After Wu Yan roughly grasped their conversation, he pegged this girl as the type chasing superiority complexes.

She’d been the star in one group, basking in endless praise, only to transfer somewhere she’s now the underdog—but since someone’s worse off, she mocks them to feed her ego.

Hmm, could this be that infamous “green tea girl”?

“You can keep talking tough for now,” Labi sneered. “But when you lose, honor our deal and leave school quietly. Someone like you only stains its reputation.”

“And you’ll apologize to me in front of the whole class when you lose,” Lilina shot back sharply. “Don’t you dare back out!”

“Heh, me lose?” Labi hid a laugh behind her hand. “To what—a bottom-ranked Mage Apprentice? Or that pathetic Dark Beast you’re clinging to?”

A large serpent, patterned with green scales, coiled up Labi’s body. Its icy eyes locked onto Lilina.

“Whoa, Labi’s Contract Beast is a Mandala Snake! Its armored scales deflect most attacks, and its venom paralyzes anyone it touches.”

“Yeah, even top students rarely summon a high-tier low-grade Monster Beast like this.”

Hearing the crowd’s awe, Labi’s vanity swelled. A smug smile spread across her face.

“Little Dark…”

Lilina hadn’t expected a high-tier low-grade Monster Beast. Worry crept into her heart.

Even with Little Dark fueling her magic, victory seemed impossible. The Mandala Snake’s scales would shrug off most first-level spells. Nonstop casting wouldn’t scratch it.

Expulsion…

The thought left Lilina’s throat bitter. She regretted making that bet.

She pictured her parents’ proud, hopeful gazes when they’d sent her off. She’d failed them.

Wu Yan caught his name and Lilina’s crestfallen look. He knew Labi had spat poison.

*Don’t push your luck—I’m no Hello Kitty.* Soon, he’d test his new spell on her. *My little loli’s off-limits to trash like you (→_→)!*

Freshly initiated into the “Church of ‘Little Girls Are Just the Best,’” Wu Yan declared shamelessly (*/ω＼*).

Facing raw power, Lilina felt helpless again. Any defense would only draw scorn.

Silently, she carried Wu Yan back to her seat.

“L-Lilina… are you okay?” A soft, trembling voice called out.

Silver short hair, flushed cheeks, tear-prone eyes—her timid aura sparked protectiveness. Most importantly: two snow-white cat ears twitched atop her head!

*A catgirl… and a shy one at that!* Wu Yan’s heart screamed: *Moe is justice!*

This cat-eared loli was Lilina’s only friend. As the class’s sole beastkin, her tearful demeanor made others avoid her, fearing they’d seem cruel.

*You fools don’t get the holy trinity: timid + cat ears + uke!* Wu Yan had already claimed her for his harem.

*What? Monogamy? Joke’s on you—if you reincarnate into another world and don’t build a harem, what’s the point?!*

“Alimi, don’t worry. I’m fine,” Lilina said weakly. Her slumped shoulders betrayed her.

“Just… apologize to Labi? We’re classmates. She won’t push it…” Alimi suggested timidly. Lilina shook her head. Words would only feed Labi’s arrogance. *Alimi’s too pure-hearted.*

But hadn’t that sincerity—her lack of disdain—is why Lilina befriended her?

Alimi stroked Wu Yan’s head, fretting. “Little Dark, you must protect Lilina well!” Her ears flicked as she spoke.

*Bullseye!*

*Nope. Too much cute. I’m ascending to heaven…*

*Alright. Time to unleash a big spell and blast that snake sky-high.*

“Gurgle!”

Wu Yan’s two tentacles whipped excitedly—he thought she was cheering him on…

“Thank you, Alimi.”

“Don’t say that. Aren’t we friends?”

Lilina managed a smile. “Best friends. Even if I leave school… promise you won’t forget me?”

“Lilina…” Alimi’s voice cracked. She swallowed her words. “I’ll never forget you.”

Sitting between them, Wu Yan felt like a third wheel…