Trapped as an NPC in a Dating Sim-Chapter 76: Soren is a bit Possessive!

"Is this what we are going to use to go to Whiteleaf Forest?"

Sylvia widened her eyes at the massive white figure before her, its intelligent eyes scanning their team curiously.

Sky Cranes.

She had read about this gentle monster before, but she never thought they would be riding one to fly through the sky.

"Look, its feathers look so soft. Can I touch it?"

Excited, Sylvia pointed at the large feathers before stepping closer, intending to touch them, only to be startled when the crane snapped its beak and squawked at her.

It seemed it was still wary of them.

Well, at least of her as after squawking at Sylvia, it nudged closer to Soren instead, lowering its head toward him docilely.

Then, all the wariness seemed to disappear the moment Soren lightly patted the huge head of the Sky Crane.

"Wha-? Hey, Soren, how did you do that?"

Sylvia asked, totally surprised, her mouth pouting in anger.

Not only her, but even Aurelia and Evan looked a bit amazed, while Aria seemed to be thinking of something.

"How do I know? Didn’t you see it came to me on its own? Maybe it just knows who to trust."

Soren smiled before taking out a piece of meat from his inventory that he had prepared beforehand, giving it to the crane.

He thought it might be because of his new trait, Beastkin Resonance, which he got from Aria.

"Knows who to trust? Soren, are you saying I look untrustworthy or something?"

"Hey, I didn’t say that. It is this crane that didn’t want you near, see?"

"Tch... stupid bird only knows to trust stupid people."

"Hey, now you are jabbing at me."

Just as Sylvia and Soren were going back and forth, Aria stepped closer and slowly patted the huge head of the Sky Crane.

And, surprisingly, just like with Soren, it didn’t react, letting her pat it freely.

"It isn’t about trust or anything. Seems Soren just has some affinity with beasts, that’s all."

Aria smiled, letting a faint trace of her mana flow into the crane’s head, making it purr cutely.

"I used my skill to make a temporary contract with it. Sylvia, you can touch its feathers now. It won’t act like before."

She was a summoner after all, and being an Elf only made it easier for her as creatures like this naturally liked her.

So, once she used her skill, the Sky Crane visibly relaxed, letting Sylvia touch its fluffy feathers however she wanted.

"So soft!"

The moment her hands brushed the white plumage, Sylvia immediately forgot her quarrel with Soren, smiling brightly.

She even hugged its wing with wide arms, giddy and carefree, making Soren envious.

"Didn’t she just say it was a stupid bird?"

Soren rolled his eyes, while Aria glanced at Evan and Aurelia.

"You two can touch it, too. Since it seems to be our transportation this time, it’s better to get familiar with it."

In fact, all the students around were already doing the same.

Although they had been startled at first, they quickly regained their composure and began reaching out to the Sky Crane, each in their own way.

Some used the skills they had learned in their Beast Tamer class, some offered bits of food, and others tried gentle coaxing techniques from previous lessons, all attempting to befriend the majestic creature.

Although they weren’t as quick as Sylvia and Soren, they were ready by the time Professor Kael spoke.

"Alright, it seems you all have grasped some basics for communicating with tamed beasts. I’m very satisfied."

He gave an approving nod before continuing.

"If everyone’s ready, then let’s go. Don’t worry, these Sky Cranes are trained and know exactly where to take you. All you need to do is ride securely on their backs."

"Don’t come blaming me if anyone slips off in the sky."

After the warning, Professor Kael walked a few steps away from the students, glancing down at the young wyvern lazily perched on his shoulder.

"PyroSpike, it’s time to leave."

He spoke softly, to which the little wyvern let out a long yawn before slowly pushing itself off his shoulder and taking flight.

*Swoosh!*

Then, to the astonishment of every student, the young wyvern began to shift. It’s small, playful form stretched and grew, flames curling and dancing along its scales as it directly transformed right in front.

In a moment, it returned to its true size, towering and magnificent, easily dwarfing the Sky Cranes.

*ROAAAR!*

The moment it fully changed, it let out a deafening roar that shook the clearing.

The Sky Cranes, sensing the overwhelming presence, immediately lowered their heads and bowed without hesitation, displaying complete submission.

"So, it wasn’t a youngling?"

Soren, who was watching it change shape, thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"No, it is definitely a youngling. It just... seems to be a high-ranking class Wyvern."

Maybe A-rank, or even S-rank. He didn’t know.

But Soren knew that not every beast could shapeshift their size at will. The one he had killed before, the Crimson Wyvern, naturally didn’t have this ability.

"Hmm?"

Just as Soren was looking at the massive Wyvern in surprise, like every other student, he felt its gaze briefly meet his.

*Huff!*

Then he saw it let out a faint huff from its nostrils, steam curling up before it turned away.

Although it was so brief that nobody else really noticed, Soren was sure it had looked at him with contempt.

"The heck... is this Wyvern taunting me or what?"

Soren was a bit amused when Professor Kael’s voice echoed across the entire field.

"All students, climb the Sky Crane assigned to you and get ready. We are leaving for Whiteleaf Forest."

"I suggest you take this chance to familiarize yourselves with aerial transportation. It might come in handy in certain dungeons, who knows?"

Keal was already perched on the back of his Wyvern.

After giving the order, he lightly caressed his pet’s neck, giving it a signal.

*Roar!*

The Wyvern responded with a low, rumbling roar, then flapped its massive wings, sending a gust of wind roaring through the clearing.

In an instant, it soared into the sky, hovering above them.

It moved so fast that Soren felt as if it had teleported.

"Hey, let’s go too. We can’t let the Professor wait for us, can we?"

Aria suddenly spoke softly, making everyone snap out of their surprise. She was already riding on the back of the massive Sky Crane along with Sylvia.

Sylvia, however, seemed even faster than her.

Her happy smile showed that she genuinely liked the bird from her heart.

"If you like it so much, how about making it your pet?"

Soren used his skill, Windwalker, to land right above the Sky Crane, only to see Sylvia squatting and playing with the soft feathers, caressing them with a smile.

So, he couldn’t help but joke lightly, only to see Sylvia tilt her head up, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Really? Is it possible to take it as my pet?"

She asked as if she were seriously considering it.

After all, in this world, not only Beast Tamers could have pets. Other hunters had ways to obtain them too, though they wouldn’t be able to use them as efficiently.

So Sylvia thought it might actually be possible.

"Cough... well, it is possible, but not at your level yet."

Seeing her expectant gaze, Soren felt a bit awkward and didn’t have the heart to tell her he was only joking.

After all, these were the Sky Cranes of Elite Hunter Academy, not some ordinary beasts up for sale.

Even if they were, they certainly weren’t rich enough to buy one.

"Is that so? So sad...and it’s even so fluffy."

Sylvia looked visibly disappointed, her head lowered as she softly caressed the white feathers. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

But with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and graceful figure framed against the snowy wings, she looked absolutely stunning to Soren.

Not to mention, from his higher position, he couldn’t help but notice the faint hint of cleavage, which made her charm even more striking.

Soren couldn’t help but look at her, silently admiring her.

Heck, feeling that Evan might see her like this, he even shifted slightly forward, casting a shadow over Sylvia to hide her.

Welp, from the looks of it, Soren seemed possessive, too.