?There was silence as everyone stared at Kyle who was looking at them with a tired expression. It would be a lie, if Kyle said he did not like their enthusiasm for helping him but taking so many people with him was impossible.
Moreover, if they all entered the treasure island together with him, the difficulty would increase tenfold.
Kyle ruffled his hair and the smile on his face was borderline evil but for some unknown reason, the girls around him were looking at him with twinkling eyes.
Mia's eyes trailed off to his injured palm and without even thinking twice she took out a healing potion from her storage ring.
Kyle flinched when she sat down beside him so easily. Goosebumps flared up on his neck the moment she tried to grab his hand. With a sudden movement, he moved away.
"What?"
Elli and Sia giggled at his reaction and just like Mia they also stepped closer to him. The two demi-human girls with Regius gazed at each other and also followed behind. Not because of Kyle but because of the majestic phoenix sitting behind him.
Sia glanced at him from head to toe, the kid version of Kyle was actually quite cute.
"She is trying to pour the potion on your injury."
Kyle opened his mouth with an 'Oh' and obediently held out his palm, blissfully unaware of the people who were staring daggers at him.
Nine let out a dark chuckle and hurriedly dragged Elli back.
"Dear, It's not good for men and women to sit so closely."
Elli blinked at his comment.
"But he is just a kid now?"
Carcel gave the couple a strange look, wondering if he should do the same or not. However, his usual expression made it impossible for him to show his dissatisfaction on his face.
After Mia was done, Kyle stood up and cleared his throat.
"Guys, I think having too many people will make things more difficult. Also, I am not alone. Bia and Haylee both are going with me."
"So, don't worry I will be fine. "
A few people were puzzled about who this Haylee was. That's why he had to tell them about the winged boar who is supposedly the strongest in the realm. Still, he carefully omitted the fact that Haylee could not help him much.
With so many people gathered together, they had to introduce themselves to know about each other.
Kyle quietly watched as they became familiar with each other. His eyes stopped on Jian, who seemed noticeably tense amidst the lively atmosphere.
'What happened to him? He is usually the most cheerful one.'
'Wait... where is Kelvin?'
However, he was soon distracted by Yue. It had been a while since she had approached him, and now she was standing with Regius, engaged in a lively conversation.
'Hmm.'
He watched her for a minute, and couldn't help but wonder, why hasn't she approached him?
'At least the violent aura around her body is gone now.'
He looked away and gazed at Bia. The phoenix had long left his side. Now, she was sitting on Mia's lap with a sleepy and content expression.
Amidst everyone, only Sen looked uncomfortable. He gazed at the people around him, they were all strong. A lot stronger than him.
'Tsk, all rich people are gathered together. Just what the hell am I doing here?'
He hurriedly went up to Lucus to discuss whether they should leave. Since they weren't part of Kyle's friend group. Also, he had this strange feeling that it might be better for him to stay away from Kyle. But before he could approach Lucus, someone grabbed his shoulder with a polite smile.
Sinon unfurled his wings behind his back and smacked his back.
"Hey buddy, what's your name? How did you and Kyle become friends?"
Sen's expression stiffened. The strength of Sinon's smack was enough to shake his inner organs. He hurriedly grabbed the hand dangerously edging closer to his back and a forced smile appeared on his face.
"I do know him but not much."
He wanted to run away when he spotted Lucus nearby but the demi-human was just too persistent. In the end, the duo entered into a conversation. That looked totally awkward from a distance.
Above in the sky, Haylee watched the calm and lively atmosphere, and a smile spread across his face. How long has it been since he saw so many people chatting with each other so casually? It's been a long time indeed.
He couldn't help but look at Kyle. The human had a good circle of friends, and it was clear from their expressions that they genuinely cared about him. They weren't greedy or selfish like some people.
'This group of kids. I feel like they are going to achieve a lot in the future. Especially..'
His crescent eyes stopped on Kyle. The silver-haired human but then he was distracted by the blue-haired human standing at a distance.
Haylee ears perked up when he sensed a faint but familiar aura around him. His eyes widened instantly.
'Why the hell does he have Odiak aura in his body!?'
He could barely hold himself back from leaping at the blue-haired human to get the answer to his question. With an agitated expression, Haylee paced around the sky, eagerly watching as the crowd started leaving one by one. After all, Kyle made it clear that he would go alone with Bia.
The moment the blue-haired youth left Haylee immediately followed behind him, forgetting the fact that he had to tell Kyle about the location of the treasure island.
At the same time, Kyle said goodbye to those who were leaving. He raised his eye when Seraphine approached him with a smile.
It was unbelievable but she was really Nine's sister because the moment she saw Nine, she immediately grabbed his arm and insisted on going together with him.
Contrary to Seraphine's happy expression, Nine brows were knitted together as he peeled her fingers from his arm one by one.
"Seraphine, you are not a kid and now with the dark race gone, I believe you can take care of yourself."
Kyle watched blankly as tears welled up inside Seraphine's eyes within a second. Also, her grip on Nine's arm tightened.
"Brother, how can you leave me alone? What if something happened to me?"
She then gazed at Kyle and the tears in her eyes dropped to her cheeks.
"Kyle, he is leaving me! Can you take me with you? I swear I won't be a burden!"
Nine was completely shocked. He opened his mouth but then closed it again. What the heck just happened!? His sister, who had never shed a tear before, was crying like a damsel in distress.
Fortunately, before he could make matters worse with a curt reply, Lucus stepped in and gazed at Seraphine.
"Why are saying? I believe we need to stay together. So, come with me and Sen."
Anger flashed through Seraphine's eyes when she gazed at her old teammates.
'What the hell! Can they not understand that I want to go with Kyle!'
However, to her dismay, Kyle immediately agreed with Lucus. Afterward, he hurriedly ran off in the opposite direction to avoid any further drama.
Kyle called Bia and she transformed into her phoenix form before landing beside him.
He grabbed her feathers to climb on her back when a familiar voice sounded behind him.
Kyle glanced back, but to his surprise, Yue stopped a few meters away from him. He released Bia feathers with a soft expression.
"Wait for a while."
With a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, the phoenix raised an eyebrow as Kyle approached Yue. It seems he did not notice how he would hear Yue no matter when she called him.
-'Well, Yue is good at cooking. Also, she is warm, unlike a cold ice cube. So, I guess I'll give her my approval.'
Bia watched with utmost focus as Yue opened her mouth but the beautiful moment was shattered when Sia stepped between them.
-'Damn! What a timing! I don't like fox from now on. Wait.. maybe they taste good?'
The tail behind the fox girl swirled left and right when she grabbed her knees to look at Kyle directly.
"Kyle, is the illusion on your body dangerous? If it's not I want to reduce my age as well!"
Kyle let out a sigh. Why was this girl so obsessed with age? She clearly looked under her twenties. Suddenly, he gazed at her from head to toe.
'Maybe she is older but how much?'
"How old are you?"
Sia blinked at his question and let out a smile.
"You should not ask girls about their age."
Kyle gave her a quick nod and stepped away to look at Yue.
"The illusion is dangerous. So, don't try anything. Or else it can harm you."
The ears on Sia's head dropped in dejection. She gazed at Kyle but the expression on his face was too cold. That's why she left him alone.
"What's he so angry about? I just asked a simple question!"
Unbeknownst to her, Kyle was not angry. He just felt frustrated because while he was talking to her, Yue left. His frown deepened as he made his way towards Bia.
"What did she want to say?"
He shook his head and threw the matter at the back of his head.
'I will ask her if I see her again.'
Kyle climbed on Bia's back and the phoenix soared into the sky. Bia sensed his sour mood but did not say anything. Instead, she laughed inwardly.
-'It's rare for him to express so much just because of a single person.'
Bia circled the sky as the duo waited for a certain boar to show up. However, even after an hour, Haylee was nowhere to be seen.
Kyle's frustration increased and a curse slipped out from his mouth.
"Where the hell did he go?"
