The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 193. Extended Stay

Chapter 193: 193. Extended Stay

Hawk left Tyler’s place with a dazed expression, her mind still racing from the bold exchange that had just taken place. As she flew away on her hoverboard, she muttered to herself, "Too young... or else I would have..." The rest of the sentence was barely a whisper, but the thought lingered in her head, making her cheeks flush red. Her usually composed demeanor was completely shattered, and she felt like a rabbit running from a lion—only in this case, the ’lion’ was an unassuming, overly confident young man.

What truly threw her off balance wasn’t just her playful admission but Tyler’s response. His words echoed in her mind: "Well, if it’s a beautiful Big Sister like Hawk, then I’m ready. I’m at the age where I’m interested in girls. You can teach me a thing or two." The casual way he said it, with his charming grin, struck her so hard that she had barely managed a flustered, "I’ll think about it," before darting away in a panic.

For all her teasing and bravado, she hadn’t expected Tyler to throw it right back at her. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself. Damn, that kid’s dangerous she thought as she soared through the sky, her heart racing and her mind still stuck on that mischievous smile.

As soon as she disappeared over the horizon, the silence in the mansion was broken by the sound of stifled giggles. From behind one of the pillars, Lily, Mathilda, and Silvia emerged, having been eavesdropping on the entire conversation.

"Well, that escalated quickly," Lily said with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You’re really going all out, aren’t you, Captain?" She playfully nudged Tyler’s shoulder. Tyler just shrugged, a cheeky grin still on his face.

"It’s not my fault if she can’t handle a bit of flirting," Tyler replied. "She set herself up for it."

Silvia, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up with excitement. "Are we really going to join the Academy?" Her eyes sparkled with hope. Tyler had previously explained to her what an academy was, how it was a place where students could learn different types of magic, technology, and skills. For someone like Silvia, who had always been curious about the world beyond their travels, this was an exciting prospect.

Tyler smiled, his expression softening as he saw the excitement on Silvia’s face. "Yeah," he said, "I’ll talk to Hawk and Serena about letting all of you join as well. If I’m going, there’s no reason you can’t come with me."

Silvia let out a small cheer, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. "I can finally learn authentic magic!" she said, practically bouncing in place.

Tyler coughed awkwardly. Even though he is both Warrior and Mage. He doesn’t know a thing about being mage. He failed to teach Silvia anything.

---

Whiteford City, formerly known as Blueford Town, had become a bustling hub of activity within the Triangle Islands. The city was still very much under construction, but despite the unfinished state, it was overflowing with customers, merchants, and ships stranded due to the ongoing bad weather. Tyler’s decision to rename the town had spurred significant changes, and Whiteford City quickly rose to dominate the local fishing industry with its fresh goods and low prices. The smaller shops and local fishermen couldn’t compete, and many had either given up or started working for Tyler’s expanding enterprise.

One of the most notable products that had surged in popularity across the Triangle Islands was "Mint Fragrance," a specialty from a neighboring island. This tobacco-like product wasn’t smoked, but instead chewed, giving users a minty aroma and a refreshing, intoxicating effect. Many people in the islands now carried that signature scent, marking them as part of the growing influence of Whiteford City’s trade network.

However, with the harsh weather continuing, much of the usual fishing and seafaring activities had come to a halt. Ships that sought refuge in Whiteford City were packed into the docks, and while some of the sailors grew restless, others enjoyed the newfound comforts of the trading hub. The city’s influence was undeniable, even in its incomplete state.

Tyler, however, was less focused on the booming trade and more on his personal development. He and Lily had taken to training vigorously, hoping to sharpen their skills despite the confined space caused by the weather. The crackle of lightning echoed through the area as Lily sent another whip attack toward Tyler.

Tyler twisted his body to dodge, moving swiftly with precision. His body, however, didn’t feel entirely right, and he found himself commenting, "It’s kind of hard to move in this little body.".

He sighed. He Along Lily, Mathilda and Astrid underwent a transformation after eating Life orb their body become of that 12 year old.

"Yeah, me too... but that’s why we’re practicing," Lily replied, her tone steady despite the strain of their training.

Mode Dragon

Suddenly, Tyler activated his Dragon Mode. Scales rippled over his body as he powered up, his movements becoming faster, more powerful. He blurred out of sight, reappearing next to Lily before dashing past her and slamming into a nearby tree. The impact caused the tree to crack and collapse, leaving Tyler sprawled on the ground.

"I still can’t control my Dragon Mode properly," Tyler muttered, frustrated.

Lily, observing his struggles, decided to shift the conversation with an unexpected question. "You know, I’m actually curious. You’re always ready to flirt with random girls, but you’ve never extended your claws to any of the crew members. Why is that?"

Tyler blinked, surprised by the sudden topic. "That’s so random," he coughed, attempting to deflect her inquiry.

Lily smirked, not letting him off that easily. "Really? Even though you almost touched Mathilda—only after some ridiculous circumstances. And let’s not even mention Darla, who’s clearly waiting for you push her down. You haven’t even tried."

Tyler let out a deep sigh, his expression softening from his usual carefree attitude. He stared up at the overcast sky for a moment, gathering his thoughts before responding. "It’s because of an incident in my past."

Lily’s eyes widened slightly at Tyler’s confession, a mixture of surprise and curiosity crossing her face. It wasn’t often that he opened up so candidly, especially about something that clearly left a lasting impression on him. She had known Tyler to be a flirt, a charmer with no shortage of confidence, but this was a side of him she rarely saw—a man who understood the weight of his actions.

"So, you had an affair with a married woman?" she asked, her voice steady despite the gravity of the topic.

Tyler nodded, rubbing the back of his neck as if the memory still unsettled him. "Yeah... it wasn’t one of my proudest moments. The guy, her husband, had a harem, and he was always messing around with other women. But no matter what, he always came back to his wife. I think she just reached her breaking point. She was tired of feeling like she was just one of many, so she decided to seduce me as payback."

Lily frowned, not out of judgment but out of understanding. "So, you gave in."

"I did," Tyler admitted. "I was young, reckless, and I didn’t really think about the consequences at the time. She told her husband about it afterward. That’s when it hit him—when he finally realized how much pain he had been putting her through all those years. It was too late by then, though. They separated."

Lily let out a slow breath, absorbing the weight of the story. It wasn’t just about infidelity or temptation—it was about the emotional scars left behind. She could see how that experience shaped Tyler’s outlook on relationships, even if he tried to keep things lighthearted most of the time.

"And that’s when you realized the responsibility that comes with being in a relationship," Lily said, piecing it together.

"Exactly," Tyler replied, his gaze serious. "I’m not really a good man when it comes to love. I’m a playboy, and I know it. That’s why I stick to hooking up with random girls for one-night stands. It’s simple, no strings attached. No feelings to get in the way. But if I were to get involved with someone from the crew... someone I see every day... that’s a different story. Our relationship would inevitably change, and if things went south, it would bring unnecessary drama onboard."

Lily was silent for a moment, her eyes searching his face. She had always known Tyler had his reasons for not getting too close to the women on the crew, but hearing it laid out like this made her understand him better. He wasn’t just avoiding attachments for the sake of being a playboy—he was protecting the stability of their relationships as crewmates and friends.

"That’s... actually pretty thoughtful," Lily said, her voice softening. "You’re looking out for us in your own way."

Tyler shrugged, his usual smirk returning. "Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy flirting and having fun. But I’ve seen what can happen when things get messy. I don’t want that for any of us."

Lily crossed her arms and gave him a sly grin. "So, basically, you’re saying you’re restraining yourself from breaking our hearts."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Something like that. But trust me, it’s better this way. We all have a job to do, and we can’t let personal drama get in the way of that."

Lily nodded, her expression more understanding now. "Well, I appreciate that, Captain. But don’t think for a second that we can’t handle ourselves. If any of us ever decided we wanted more, you’d better be ready for the challenge."

Tyler raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the shift in her tone. "Oh? You think I’d be the one struggling?"

Lily winked. "I’m just saying, don’t underestimate us girls."

She came near Tyler and whispered, "We might even push you down one day."

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