Lyle

The room was unusual in the very sense of it. It was a large room shrouded in pure white. The rug, the drapes, even the wardrobe, chair and desk were in various shades of white. The wall was bare and without any single spot and stain.

It was just the bedroom even the bathroom was not spared from this spotless perfection. Lyle let the hot water rain down on him with a sigh of pleasure. It was his third bath that morning and he could not get enough. 

Squeezing the shower gel that smelt of aloe, jasmine and sandalwood, he made sure to scrub his body strongly. He closed his eyes as he thought of visiting the Eagle Pavilion and squeezed another portion of the shower gel.

He cleaned his body and used a basic fire spell to dry the towel before hanging it in its rack. He opened the wardrobe and the room finally had a semblance of colour. He donned a light blue shirt and trousers; he picked up his shoes before he left his room. 

Carina, his stepmother and Levi were already sitting opposite him. Their eyes were on him and Lyle walked to the dining table and sat down. His eyes flickered to the absent head table and he chuckled silently. 

Just like his father to make breakfast compulsory and yet refuse to attend. It was good he was not here though.

"Go ahead, Lyle must be hungry." Carina looked over lovingly and ordered for the dishes to be served.

With every dish served, Lyle's fingers clenched even tighter. The table was filled with bowls of pearl rice, vegetables that shimmered under the light, light fragrant soup and roasted demon beast meat.

Seeing that he picked only the rice and a few vegetables to eat, Carina sweetly added pieces of meat to his plate, "You will be going for training tomorrow, you need to eat lots." 

Lyle smiled at her, his green eyes like the warmest of jade as he took a piece of meat, chewing slowly. One thought stood out in his mind. 

'What if the person preparing the meat did not wash his hands? What of if he did not clean the grill or the knife?' The thought refused to leave his head as he restricted the urge to throw um and swallowed his meal. He had learnt his lesson on that.

Levi watched the action with a little jealousy, he tugged at his mother and she smiled warmly at him adding more vegetables to his plate.

Levi looked at his brother, he lowered his eyes and his mood became low. His brother was never around. He was always in school and when he came back for the holiday, he will go for some secret training, he never told him about.

"One day, I will join you to train." He announced before going back to his meal.

The room fell silent as Carina and Lyle froze. Carina smacked her son's head, her hands lightly shaking, "Don't speak nonsense. Eat quickly so you can go and cultivate." 

Levi bent his head and he murmured with discontent. His mother was always insisting he cultivate. Cultivation was so boring, he rather has fun.

"Levi!" His voice was as soft as a summer breeze but it demanded attention. Levi snapped his head up only to see his brother's smile. A shiver ran through his body. "Listen to your mother." 

The breakfast atmosphere continued in its harmony as Lyle finished his plate. It seems like Levi's words had disoriented Carina as she didn't try to add more food to his plate.

"I will be leaving now." He said as he left his plate on the table, trying his best to ignore the disordered table.

Leaving the living room, he took out a whistle and blew on it fiercely.

A beautiful, bluish-black eagle flew into view, stopping beside him. Lyle caressed the eagle's feathers slightly ignoring its slight shiver. Ares hated anyone touching him.

He mounted his movement as light as a swallow. A kick of his feet and Ares took to the skies. No sooner had he moved, a grey eagle joined him.

The rider sat tall and straight upon his eagle. He was like a piece of ancient ice of a thousand years on top of a snowy mountain, ever so slightly bringing about a feeling of coldness and loftiness. 

His icy blue eyes swept towards Lyle. His aura had an indifferent and frosty oppression air to it.

Lyle's eyes widened before he smiled slightly.

"You have broken through again. Congrats."

Kelan gave a sharp nod but his eyes still had a hint of anticipation. 

Lyle chuckled lightly, "To breakthrough at this age, You are really amazing. Ah! I need to work harder, I can't lose to you."

Kelan's ears had a faint touch of pink as he nodded, "Eh."

"Shouldn't you be consolidating your foundation? You just broke through, you should spend more time in seclusion."

Kelan clenched his fist tightly, "You are leaving tomorrow."

Lyle saw his reluctant expression and his heart felt warm. At least, he was not telling him let them run away together like they could ever escape from the house before being dragged back and made to kneel in punishment.

"I will be back before your birthday."

"Eh" He did not comment any further but Lyle could see it in his eyes. 'I will be waiting for you.'

His eyes were firm and determined. He would return. Someone was waiting for him.

____

"Lyle! Kelan! Over here!" A tall boy with a grin on his face as he waved happily to the two boys who got down from the Eagles.

Another young boy stood next to him, his arms were crossed and his brows were knitted. Seeing Lyle, his face settled into a scowl, "So the twin jades decided to grace us with their presence and save us from melting under this hot sun."

"Don't mind Gus, we just came. Let's go in, I heard they brought a lot of new stuff." Earl's eyes sparkled with excitement as he bounced slightly on his feet.

"Tsk! It is like bringing a child to the mall and don't call me Gus, my name is Augustus."

Lyle chuckled, "August, Earl, Sorry to keep your guys waiting…"

Earl's eyes widened and he moved before he stood in front of Kelan. "You broke through? You are already in the Late Stage. So incredible!" His voice crackled with the amount of disbelief within.

"Eh." Kelan nodded.

"Congratulations! I won't lose." His onyx orbs had an unwavering determination within.

"Thank you." He bowed a little in appreciation.

Augustus coldly snorted. "First breakthrough the Middle Stage first."

Seeing Lyle withholding his laughter, he turned sharply to him, "Wonder why you are not cultivating and here with us. Guess the twin jades reign is over for good." 

"Thank you so much for your concern. I will work very hard." Lyle sincerely thanked him watching as his face turned even more unsightly.

"Mr Joseph said you can not build a strong building on a weak foundation. You broke through the Middle Stage fine months ago and you have advanced again." Augustus tone was strangely mocking.

Lyle smiled. Like that was even possible. Kelan was the son of the Clan Leader of the Morgan Clan and lived in the main house. With so many old masters looking after him, how could they let him advance if he was not sufficiently prepared?

"Gus! Are you still angry that you were not given a title too? But you are amazing too, you actually remember what Mr Joseph said three years ago. Come on, let's hurry before everything is sold out." With a single step, Earl was at the door, waving excitedly at them.

Kelan nodded at Augustus and quickly joined Earl.

Augustus sneered, "This little idiot!"

Lyle raised his hand trying to cover his mouth as he stifled his laughter.

"Don't you dare!"

Lyle raised his hands to placate the human time bomb. "Let's get going." 

As he started forward, Augustus held him back, "Are you really okay?"

Lyle blinked his eyes twice before smiling softly, "Earl is right. Gus, You are a good person."

Augustus' face paled. 'A good person' which kind of insult was that? Let Lyle perish for all he cares. With that he stormed out, the atmosphere around him increasing its temperature by the minute.

Lyle had a sad smile on his face as he looked up to the sky. They were really good people.

____

"It is the 'Spirit Perfume Talisman' Master Moliere's disciple is daring." Earl laughed loudly.

"He is just embarrassing his prestigious Master's name."

Lyle smiled as he waited for his talisman to be packed up.

He was shocked out of his mind as a man held his shoulders and turned him around. He was so startled he could not even utter a word.

The man looked at him with wide eyes, desperate and searching like he wanted to see someone inside him. His palm on his shoulders was hot and trembling.

Two sword tips and a spear was pressed on the man's back but he seemed not to notice. He blinked his brown eyes and a little clarity returned to them.

The man stepped back and Earl's spear pierced him slightly but he seemed not to notice. Insane laughter escaped the man's lips as his body trembled. Two powerful auras began to approach the floor but the man vanished.

Two men in blue robes stood before Lyle. Their eyes were narrowed as they scanned the environment.

Another older man came out from the innermost room, the encounter had been so fast that they did not have time to process anything. If anything had happened to Lyle Morgan or more importantly, Kelan Morgan, perhaps their lives would not even be enough to compensate.

Clenching his hand together to become a first, the manager calmed the anger raging in his chest. "My deepest apologies, Mr Morgan. This matter today, the Eagle Pavilion will surely give an explanation."

Augustus swore, "That insane man, he must be suffering from cultivation deviation. This is why they say one should be in a hurry to advance."

"You are right." Kelan agreed readily. His eyes were frosty, he was in the Late stage yet he did not see the man even approach. He is still too weak.

Lyle rubbed his brows. He hoped this doesn't turn into a big mess.

'Cultivation deviation.' He wondered as the man's desperate brown eyes appeared in his mind.

Who was he looking for?