Bab 9: Ivla

Different from what Tylem had predicted, Kaden was still willing to associate with him after his declaration. In fact, this kind, chubby child was even enthusiastically trying to befriend him.

[He's quite interesting.]

With some urgency, Tylem was thinking about how to assist his little sister, but no great ideas were coming to mind. Perhaps, he should calmly take it one step at a time. It wasn't like him to get flustered easily.

Until he familiarized himself with what he was dealing with, he couldn't just dive into the situation head-first.

Hopping off the school bus, Tylem swiftly noticed the numerous chauffeurs who were dropping students off at the Ivla parking region. These clever-looking students who came out of the luxurious vehicles all had a confident air around them, believing the school was their personal playground.

Staring at Tylem's thoughtful face, Kaden was confused. This mysterious student had said that he was Lynne's older brother, then how come he also stated that he was in the same grade as them?

It wasn't like Lynne and Tylem were twins, right? The two looked nothing alike!

Nevertheless, Kaden did not probe into Tylem's family situation; that was his own business.

What Tylem next noticed were the grand school buildings of Ivla. From the expansive fields to the state-of-the-art swimming pool, everything was top notch. The courts and sports equipment were all kept in the best possible condition.

To top everything off, the school was thoroughly protected like a fortress, enclosed by tall steel gates of grandiose. Everywhere, there were security guards lurking about, ready to pounce.

There was so much more hidden within the buildings. The luxurious cafeteria, the inside pool, the massive gym, Tylem had seen none of it thus far. Ivla, one of the best private schools in the entire capital that boasted of their top-end resources, their far-reaching reputation was indeed not undeserved.

The few children who were able to attend such a prestigious school were all the best of the best. Growing up in Beijing, all of them would have had private tutors, undergoing a strict, special education system.

Stretching his arms, Kaden stood beside Tylem, and he soon noticed the not-so-secretive crouching Lynne. Of course, this meant the person next to him also saw her.

"Lynne." Tylem caught the little moving figure who had tried to duck beneath his line of sight.

"Big… no, who are you?" When Tylem had clutched onto her wrist, Lynne was shocked. This wasn't supposed to happen. Hadn't she told him to avoid her at all costs?

"Do you not trust me?" Tylem asked, tightening his hold.

The look in her elder brother's eyes was a side of him she had never seen before—dazzling and terrifying. It gave Lynne the hope that, perhaps just maybe, he could solve all her piled-up problems.

However, she soon remembered who she was up against.

Ava and Onel, the strongest force within the entire school. No ordinary student could even get close to them.

"Let… go. I don't know you." The moment Lynne saw his hurt look, she instantly regretted what she had just said. But, in the end, she did not take her words back as she sluggishly left under his untiring gaze.

Tylem's eyes were like a pair of daggers piercing into her back. Lynne felt her tears piling up, her large eyes misty.

"I'm sorry, Big Bro. I'm a bad sister who is also weak."

Lynne's shadow had disappeared long ago, but Tylem remained icily still. Kaden awkwardly looked at him for a while. It indeed wasn't a joke. This new transfer was the poor girl's elder brother.

It wasn't until Kaden said that the two of them would be late at this rate did Tylem begin to move.

"Oh yeah, pal. What class are you going to be in?" Catching up to Tylem's fast footsteps, Kaden inquired. However, he was left unanswered; the new transfer was completely immersed in his own world.

Suddenly, Tylem stopped, and Kaden almost bumped into his shoulder. With a quiet voice void of emotion, he inquired, "Kaden, this Ava girl. What does she look like?"

"Oh, well this Ava girl is quite the beautiful brunette herself. However, she has a pair of very scary eyes. To describe her appearance, she is athletic and above average height for a girl." Kaden recalled Ava's signature death stare.

If she looked at someone with those pair of eyes, their school life would soon become an utter nightmare.

"I see. Kaden, where's reception by the way?" Tylem nodded, memorizing Ava's rough appearance. Emily had told him that he needed to report to reception before form class began.

There, he would be designated his classroom for the remaining few years at Ivla Middle School. In Ivla's education system, there were twelve years of schooling in total: five years of elementary school, three years of middle school, and four years of high school.

"Damn, how could I forget? It's a known fact that all new students must report to reception." Kaden cursed. "Follow me, pal. I'll take you there. If I'm late for class, I'll just make up some excuse, heh."

"Thank you." Tylem sincerely thanked him. This person had helped him a lot during this short time.

"Ah, you're making me blush. Don't worry about it." Laughing brightly, Kaden rubbed his nose.

* * *

Waiting in the reception room, Tylem sat on a leather seat, waiting for his name to be called out. Kaden had left soon after showing him where the reception building was.

"Tylem, please report to the Dean's office. It's the hall to your right."

The female receptionist reported.

Tylem walked on the wool carpet along the hall. Checking the signs on each room's door, it didn't take him long to find the Dean's office. The wooden name board was rather luxurious.

For a teacher at their public workplace, it wasn't that suitable. Tylem lightly knocked on the door twice, and from within, a deep voice reverberated.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, Tylem instantly saw the middle-aged man, who was neatly dressed in a branded black suit, sitting on a leather recliner behind a rectangular office table.

There was an expensive silver nameplate atop the table. Engraved on it were the Dean's name and position. The middle-aged man had the look of a professional businessman instead of a selfless teacher for the nation.

While under Tylem's scrutinization, the middle-aged man smiled, "Hello there, Tylem. I'm the Dean of the second years, Mr. Smith."

"Good morning, sir." Tylem sat on the seat in front of the middle-aged man, meeting his practiced gaze head-on.

"Heh, you seem like a fine young man. You know, it's quite unusual for Ivla to receive transfers during the second quarter of the year. The thing is, it's not like we don't receive applications around this time, but it's that we very rarely make exceptions." The second-year dean chuckled, emphasizing the word exception, "It was the principal himself who made this exception, so if I said I wasn't curious, I would be lying."

"Young man, I hope that you'll find Ivla to be to your liking."

Tylem knew what Mr. Smith, the middle school's second-year dean, was implying. For some reason, the man with a pompadour cut thought that he had some sort of a special noble identity.

However, from what Tylem knew, Emily was just a captain in the police force. Compared to those noble families that Kaden had talked about, it was nothing much. Was there a misunderstanding?

Or perhaps, there was something more to Emily's and Weston's identity? In the end, Tylem did not know much about them, even more so regarding the mysterious uncle. Previously, he was disinclined to ask.

It was a different story now that Lynne's safety was involved though.

If their parents did indeed have a great identity, Lynne shouldn't have fallen to such a point. From what Kaden had told him, the teachers would turn a blind eye to her harassment.

Besides, it was common knowledge that the interference of a parent could lead to even further harassment of the victim. The children's bullying would simply continue in the shadows. That much was clear to Tylem.

Nevertheless, it was still his responsibility to inform Emily and Weston of his little sister's situation. From what Tylem had seen of the pair so far, their decided-upon actions would likely not make the situation worse.