Chapter 258 One Year Request

Tera had the males dig some more until the whole foundation was an inch deep, and that was where she had them stop.

Tera intended to teach them how to create ladders. They were going to have to create deeper holes for the foundation poles, so they would need a ladder to climb out of that.

Everyone had gone to wash themselves, and the females decided to sleep with the cubs within the enclosure. The females seemed to especially like it for some reason.

Tera had washed herself with the females earlier, and now that she had returned to the camp, the two fires were low, and the others were arranging their furs to sleep.

Tera found Xavi and Ermin near their usual spot. Xavi was already sitting, and Ermin was stretched out on his side, one arm under his head. He was half asleep, tired from the heavy workload of the day.

She knelt and kissed Xavi. He hummed against her mouth, one hand curling around the back of her neck for a brief moment before letting go.

She kissed Ermin, who was half-asleep but still managed to catch her chin between his fingers and hold her there for an extra second.

"I’ll be resting with Calis tonight."

She had already told them earlier in the day, and they had been fine with it, especially after she had promised to lie down with them the following night. Funny enough, they had suggested all four of them could lie down together, after which Tera wasn’t sure how that would work.

It would end with them clearly crushing her, of course.

Xavi smiled and nodded while

Ermin’s eyes were already closed. "Mm."

Tera promptly made her way to Calis at his spot under the tree where he was lying down on fur. He had recently finished washing himself too and was slightly damp. A few wolves were asleep nearby. They would usually still be up by this time, but they had been worked to the bone.

Calis’ ears perked up when he saw Tera approaching.

She lay down beside him, pulled his arm over her waist, and nestled against his chest.

Calis paused, having not expected her to have moved his own hand. He smiled, and his hold on her tightened a bit before he pulled her even closer.

"You all worked hard today," Tera murmured.

His tail thumped once. "Mm."

She laced her fingers through his, and his thumb traced a slow circle against the back of her hand.

From where he lay, Calis could see across the camp to where Xavi and Ermin slept. Ermin had already gone still, his breathing deep and even. Xavi was awake but staring at the sky.

Calis smiled, happy to have gotten to know the males a bit more today. Then he paused, catching himself smiling because of other males and not Tera.

He glanced down at Tera to see she was already asleep.

His chest felt warm.

She had chosen to sleep beside him tonight, and she looked very peaceful.

Calis closed his eyes.

- ※ - ※ - ※ -

Tera stared at the rectangle.

It was, objectively, beautiful work. A perfectly even trench, stripped clean down to outline the footprint of the first shelter. The beast males had actually outdone themselves, and the boost had helped a lot.

"Alright!" She clapped her hands together and every pair of wolf eyes within earshot swivelled toward her.

It was at that core moment she realised they were past the point of her explaining things to them. She really needed to teach these beasts how to read, along with basic numbers.

’Hey...’

[Yes, Host?]

’After this task, I might need you to pull some strings if you want future tasks to be successful.’

[? ? ? ?]

[This system does not collect bribery, Host]

’I’m not joking. I need at least a year without tasks, or you can assign what I’m about to do next as a task with a one-year timer.’

[(·•?_•? )]

[This system is curious, but Host cannot make such demands]

[Especially on the timing]

’Hmm... I wonder if another system would do so considering how magnificently I have achieved things in less than two years.’

[(°△°|||)]

[Wait, Host—]

{BeastWorldAddict is interested in Tera’s request}

{PervyGoddess is curious about Tera’s plans}

[( •?? ? •??)]

’At least hear me out. It’s crucial to my main mission.’

’I need to teach these beasts how to read and write. At least to the extent that they would be able to teach the cubs and any other beast.’

’They need to be able to read design plans too. And I intend to teach them basic maths for measurements.’

’I’m no teacher. Hell, I hate teaching, but this is necessary, and no, I really do need a whole year for that.’

’I won’t be idle. I’d be reconstructing my clan in the midst of that.’

The current project aside, the goals Tera had for her clan with the bamboo were a bit more complex.

The trees in her territory were going to be heavily involved. They were sturdy, and they would be perfect for advanced bamboo tree houses. Both to conserve space and also as a nice outpost to look out beyond the plateau.

Words were not enough for the beasts to go on.

[(???)]

[That is a whole other requirement]

[Education isn’t Host’s core mission]

{PervyGoddess cracks whip}

{PervyGoddess asks if System’s head is empty}

[(′???`)]

[No, this system is trying to make Host extra EXTRA sure of her decision and to cover all parameters]

’Awwwwn. Since when were you this meticulous?’ Tera teased the system.

She noticed the beasts were still staring at her, and she grew hot with embarrassment. "Give me a few seconds."

She turned away from them to face the foundation, her face still hot.

{PervyGoddess says system should grant Host this wish}

{BeastWorldAddict approves of this too}

Tera was beyond touched. ’Thank you so much!’

{PervyGoddess smirks}

[(? ????)]

[Oh...]

’Did you miss the part where it’s necessary for the beasts to understand what I need them to do?’

[This system isn’t trying to impede your progress, Host, truly]

[Dear sponsors too]

[But when Host changes location, surely, she can’t transport every new beast she takes along?]

[Won’t that mean Host will need to teach the new beasts in new territories this same thing?]