The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 276. Moonhaven Academy

Tyler and the others underwent a thorough body check before they were allowed to enter the camp. The precaution was necessary to ensure none of them had been parasitized or that no Abyss monster had managed to infiltrate their group.

Once cleared, they proceeded inside and went directly to submit their mission report. Tyler handed over the tube containing the Corrosive Liquid they had collected during their ordeal.

"Tyler, what’s your plan now?" Brolin asked, his voice light but curious.

"I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep," Tyler replied, waving a hand lazily as he said goodbye to the group.

On his way to the barracks, Tyler noticed a crowd gathering near the training grounds. Curious, he stopped a passerby to ask, "What’s going on over there?"

"Oh, students from Moonhaven Academy have arrived in the city," the man explained. "They’ve brought the Tri-Moon Stairs with them and are challenging our academy’s students to ascend it."

"Tri-Moon Stairs?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It’s a test of temperance and discipline," the man said. "Each step gets exponentially harder the higher you go. It’s a famous trial designed to temper both body and mind."

"Hmm... sounds like a nightmare for someone like me," Tyler muttered under his breath. He could already imagine failing miserably on the first step. With a shrug, he dismissed the thought and headed to his quarters.

Once there, he collapsed onto his bed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

---

The next morning, Tyler awoke feeling refreshed. As he walked toward the mission board, he noticed another commotion brewing nearby. Groups of students and adventurers had gathered in excited clusters, chatting animatedly.

"What now?" Tyler muttered to himself. Since he had just completed a mission, he was officially on break for the next few days unless an emergency arose. Curious, he strolled toward the source of the excitement, his hands tucked into his pockets and his expression casual.

"I guess I’ll see what all the fuss is about," he murmured, ready to observe.

The scene at the training ground was tense. Students in red and white uniforms, the signature attire of Moonhaven Academy, stood confidently, their postures exuding pride. They looked down at the students of Starfire Academy as though they were kings surveying their subjects.

Moonhaven Academy was the second-ranked institution, trailing just behind Starfire Academy. Despite this, the gap between them was negligible, and their rivalry was legendary. Like Starfire students, Moonhaven students were frequently sent on missions to various cities, honing their skills and showcasing their capabilities.

"What’s going on?" Tyler asked as he approached Brolin, who was standing on the sidelines with Rabbit Kyla.

Brolin, lost in thought, jumped at the sudden question and blurted out, "Nothing happened between me and Kyla!"

Rabbit Kyla, flustered and red-faced, quickly elbowed him in the ribs. "Will you stop saying nonsense?" she hissed before shooting Tyler a warning glare.

"I didn’t hear anything," Tyler said quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender. He gestured toward the commotion. "I’m talking about the Moonhaven Academy students. What’s their deal?"

"Oh... them." Brolin sighed, rubbing the spot where Rabbit Kyla’s elbow had landed. "They’re here to challenge us to duels. Our combat department isn’t present right now, so they’re trying to use this opportunity to make us look bad and establish their superiority."

"Isn’t that your department?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow.

Brolin let out another sigh. "I’m just a 2-star Master Warrior. That guy over there is a 5-star Master Mage. Normally, I’d have no problem taking down an ordinary 5-star Master-level Immortal Practitioner. But these Moonhaven students are cut from the same cloth as ours—they’re elite. It’s not that simple."

Tyler turned his attention to the dueling arena, where a fierce match was underway. A Starfire Academy student, a 4-star Warrior Mage, faced off against a Moonhaven student. The Starfire student charged forward, his blade gleaming, but a powerful water wave from his opponent sent him sprawling to the ground.

"I admit def—" The Starfire student barely managed to get the words out before the Moonhaven mage lashed him with a water whip, knocking him unconscious and out of the training grounds entirely.

"Hah! Is that all Starfire Academy has to offer?" the Moonhaven student sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

The Starfire students watching from the sidelines erupted in anger.

"You coward! You’re only doing this because our 5-star students aren’t here!"

"Yeah! Why don’t you wait until they get back and see how tough you really are?"

The Moonhaven mage smirked, crossing his arms. "Losers always have excuses," he said mockingly.

The verbal battle escalated quickly, with both sides hurling insults and taunts.

"Your academy might be ranked second, but your attitudes are second-rate!" a Starfire student shouted.

"Second-rate? Coming from a bunch of weaklings who can’t even defend their honor?" a Moonhaven student shot back.

"We don’t need to stoop to your level to prove ourselves!"

"Then why are you standing there whining like children?"

The shouting match drew more onlookers, including Tyler, who stood with his arms crossed, observing the chaos. "This is getting out of hand," he muttered.

At that moment, another Starfire student stepped forward to challenge the Moonhaven mage. It was clear from his stance and movements that he was a skilled fighter, but he was still outclassed. Within minutes, he was sent flying off the platform by another water-based attack.

"Pathetic," the Moonhaven mage said, shaking his head. "If this is the best Starfire Academy has, then your reputation is grossly overrated."

The Starfire students clenched their fists, their anger boiling over. One stepped forward, shouting, "Why don’t you fight someone at your level?"

The Moonhaven student raised an eyebrow. "Why don’t you guys have someone to fight at my level?"

Tyler sighed. This wasn’t his fight, but the arrogance of the Moonhaven students was starting to get under his skin. He glanced at Brolin, who looked equally frustrated but hesitant to act.

"Are you really going to let them talk to you like that?" Tyler asked.

Brolin looked at him, conflicted. "I can’t just rush in. I’ll get crushed."

Tyler shrugged. "Sometimes, it’s not about winning. Sometimes, it’s about standing up for yourself."

Brolin considered his words, then looked at Rabbit Kyla, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the platform.

The Moonhaven students sneered as he approached. "Another lamb to the slaughter?"

Brolin ignored the taunts and took his position. Tyler watched closely, silently rooting for his friend.

The match began, and Brolin held his ground, using his skills to dodge and counter the Moonhaven mage’s attacks. While he was clearly outmatched in power, he used the Axe to swung down making the ground quake, making the Mage shook a little. Even the Moonhaven students seemed impressed, though they didn’t show it.

The mage panicked a little and used a Charm against Brolin.

"Shameless." Rabbit Kyla shouted.

"Hmph... It’s all allowed." A student from Moonhaven Academy retorted immediately.

In the end, Brolin was defeated, but he wasn’t humiliated. He walked off the platform with his head held high, earning cheers and support from his peers.

"Good job," Tyler said as Brolin rejoined him.

"Why are these losers cheering?" one of the Moonhaven Academy students sneered, his voice cutting through the air and silencing the crowd.

"These guys..." Tyler muttered, shaking his head. He wasn’t the type to interfere, but this had crossed the line. Deciding to step in, he walked forward.

"I’ll be your opponent," Tyler said calmly.

The Starfire Academy students, initially hopeful, deflated like balloons when they noticed Tyler’s level.

"Heh... Looks like your combat department only has a Level 1 Master Warrior left. No, wait... you’re a dual Warrior and Mage?" The Moonhaven student seemed surprised for a moment before sneering again. "So what? A one-star is still a one-star."

"Why is he stepping in? Isn’t the humiliation enough?"

"Who is he?" murmured several Starfire students, their tone filled with doubt.

Brolin and Rabbit Kyla exchanged nervous glances, clearly worried for Tyler.

"I’m not from the combat department," Tyler clarified, his voice calm and steady.

"Not even combat department?" A collective groan rippled through the Starfire students as they lost what little hope they had left.

"Charms are allowed, right?" Tyler asked.

The Moonhaven student laughed hysterically, joined by his classmates. "So, your big plan is to use charms? Yes, charms are allowed," he said mockingly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Alright. Let me take them out," Tyler said, completely ignoring the sneers.

From his storage device, he retrieved a small destructive charm and placed it on the ground.

Then another.

The crowd stared at him, their expressions ranging from confusion to disbelief. Who asks for time to prepare charms during a duel?

"Take your time, take your time," the Moonhaven student said, struggling to suppress his laughter.

But soon, his laughter faded.

Tyler continued placing charm after charm. The first few drew ridicule, but as he reached the tenth charm, the atmosphere shifted.

The entire campus fell silent, all eyes on Tyler as he methodically pulled out more charms.

Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. To be continued.