The moment Evangeline stepped out of the bamboo house, Julian rushed forward. "How is my brother?" he asked, his voice strained with anxiety. "Can he recover?"

Perhaps Thorne’s earlier words had an effect, as Julian was much more composed when he looked at Evangeline again.

Evangeline considered for a moment. "He can recover, but it will take time."

"Memory loss is often related to the brain, so it can’t be treated lightly. Using medication rashly would be even more dangerous—it could cause permanent damage. It’s better to let nature take its course. He’ll recover on his own and remember when he’s meant to."

Julian’s face fell, clearly displeased, but what Evangeline said next captured his complete attention.

"While I can’t treat his memory loss for the time being, I do want to reforge his Star Pattern for him."

Evangeline’s tone remained unchanged, as casual as if she were discussing the weather.

Julian’s pupils constricted. His Adam’s apple bobbed violently, and his voice trembled slightly. "Can you really?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

His brilliant golden eyes were locked on Evangeline, afraid he might miss the slightest flicker of her expression. Compared to restoring memories, Drake regaining his Star Pattern—being able to spread his wings and fly high again—was clearly what he cared about most.

"Tch. If you’re so doubtful, why don’t you just take Drake and leave now?" Thorne scoffed. He leaned against the bamboo wall with his arms crossed, his dark green, slitted pupils filled with scorn. His tone was biting and laced with undisguised provocation.

’He didn’t want so many people crowding around his female anyway. One less Drake would be just perfect.’

’If Caden Albright hadn’t told him that Eva’s goal was to change things that had already happened, he would’ve tossed Drake aside long ago. Why else would he let him and Julian stay here? What a pair of troublemakers!’

Anger flashed through Julian’s golden eyes, but he didn’t lash out. He just stared at Evangeline. "What do you need me to do?"

Evangeline thought of the Spiritual Medicines she had just taken stock of in the bamboo house. Her brow furrowed slightly. "We’re missing some ingredients. I plan to go out and find the Spiritual Medicines needed to reforge Drake’s Star Pattern. It might take some time."

Her stock of Spiritual Medicines had been heavily depleted recently, and the ones needed to stimulate the growth of Bone Wings were very rare. Finding them all would take time.

’Ever since coming to the Beastman Continent, I’ve been braving the elements day after day, completing tasks. It’s about time I went out to restock my dimensional storage. After all, the Beastman Continent is untapped, rich in resources, and full of supplies.’

’It wouldn’t hurt to gather more supplies while the natural disasters have subsided.’

"You’re going out again?" Thorne’s brow furrowed sharply, displeasure churning in his dark green, slitted pupils. Every time she went out, something bad happened. It was impossible to feel at ease.

"I’m going to look for medicine, not to stir up trouble." Evangeline chuckled softly, gently tapping her finger on Thorne’s chest as if placating a bristling beast. "It’s just gathering herbs. There’s no danger. Don’t you trust my skills?"

Thorne snorted coldly and turned his face away, the tight line of his jaw betraying his lingering displeasure.

Evangeline stroked his jaw and said, "This time, none of you need to come with me. I promise I’ll come back as soon as I find the medicine. It won’t take long. Besides, I have something I need to task you all with."

Caden Albright’s long, silver-white hair stirred in the wind. His slender fingers gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

He asked gently, "What do you need us to do?"

Evangeline took Caden Albright’s hand and walked toward the edge of the bamboo forest.

Though their expressions varied, the other males all followed suit in a silent understanding.

Julian hesitated for a moment, but recalling Evangeline’s words, he strode forward and followed closely behind.

Once they reached a high point with a clear view that overlooked the entire Blackwater Swamp, Evangeline pointed toward the bamboo house and said softly, "As you’ve seen, the natural disasters are constant, and nowhere is safe. So, I think we should fortify our home and turn it into a more secure dwelling."

"We can use bamboo to build a large barrier around our home to prevent Wild Beasts and The Swarm from attacking."

"Also, while it’s still the hunting season, we should capture some docile young Wild Beasts and raise them in an enclosure as a food reserve."

"..."

Evangeline explained her ideas in detail, teaching them these new skills.

’Sooner or later, I’ll have to leave. Once my mission is complete, I’ll find an auspicious place to live out my days in peace. These skills, however, will benefit them endlessly. For generations to come, it will guide the tribes into a new era of civilization much sooner.’

’Besides, I really want to see what’s beyond Norfell, on the other side of the Triangle Sea.’

’Exploring this vast Beastman Continent is another dream of mine, aside from a peaceful retirement.’

A flicker of understanding crossed Caden Albright’s eyes; he immediately grasped the deeper meaning behind Evangeline’s words.

’He mulled it over, inwardly reeling. These seemingly simple changes could completely revolutionize the way the Beastman Tribes lived. If they could truly domesticate and raise Wild Beasts, then even during the long rainy and Cold Seasons, Beastmen would no longer need to worry about food.’

’And by fortifying their dwellings, they would have a better position to retaliate if they were attacked by outside enemies.’

Evangeline’s words could trigger a revolution for the entire Beastman civilization.

Julian stood behind the others, his expression one of shock. As a tribe leader, he of course understood the immense importance of Evangeline’s words. If successfully implemented, they could be the key to transforming the entire Beastman Continent.

’For a female to have so many novel ideas... it was simply unbelievable.’

Evangeline tilted her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "Beyond that, I also want to teach you how to read and write."

"Read and write? What are... words?" Caden Albright froze, a flicker of confusion in his amber eyes.

’He stared at Evangeline, a sudden sense of inadequacy washing over him. As a member of the Fox Clan, known for its wisdom, his sharp mind—something he had always been proud of—seemed so barren in comparison. His female... she seemed like a being of far greater intelligence than any of them.’

Evangeline blinked and looked back at the other males, only to see them exchanging confused glances and shaking their heads.

"’You can think of words as special symbols. Just like how every tribe has its own totem to represent its faith and heritage, every person has their own name. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could express your name with a unique symbol?’ Evangeline’s voice was soft, but it made the breathing of every male present grow heavy."

"’Names... can be recorded?’ Caden Albright murmured, a fervent light igniting in his amber eyes."

Thorne was also surprised. "Like how a Witch carves mysterious patterns on the altar’s stone walls?"

Evangeline’s lips curved into a smile as she nodded. "Exactly."

Danton was just as astonished. He said in a low voice, "On the stone pillars in the Deep Sea of the Tideborn, there are indeed some ancient symbols engraved. But only a Witch can interpret them. They’re said to record the wisdom and history of our ancestors."

"’But names... they can also be turned into eternal symbols and recorded?’ Ripples of emotion stirred in his light blue eyes."

"Of course." Evangeline nodded, her expression earnest.

’Lachlan watched Evangeline quietly. He thought of the "photograph" he treasured, the image of him frozen so clearly on it. Compared to that, turning a name into a symbol and recording it didn’t seem so surprising anymore.’

’But he was also very curious to see what his name, "Lachlan," would look like.’

Evangeline took in everyone’s eager expressions and suddenly broke into a sly smile.

"’I knew you’d be interested. I’ll teach you tonight.’ Here, her tone shifted, and the corners of her eyes lifted. ’However, before I teach you, you’ll have to... satisfy me first.’"

As her seductive voice trailed off, every male present couldn’t help but hold his breath.

Thorne’s dark green pupils lit up instantly, and all thoughts of learning to read and write were tossed aside.

He strode forward, pulling Evangeline into his arms. His fangs grazed the skin of her neck as he spoke in a low, husky voice, "You’ve been with that fish for so long. It should be my turn now, right?"

Thrown off balance by his embrace, Evangeline stumbled, and the corner of her mouth twitched. "What are you thinking?"

"That’s not the kind of satisfaction I was talking about. I meant something else."