The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 209. Arriving at Starfire Academy

Chapter 209: 209. Arriving at Starfire Academy

Ciel’s life was full of hardship, a tale marked by relentless struggle and resilience. Ciel’s father had once been an aristocrat, but due to political tensions, he had fallen from grace. Left with little choice, Ciel’s father had married a commoner and retreated to a humble village, hoping for a fresh start. That was where Ciel and his younger brother were born, in a modest household far removed from the luxuries of high society.

Despite his family’s circumstances, Ciel had worked harder than anyone, clawing his way through the ranks of one of the academy’s branch schools. He had studied relentlessly, day and night, barely sparing time for anything else. His dedication paid off, and eventually, he secured a position as a professor at the main academy. For many, this accomplishment alone would be a pinnacle of success, but Ciel was driven by something deeper—an intense loyalty to the academy and a desire to prove himself worthy of his father’s legacy. His ambition had not gone unnoticed. Rumors had circulated among students and faculty alike: one day, it was said, Ciel might even become the Vice Principal of the academy.

As GG told story about Ciel. Tyler could feel the weight of Ciel’s story settling over him.

GG noticed Tyler’s quiet observation of Ciel and decided to offer some insight. "Mr. Ciel probably has a crush on our Head. That’s why he always finds a reason to come by," she whispered, a smirk on her face.

Tyler turned, glancing toward where Ciel and Serena were engaged in conversation at a distance. Serena looked as weary as ever, her expression disinterested, while Ciel spoke animatedly, his gestures lively and his tone enthusiastic. Yet something didn’t quite add up. Ciel’s apparent enthusiasm felt almost... performative.

"Something seems odd," Tyler murmured, his gaze narrowing. "It doesn’t really look like he’s that interested."

GG shot him a skeptical look. "Are you really a kid?" she asked, though she quickly dropped the question. After recalling how Tyler had confidently kissed the girls on the tram, she decided to leave her suspicions unvoiced. He was no ordinary kid.

"Maybe he’s just hiding his feelings," she said instead, trying to rationalize it.

"Maybe," Tyler muttered, still unconvinced.

Once Ciel finished his conversation with Serena, he took his leave, offering a polite nod in Tyler and GG’s direction as he passed. Shortly afterward, Serena called GG over and spoke in a low tone, asking her not to allow any further interruptions. GG nodded, understanding the underlying frustration Serena held toward Ciel’s visit.

As Serena turned to go, she noticed Tyler’s thoughtful gaze following Ciel’s retreating figure. "Are you suspicious of him?" she asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.

Tyler looked back at her, nodding slightly. "Yeah... Does he normally do delivery work?"

"Oh... so that’s what it is." Serena let out a weary sigh, glancing off in the direction Ciel had gone. "He’s here under the pretense of delivering those terminals, but really, he was sent to check on our academy."

"Why?" Tyler asked.

"Probably because Suddenly our academy is buying High end devices. So they thought I got some funding. They probably panicked and sent him to check on us." Serena said as she ruffled her green hair.

"They?" Tyler echoed, tilting his head in curiosity.

Serena’s gaze darkened, and her tone turned bitter. "The other branches. They’re like wolves circling around us, waiting for to devour this Academy. And our technology. They’ll do anything to keep us underfunded, restricted, and struggling."

Tyler took a moment to absorb her words, a frown forming on his face.

"I am really glad you decided to join this academy. If we fail to enroll new students, it could mean the end of the academy," Serena said, noticing his frown and feeling slightly amused.

"You don’t have to worry about them , I have been Handling them for years." Serena said as she patted Tyler’s head and left.

Tyler was dumbfounded getting patted like a kid.

’Oh wait. I am a kid now.’ He sighed.

But he also inwardly nodded, feeling a sense of admiration for Serena he hadn’t anticipated. He saw her now as more than just a head of the academy; she was a guardian, fiercely protective of her academy and her work. And despite all the obstacles, she was willing to keep fighting for something she believed in.

It reminds Tyler of how he worked hard when he was just a mortal.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Tyler and the group were now riding in a sleek, high-tech flying cab as they soared towards the Teleportation Hub. The city skyline stretched beneath them, buildings glinting in the sunlight. Tyler gazed out the window, wondering aloud, "Why can’t we just use the Waypoint Terminal?"

GG, who sat beside him with an air of authority, turned to explain. "The Waypoint Terminal can be used anywhere for teleportation, but if there’s no receiving end, you’ll just be randomly teleported in that direction. It’s a gamble. Do you know how a Teleportation Array works?"

Tyler thought for a moment, then nodded. "It’s pretty simple. The coordinates are set based on direction and distance. Both arrays—at the sending point and receiving point—are connected by those coordinates, and teleportation happens seamlessly. No mishaps, as long as everything’s correctly calibrated."

GG smiled approvingly. "Good. Now, do you know what would happen if there was no receiving point?"

The other girls leaned in, intrigued. They knew the basics of teleportation but hadn’t heard the intricate details. Tyler took a deep breath, realizing this might surprise them. "If there’s no receiving point, then you’ll still teleport in the set direction, but there’ll be a slight gap between the designated distance and where you actually land. You could end up at the bottom of the sea, inside lava, or worse—teleported into solid objects like rocks, trees, or even inside a mountain."

GG’s nod became more enthusiastic. "Exactly. It’s incredibly risky to teleport without a set destination point. Plus, there’s an additional danger to consider—hijacking."

Tyler raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hijacking?"

GG looked out the window thoughtfully, recalling the stories. "When the Teleportation Array was first popularized, some... unsavory individuals, let’s say, saw an opportunity. Evil array masters would set up teleportation arrays in their lairs, specifically tuned to intercept travelers in transit. Imagine someone thinking they’re about to reach their destination and suddenly finding themselves in a bandit’s den instead. Those intercepted would be helpless, robbed, or worse."

The group absorbed this new information with a mix of awe and dread. The teleportation was far more dangerous than they’d realized. GG continued, "That’s why encryption arrays, authentication sequences, and numerous security measures are now part of any legitimate Teleportation Array setup. It’s also why our Portable Waypoint Terminal is so unique. There are layers upon layers of encryption embedded in the design—no one can copy it easily." GG’s tone was one of pride.

"My question is, why didn’t you guys build Waypoint Terminal in the city?" Tyler asked.

"Haha... That .. We have no fund." GG said Awkwardly.

Tyler didn’t want to comment on that.

As they neared the Teleportation Hub, the cab began its descent, gracefully swooping down to street level. They could see people bustling around, and Tyler caught sight of a familiar face—a grumpy dwarf riding a self-propelled skateboard that zoomed around effortlessly, thanks to the engraved arrays. He appeared to be scolding some kids who had been chasing after him but stopped in his tracks when he spotted Tyler and the group.

Inside the Teleportation Hub, Tyler approached the counter and paid for the array. Their destination was set: Meteorite City. The name alone held a mystical weight to it, and as GG had described before, it was aptly named. The city was, indeed, built atop a massive meteorite, and it held the prestigious Starfire Academy—a school famous throughout the lands for its innovative approach to magical studies and its unique connection to celestial phenomena. The huge Meteorite City is floating without any Flying stones nor any arrays.

After a brief calibration, the group stepped onto the array platform, and Tyler felt a subtle vibration beneath his feet as the array activated. Moments later, a flash of light engulfed them, and they were transported instantaneously, the world around them dissolving and reforming as they arrived at the gates of Starfire Academy in Meteorite City.

The air was different here—crisp and filled with a faint, mineral-rich scent. The academy sprawled out before them, a mix of ancient architecture and modern arcane design, with towering spires and walkways suspended by magic alone. It was a campus like no other, set against a backdrop of stardust skies that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow.

Tyler’s gaze wandered, taking in the bustling atmosphere. Everywhere he looked, Tyler saw a mix of ages, races, and even species—proof of the academy’s reputation as a haven for talent from all corners of the world.

"Welcome to Starfire Academy," GG announced with a hint of smile.

Tyler and the girls finally arrived at the Starfire Academy.