"Hear my call, descend here. Stand with me through thick and thin. Emerge, my partner!"

A cluster of girls surrounded a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl in a deep blue mage apprentice robe.

She had long black hair. Her robe was worn but spotless. Her youthful face held maturity beyond her years. She gripped a wooden Staff of Sorcery topped with a dim magic crystal, chanting a spell.

Before her lay a Magic Array etched with intricate lines.

As her final word left her lips, dark light erupted from the array. Its thick blackness instinctively chilled the heart.

"Such potent darkness... Could it be a Dark Dragon or a Death Knight? Whatever it is, our academy gains another powerhouse!"

The nearby teacher watched the swirling darkness, his expression turning grave.

Once this ends, I must alert the headmaster. The school must keep this talent.

"I never expected Lilina’s luck to be this good. A high-level Monster Beast will appear. With it, she’ll soar. The academy will prioritize her training."

"Then we should get on good terms with her."

"Right. Let’s get familiar now. Future perks might include us!"

Under the crowd’s expectant and jealous stares, Lilina couldn’t contain her emotions.

Lilina was just a town mayor’s daughter. Her decent magic aptitude and her father’s connections sent her to the Axiom Mage Academy—one of the world’s top three schools.

Before leaving, she vowed to reach senior Mage level by graduation. But the academy revealed the city’s harsh reality.

She’d thought her monthly funds would suffice. Here, even daily expenses strained her. She couldn’t afford Mind Crystals for meditation. Every month, she took part-time jobs after classes.

This slashed her meditation time. A year passed, and she remained a Mage Apprentice. If she didn’t advance this year, expulsion awaited.

Lilina considered asking for more money. But her family barely covered tuition. Their monthly savings were frugal. She couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Now, it was different. Lilina stared at the Magic Array.

If I summon a high-level Monster Beast, the academy will support me. I can focus entirely on my goal.

Imagining endless meditation time, Lilina’s excitement surged. She eagerly awaited her partner.

"Gurgle?"

Amid the crowd’s anticipation, Wu Yan materialized in this world.

That damn Tentacle God, just wait. I’ll destroy you someday!

As the darkness faded, Wu Yan appeared—a round body with two tentacles waving furiously.

Startled by the onlookers, Wu Yan made his first sound in this realm.

"...

"Hahaha! I knew a loser like you couldn’t summon a high-level Monster Beast. You got a Dark Beast—not even low-tier! Pathetic. Losers stay losers."

"Our academy’s disgraced by a student summoning a Dark Beast? You’ll fail in a year anyway. Drop out now and spare us the shame..."

"Quiet. Step down. Next one, prepare."

The teacher seemed calm but couldn’t mask his disappointment.

No wonder the darkness was so thick. It’s a Dark Beast...

He shook his head.

This child’s life is ruined.

Lilina froze the moment she saw Wu Yan. The surrounding words blurred into silence.

Her bright hopes vanished instantly. Tears flooded her eyes. Her strength, her dreams—shattered.

Lilina snatched Wu Yan up and fled, sobbing.

Wu Yan listened, utterly lost. He had no clue what they meant.

Just as he decided to stay still, the nearest girl—tears streaming—ran to him. Before he reacted, a hand roughly grabbed him and sprinted off.

Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt much. Guess soft-bodied creatures have perks?

Wu Yan’s first thought in this world.

Ignoring whispers and pointing, the girl dashed to her dorm. She tossed Wu Yan aside and collapsed on the bed, crying.

Dazed from the throw, Wu Yan slowly recovered. Hearing her muffled sobs, he remained clueless.

But as a veteran of midnight drives, Wu Yan knew: comfort her now to win favor.

He maneuvered his "hands"—if they counted—and strained toward the girl.

"Thud."

Unfamiliar with this body, Wu Yan... tangled himself...

He stared at his knotted tentacles, grief and rage overwhelming him.

Once, I was unstoppable. Everyone called me a seasoned pro...

Now, I can’t even walk. How desolate.

All because of that cursed Tentacle God! He made me like this and didn’t give me feet!

Wu Yan didn’t question if tentacle monsters had feet. He just cursed the Tentacle God’s ancestors endlessly.

At least I can turn human again. But...

He recalled the Tentacle God’s conditions and sighed.

I’ll practice walking first...

"Thud."

Again!

"Thud."

Again!

"Thud."

...

Wu Yan’s thuds made Lilina lift her head. She saw his tentacles knotting repeatedly.

Lilina realized her Contract Beast couldn’t walk. Her sobs grew louder. (Not my fault I can’t walk!)