Growing Up with the Demon King Tyrant - Chapter 17.1

As for other studies and coursework, Xi Huai didn’t need to worry; the tribe would select excellent tutors for him, who would regularly travel to the Star-Gazing Tower to give lessons. Al’s astrology was merely an optional course; he could learn it if he wanted, and wouldn’t be forced if he didn’t.

Xi Huai confirmed once more: “Just this one requirement?”

It was only five years. Regardless, if he stayed here, he only had the palace and the academy as his two destinations; he would have more freedom only after reaching adulthood.

Al responded: “Yes.”

Perhaps to Xi Huai, the requirement seemed too relaxed and simple, but it was a decision made cautiously after consultation with Xi Mengya, involving many considerations.

First was Xi Huai himself. He was indifferent toward others and his surroundings, yet easily attracted to and incited by extreme and violent factors. The Different Demon Tribe was inherently bellicose, and the capital’s academy focused primarily on cultivating martial power. Staying in a place with so many diverse people was not suitable for Xi Huai. Five years of quiet study would be enough for him to grow; if the results were negligible, they would make other plans then.

Regarding whether Xi Huai’s temperament had changed during his time with the young dragon, Al remained reserved in his words. There was a change, but it wasn’t much, and it was only different toward Xue Yi. Sending Xue Yi to the Star-Gazing Tower to continue staying by Xi Huai’s side and being cared for by him should help with his sense of responsibility and conduct.

The final consideration was Xue Yi’s identity. After Xi Mengya consulted with the tribal elders, they all agreed that the matter was very tricky to handle; the slightest oversight could enrage the Dragon Tribe. Although the dragon eggs were voluntarily surrendered by them originally, the Dragon Tribe’s instinct to protect their young reached a nearly extreme degree. If they learned that such a small young dragon was being kept in their arch-enemy’s territory, they likely wouldn’t be able to act calmly.

In the end, Al suggested that he take Xue Yi back to the Star-Gazing Tower together, and they would decide whether he should stay or leave after five years. During this period, they would continue to keep the secret and take good care of Xue Yi, teaching him diligently.

Aside from Xi Huai’s personal reasons, by the time the Dragon Tribe discovered Xue Yi’s existence, they would also find that he was living well among the Different Demon Tribe. Perhaps this would dispel the idea of a direct invasion to snatch back the cub, making them willing to communicate peacefully.

Furthermore, the Star-Gazing Tower had a special status and did not easily accept students. And in five years, Xue Yi would have grown a bit; the Dragon Tribe’s heritage would be more profound, and he would have a clearer understanding of his identity and his relationship with Xi Huai. In other words, he would choose for himself whether to leave, returning to his kin or continuing to stay close to another race.

However, before that, Xi Huai might be the first to give up, no longer wanting to continue taking care of a young dragon. In short, after two full days of deliberation, the current decision was made. The Star-Gazing Tower was also within the capital; although Xi Huai couldn’t leave as he pleased, others could visit him, so it wasn’t a total imprisonment.

“Fine,” Xi Huai said succinctly. “When do we leave?”

“Whenever you are ready.”

Xi Huai himself didn’t care; he could follow Al immediately. But taking the little dragon cub along was different. Toys, snacks, and clothes were all necessities, as was the arrangement of the room they would live in, whether he could get used to the food, and how the weather was at the Star-Gazing Tower.

To these concerns, Al said that people from the palace would be responsible for the arrangements. Xi Huai was a prince, so naturally, he wouldn’t be mistreated. Xi Huai was relieved: “Good.” He picked up the little dragon cub and rose to say goodbye to Al. Xi Huai was in a fairly good mood; compared to their last meeting, Al seemed much more agreeable.

After leaving the front hall, the adjutant came rushing toward them. Seeing Xi Huai, he looked at the doors behind them and asked in a low voice, “You agreed?”

Xi Huai gave an “mhm.” “Father knows too, right?”

“The King knows,” the adjutant sighed silently. “Rest easy, Your Highness. It’s only five years; just think of it as moving to a different place for quiet study.” He was worried Xi Huai would be resistant and perhaps think Xi Mengya was intentionally driving him out of the palace. But looking at Xi Huai’s state… he didn’t seem to mind.

Xi Huai gave another “mhm,” stroking the little dragon cub’s slightly cool cheek in his arms.

Back at the bedchamber, Xi Huai first packed his things, putting everything he wanted to take into his storage ring and listing the supplies that needed to be prepared regularly. There were several small vests he had sewn for Xue Yi; Xi Huai folded them all neatly, and he didn’t forget the crystal blocks hidden under the pillow.

The little dragon cub crouched by the bed, watching Xi Huai busily at work. After packing the clothes and toys, Xi Huai knelt by the bed and reached out to scratch the little dragon cub’s chin. It suddenly occurred to him that they were about to go to the Star-Gazing Tower together, yet he hadn’t asked for Xue Yi’s consent.

Al had said Xue Yi could leave at any time, but such a small young dragon couldn’t go anywhere.

“Xue-bao, do you want to leave with me?” Xi Huai asked softly. “To live somewhere else, somewhere with fewer people.”

Xue Yi had understood about seventy to eighty percent of his conversation with Al earlier. He was going to some “Starry Tower” with Xi Huai to learn “Starry Arts.” Xue Yi leaned in, licked the tip of Xi Huai’s nose, and wagged his tail: “Awoo!”

Xi Huai’s lips curled up, and he stroked the top of the little dragon cub’s head. “Good.”

The news of Xi Huai’s departure soon spread throughout the palace. During a moment of leisure, Xi Mengya paid a visit to give a few reminders.

“Study well at the Star-Gazing Tower,” he said in a heavy voice. “You must never cause trouble for Mr. Al.”

Xi Huai was submissive: “Yes, Father.”

The little dragon cub was hidden behind the hollowed-out door, poking half of his body out to peek quietly. Xi Mengya saw Xue Yi and moved his lips as if he wanted to say something more, but he remained silent. Xi Huai was very stubborn; once he set his mind on something, no one’s persuasion would work.

If he wanted to raise a dragon, then give him an environment to raise it. Over time, he would naturally realize that no result would come of it, and it was just a brief novelty. Xi Mengya also knew that Xue Yi was often sent to Queen Wei lately, but he didn’t bother to interfere. A dragon tribe cub less than half a year old was no different from a common cute little beast; he would find a way to send it back after five years.

“You should also know that this decision is for your own good,” Xi Mengya’s tone softened. “I will send you there personally when the time comes. Also… your sister won’t be back lately; find some time to write her a letter.”

Xi Qing was eleven years older than Xi Huai. After reaching adulthood, she left the capital and went to a distant city to study swordsmanship; it was difficult to contact her with instant communication. There was news of her a few days ago, saying she had gone to the Dwarf Tribe to assist in resisting the Siren invasion and wouldn’t be back for a long time.

Xi Huai also complied: “Understood, I will.” His state left Xi Mengya fairly satisfied. After a few more simple instructions, he rose and left.

The next to come was Xi Nian. He brought quite a few snacks, all of which could be stored for a long time.

“Don’t misunderstand, these aren’t for you alone to eat.” Xi Nian’s expression was tense, still not over the anger from their last argument. After saying that, he bent down and approached Xue Yi by the table, sighing. “I didn’t expect the little dragon to go too… in five years, will he have grown this big?” Xi Nian gestured with his hand. The little dragon cub tilted his head, seemingly not quite understanding the meaning.

“Not that fast,” Xi Huai said, leaning against the door behind him. “You don’t need to worry.”

“Then after five years, he’ll surely be able to transform into a human, right?” Xi Nian asked again.

Xi Huai did not answer this question. He wasn’t too sure himself; there were too few books about the Dragon Tribe in the palace, and he had even torn one up. He wondered if the Star-Gazing Tower had a library or something similar.

Xi Nian had to go to the academy, so he didn’t stay long. After he left, Queen Wei also paid a visit. She first sent an attendant to notify them, saying she had prepared some things specifically for Xue Yi, and only came over after getting Xi Huai’s consent.

In a week’s time, Xue Yi and Queen Wei had become basically familiar. Seeing her figure, he proactively ran forward to greet her. Queen Wei lifted her skirt and knelt down, reaching out to the little dragon cub: “Good child.” The little dragon cub lifted a paw and placed it in her palm. Xi Huai stood not far behind and did not stop them.

What Queen Wei had prepared for Xue Yi were several small outfits, each with different colors and patterns, much more exquisite and beautiful than what he was wearing. “I originally wanted Xi Nian to bring them over,” she said as she had an attendant set down the clothes. “But I was afraid he’d be reckless and ruin them.”

Xue Yi looked up at the small outfits on the table, his eyes full of joy and anticipation. He went back to Queen Wei and nuzzled her skirt once more.

Xi Huai said, “Thank you.” He picked up a blue vest with rabbit fur on the collar and inner layer and put it on Xue Yi; it was a perfect fit. Xue Yi liked it very much too, circling several times in front of the mirror.

Finally, the day of departure arrived. Xi Mengya escorted Xi Huai to the palace gates. The adjutant would lead several attendants along; he would return once everything was arranged. Several beast carriages were already prepared. Al, supported by his assistant, went inside first.

After saying goodbye to Xi Mengya, Xi Huai turned around and walked toward the beast carriage without looking back. Wearing his new clothes, Xue Yi poked his head out from under Xi Huai’s arm and waved a paw: “Mhm-mhm!”

The beast carriage belonged exclusively to the Star-Gazing Tower and would travel without hindrance along the way, arriving at the destination before noon. Xi Huai sat in the carriage, folding a blanket on his lap to make Xue Yi more comfortable. The ride was steady, and Xue Yi napped for a while amidst the slight bumping.

After waking up, Xi Huai took out the prepared small water bottle, used demonic energy to generate fire elements to warm it, and fed Xue Yi a few sips, followed by some snacks.

Around 12:30 PM, the beast carriage arrived at the Star-Gazing Tower. Xi Huai stepped out of the carriage and looked around. Although its name was a tower, the environment was more like a manor situated in a secluded suburb. The ancient brick walls seemed endless, with a large expanse of open grass behind the iron gates and several houses in the distance.

In the center stood a very tall clock tower, standing like a sharpened square pillar on the ground, with a huge and prominent pentagram symbol at the top. Xue Yi was also looking around, his golden eyes full of curiosity.

Al also stepped out of the carriage and turned slightly. “Let’s go, Prince.”

Strangers wouldn’t usually approach this place, and the subordinates responsible for daily care were all trustworthy; Xue Yi didn’t need to hide. Entering the main gate, Xue Yi also saw a large patch of flowers planted to the side, which hadn’t withered even in the gradually cooling temperatures.

Arriving in a new environment, Xi Huai’s primary concern was their living quarters. Fortunately, the room was large enough and had everything it needed. He checked every corner and instructed the attendants to lay out the plush carpets brought from the palace.

Lunch was delivered just in time. Xi Huai tasted it critically before feeding it to Xue Yi. Al had been busy for several days in a row and went back to his room to rest, leaving Xi Huai to move freely within the manor for these two days. He also assigned an assistant to Xi Huai to help him get familiar with the environment and told him to speak up if he needed anything.

So, Xi Huai held the little dragon cub and walked all over the manor. Xue Yi was the most excited, running back and forth in the empty corridors; if the manor’s area wasn’t so vast, he would have wanted to leave his footprints on every inch of the ground. Finally, they went to the grass on the outer side. Xue Yi was so tired he couldn’t walk anymore and could only lie in Xi Huai’s arms, turning his head to look around.

Xi Huai was fairly satisfied with the environment, and there was enough space so that Xue Yi wouldn’t be restricted when he grew up. Before dark, the adjutant prepared to return to the palace. Some of the attendants would also return with him, leaving only a few people here. He wasn’t sure if Xi Huai would get used to it.

He said tentatively, “Your Highness, shall I leave now?”

Xi Huai was sitting on a sofa in the first-floor hall, teasing the little dragon cub with a flower he had just picked. He didn’t even look up: “Mhm.” Xue Yi pounced on the flower, taking a moment to turn his head and give an “awoo.” The adjutant stood there for a moment before leading his people away.

Away from the palace, there was no longer a need to go to classes, and usually, no one would come to disturb them. Xi Huai spent two days playing exclusively with Xue Yi, and they even visited the woods outside the manor once.

Two days later, Al finally sent someone to notify Xi Huai to meet at the clock tower. The clock tower had ten floors, each with a different purpose: Al’s bedroom, a library with a large number of books, and the top-floor attic used for astrology.

Al was in the top-floor attic. Under the assistant’s lead, Xi Huai used a teleportation array to go upstairs and was sent into a dimly lit room. The room was empty, with Al’s figure sitting at the very front.

He raised his hand, and several windows in the attic opened in sequence, leaving only transparent glass; sunlight immediately poured in. In front of the low table where Al sat, there were two adjacent tables. He looked up: “Sit.”

Xi Huai approached and sat on a soft cushion at one of the tables. Xue Yi turned his head to look and jumped to the cushion on the other side. That position was precisely prepared for the little dragon cub; the table was slightly lower, and the cushion was slightly thicker. Xue Yi crouched obediently and sniffed the edge of the wooden table.

Al nodded slightly, appearing to highly praise Xue Yi’s performance. “How have these two days been? Are you used to it?” he asked.

“I’m used to it.”

“Mhm!”

“Have you decided whether to follow me and learn astrology?”

“I’ll learn.”

Beside him, Xue Yi was a bit hesitant. Do I have to learn too? The little dragon cub turned to look at Xi Huai and responded after a moment.

“Good.” Al tapped the table with his finger, and four or five mechanical birds flew in carrying a bundle of books. They placed the books in front of Xi Huai and then flew off together.