Lilina heard her words and was too furious to speak.

Wu Yan sensed the girl’s anger and glared at the vice president with his dead-fish eyes—though they were so small, no one could probably see them.

"Also, don’t bring your pet to the academy. A lowly Monster Beast like a Dark Beast has no place in this sacred institution. It’s an eyesore."

"Little Dark isn’t my pet! He’s my Contract Beast! And he’s not like other Dark Beasts—he’s smart!"

"...Your Contract Beast?"

The black-haired girl’s expression finally shifted.

"So you’re the student everyone’s been gossiping about—the one who summoned a Dark Beast..."

She glanced at the President. The golden-haired girl had also turned her attention here at some point.

She knew some of her President’s family secrets—secrets seemingly tied to this very matter.

"President..."

"Enough. Let her sit there. Spreading this would only tarnish the Student Council’s reputation."

The golden-haired girl stepped toward Lilina. An aura of authority radiated from her, layered with the oppressive pressure of a High Mage bearing down on the Mage Apprentice.

Lilina, though usually strong-willed, felt a flicker of insecurity under the weight. She stumbled back several steps, her face paling. A trace of fear crept into her heart.

Wu Yan sensed Lilina’s distress. He didn’t know what had been said between them, but—

*No one bullies MY future girlfriend without asking me first!!*

Wu Yan scrambled onto Lilina’s head and waved his two tentacles wildly.

The golden-haired girl halted her pressure—not out of fear, but because disbelief flashed in her eyes. She quickly composed herself.

"Here, you may lack status or lineage, but you cannot lack strength. Without power, you have no right to argue with us. So..." She turned away, walking back.

"If you want our respect, grow stronger. In this world, only the strong have the right to speak."

Lilina’s face turned ashen. The words struck deep—she was, after all, just a thirteen-year-old girl who should’ve been spoiled by her parents.

Silently, she walked toward the food she’d hastily set aside earlier when Wu Yan was nearly caught. She moved away from that spot.

*She’s right. Without strength, I have no right to speak. Forcing my way here using academy rules would only earn their contempt.*

The growing Lilina didn’t notice a pair of golden eyes following her back—more precisely, fixed on the Dark Beast atop her head.

*That just now...*

The golden-haired girl’s pupils narrowed slightly, recalling Wu Yan’s eerily human-like gesture.

*This Dark Beast truly is different...*

"President..." The black-haired girl spoke worriedly.

"Investigate this girl later. I want a full report by tomorrow. Don’t worry—I just need to confirm something."

"Understood!"

Lilina’s mood lifted slightly once she’d walked far enough with her food. She found an empty seat.

"Little Dark, here!" She broke off a small piece of bread and offered it to Wu Yan.

*This... is a perk!*

Wu Yan, who’d always fantasized about a beautiful girl feeding him, forgot his current form entirely.

*Awooo!*

He eagerly accepted Lilina’s offering. Seeing him eat, Lilina’s spirits rose too.

*Huh?*

To her surprise, Wu Yan wrapped a tentacle around half a piece of bread and held it to her lips.

"Little Dark... are you feeding me?" Lilina asked, pleasantly startled. She happily took the bite.

And so, the two openly showered each other with affection, bite after bite.

Dinner ended on a cheerful note. Lilina carried Wu Yan to her part-time job location.

"Listen, Little Dark," she warned him, smoothing her clothes. "No mischief this time!" She stepped inside.

"You’re not needed anymore!"

"But I—"

"No excuses. Leave."

"Please, I really need this—"

*SLAM.*

Lilina stared at the shut door, head bowed. "Let’s go, Little Dark," she whispered to Wu Yan, her voice bitter.

Under the setting sun, her silhouette walking back to her dorm looked unbearably lonely.

Wu Yan felt her sorrow and fell silent too.

*Plink.*

A cool drop landed on Wu Yan’s head.

Rain?

Or...

He sighed. This resilient girl had cried twice since he arrived in this world—and both times, it was partly his fault.

Gently, he extended a tentacle to wipe her tears.

Lilina felt the soft touch on her cheek. She looked down at Wu Yan and smiled. "I’m fine, Little Dark. Don’t worry."

*Right. As long as Little Dark channels magic for me, money won’t be a problem.*

Wiping her tears away, Lilina straightened her back and strode forward with a bright smile.