CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107 REVISION

Next class: math.

And then—she double-checked the schedule—art class again.

Alina sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead.

"Who made this schedule?" she muttered to herself. "I need to have a serious conversation with that person."

Art-math-art wasn’t exactly an ideal balance. She mentally noted that she’d revise the class routine later — something a little less chaotic and a bit more... logical.

Still, for now, she decided to give her students a short break before diving into numbers and shapes.

"Alright, sweethearts! Five-minute break," she called earlier, and just like that, the classroom cleared out like someone had released a swarm of candy bees outside. Chairs squeaked, feet shuffled, and voices disappeared down the hallway.

But one student remained.

Sable.

He sat quietly at his desk, his tiny legs dangling, hands folded over his finished artwork. He didn’t move, didn’t follow the others. Instead, he just stared down at his drawing.

Alina tilted her head and watched him for a moment.

He carefully opened his little bag and slid his purple-toned drawing inside like it was made of glass.

He pressed it flat, smoothed the edges, and patted the bag once.

When he finally looked up, he froze. His wide eyes met Alina’s.

She was smiling softly from her desk.

Sable’s shoulders stiffened, and he immediately lowered his head like a bashful turtle going back into his shell.

Alina chuckled, her heart melting a little.

He was so tiny. So serious. So careful.

She didn’t say anything, just let him tuck his bag away quietly.

While the room remained calm, she reached for her phone and opened her contact list.

She scrolled slowly, looking through the names.

King Corvus. Count Vladimir. Alpha Ryker. Her eyes passed familiar ones.

The missing students were still on her mind — Drake, Luna, Kelpie, Rocky, Vlad Jr.

***

After the little break ended, Alina clapped her hands gently, signaling that it was time to get serious again.

"Alright, little stars," she said warmly, "break is over. Now let’s go back to math!"

A few groans echoed across the room.

Boo floated in slowly like a tired ghost returning from war.

Felix sat up straighter, already flipping open his notebook. Lucien calmly adjusted his pencil like a miniature scholar preparing for an exam.

Sable peeked out from behind his desk like he was hoping they’d skip to play time.

Alina walked over to the board and wrote down a simple review: 2 + 3 = ? and 5 – 1 = ?

She turned around.

"These are just warm-ups," she said kindly. "You’ve all done these before. Let’s see who remembers!"

Silence.

Then Boo raised his hand slowly.

"Yes, Boo?"

"Umm..." He blinked, twisting in the air. "What is... ’plus’ again? Is it the one where things get bigger, or the one where they disappear?"

Alina stared at him for a second before answering, "It’s the one where things get bigger."

Boo gasped, eyes lighting up. "OH!! Then I love plus!"

She chuckled. "That’s a start. What’s 2 plus 3?"

Boo stared at the board. "Uhhh... more than 4... but not 10?"

Felix sighed loudly. "It’s five, Boo. FIVE. Even I know that."

Boo crossed his arms. "Well, I knew that in art class but I left it there!"

Alina laughed under her breath and moved to Sable. "What about you, sweetheart? Can you do 5 minus 1?"

Sable blinked.

Then picked up his pencil and quietly drew... a tree in his notebook.

"Sable?"

"...I for-g-oat," he whispered, sliding lower in his seat.

"That’s okay," Alina smiled. "We’ll learn it again."

Meanwhile, Lucien had already finished both problems... and was writing his own.

Alina raised her brows. "Lucien?"

"I added more numbers," he said calmly. "In case someone wants extra work."

Felix made a face. "Ugh, you’re such a calculator."

Lucien didn’t respond. He just erased a line very neatly.

Alina chuckled and walked back to the board.

"Alright, it looks like we’re doing a quick review today!" she announced brightly. "No problem at all. Teacher will teach you everything again from the beginning."

Boo floated toward the board dramatically. "Please start with what a number is."

Alina smiled at them all. "Alright, little stars, we’re going to learn math again! But this time, I’ll tell you a secret..."

All eyes turned to her.

Even Boo sat upright like she was about to reveal the secret of the universe.

Alina leaned closer like she was whispering something forbidden.

"Every number... is actually a snack."

Boo gasped dramatically. "WHAT?!"

Sable blinked.

Lucien raised a brow, curious.

Felix mumbled, "I knew that."

Alina smiled and walked to the board. She drew five small candies in a row.

"Let’s say Teacher has two candies... and Boo gives me three more." She drew three more candies beside them.

"How many candies do I have now?"

Boo squealed. "TOO MANY. Give me one!"

Alina grinned. "Not yet, King of Crayons. First tell me — how many total?"

Lucien calmly said, "Five."

Alina clapped. "Perfect! 2 plus 3 is 5. Now let’s try minus."

"Now Teacher has five candies... but Boo steals one when I’m not looking."

She erased the drawing and made five new candies again.

Boo raised his misty hands proudly. "That’s me!"

Alina erased one candy. "How many are left?"

Sable stared... then softly said, "Four."

"Correct!" Alina cheered. "5 minus 1 is 4. And Teacher is sad now because Boo stole her snack."

Boo floated to her and patted her shoulder. "I’ll give it back after I lick it."

"Please don’t," Alina laughed.

Alina clapped her hands gently, her voice warm and cheerful.

"Alright, sweethearts," she said with a big smile, "open your notebooks!"

Tiny hands reached for notebooks.

When everyone was ready, Alina leaned forward slightly, speaking in her soft teacher voice.

"Let’s do a fun math game, okay? First, I want you to draw your favorite snack! Anything you like — candy, cookies, fruit, even spicy chips!"

Immediately, crayons flew into action.

Felix whispered, "Donuts."

Sable quietly drew a round purple cookie.

Lucien calmly selected a brown crayon for a cupcake.

Boo gasped. "Can I draw seven snacks?"

Alina laughed. "One first, Boo. Just one!"

After a few minutes of coloring, Alina said sweetly, "Now imagine — your friend gives you more snacks! Draw those too. How many snacks do you have now?"

Boo scribbled extra circles beside his first and yelled, "I HAVE A SNACK PARTY!"

Alina smiled. "Good job. That’s plus! You got more!"

Then she added gently, "Now... what if someone eats your snack when you’re not looking?" She gave Boo a teasing look.

Boo clutched his notebook dramatically. "Felix, don’t even think about it."

Alina giggled. "Draw one snack going away. That’s minus. Less snacks."