The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 220. Thane Town

Chapter 220: 220. Thane Town

The evening breeze swept through the academy courtyard as Tyler sat under a shady tree, enjoying a moment of quiet.

’It’s not like before,’ he thought ’Before it’s just the girls and me out there on the sea... Now They’ve got their own lives in the academy. They got their childhood back. They might even find someone they like.’

"Here’s your tea." Darla’s voice interrupted his musings, pulling him back to the present. She stood beside him, holding a steaming teapot, her face radiating a sense of pride.

He glanced up, surprised to see her. "Join me."

Darla nodded and gracefully sat beside him. She poured herself a cup of tea, her movements reflecting her growing confidence. Though she’d faced challenges in her other classes, she’d excelled in the academy’s cooking course, where she was quickly making a name for herself. Yet, even with her success, she never forgot her role as Tyler’s ship cook.

"Taka would definitely love learning here," she remarked, her thoughts drifting to the octopus fishman who’d often helped her in the ship’s kitchen. Taka had always been a better cook, but now Darla was certain she could rival his skills.

"We’ll bring him here next semester," Tyler replied with a grin, taking a sip of tea. Almost instantly, he felt a subtle shift in his mind, a refreshing clarity washing over him. It was as if his mental energy had been gently replenished.

"Huh... Wow. Even your tea has buffs?" he asked, slightly astonished.

Darla chuckled. "Foods work differently here. They’re split between normal dishes and special ones that have temporary effects. They don’t last as long as pills, but the taste... well, it’s something even pills can’t offer. Since arriving in the North, I’ve learned a lot about preparing immortal dishes."

Tyler also know that. The academy canteen always gives them immortal dishes to concentrate on studies.

Tyler laughed, impressed. "Good to see you improving. Keep it up," he said, reaching over to pat her head.

Darla blushed and mumbled shyly, "I’d love a kiss as a reward..."

"What was that?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow, uncertain he’d heard her correctly.

"N-nothing!" Darla quickly covered her face, hiding her blush, and took a quick sip of her tea, trying to regain her composure. However, in her flustered state, she drank a bit too hastily, spilling a few drops on her lap.

"Careful, girl," Tyler said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Sorry, I’m just... clumsy," she mumbled, reaching for a cloth to clean up. But Tyler was quicker, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping her leg gently.

"There’s a bit of tea near your mouth, too," he said, lifting the cloth to her face. But before it could reach her, he paused, his hand stilling. Instead of using the handkerchief, he tilted her chin up slightly and, to her shock, leaned in to gently lick the drop of tea off the corner of her lips, finishing with a light peck.

Darla froze, her cheeks burning as she processed what had just happened. Tyler, oblivious to her daze, stood up casually, brushing off his pants.

"All right, I’m leaving for an assignment. Take care, Darla." He waved and turned to go, leaving her in a state of shock and surprise.

Darla stayed rooted in place, staring after him as if time itself had slowed. After he left, she slowly brought her fingers to her cheek, touching the spot where his lips had met her skin, her heart pounding in her chest.

Not long after, a group of her classmates entered the room, giggling and chattering. They stopped when they saw Darla’s dreamy expression.

"Is that your boyfriend?" one of them asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful smile.

"He’s so cute!" another girl squealed. "What’s his name?"

"What department is he from?" someone else chimed in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Darla snapped back to reality, blinking at the barrage of questions. "Oh... uh, no, he’s not my boyfriend," she stammered, her cheeks growing even redder.

The questions kept coming, each one more enthusiastic than the last. "Is he okay with polygamy?" one girl teased with a mischievous grin.

Darla’s mind was still in a daze, barely able to keep up with the whirlwind of excitement around her. She found herself unconsciously touching her cheek again, her thoughts replaying the moment over and over.

Meanwhile, Tyler strolled into the bustling Teleportation Hub. His thoughts, however, were not on his upcoming journey but on the memory of the small, unexpected kiss he’d given Darla.

"Ahh... I’m so selfish," he murmured to himself, his lips curling into a small smile. It was a brief, impulsive gesture, but he couldn’t help the slight thrill it gave him. He shook his head, amused at how easily these moments could distract him from his responsibilities.

Approaching the registration device, Tyler entered his destination and swiped his card to pay the fee. As he did, the staff member overseeing the teleportation arrays looked up, recognizing him instantly.

"Oh... headed to Thane Town again?" the staff member asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his tone. "Using the teleportation array quite a lot, aren’t you?"

The remark was fair. Each student at the academy received one free pass every six months for personal use of the teleportation arrays, yet Tyler had already exceeded this limit, treating the array almost like his personal mode of transport. Still, he never hesitated to pay, not once batting an eye at the fee.

"Yeah," Tyler replied with a nod, his expression relaxed. "Got an assignment to replace some of the arrays in the Town Chief’s office. I’ll need to inspect them and report back."

The staff member smiled. "Well, enjoy your trip."

With a quick nod, Tyler stepped into the glowing circle, feeling the familiar hum of energy around him as the array activated. In seconds, he was enveloped in a flash of light, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in the center of Thane Town.

The town itself looked unremarkable, nestled amid gently sloping hills and thick forests. There was a rustic charm to it, but no particular specialty except for some mines in the outskirts. Slightly isolated, it wasn’t a bustling hub like the academy’s surrounding cities. Still, Tyler appreciated the peace and simplicity the town offered.

After a quick glance around, Tyler decided to secure a place to stay. He found a small inn down the main road and checked in, noting the quietness of the place. Yet, as he entered his room, a small sigh escaped him. He’d hoped for some sign or resonance on his copper pot, but everything seemed as ordinary as ever.

With a shrug, he left the inn and crossed the street to a small food shop. The enticing aroma of baked goods drifted from the shop, drawing him inside. Behind the counter stood a young girl, likely no older than sixteen, radiating a cheerful, youthful aura. Her eyes lit up as she spotted him, and she flashed a bright smile.

"What would little brother like?" she asked in a sweet voice.

Tyler’s mouth twitched at her choice of words. "Two cream buns," he replied, a bit amused by her casual tone.

She nodded and went to the kitchen, calling back the order to her parents who seemed to be working diligently behind the scenes. Tyler found himself leaning against the counter, letting his thoughts wander. He had a few things on his to-do list for this trip, but none were particularly urgent. Replacing the array in the chief’s office could wait for few days.

As he drifted in thought, a plate with two cream buns was set in front of him. Tyler took a bite, savoring the warm, creamy sweetness that melted in his mouth.

"Mm, it’s good," he remarked, nodding approvingly to the girl.

She smiled brightly, evidently pleased with his reaction. "Glad you liked it."

Curious, Tyler extended his hand in greeting. "I’m Tyler White. What’s your name, big sis?"

She laughed, a hint of a blush coloring her cheeks. "I’m Moeko," she replied, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. Then, with a small wave, she hurried off to attend to other customers, her energy brightening the entire shop.

Finished with his snack, Tyler stepped out of the shop and looked around, considering his next move.

A woman with black and white hair walked past him, wearing a veil that covered her face.

Tyler turned and looked at her. She seemed familiar—at least her hair color did. It reminded him of his senior sister Priscilla, who had come with him to this world.

But he sighed, brushing off the thought. It probably wasn’t her. The woman had only glanced at him before entering the food shop. With that thought, Tyler went back to his inn.

Just to be sure, he returned later to check if the woman could be Priscilla. She had also ordered cream buns. He waited, hoping she’d lift her veil to eat, but instead, the bun went right through it. Tyler’s mouth twitched as he turned to leave. After he left, the woman glanced in his direction.

’He seems familiar,’ she thought.

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