28: Love at First Sight

"Lord Sawamura is truly worthy of being the modern master of the Tai'a Sword."

"Your swordsmanship is unparalleled, beyond human limits."

"The Shimazu and Kujou families, as well as the Sawamura family, are all noble houses. There's no need for internal strife."

"I never intended to initiate a Kengan match."

"As for the engagement between my son and Lady Sakurako—"

"It was nothing more than a jest at the time and shouldn't be taken seriously."

"Anyone who dares to bring it up again will have to deal with me first."

With an air of righteous conviction, Shimazu Masato swiftly surrendered.

Not only did he lower himself to the utmost degree, but he also tore the engagement contract into shreds.

"Madam Seiko, what do you think?"

"My grandmother married into the Shimazu family from the Kujou lineage."

"By all rights, I should be calling you 'Aunt.'"

Tracing back through the noble bloodlines, everyone was practically related.

"Akira, let's put this matter to rest here."

Seeing that the Shimazu family had conceded to such an extent, Kujou Seiko was satisfied.

Otherwise, it would seem as though she were too aggressive.

Knowing when to relent was an essential skill in handling affairs.

"No problem, Grandmother."

"As I said, I've always been a peace-loving person who dislikes fighting and killing."

"I was merely joking with Uncle Shimazu earlier."

In a flash, Akira stepped forward, helping the bowed Shimazu Masato to his feet.

"Uncle Shimazu, please don't take offense at my earlier transgressions."

His display of humility won the admiration and favor of the elder generation.

To achieve fame at such a young age and yet remain modest and measured—it was an enviable quality.

Why hadn't their own families produced such a prodigy?

Though everyone knew both Akira and Shimazu Masato were putting on a show, what mattered was the pretense itself.

If even the façade of civility was disregarded, who could believe that Akira had truly let the Shimazu family off the hook?

Relying solely on brute force would only get someone so far.

A poet, a warrior, and now a master strategist—it was no wonder Akira had penned the immortal lines: If only both could be fulfilled, neither the Buddha nor love betrayed.

Brilliance in both literary and martial pursuits.

At that moment, guests swarmed toward Kujou Seiko, bringing their younger generations along.

Showering Akira with boundless praise, they eagerly sought to leave an impression.

If a marriage alliance with Akira could be arranged, it would be a dream come true.

"Wow, the diamond really got sliced in half."

"And the cut is so clean."

"Akira, your sword is amazing!"

The white-haired, red-eyed beauty gasped in admiration.

Her Japanese was noticeably clumsy.

"You're too kind."

"I should be thanking you for providing the diamond."

Seeing a gorgeous older woman who perfectly matched his aesthetic preferences, Akira felt his DNA stir.

With Sayuri's constant teasing eroding his morals, Akira's once-pristine sense of restraint was crumbling fast.

Blinking innocently, he shed his composed genius persona and adopted a youthful curiosity.

"By the way, I don't believe I caught your name, dear sister?"

"I'm Leonora, from Northern Europe."

"You can just call me Sister Leonora, Akira."

"By the way, can I keep this split diamond necklace as a souvenir?"

"It's now the only necklace in the world that's been cut by your sword."

The moment she asked, the noble ladies present realized they had overlooked something monumental.

This necklace, now bearing the mark of the Tai'a Sword, had become a priceless artifact.

Anything labeled one of a kind would always see its value skyrocket.

"Of course! It was yours to begin with."

"I was thinking of replacing it with a new one."

"No need—I love it even more in its current form."

"That last strike was simply breathtaking."

"If you like, Sister Leonora, I can cut a few more diamond necklaces for you in the future."

Upon hearing this, Akira's childhood friends collectively froze.

The other guests exchanged amused glances.

If they weren't mistaken, this boy genius seemed rather taken with the foreign beauty.

Wasn't this behavior suspiciously similar to that of a peacock flaunting its feathers?

However, wasn't the age gap a bit too wide?

Or did Akira simply prefer older women?

Seeing the guests' knowing looks, Kujou Seiko sighed in exasperation.

Akira, at least try to hide it!

Your true intentions are showing.

"Akira, you bastard, you scumbag, you heartless womanizer!"

"Do you even realize what you just said?!"

"And do you even know who she is?!"

Erina stormed forward at full speed, gripping Akira's shoulders and shaking him violently.

"Erina, calm down!"

"You must stay calm!"

His assistant, Hisako, rushed in to pull Erina away.

"Akira, you womanizing bastard! I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

"Just now, you said performing with the Tai'a Sword would be inappropriate."

Sena, having caught up, pouted in frustration.

"But now, cutting diamonds suddenly seems perfectly fine?"

Her expression clearly said, Just apologize, and I'll forgive you.

"Erina, you're here too?"

Leonora, who had been crouching to retrieve the necklace, perked up in delight upon seeing Erina.

"Erina, you know Lady Leonora?"

Realizing the name sounded familiar, Akira forced a dry laugh.

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