The light knocking on the door did not startle Kaito even though it was unusual. For three months, his routine of training had remained relatively stable. However, things were about to change, or so Taiki claimed when he told him about his plan.

His thoughts were a little turbulent when he thought about the prospect of leaving the Training Centre. However, he had learned how to rein in his emotions with more efficiency under his uncle's tutelage. Even though he was still angry about his predicament, he could not deny that Taiki was an excellent teacher.

​​

He looked at the Arena once more before he walked from the window and opened the door. He was surprised to see two people. He was only expecting his uncle since he was picking him from the Training Centre in the morning.

"Are you surprised to see me?" Nicole smiled with unprecedented cheekiness.

Usually, she came to the Training Centre in the evening to spar with Kaito. On normal days, she would come in training wear for convenience. Of course, since it was morning and she was not coming for training, she would not wear something boring.

After all, Kaito was still her crush, and she hoped that he would see her as a beautiful girl instead of a training partner. She knew that the best approach to winning him over was not to be too aggressive. But at the same time, she could not let him forget that she was an eligible girl.

Her two-phase plan was training with him so that he would see that she was not a weakling. Men like Kaito would probably not go for the soft and helpless types of girls. Their interest would only be perked if there was some fire in a girl.

Moreover, training with him allowed him to lower his guard a little. This part of the plan was not too successful. She had hoped that they would have a banter going on by now. After all, she was the only person apart from his uncle who had significant contact with him.

Unfortunately, Kaito had become even calmer in the past month. Where he used to have anger and restless energy, there was minimal turbulence. He had become more mature with an aura that spoke of stability and reliability.

Of course, this change was like a catnip to Nicole. Her maiden heart could not resist the allure of a mature but tough man. She felt like they would be well-matched. Every night, her dreams were filled with Kaito, looking at only her with warm eyes and treating her like a treasure.

The second phase of her plan was to show Kaito her lady-like side. She wanted him to know that she was not only a good fighter, but she also had a sweet demeanour.

For this reason, she chose her clothes with care when her master invited her to pick up Kaito from the Training Centre with him. She did not care if Taiki was using her as a buffer due to the tension between him and Kaito.

She was happy to follow him around because she knew that Taiki was supportive of her and Kaito. Since Taiki had a lot of power in the Iekami family and the general island, there would be minimal obstacles once she got together with Kaito.

Nicole did not doubt that she would get together with him.

She believed in her charm. If she could not even capture the heart of the man she loved, she would not deserve to be one of the three goddesses of her generation. She might not be the top one, but she was not small fry.

With this in mind, Nicole stood up a little straighter and looked at Kaito with a smile. Kaito did not have a change in expression. Instead, he turned to look at his uncle.

"I thought you would be comfortable if you are with someone familiar," Taiki said. "Due to the special circumstances, you know we have to introduce you as a child of the Iekami clan immediately. Today, you will be attending Grandfather's birthday."

"Grandfather?" Kaito's brows creased.

"Your great-grandfather and my grandfather. It is an auspicious occasion for introducing a long-lost family member." Taiki explained without a change in expression.

"That must be a really old man." Kaito could not help commenting.

"He has always taken care of himself," Taiki replied simply. "Nicole will take you around the city and help you get ready for the party. And before you say anything, you cannot go around alone. Even though you are now free, there will be a lot of people watching from the shadows."

Kaito nodded in assent. He had thought about his options for escape. After studying the Training Centre for a while, he had already figured out a potential method for leaving the Training Centre. However, if there was a chance to leave without causing chaos, he would take it.

The three people exited the large building each with their thoughts. The bright morning sun was refreshing, especially to Kaito who had not enjoyed a moment of natural air and sunlight for so long.

Nicole looked at the handsome face washed by the yellow light, softening the wild air around him. She tightened her fists and tried to keep her heartbeat and breath in control. It would be best if she could settle him before the party.

The island was not short of good-looking men. However, there was always an air of complacency around them. Most of them did not have the aura of mature and experienced men, even though they were good fighters.

The difference between them and Kaito was like a flower growing in the greenhouse and one growing in the wild. The greenhouse plant could be as beautiful as it wanted, but it would always lack the tenacious spirit of a wild one.

Kaito would stand out among the other men from the elite families because he had the sharpness of an experienced warrior. And despite the level of civilisation in the outside wild, the women on Martial Island admired fighters.

As the number one beauty on the island had told one enthusiastic pursuer, she would never marry a man who cannot beat her in a fight. That mysterious lady was admired by most people on the island, even though she was not raised in the city.

It was too bad what happened to her. Nicole did not know if the woman was alive anymore or even if she could be considered a beauty after that accident in the lab. If people were not too afraid of that demon, they would admit that there were only two top beauties.

Nicole thought about being at the top without being suppressed by that young girl and smiled a little. However, the guilt in her heart caused her to stop.

She needed to remember her goal was to win Kaito's affection, not to be the top belle.