Whoosh—

Tiny sparks trailed from An’s breath, landing on the firewood Sophia had arranged. Flames erupted in an instant.

With clumsy, unpracticed motions, Sophia skewered the four fish she’d caught and propped them over the fire.

Sizzle—

Under the heat, the roasting fish hissed and sputtered, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.

Sophia stared expressionlessly at the fish, but the faint glimmer in her eyes betrayed her anticipation.

Oh, and the occasional swallow of saliva didn’t help.

“Don’t burn them,” An said, gaze locked on the fish with clear longing—though his tone dripped with light mockery toward Sophia.

Sophia shot him a glance. “Burnt or not. Take it or leave it.”

“…”

An huffed and fell silent, eyes fixed solely on the sizzling fish.

As the girl and the dragon waited, a faint rustle cut through the quiet.

Sophia’s hand snapped to the wand beside her; the other gripped the dagger at her waist. Her aquamarine eyes locked onto the trembling thicket.

“Who’s there?!” Her voice was sharp, cold, decisive.

“P-please… d-don’t hurt me…”

Startled by her demand, the hidden figure trembled before replying in a hushed, fearful whisper.

Sophia’s grip tightened. But the moment the young boy crawled out of the thicket, she froze for a split second.

“You… How are you here?” Her sharp gaze pinned him in place.

Dust and twigs clung to his clothes and hair—he looked exhausted, clearly unaccustomed to the rugged, thorn-choked path.

“Ah… S-sorry!”

Instead of answering, he spun around the moment he saw her, voice tight with panic.

Sophia tilted her head, puzzled but still on guard.

Then An’s voice echoed in her mind: *“If you want to speak normally with that human cub, I’d advise lowering your skirt first.”*

Ah.

Earlier, while fishing, she’d hiked her knee-length dress up and tucked the hem into her waistband. Now it barely covered her thighs.

She calmly smoothed the fabric down. Her expression never flickered.

After all—though this body was female, she’d never seen herself as a girl.

Would a man feel shame if another man saw his thighs?

Naturally not.

…Hmm. If he did? *That* would be concerning.

“Why are you here?” Sophia’s voice was flat, gaze icy.

Hearing the rustling stop behind him—and confirming the young woman was decent—the boy slowly turned.

“U-um… I… I…”

“Speak. Quickly.”

Impatience edged her words. Wasted time. Wasted breath.

Chided, the boy’s mouth opened soundlessly. He took a shaky breath.

“Miss… I want to learn magic from you!”

“?”