Chapter 177: Strange Education
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 177: Strange Education
‘Wh-who is... Ms. Alfi...?!’
Sera was currently wide awake.
Last night, she had laid her exhausted body down in a spacious bed alone for the first time in a while and fallen asleep quickly. Perhaps it was because she had drifted off while feeling both immense anticipation and anxiety for the following day.
“D-did I wake up too early...?! What should I do?!”
Sera had risen early, around 9:00 AM, before anyone else was awake. It was too early to go out and do something, yet too late to crawl back into bed.
Today’s festival date with Yoo Eon would likely be their last time together. At least, that was what Sera thought, given the presence of Theodora, who was essentially Yoo Eon’s fiancée.
‘That reaction back then...’
When Ravi had asked to go to the festival together, Theodora had simply agreed without much fuss, saying they should all go play. It was as if she didn't even consider a commoner woman like Sera to be a romantic rival.
Though her intentions were quite impure, Sera knew that if she couldn't capture Yoo Eon’s heart during today’s festival, she might never get another chance.
And so, Sera began rummaging through the back of her wardrobe, looking at outfits she had worn when she was younger—clothes she usually never touched.
‘What do I do... Did my chest get bigger?’
Sera usually wore a loose dirndl over undergarments tightened with a corset, always adjusting them to fit perfectly. As she held the long-unworn clothes against her upper body, waiting for the right moment...
She heard voices from outside.
—There was a message from Lady Theodora.
—Ah, I see. What is it?
—She says she will be here at 11:00.
‘Theodora is coming at 11:00?! Wait!? And Yoo Eon is already awake?!’
Actually, from Sera’s perspective, this was a good thing. When Theodora arrived at the inn, Sera could pretend to have just naturally woken up and check what Theodora was wearing.
She had to make sure her own outfit was at least a bit more... aggressive than hers. Though she wasn't confident enough to wear something too lewd.
* * *
“Now, it’s time for the real thing. The young lady is scheduled to arrive soon, so I hope you recall everything you’ve been taught.”
“Phew, alright. I understand.”
“Yoo Eon! I’m sorry I can’t go with you today! I’m heading out now, okay?!”
“Ah, Ravi. It’s fine. Have a good time.”
I had received the Lymain family’s secret education from Ms. Alfi. Everything about it was good, and the quality of the instruction was incredibly high—except for the fact that the goal of the education was to gain acceptance for polygamy for the sake of the family’s growth.
After we finished, Ms. Alfi had scurried up to the second floor to call Ravi. As expected, Ravi seemed to have the ‘Ms. Alfi Lover Skill,’ as she decided to accompany Alfi instead, much to her own regret.
Come to think of it, isn't Ravi the owner of the Sateria Appraisal Office? Why did I tell her to go have a good time?
Anyway, even after Ravi left, I kept rehearsing Ms. Alfi’s lessons in my head. What kind of "special education" is designed specifically to get someone to accept polygamy?
After some time passed and 11:00 arrived, just as Ms. Alfi said it would...
“The door is open...? Aven? Aven, are you there?”
“Ah, Dora. You’re here?”
“Yeah. Where is everyone else?”
“Ravi went out to play with Ms. Alfi, and the others are still sleeping. We had a lot of customers yesterday.”
“I see.”
Just as Ms. Alfi had instructed, I began to deconstruct and analyze Theodora’s appearance from head to toe.
The first method to gain acceptance for polygamy.
‘It was so obvious I’d forgotten it.’
It was simply ‘paying attention.’ It was a vague method, but the thing women in a potential polygamous situation fear most is an imbalance of love.
“Theodora. Those earrings are really pretty.”
“Wh-wha?! P-pretty?!”
“Yeah. They look great with your blonde hair.”
“Hehe...! I see! You’ve got a good eye!”
Seeing Theodora’s tail wagging so hard it looked like the fur might fly off, it seemed the compliment worked well. But I couldn't stop there.
“But isn't that skirt a bit short? It’s a little concerning.”
“I-is it...? Does it... not look good?”
“Of course not. I just don't like the idea of other men looking at you. It’s the kind of outfit I’d rather you only showed to me.”
“Hmph... What’s that supposed to mean...?”
‘Okay.’
Though imperfect, I had also learned a way to mask my pheromones. I hadn't learned the proper control methods used by adult Beastkin right away; instead, I used a trick to suppress my innate Beastkin traits through a skill.
“I guess Ms. Sera hasn't woken up yet?”
“Seems so. Yesterday’s work must have been exhausting.”
If I stopped talking here, I’d be an amateur. Making a comment that seemed to worry about Sera in front of Theodora was the perfect way to heighten Theodora’s sense of psychological loneliness.
“But I’m more worried about you, Dora. Where did you sleep last night?”
“Me?! Just... at an inn near the Northwest sector...”
“You shouldn't wander around at night; it’s dangerous. I was worried.”
“Y-yeah... Sorry...”
Perfect. Dora’s ears perked up beautifully. Now for the final highlight.
“Come here. Why are you sitting so far away?”
“Huh... What?!”
I turned the empty chair next to the round table where I was sitting, positioning it so it was easy for Theodora to sit, and then patted the seat.
Tap, tap.
“I said, come here.”
“O-okay...!”
The Southwest district is usually bustling the day before the Calax Birth Festival. Since the area is overflowing with affordable lodging perfect for a night or two, people who arrived early for the festival were likely scouring the area for rooms.
Today, however, was quieter than yesterday. Those who came to enjoy the festival would have headed toward the Western district, the Northeast, or the Northwest.
“There’s going to be an event match hosted by the guild in the Northern sector in an hour... What do you want to do?”
“An hour from now? So, 12:00?”
“12:30. The central plaza will be packed with people. There will be plenty of street stalls, too.”
“An event match? Is there anything interesting?”
“They take participants, rank them, and give out prizes.”
Prizes, huh? I was curious about what they’d give. Since it was a festival that only happened once a year, I figured the prizes would be substantial.
“Maybe I should enter.”
“Unfortunately, they only have rank matches for Iron, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. There’s no Cobalt.”
“I was Gold until the day before yesterday, though.”
“You can’t. If you enter, people will die.”
Tsk. What a shame.
Creeeeak.
‘Is this the start of the second act?’
“Looks like Sera is awake. You’ll wait for me, right?”
“Y-yeah...! I-I have to wait...”
“Good girl.”
I wasn't entirely sure why, but I was supposed to stroke the nape of her neck—not her hair—while making eye contact. It seemed to be a Beastkin trait, but I wondered if it would work on the Human Species.
Slide.
“Such a good girl.”
I reached out, slid my hand behind the right side of Theodora’s hair, and stroked down from her ear to the nape of her neck while locking eyes with her.
“G-good girl...”
It seemed to have an effect. Now, I had to target Sera.
“Sera, good morning. Hmm?”
“Ah, Yoo Eon... Is there something on my face...?”
I knew she had been awake for a while, but it was best not to create a situation that would make her uncomfortable.
At a glance, it was obvious she had tidied her hair just enough so it wasn't noticeable.
“You look beautiful this morning. Did you sleep well last night?”
“Pardon?! Ah, yes...! I-I think I slept well...”
“That’s a relief. I was worried you might not have slept properly because you were so tired.”
“Ehehe... I-I’m fine...”
Some color returned to her slightly stiff face. She had woken up early; I wondered if she was tired.
“Tell me if it’s too much, Sera. Don't push yourself.”
“I-I will...”
I was doing exactly what Ms. Alfi taught me... but I wasn't actually sure if this was right. Wasn't this just saying more kind things than usual?
‘Did she say to make eye contact often?’
“Sera, can I look at your face for a moment?”
“Yes...?”
Certainly, her eyelids were trembling slightly, making her look tired from waking up early. Her pupils kept darting around, which was unlike the Sera who usually met my gaze directly.
“Thank you for yesterday.”
“F-for what...?”
“It must have been hard with so many customers, but you didn't complain once.”
“Mm... No. It’s inn work, so of course I should help.”
“Who says it’s 'of course'? You’re working so hard. Go wash up quickly. You need to rest today.”
“I-I will! Hehe...”
Should I try it just in case? I naturally slid my hand under her ear, stroking the nape of her neck while inducing her to meet my eyes.
“Y-Yoo Eon?!”
“Just a moment.”
Even though she had just woken up, her face was unfairly pretty. When I gave her a bright smile, Sera dropped her head and covered her face with her hands.
“I...! I have to go wash up!!”
“Whoa.”
She gently pushed my chest away and scurried off toward the bath. I guess it really didn't have much effect on the Human Species.
* * *
“Dora, I’m back. Sera said she’s going to wash up.”
“I-I see... Okay...”
“You were a good girl, waiting patiently.”
“Of course...! It’s not like I’m a little kid...”
“Hmm.”
Theodora’s mind was currently a mess.
‘What is wrong with him today...?! He’s being so suggestive!’
Every single one of Yoo Eon’s gestures, which usually felt innocent, now felt alluring and seductive. To evoke this much desire when she wasn't even in estrus... When he stroked behind her ear and the nape of her neck, she had almost let something slip.
He was kind and gentle as always, but for some reason, his tone felt pressuring. Just as Alfi had advised, he was using a commanding tone that radiated the influence of an Alpha gene.
The few compliments he tossed out casually made her feel so good that her thighs began to twist together of their own accord.
‘Endure it, endure! If I mess up today, it’s all over!’
At that same moment, Sera was feeling the same way.
‘I can’t look him in the eye... Why is my face so hot today?!’
On average, there is a set amount of time a person can maintain eye contact, and this varies depending on each person’s personality.
By intentionally drawing out this time, the other person becomes more conscious of the gaze, and afterward, even if they lock eyes for the same amount of time as before, it feels significantly longer.
Thus, because Yoo Eon was holding eye contact for about two seconds longer than usual, Sera became hyper-aware of his gaze.
‘I can’t...! If I mess up today, it really is the end!’
With grim determination, Sera finished a shower that was much more thorough than usual. She then donned her "battle outfit" and stepped out before Yoo Eon.
“Sera, you look especially beautiful today. I’m worried someone might try to steal you away.”
“Hwaaaah...!”
‘I’m so embarrassed...! I’m going to die of embarrassment!!’
Because of Yoo Eon, who was perfectly executing Alfi’s strange education, Sera’s face turned bright red.