"Alright."
The clerk, perceptive enough to recognize Haruno's wealth and status, quickly retrieved the pendant she pointed to and placed it in her hand.
He praised, "Ms., you have excellent taste. This pendant suits you perfectly."
"Is that so? Thank you."
Haruno's smile grew brighter, though increasingly false. She placed the pendant around her neck and showed it to Kael.
"Renjou-kun, what do you think? Doesn't it suit me?"
"It's fine. You're so beautiful that any accessory suits you." Kael wasn't flattering—he was simply stating the truth. Pretty girls look good in anything.
Haruno's smile became more genuine.
"Renjou-kun, you're so good with words. Girls must like you a lot."
"That's true." Kael never hid this fact.
Haruno hadn't expected him to admit it. This man was bolder than she thought. She glanced at the pendants in his hand and feigned surprise.
"Why are you buying so many pendants, Renjou-kun? Are they all gifts for your female friends?" She wanted to see how he would respond.
Kael nodded calmly. "They could be for female friends—or girlfriends."
Haruno: …
Kael smiled faintly, paid, and turned to leave.
Haruno quickly followed. "Where are you going, Renjou-kun? Shall I accompany you?"
At the jade shop's entrance, Kael stopped. "If you have something to say, Ms. Yukinoshita, speak directly. No need for circles."
Her smile remained unchanged. "Actually, my mother heard about you and insists on meeting you. Do you have time now?"
"Oh, the head of the Yukinoshita family herself? Of course I'll make time."
Kael was slightly surprised but smiled. "Lead the way."
"Please follow me."
Haruno waved, and a discreet luxury car pulled up. They got in, and the car sped to Tōtsuki Resort.
Getting out, Kael couldn't help but marvel. He truly had a connection to this place. Here he had cultivated Gluttonous Mana, met Haruno, and now even Lady Yukinoshita wanted to meet him. This place was becoming his personal lucky ground.
Led by Haruno, Kael entered a luxurious suite. Inside, seated gracefully in a kimono on the sofa, was Lady Yukinoshita.
Though already the mother of two, her figure remained flawless. Her full chest filled the kimono, her skin smooth and refined. It was hard to believe she had two daughters, one already in university.
Still, Kael wondered—if Lady Yukinoshita was so wealthy and generous, why was Yukino so lacking? Perhaps her future was yet to unfold.
As Kael mused, Lady Yukinoshita rose slowly. "Nice to meet you, Renjou Kael-kun. I am Haruno's mother. You may call me Lady Yukinoshita."
She didn't reveal her given name—not out of disdain, but out of noble reserve.
"You're too kind, Lady Yukinoshita." Kael smiled, greeting her politely.
After a few pleasantries, she invited him to sit. Kael sat opposite her without hesitation. He spoke directly: "Lady Yukinoshita, inviting me here means you're prepared, isn't that so?"
Lady Yukinoshita glanced at her daughter. If not for that foolish girl revealing everything, she wouldn't be so passive now, forced to let Kael dictate terms. Haruno felt her scalp tingle under her mother's gaze. She hadn't meant to, but that day she had inexplicably spilled everything.
Kael laughed. "Don't blame Haruno-san, Lady Yukinoshita. She spoke so much that day because of me. You know this world has more than martial artists—there are strange powers too. I merely used a small technique to influence her."
Haruno stared in disbelief. She had been influenced? How had she not realized? Lady Yukinoshita understood. Her sharp daughter wouldn't suddenly lose her wits. It had been manipulation.
She said calmly, "So Renjou-kun, you are an onmyoji."
"Something like that."
Kael didn't explain the differences—she wouldn't understand anyway.
Lady Yukinoshita continued: "But as far as I know, onmyoji aren't skilled in arena combat. Do you truly have confidence to defeat Shinomiya's fighter?"
Most people thought of onmyoji as fragile spellcasters, skilled in magic duels but not physical combat. Martial artists were too fast—sometimes an onmyoji couldn't finish a spell before being struck down. At that point, survival depended on mercy.
Facing her doubt, Kael replied calmly: "I can't speak for other onmyoji, but I'm different. My arts strengthen my body. Bullets don't affect me. I doubt fists in the arena are stronger than bullets."
He wasn't lying. As a Third Rank cultivator, his physique had greatly improved. His muscles were like steel, his skin tough as armor. Conventional weapons were useless against him. Even the fighters of Kengan Ashura couldn't break his defense, even if he stood still. Infuriating, wasn't it?
Lady Yukinoshita remained composed, unimpressed by his boasting. As the head of a noble family, she wouldn't believe words alone. But hearing his confidence, she grew curious. If he dared to boast, perhaps he had real ability.
She said calmly: "Since you're so capable, why not demonstrate? Show us your strength."
"Of course. Do you have a handgun?" Kael asked.