The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 190. Hawk’s Invitation

Chapter 190: 190. Hawk’s Invitation

At this moment, looking at the frenzied young girl with a puddle of saliva forming beneath her, Tyler knew that he was facing a big crisis.

"Small cutie... No, I mean, little friend, do you want to see goldfish with Big Sister? Big Sister’s home has many cute little animals." The girl named Hawk wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she jumped off her hoverboard, her boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. She started walking toward Tyler, her movements quick and deliberate.

Tyler’s heart raced. Though he was no stranger to strange encounters, this girl had a look in her eyes that sent a shiver down his spine. Her relentless approach forced him into action. Before she could get too close, he instinctively cast an ice spell, bounding her legs to the ground. For a split second, he thought he’d succeeded in stopping her.

But to his surprise, the ice cracked instantly as Hawk stepped forward, breaking through the magical bind as if it were nothing more than fragile glass.

"Chant-less magic? You’re a mage... and a talented one!" Hawk exclaimed, her admiration shining through. Her goggled eyes studied Tyler closely. Despite her growing interest in him, she hadn’t yet realized who she was dealing with. She hadn’t linked him to the mysterious man she had met once at the Kun Peng Ruins, where Tyler had worn a mask and had yet to fully recover his powers. Now that he looked much younger, she didn’t even consider it was the same person.

"What do you want?" Tyler asked, his voice calm but wary. He didn’t trust her enthusiasm or her strange, hyperactive demeanor.

"I want you to join my academy, of course!" Hawk announced brightly, stepping even closer. "My Elite Academy of Magic and Science. You’ve got potential, kid, and Big Sister Hawk can give you a special gift if you come with me."

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "A gift?" He wasn’t particularly interested in gifts, but his curiosity was piqued by the mention of an academy.

Hawk smirked, sensing his slight interest. "Oh, I noticed you like my hoverboard." She gestured at the sleek board still hovering just a few feet above the ground. "I’ll get you one of your own. A cool hoverboard, just like mine. It’ll be yours if you join."

Now Tyler was intrigued. "Is this academy famous?"

Hawk puffed up her chest proudly. "Cough Yes, of course! It’s a branch of Starfire Academy. Ever heard of Starfire Academy? It’s one of the top ten academies in the North. Starfire Academy is so big, it has many smaller branches under it, like ours. Getting into Starfire Academy isn’t easy, but through our department, you could eventually earn your way into the main academy."

Tyler nodded, thinking. "I’ve heard of it."

"See? Even a country bumpk-..." Hawk caught herself mid-sentence and quickly corrected, "Even remote side people like you have heard about it. It’s that famous. But let me tell you, it’s not easy to join Starfire Academy directly."

"Even with a recommendation?" Tyler asked nonchalantly.

Hawk frowned and folded her arms across her chest. "You’d need a special Recommendation Medal from the higher-ups in Starfire Academy. Those medals are rare, and only those who have caught the attention of a powerful figure in the academy can get one."

Tyler casually reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately designed medal, showing it to Hawk. "Like this?"

Hawk barely glanced at the medal, already continuing her explanation. "Yeah, yeah... Only with a medal like that can you directly join the Starfire Academy—"

Her words trailed off as the full realization hit her. Her eyes widened in shock as she snapped her gaze back to the medal in Tyler’s hand. "M-m-medal?" she stuttered, stepping back in disbelief. She nearly tripped over her own feet before catching herself on her hoverboard, her usual confidence shattered.

"Why do you have a recommendation medal?" she gasped, her expression filled with astonishment.

Tyler smirked but didn’t bother explaining how he got it. The truth was, he had obtained it from Elowen, the powerful witch from the South who had helped him form a contract with Mathilda. He didn’t feel the need to disclose that detail to Hawk.

"Well," Tyler said, glancing at the medal, "with this, I can join directly, right?"

Hawk’s shoulders slumped, her energetic demeanor deflating like a balloon. "Y-yeah," she muttered dejectedly. "You can join directly..."

"I see," Tyler replied, slipping the medal back into his pocket. "And here I thought I’d have to go through all the trouble of joining your department."

Hawk’s lips quivered, and she sighed deeply. "I was hoping you’d join my department. If we manage to bring in a genius like you, we’d get more credits and research funds... It’s a big deal for us."

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would I get if I joined your department instead of just going straight to the main academy?"

Hawk perked up slightly, seeing an opportunity to make a deal. "Well... for starters, I could get you access to all sorts of advanced equipment. You’d get top-tier training in both magic and science. And you’d be a big fish in a small pond—everyone in the department would give you special treatment. Plus, you’d have me as your mentor." She flashed a smile, trying to win him over.

Tyler’s expression didn’t change. "Special treatment, huh?"

"Absolutely!" Hawk said, her voice gaining some of its previous energy. "And we’d get to work on cool projects together. You’d have access to stuff that even the main academy students don’t get to touch. We’re talking cutting-edge tech, magical artifacts, and more."

Tyler crossed his arms, considering the offer. He didn’t doubt that the resources Hawk was offering were valuable. But he also didn’t trust her completely—there was something off about the way she presented herself. She was too eager, too desperate to recruit him.

"And what if I decide to go to the main academy without joining your department?" Tyler asked, testing her.

Hawk pouted, clearly not fond of that option. "Well... if you do that, you’ll be just another face in the crowd. Sure, you’ll have your recommendation medal, but you’ll have to compete with all the other geniuses there. It won’t be easy to stand out."

Tyler gave a small smile. "I don’t mind a little competition."

Hawk sighed, her shoulders slumping again. "Fine, fine. You win. Actually, it’s better if you join the main academy. Everyone’s racing toward it. It would be a waste if you don’t use the medal you’ve got." For a moment, her usual energetic persona faded, replaced by a more honest expression. She knew when to admit defeat, and Tyler’s potential was undeniable. If he had that medal, there was no reason for him to limit himself to her department.

"Oh..." Tyler nodded, his expression unreadable. He was still evaluating her, as he had done with countless others, weighing her motives and sincerity.

"Actually, you can also choose to join our department after joining the main aca—" Hawk started to say but quickly cut herself off. She knew better. There were plenty of side branches at Starfire Academy more prestigious and better resourced than hers. Why would someone like Tyler choose her department when he could aim for a higher branch, one with better facilities and greater recognition?

Tyler didn’t seem to notice her hesitation, but she could feel it gnawing at her. He had the opportunity to surpass her expectations by far, and she could see it clearly now. Hawk quickly pivoted to change the subject. "What’s your name, by the way?"

"Tyler... Tyler White," he replied evenly. His voice was calm, but Hawk could tell he was always thinking, always calculating.

"Alright, Mr. White," Hawk said with a playful grin, "I’ll talk to my big sis—I mean, the Head of Department—and see if we can offer anything that’ll pique your interest." Before Tyler could respond, she activated her hoverboard, leaping onto it effortlessly. The board hummed to life, and in seconds, she was already soaring into the air.

Tyler watched her fly off, her figure rapidly disappearing into the horizon. The cool, distant sky was an odd contrast to the energy she had brought with her, but he felt a lingering curiosity toward the eccentric girl.

He wasn’t foolish; he knew there was more to Hawk’s sudden interest in him than just his abilities. She clearly had her own motives, and whether it was genuine admiration or simply a desire to use him to gain more credit for her department, he couldn’t yet determine. But Tyler wasn’t new to manipulation—he’d been navigating similar encounters for a long time.

"Why are you so interested in me?" Tyler called out just before she had gone too far.

Hawk’s mind raced for a second, her thoughts instantly going to what she’d inwardly considered: Because you’re cute. But, of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.

Instead, she turned slightly and shouted back, "It’s rare to see a 12-year-old elite mage!" The words flew out casually, but she knew that wasn’t the real reason. She was curious about more than just his talent. But admitting that now was far too soon.

Before Tyler could respond, Hawk’s voice trailed off into the distance, leaving Tyler standing alone, staring up at the sky.

Hawk, however, had already turned her attention back to more pressing matters. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a small floating projection window, glowing softly at her side. "Star AI, call Big Sis," she commanded.

The projection blinked to life, flashing a message: Call Connecting...