Growing Up with the Demon King Tyrant - Chapter 20

Having stayed by Xi Huai’s side since he hatched, Xue Yi had no real concept of the word “home.” Wherever Xi Huai was, that was home.

But Al’s words hadn’t mentioned him, and Xue Yi’s intuition was sharp, so he asked Xi Huai, “What about me?”

Al confirmed that Xue Yi’s transformation state was stable. He rose to leave, and an assistant came over to support him. Xi Huai’s gaze swept over the man, and once Al had stepped out of the front hall, he reached out to pinch Xue Yi’s cheek.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. “Where else do you want to go?”

Xue Yi’s eyes were full of confusion; he didn’t quite understand Xi Huai’s meaning. He didn’t want to go anywhere, but if Xi Huai was leaving, he was certainly going to follow.

Everyone else in the front hall had left, and the surroundings were quiet. Xue Yi hugged Xi Huai and said in a small voice, “Am I… not going to be with Brother?”

That was exactly what Xi Huai wanted to hear. The corners of his lips curved upward. “Of course you’re with Brother.”

He knew what was on Al’s mind, and Xi Mengya’s as well. During the adjutant’s previous visits, he had occasionally revealed some things, including the various considerations for sending Xi Huai and Xue Yi here together. Originally, the adjutant meant to help Xi Huai understand Xi Mengya better, so he wouldn’t hold too much resentment over being sent here for five years of house arrest.

However, Xi Huai didn’t care much about things related to himself; he only remembered the points mentioned about Xue Yi. Including Al, they all believed that once Xue Yi grew older, he would no longer take the initiative to stay close to Xi Huai. He was a dragon, a race with ancestral heritage; the blood of the Dragon Tribe would forever flow in his veins.

To put it more bluntly and harshly… a dragon can never truly be tamed.

Xi Huai scoffed at this. They had never personally raised a dragon, so they had no right to say such things. It was just like the books he had read back then, filled with prejudice against the Dragon Tribe. Xi Huai remembered the books mentioning some “dragon sickness” and a bunch of bad habits. But the Xue Yi he raised was as well-behaved as could be; what dragon sickness was there?

Even if there was some truth to what was written, those were problems of the Dragon Tribe’s own community and had nothing to do with his little dragon.

Having received Xi Huai’s answer, Xue Yi was relieved and pulled on his hand. “Go out to play?”

Now that he had a new body, he wanted to experience everything he had played with and every place he had walked before all over again.

Xi Huai responded, “Fine.” He led Xue Yi out of the front hall to look at the flowers by the stone wall. Xi Huai also pushed back his coursework for these two days to focus on accompanying Xue Yi.

In these four-plus years, Xi Huai’s progress in various subjects was even faster than when he was at the academy; the tutors didn’t need to worry at all. Only in terms of combat and offensive magic could they only measure his approximate level, unable to judge his true strength.

Xi Huai appeared lazy and unconcerned about these things. Furthermore, he never caused trouble since entering the manor, as if he had completely abandoned the bellicose nature inherent in the Different Demon Tribe. He possessed high talent himself, and Xi Mengya didn’t want him to fall into mediocrity; he had shown concern several times but without result. However, once Xi Huai returned to the palace, he would re-enroll in the senior grades and encounter new tutors and classmates; it would be soon enough to study diligently then.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital’s palace…

The next day, Xi Mengya received news about Xue Yi. “He transformed?” He didn’t care much, asking casually, “Transforming this late—is his talent too poor?”

The Dragon Tribe’s elemental magic was far above ordinary races, and within the tribe, there were also distinctions in talent.

The adjutant stood at his side. “It wasn’t mentioned in the letter.”

“The two of them have quite a good relationship; he even calls Xi Huai ‘Brother’?” Xi Mengya snorted coldly. “Then when the time comes… bring them both back together first.”

He would bring Xue Yi back first and then decide; in these few years, their relationship with the Dragon Tribe remained stable—neither good nor bad. He could consider leaking the news about Xue Yi then.

The adjutant acknowledged, “Yes.”

For two consecutive days, Xue Yi’s human form remained stable. Learning for the purpose of play was indeed the fastest way to progress; he had only used his new body for two days and had already fully adapted, running and jumping in the grass wearing his little deerskin boots.

The only downside was that the human form was much larger than the little dragon’s body, and playing consumed much more physical energy; he would get tired before long. When tired, Xue Yi would find Xi Huai, who was guarding nearby, and rest in his arms or on his lap.

The grass was filled with demonic energy, both warm and dry; it wasn’t cold to lie on. Xi Huai carried a small water bottle with him, helping Xue Yi sit up to feed him water. Xue Yi looked up and swallowed two gulps, then reached into Xi Huai’s coat pocket and found a pack of biscuits. He took the biscuits and brought them to his nose to sniff.

Xi Huai wanted to help open them, but Xue Yi turned his head and refused. He struggled to tear the slippery packaging, even using his teeth; as a result, the biscuits inside were crushed, but the bag remained unopened. Holding the biscuits, Xue Yi turned to seek help from Xi Huai. “Brother…”

Xi Huai took them and opened them easily. The sweet scent immediately wafted out. Xue Yi leaned closer and ate the broken biscuits from Xi Huai’s hand.

After playing for another two days, Xue Yi’s interest waned slightly. That night after his bath, Xi Huai dressed Xue Yi in his pajamas. Xue Yi wanted to button them himself; he busied himself for a long time with his head down, his delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed. When he finally managed to finish all the buttons, Xue Yi slumped onto Xi Huai from exhaustion. “Brother, when can I change back?”

Being a person was truly a bit of a hassle; even bathing was more complex. Before, Xi Huai could just wipe him down with a towel.

Xi Huai picked up Xue Yi, walked out of the bathroom, and placed him on the edge of the bed. “Try it now?”

Try? How do I try? Xue Yi looked bewildered. He closed his eyes and opened them after a moment, but there was still no change. Xue Yi reached out to Xi Huai and said aggrievedly, “I can’t change back…”

Xi Huai touched his soft silver hair. “Hang in there for a few more days.” He could guess why Xue Yi wanted to change back; it was nothing more than a child’s three-minute interest—he was starting to feel the human form wasn’t convenient enough.

Xue Yi lowered his head, his long eyelashes casting small shadows. Xi Huai knelt by the bed and soothed him gently, “Brother went through the same thing before.”

Xue Yi immediately looked at him. “Really?”

Xi Huai didn’t even blink. “Of course.”

“But Brother isn’t a little dragon…” Xi Huai wasn’t of the Dragon Tribe; would he really have had the same experience? There was a hint of suspicion in Xue Yi’s eyes, but hearing Xi Huai say this still brought him some comfort.

That night, Xue Yi stayed close to Xi Huai, with only half of his face peeking out from under the covers.

Two more days passed, and it was time for astrology class. The teleportation array went directly from the first floor to the top floor. Xi Huai arrived with Xue Yi on time. In the attic room, the low table and cushion Xue Yi originally used had been replaced with ones better suited to his current height.

Seeing Al, Xue Yi still called out obediently, “Teacher.”

Al nodded. “Sit.” Xue Yi came to the low table and sat cross-legged, mimicking Xi Huai’s posture.

Al unfolded the star map as usual and began the day’s astrology. Such classes had been ongoing for nearly five years. When they first arrived, Al had given a pile of materials to Xi Huai, telling him to read them thoroughly and help Xue Yi read them. Afterward, materials were sent continuously, repeating this simplest of tasks.

Xi Huai had long since stopped treating this as a class; it was just a boring activity to pass the boring time. Calling Al “Teacher” was also nothing more than a title without substance. His attention was all on Xue Yi beside him, worried that the boy wouldn’t be able to stay still for his first class after transforming.

Surprisingly, Xue Yi was watching very seriously. His gaze was fixed on the star map in front of Al. Al also seemed to notice this and unfolded the star map in advance. The shimmering starlights were right beside him; Xue Yi instinctively held his breath and reached out to try and touch them.

For the rest of the time, he sat obediently in his seat, only stopping to have some water and snacks fed to him by Xi Huai.

That night before bed, Xue Yi lay in bed. “Brother…” His expression was bewildered yet carried a bit of joy and excitement. “The things I learned during the day—I think I know them!”

Xi Huai asked in a low voice, “What do you know?”

Xue Yi hesitated for a long time before answering honestly, “…I don’t know.”

Xi Huai reached over and pinched Xue Yi’s fair cheek. “Go to sleep.”

Xue Yi obediently closed his eyes, but his mind was still thinking of the star map he had seen during the day. He had an indescribable feeling, as if he truly understood it, but when Xi Huai asked, he couldn’t answer. So that night, Xue Yi’s dreams were also of a night sky with shimmering starlight.

The next afternoon, Xi Huai went to the study next door. He needed to make up for the coursework he had missed a few days ago and then go to the library to pick out a few books Xue Yi was interested in to read to him before bed.

Xue Yi also followed him into the study, sitting on his exclusive small chair and leaning against the windowsill to look down. The glass window was only open a tiny bit to prevent cold wind from blowing in. Outside the window was the area near the kitchen; voices of people speaking anxiously suddenly came from downstairs.

Xue Yi clung to the windowsill and peered out. Xi Huai had just finished a round of coursework and also rose to approach. Two kitchen assistants were standing on the grass below; from their conversation, it seemed that some kind of vegetable magical plant delivered yesterday was still alive and hadn’t been properly preserved. As a result, a large number of them had escaped in the middle of the night and were still being searched for.

Xue Yi listened for a while, then looked up and tugged at Xi Huai’s sleeve. When Xi Huai leaned down close, he became mysterious and whispered in Xi Huai’s ear, “Those little grasses are hiding in the water vat.”

Xi Huai hugged Xue Yi from behind. “How does Xue-bao know?”

Xue Yi lifted his chin and said with a hint of pride, “I dreamed it.”

Xi Huai didn’t take it seriously, offering a few words of praise while taking Xue Yi’s hand off the cold windowsill. The coursework wasn’t finished yet; there was still one last subject. Xi Huai returned to the desk to continue writing. Before long, he heard a commotion below once more.

He had excellent hearing; even at a distance, he clearly heard the kitchen assistant say they had found the escaped vegetable magical plants over by the water vat. Xi Huai immediately looked up at Xue Yi.

Xue Yi was currently focused on breathing onto the window to draw, not noticing the people below.

Perhaps… it’s just a coincidence. Or Xue Yi had seen them himself and thus knew the plants were hiding there. Children’s thoughts jump around; it was normal for him to say he had seen it in a dream. Xi Huai withdrew his gaze and set down the last few strokes on the paper.

Since the first astrology class after transforming, Xue Yi had suddenly become interested in astrology. When they went the second week, he asked Al if he could come often. Xue Yi hugged his knees and crouched by Al’s table.

Al tilted his head slightly and said hesitantly, “It’s a good thing that you… want to learn more. I will have someone arrange coursework for you.”

Xue Yi simply thought “coursework” was related to astrology. As a result, the next day, an assistant brought over some copybooks.

“The gentleman ordered this,” the assistant said. “Practice at least half a page every day; the gentleman will check it when you go to astrology class next week.” He also added, “The Prince may not help.”

Xi Huai frowned. “Isn’t it a bit early to learn to write now?” He was clearly displeased with the arrangement. The assistant lowered his head and replied, “The gentleman said it is not early.”

Xue Yi curiously opened the copybook and found it full of small squares. Soon, he knew what it was actually for. A set of table and chairs was added to the study next door, and Xue Yi held a pen in his hand, clumsily learning to write on the paper.

After copying only two characters, Xue Yi threw down the pen and complained to Xi Huai, “Brother, I don’t want to write…”

Xi Huai sat right beside him, taking Xue Yi’s hand to rub it. His expression was a bit dark, but he restored his usual gentle look when he raised his head, coaxing, “Write slowly; it doesn’t matter if you don’t finish.”

Xue Yi dawdled for a long time before picking up the pen again. Actually, he learned very quickly; although the writing was crooked, it was all legible. By the end, Xue Yi had become slightly more proficient, but he was still very tired and hadn’t finished the half-page.

However, the next day, when Xue Yi opened the copybook, he found that yesterday’s half-page was already full. The handwriting was very familiar—it was his own. Did I finish it in my sleep while sleepwalking? But I don’t think I dreamed about writing.

Xue Yi peeked at Xi Huai and found that he didn’t seem to notice at all. He acted as if nothing had happened and continued writing the next half-page.

For the next six days, Xue Yi failed to complete the half-page task every day. But as long as he checked the next day, the unfinished part from yesterday would automatically be filled in. He was silently happy, keeping it as his own secret.

Six days later, it was time for astrology class. Xue Yi took the copybook with him. Entering the attic, he ran forward, holding the copybook with both hands. “Teacher!”

Al nodded, taking the copybook and setting it aside. “Class first.”

After the astrology class was over, he finally picked up the copybook to look through it. A mechanical bird perched on his shoulder also tilted its head to observe. Al flipped through it very slowly, appearing to check every character carefully. Xue Yi felt inexplicably anxious.

Did I get a few characters wrong? Or is it not pretty enough…

Until Al finally finished flipping through the copybook, his thin lips pressed into a line. He set down the copybook in his hand and said in a low voice, “The two of you will be punished together.”