The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 195. Calm After the Storm

Chapter 195: 195. Calm After the Storm

Chapter 195: Calm After the Storm

It took another week for the storm to subside. The violent winds, crashing waves, and torrential rain that had plagued the seas around the Triangle Islands finally gave way to calm. The white-flagged vessels of the White Merchant Group, led by Tyler, finally departed from the harbor, setting sail once again. During their extended stay, Tyler had taken the opportunity to expand his influence, recruiting numerous locals to work for him. These new recruits signed contracts, ensuring their loyalty to the ever-growing White Merchant Group. Thanks to the help of the Bank of Atlantis, another stream of income was about to pour into Tyler’s coffers as his ventures continued to grow, both on land and at sea.

The ship sailed smoothly, slicing through the ocean, heading toward their next destination.

"Lily, are we going to Cedar Island?" Mana asked, her voice curious yet tinged with nostalgia.

Lily, standing at the helm with her hands clasped behind her back, nodded. "Yeah, that’s the plan. By the way you’re asking, I’m guessing you’ve been there before?" She raised an eyebrow at Mana.

Mana’s expression softened as she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it’s Mana’s hometown. That’s where Mana was born."

Surprise flickered across Lily’s face before she patted Mana’s head, her small hand gently ruffling her hair. Both of them were in their child forms, making the scene undeniably adorable. Two children, standing side by side, preparing for another adventure.

Lily spoke softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I didn’t know that, Mana. It must be exciting to be returning home."

Mana’s eyes brightened, but there was a trace of something else—perhaps apprehension about what awaited her on Cedar Island.

Meanwhile, inside one of the ship’s rooms, Tyler, Mathilda, and Silvia sat in quiet concentration, their noses buried in books. These weren’t the usual adventure manuals or navigation guides they often perused on their journey. No, these were more academic in nature—books given to them by Hawk during her recent visit.

"Basic Mathematics," "Beginners Science," "Introduction to Technology," and countless other titles filled the room. Mathilda, ever the curious scholar, had borrowed a few additional books from Tyler’s growing collection. Her chosen tomes included "Basic Chemistry" and "A Quick Glance at Botany," subjects that fascinated her. Silvia, on the other hand, was immersed in a book titled "Magics and Wonders," her eyes wide with excitement as she learned about new spells and magical theories. Everyone was engrossed in their respective studies, the room filled with the quiet rustling of pages and the soft creaking of the ship’s hull.

The door creaked open, and Darla stepped inside, carrying a tray with juice and snacks. She placed them on the table and turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Mathilda’s voice broke the silence.

"Oh... Are you not going to seduce Tyler?" Mathilda asked, her tone casual, but with an amused edge.

Darla, unbothered by the sudden question, turned back around with a bored expression. She shrugged nonchalantly. "Not interested in kids," she replied without hesitation, as if the thought hadn’t even crossed her mind.

But then, she shifted her gaze to Tyler, her expression turning more serious as she leaned closer, towering over him with a challenging glint in her eyes. "Turn into an adult and push me down, little boy."

In his current child form, Tyler looked up at Darla, her figure now far taller than his own. Darla, who had always been captivated by Tyler’s grown-up self, found little interest in his youthful appearance despite its inherent cuteness. It was clear—Darla preferred men, not boys.

I don’t like them Young - Darla.

Darlas is completely different from Hawk.

"Oh? And what will you do if you become young?" Tyler asked with a mischievous smile.

Before Darla could even respond, a glowing orb flew toward her with incredible speed. The shining ball hit her directly, entering her mouth. She froze, expecting pain, but instead, a warm, rejuvenating sensation spread throughout her body as the orb melted away.

"Aahhhh..." she moaned, a strange sound coming from her throat as her body began to change.

Her transformation was immediate. The tall, curvaceous Darla—who had stood confidently in her mid-twenties—began to regress in age. Her body shrank, her limbs became smaller, and her clothes, which had fit snugly moments ago, now hung loosely from her frame. Her mind felt sharper, as if her very consciousness was refreshing itself. Finally, she opened her eyes and found herself looking directly at Tyler, now standing at the same height as her. The once-confident woman had become a confused little girl.

"What the f—" Darla’s expletive was cut off by the high-pitched, innocent voice that escaped her lips. Her hands, now small and delicate, clutched at her oversized dress, her expression filled with shock.

"Did you record the data?" Tyler asked, turning to Mathilda, who was standing nearby.

Mathilda nodded, retrieving an array that had been carefully hidden beneath Darla’s feet. "Got it." She smiled, clearly pleased with the success of their experiment.

It was only then that Darla noticed the complex array that had been placed under her. Her wide eyes darted back and forth between Tyler and Mathilda as the realization dawned on her. Tyler gave her a treasure.

This wasn’t some random array—it was a carefully crafted experiment, one that Tyler had been working on for some time. It was Mathilda who brought the knowledge to Tyler , it was ancient array used in labyrinth to test body when it undergoes transformation. With Tyler’s help, they had perfected an array. Though it had taken hundreds of tries and countless materials, the two had finally succeeded. Tyler doesn’t care about Materials.

Still in shock, Darla stood frozen.

"Now we’re the same age," Tyler teased, his hand gently patting her head like an older brother teasing his younger sibling. "So, can I push you down now?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

When he saw the confused little girl Darla, he couldn’t help but pat her head. Cuteness could be eaten by both men and women, old and young.

Darla, still adjusting to her new form, felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and indignation. She opened her mouth to retort but found herself unable to find the words. Flustered and overwhelmed, she turned on her heel and bolted for the door, her now oversized dress swishing comically around her legs as she fled.

"Baka!" she shouted, her voice cracking as she ran. Her departure, clumsy and awkward in her current state, left both Tyler and Mathilda staring after her, amusement sparkling in their eyes.

"Cute," they said in unison, sharing a look of mutual agreement. There is nothing bad going on their dirty mind. It’s like admiring a cat for its cuteness

"What could be more delightful than a bouncing little girl?" Tyler said.

"Her mother." Mathilda instantly replied.

"..."

"She has two bouncy bouncy. Hehehe...." Mathilda let a mischievous grin. Tyler recalled Darla’s mom when departing floating Island. Now he regret turning Darla into a little girl.

Suddenly Silvia, who is blushing red, raised her hand.

Tyler, noticing her timid gesture, looked at her with mild confusion. "What is it, Silvia?"

Fidgeting, Silvia’s blush deepened as she struggled to get the words out.

"If you want, You can p- pus- push me down..." she mumbled, barely audible but the meaning clear.