It was a dead of night and I felt trapped in my bed. I couldn't move my body, I tried to shock myself awake... But I couldn't escape...

All I could hear was growling. A shadow snarling as it approached me with saliva coming down on my shirt. I couldn't do anything else...

But to scream as it came down to bite me...

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"ARGH!!! DAMMIT!!!!"

I snap my eyes open and gasping for air. After a few seconds of breathing, I notice that I'm still in my bedroom not wearing my glasses or my [VeilCon]. So I have that nightmare for the third night in a row and it's all because of those failed [Mental Imprint] attempts...

I get that isn't intended to be a horror game. But I feel like my failures are one. I tried everything to calm my inner wolf down. I tried not resisting or ignoring it's presence. I tried befriending it, treating it like one of my family pet dogs... But for some reason, it still doesn't accept me. Just how...

PING! PING!

Crap! I almost had a heart attack there! Thank god it's not a ringing tone or I have a few words to the caller.

Checking through my phone, I only got the notifications from my recently installed [Isekai Connections] app and a Discourse notif from Harley. I guess he's already heading out for our yoga session. I should follow his lead and get ready immediately. It's my second day there and I can't stay here thinking about the game and my nightmare right now! Maybe with more sessions, I can succeed on my next attempt.

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Ugh... Why did I spoke too soon? I felt nothing from that yoga session. I'm lying on my brown yoga mat right now as everyone else left and out of everyone in class, I'm completely exhausted from those complicated poses. How the hell did Harley manage to survive doing them?!

"Are you still alive there, Luke?"

Speak of the devil... I stand up and turn to my calm, yet snarky friend. "Barely... I almost died from that Warrior pose if it wasn't for your tips. Thanks again."

"No problem, but..." I notice his eyes glaring straight right through mine. "Why are you going through this so suddenly? Unless it's for calming your nerves for the upcoming exams next two weeks, I suggest you should be honest and tell me your reasons."

Yeah, I knew he's too smart for me to evade his questions anyway.

"Well, I have to ask. How do you tame your inner beast, Harley?"

"...Excuse me?"

Okay, gonna rephrase that.

"I mean how do tame something that doesn't seem to accept you no matter what? I tried not to resist it, befriending, or treating it like a pet. But those methods didn't work no matter how hard I try. Just what am I missing here?"

I may use too many vague words due to my secrecy, but I hope he gets what I'm trying to say here.

"Uh... You may need a little more context for that."

Yeah, I used too much.

"But I might have an inkling of it. Maybe you're trying too hard on it."

I raise my eyebrow at his answer. I doubt I tried too hard on my [Mental Imprint] attempts...

"I have to ask. If whatever you mentioned is a living being, then have you consider it's feelings first?"

Huh? It's feelings?

"Most of us have different personalities along with likes and dislikes. It might the same with the "thing" you've mentioned. Maybe you should try to understand what they want before you can those methods to tame it."

I...never consider that option. I know most NPCs and monsters are powered by [Gaia Live's] AI, but to think I never try to treat them like real living beings... Is that even possible?

"I don't know, Harley. It sounds like chaos waiting to happen."

Harley sighs. "I understand how you feel about my advice, Luke. But it never hurts to try. Who knows? Maybe it just wants to be more than your "pet"."

More than...my "pet"... Now that I think about it, Capita said something similar...

[Just stay calm and do not overthink. The wolf inside you is linked with your emotions.]

It's linked with my emotions... The [VeilCon] tends to scan my brainwaves while I'm playing [Isekai]. If what Harley said is correct, then it might have something to do with myself. Maybe I'm not as accepting that I thought I was.

"Yeah, I agree with you, Harley. Thanks for that advice! I now know what to do next."

Harley smiles while I got up from the yoga mat. "Well, I still don't want to bother you with whatever you're doing in [Isekai]. But you should keep attending some yoga classes. It will do more than helping you in the game if you know what I mean."

He's got a point. Like he said, the exams before Thanksgiving is coming and I need to keep an eye on my mental wellbeing while cramming through my studies. At least the classes are free.

"Now come on, we should freshen up if we don't want to late to our assigned lectures."

Good idea. As much as I want to focus on , college comes first before everything else. This is going to be a long day before my next login.

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[Oh, hey there, Mr. Cub!]

[Good morning, young cub! I hope you have a good day.]

[Nice to see you, cub!]

[Hey, Mr. Cub! Wanna play with us?]

I smiled at everyone as I make my way back to the village's training grounds. Ever since I started living here thanks to Fenrir, I begun to connect with every villager here to the point of memorizing their names. While it's a bit weird seeing every NPC here like old friends, they were much friendly than the ones I met back in . It would be a shame if I leave them unannounced after the full moon. But that's up to debate.

[Hey, hey!]

I stop walking to see some [Lycan] kids running up to me with their fangs bare from their grins.

[Could you show us your magic tricks again?] One of them asked. [I really like how you made fire out of thin air!]

I chuckle awkwardly at his request. Fenrir did say not all of the [Lycans] here are skilled magicians and none of them can use magic properly. So seeing me casting [Fire Ball] blew their minds away. At least until one of their parents chastised me for almost burning one of the huts and cottages. Yeah, that one was my bad.

"I wish I could, but I have an appointment with my current master at the training grounds. But I'll make up for it once I'm done with my training. Maybe a fireworks show?"

[What are fireworks?]

I chuckle again. "It's another way to show my magic. But let's do that with your parents' permission next time. I don't want to get in trouble again."

[True... Well, good luck on your training, mister!]

Glad they can understand. I really need to start learning new magic once I'm done with the current [Hidden Quest]. For now, it's time to finish where I started.

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As I arrived back at the dojo, I see Capita inside, who is somehow practicing punching at a punching bag until she turns around to see me.

[Oh, little cub. How's your [Mental Imprint]? It seems like you're having trouble by the looks of it.]

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I nod. "You can say that. But I might have a breakthrough this time. Would you let me meditate here for the time being? I heard Fenrir is going to have a drinking party with his men to celebrate the villagers' recovery. He invited me because I was the one who made the potions, but I'm not much of a drinker."

Capita chuckles and said, [You can say that. Honestly, I'm very concerned when it comes to his drinking habits. I get he's not fazed with too much alcohol, but I still can't believe that wolf...]

I quickly coughed before she goes on. I wish I can hear more about Fenrir's personal life, but I doubt I have enough time for it.

[Right, sorry about that. Just take a seat and don't forget what I taught you.]

I nod before I prepare for another [Mental Imprint]. This time, I know what to do and I know how to approach my inner wolf. I start to meditate as usual. Clearing my head, airing out outside noises...

It isn't until I see a familiar window as I slip into the world of my mind.

[You are falling unconscious...]

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Grrrr...

[You sensed a foreign presence in your mind.]

Here we go again. As always, it's not very happy to see me.

GRAWR!

I briefly flinch at it's bark. But I take a deep breath. I'm not going to ignore you. Nor resist you.

GROWR!!!

I get you're pissed at me. You're pissed because I have no clue what I'm doing.

GRAWWRRR!!!

It's my first time stepping forward instead of back. I have to grow a back bone to get pass through my insecurities. But in reality, I feel like I'm not ready.

GRAWWWRRRR!!!

I was wrong to treat you like a pet. But that's only because I'm unsure how to approach you.

GRAWWWRRRRR!!!!

To be honest, I'm scared at my transformation. How I might change into something I'm not ready to experience. I know I won't control your rampage, but I want to escape my weak self. I want to become stronger.

GRAWWWWWWRRRRRRR!!!!

And I need you to be by my side.

...Grrr?

You want to follow my footsteps, right? You want to stand by my side not as a pet, right?

Grawr!

Now I get what Harley and Capita are talking about. I shouldn't be treating you like a pet. Instead, you are more of a partner to me. And with you helping me in my future adventures, we might able to explore the unknown together.

Grrr...

[The presence is conflicted by your offer.]

I get you're unsure, but I'm in a same boat as you. I'm only asking if you're willing to take the same risks as me.

Can I count on you, my inner wolf?

Grrrrr....

...

ARF!

[The presence happily accepts your offer.]

Then it's official. I reach out and gingerly grab his white paw.

I'm happy to be your partner, wolf me.

[You have successfully tame your [Inner Wolf].]

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I let out a sigh as I open my eyes. Unlike before, my mind is eerily calm compared to my brief freak-outs after my meditations. In fact, the uneasiness after the imprint disappears as I take a deep breath. I guess the beast within finally calmed down and that means I have to keep my promise. Now that I know the true nature of my [Lycanthropy], I have a long road ahead of me.

[Well, I can't believe my eyes.] I turned to Capita once I heard her voice. [Looks like you haven't gasped and scream after your meditation. Does that mean you did it?]

I nod with a smile. "Yeah. It was tough at first, but once I learned more about my [Inner Wolf], I managed to get through after a few tries. It's only when I realize I have to treat them as an equal that made me realize that they are more than curses. In the right mindset, they are partners to us. Friends and allies that can rely along the way."

Capita chuckles. [Looks like you finally cracked the code. In the past, the [Lycans] were created based on the ancestors' corrupted hearts. They were made as a karmic retribution for their part of instigating the . But once the ended along with their original purpose, the next few generations spent years understanding their abilities. It was there that they realized that the curse that was left by their ancestors were more than karma. By learning to communicate their [Inner Wolves], they gained control of their newfound abilities and eventually, they began to treat them as partners and allies. That's the secret behind the true [Lycanthropes].]

I see. I heard of many variations of werewolves from Bryan, but never like this. Some fictions treat Lycanthropy as a virus or a curse while the rest treat them as hereditary trait. This is a surprising twist coming from Wayne Enigma himself. It makes me wonder why it was kept secret to the public. Speaking of which...

"If all it takes is to tame your [Inner Wolves] through communication and trust, then why didn't you reveal this to the other [Lycans]?"

[Good question, cub. While there are some good rogue [Lycans] who were marked by accident and wanted to live a normal life as [Humans], [Elves], or [Insignis], there are some who were willing to take advantage of their newfound wolf forms to gain power and take down the weak. If they learned about their [Inner Wolves], then I can't imagine the mental stamina they can endure if they think they can tame their beasts through force and domination.]

That's true. Plus, with this [Sub-Race] connected to the [Mind Link] feature, who knows what negative effects the player will have if they try to control their [Inner Wolves] through incorrect methods.

"I understand. I'm not gonna be like those people. If I do, I'm no better than Savior," I concluded. "Thanks for letting me know in advance, Master."

Capita nodded. [Glad you're the understanding prodigy. Some of the young [Lycan] trainees should follow your example.]

I nod back with a smile. I hope what she said is true. Besides, I already seen a familiar ping right now.

[NOTICE]

[You have progressed through your [Hidden Quest].]

When that appears, that means a new task awaits. Which means it's time to move on to the next step.

[Well then... I guess it's time for you to move to the next phase of our training. Normally, one of the fighters should be taking you in for physical training, but since you only need one more day until your sickness is cured and that man is still reveling in Fen's drinking party...]

I chuckle and said, "Yeah, it will take a while for them to get out. You said so."

Capita also chuckled. [True. I may need to ask the potion maker to deal with his unhealthy habits sometimes.] She then hummed in thought. [Well, I know it's very early for you, but I want to teach you a little trick. Sit down.]

I raise my eyebrow as I follow her instructions. I wonder what is she going to teach me next.

[Now that you successfully tamed your [Inner Wolf], you can communicate with them in your unconscious or meditative state. However, [Mental Imprints] can do more than taming then. If you used it again, you can enter a special state that only [Lycans] can do in their normal forms.]

"A special state? Like an out-of-body experience?"

[Not exactly. While our bestial instincts can be a bit detrimental sometimes, they can become our greatest asset. That's why by performing [Mental Imprint], you can perceive your surroundings like a wolf and use it's behavior to plan your next move. This would normally occur a few days nearer to the full moon. But if you keep your heart calm and connect to your beast, you will achieve this state without fully succumbing to your instincts. This is what I call the [Bestial State].]

The [Bestial State]... Now that's something new and the state sounds a bit familiar.

"[Bestial State]... Is that similar to the [Beastfolk's] [Primal State]?" I asked.

[Sort of, yes. But unlike them, we were originally [Humans] or other races, so we couldn't naturally achieve this state even through hereditary means. That's because the [Beastfolk] were actually a race descended by the beasts one of the gods raised. So we don't have the privilege of learning through their ancestors. But with [Bestial State], we might able to achieve similar results. It's not perfect, but it's enough to understand our bestial selves a bit better.]

Ah, I see. There are a lot of [Racial Skills] I learned thanks to Capita and I feel like that's a portion of what I understand about [Lycans]. I guess the only thing I can do is to keep learning and continue my training under their tutelage.

"I see. Then will you teach me how to achieve it on my own? I have a promise to keep after all."

"Of course. Now close your eyes and let us start."

I nod and follow her instructions. I guess the rest of the in-game day would be mastering this [Bestial State]. I hope I have enough time to catch up on my studies…

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[10 days until the full moon]