thick and the other is thin, it’ll crack in the fire."

Within moments, a neat little cup appeared beneath her fingers.

She held it up.

"Like this."

Everyone leaned closer.

The shape looked almost identical to the pottery Sora had brought back before.

Only this one was still dull red.

"So after firing..."

"It changes color?"

Clare asked.

Sora smiled.

"Exactly."

"Now it’s your turn."

The beginners immediately knelt in front of the clay bank, eager to discover whether ordinary savannah mud could truly become something extraordinary.