"The Male Academy once produced a genius—no, 'genius' doesn't even cover it. By twenty, he'd already become an Arcanist. He was the most promising candidate to ascend to Demigod status then, with even a faint hope of reaching the Divine Realm. But long before that... he had a rather insane idea..."

"He craved invincibility among his peers, so he fixated on the Dark Beast's limitless mana. At twelve, he refused the standard summoning array and began his own research. Finally, the day after achieving Arcanist rank at twenty, he succeeded—crafting a targeted summoning array for the Dark Beast and summoning one."

Hearing this, Lilina could barely contain her excitement. "Teacher... did you call me here to share that senior's method for raising a Dark Beast?"

Stephanie shook her head. "Everyone assumed he'd soar to greatness. Instead, he vanished without a trace. Others thought he died in some crisis—but only the higher-ups knew the truth... he went mad."

Lilina gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "How... how could that be..."

Stephanie sighed. "Driven mad by the Dark Beast."

"Wh-what? Why?" Lilina stammered.

"Because the Dark Beast was simply too stupid," Stephanie explained. "It couldn't communicate with humans at all, let alone channel mana to its contractor. For ten years—ten long years—he obsessed over connecting with it. Every method failed. He wasted a decade and squandered his Contract Beast's combat potential. Unable to bear the blow... he broke."

"This..." Lilina's gaze dropped to Wu Yan, her heart sinking.

"Fearing his Arcanist power might run wild, the Male Academy imprisoned him in one of its forbidden zones. But judging by time passed... his lifespan is nearly spent."

"Isn't there... any way at all?" Lilina pressed, voice trembling.

"If there were," Stephanie replied with a helpless sigh, "he wouldn't have gone mad."

Fresh tears welled in Lilina's eyes, splashing onto Wu Yan.

*Huh? What's this? Tears?* Wu Yan looked up at Lilina's pained face and angrily shook a tentacle curled tightly into a fist toward Stephanie. Stephanie noticed every detail.

"There, there—don't cry," Stephanie said gently. "I've been watching you. You're stronger than most. Others in your shoes would've given up, but you persisted. I called you here to help... but during class, I saw something intriguing—that's why I shared all this."

Wiping her tears, Lilina asked curiously, "Is it about my Contract Beast?"

"Exactly! Sharp girl!" Stephanie nodded approvingly, settling back into her seat. "In class, you and your Contract Beast managed simple communication—I was stunned. Dark Beasts are utterly incapable of it. Yet after you called its name a few times... it responded to your command. Truly incredible."

Lilina's shoulders slumped slightly. "But it didn't understand me... that time was probably just coincidence."

A mysterious smile touched Stephanie's lips. "I was uncertain too... until just now. When you cried, your Contract Beast threatened *me*. That's not simple responsiveness—that's intelligence. Possibly quite high."

"Just now..." Lilina murmured, confused.

"Yes. Its cognitive ability exceeds all records. If it can supply you mana, the academy will fast-track your training."

"R-really?" Lilina whispered, disbelief shimmering in her eyes.

"Absolutely. I guarantee it—provided you succeed."

Overjoyed, Lilina hugged her Contract Beast, planted a firm kiss on it, and nuzzled it against her cheek. "Little Dark, you're amazing!" Happy tears streamed down her face.

After his defiant little tentacle shake, Wu Yan had felt utterly powerless. Then—suddenly—the girl holding him beamed with joy and gave him his first kiss in this world. *Wait... what?! How'd I unlock an achievement?! She was heartbroken seconds ago!*

*Could... Tentacle Monsters have some hidden charm? Or do girls just... like this kind of creature? (Sorry for the naughty thought.)*

Hah! As if! He was *definitely* not happy about being a Tentacle Monster! Not. One. Bit!! He was a model youth of the new era! Sure, he occasionally sped a little (okay, total veteran behind the wheel), but that didn't change his upright, pure core (→_→)...

Alright, enough overthinking. He could transform back now—thirty minutes only. But once human? With his imposing physique (→_→), handsome features (→_→), and hard-earned experience conquering countless game heroines (the *real* key!)... winning over a girl would be effortless. Kisses? Entirely up to him. Anything... more intimate? Wait till she's older (→_→). Then—permanent human form! Mwahaha!

And so, Wu Yan declared his bold (and slightly lecherous) ambitions in this new world.