The rate of mana absorption kept increasing, forming a stronger mana storm. Lilina had to step back twice.

"Hang in there, Alimi!"

Wu Yan felt saturated inside, yet mana still flooded into him. The twelve Mana Vortices within shrank further—now a quarter smaller than at the start—but their aura grew increasingly terrifying.

"Purr!"

Ahhh!

It hurts!

Alimi also felt intense pain. She curled her body, letting out low, pained whimpers.

"Yah!"

Mana still surged wildly into Wu Yan. Magical elements were drawn into Alimi too.

Little Dark remained oblivious, lazily napping. His ears twitched now and then; a paw scratched his whiskers.

"Alimi..."

Lilina watched Alimi with worry. But she knew this process was necessary—she’d endured it herself. Interrupting Alimi out of pity would earn no forgiveness, not from Alimi or herself. All Lilina could do was silently pray.

"Purr!"

Ahhh!

At Wu Yan’s peak agony, he finally absorbed all the Mana Vortices. His endurance had improved so much this time that he stayed conscious.

The Mana Vortices inside him vibrated fiercely, scattering incoming mana. It was evenly absorbed by the twelve vortices. Their eerie glow grew more unsettling.

Alimi, lacking a contract with Wu Yan, suffered less than Lilina had. She didn’t faint either. Though she gained less mana, she still reached the mana-satiated state.

Lilina suddenly sensed a strange connection with Alimi. Recalling Scottia’s words about resonance between mana-satiated states, she exclaimed in delight.

"Alimi, you’ve reached the mana-satiated state too! That’s wonderful!"

"Mana-satiated state?"

"Oh right, you don’t know yet. The mana-satiated state is..."

Lilina relayed Scottia’s explanation to Alimi.

"Purr!"

No one’s noticing me? I’m the real hero here...

"Is the mana-satiated state really that amazing?"

Alimi couldn’t quite believe her huge gain.

"Yes, it’s true! We’ll work hard together from now on!"

"Mm, thank you, Lilina!"

"What are you saying? Aren’t we friends?"

"Mm, we’re best friends!"

Just as they gazed deeply at each other, an ill-timed voice interrupted.

"Purr!"

Ignore me any longer, and I’ll jump off this table!

Wu Yan eyed the table—barely a meter high.

It shouldn’t kill me if I fall, right?

"Oh right, Little Dark, thank you too this time!"

Alimi cradled Wu Yan between her breasts, stroking his head gratefully.

"Mm, Little Dark did great this time!"

Lilina also reached out to pat Wu Yan’s head.

"Purr!"

Hmph. Only remembering me now. My heart’s seriously wounded. A head pat and...

"Peck!"

Two sounds came at Wu Yan’s ears. A warm, soft touch brushed his face.

"Thank you, Little Dark!"

Alimi gazed at him gratefully, eyes glistening.

"Purr!"

Fine. I’ll reluctantly forgive you.

Wu Yan closed his eyes, savoring the twin sensations...

Just then.

"Bang!"

The door to Alimi’s bedroom burst open—no, exploded. Wooden splinters flew everywhere.

"Huh?"

Alimi and Lilina froze, stunned.

"You bastards who ruined my research! Face the wrath of this great alchemist!"

The disheveled girl waved her hand, hurling a bottle of unknown red liquid.

It spun through the air toward Alimi.

"Purr!"

What’s happening?

Wu Yan finally opened his eyes. He saw a messy girl—wild hair, stained robe covered in colorful blotches.

Wu Yan disdainfully flicked his tentacle.

"Purr!"

What an eyesore!

Alimi saw the liquid flying at her. Instinctively, she raised what she held to block it—and that was Wu Yan...

"Crack!"

The test tube shattered to dust on impact. All the red liquid drenched Wu Yan.

"Purr..."

A bad feeling hit Wu Yan.

What is this stuff?

Ugh...

The world spun. Darkness swallowed him...

"Little Dark!"

Alimi and Lilina cried out together...

But neither noticed the red liquid melting into Wu Yan’s body, vanishing without a trace...