Chapter 14: Snatching the Ball! I Like Mature Ladies, but Cute Girls are Fine Too!
Beneath the towering, majestic walls of the City Lord's Manor, a sea of heads bobbed like waves in a tempest. The noise was deafening, a cacophony of excited chatter, desperate prayers, and the shuffling of thousands of feet. It seemed as though every eligible bachelor—and quite a few ineligible ones—in Riverdale City had squeezed into the square.
The morning sun beat down, but the heat did nothing to dampen the crowd's fervor.
"Good heavens! Look over there! Is that Liam Lee from the Lee Clan?"
A sudden exclamation cut through the din, drawing eyes toward a clearing in the crowd where people were practically falling over themselves to make way.
"It is! That's the Young Master of the Lee Clan! I heard he awakened a B-Rank ability just yesterday! A true genius!"
"And look to the left! That's Jared from the Jax Clan! So many young masters from the major factions are gathered here today!"
"Sigh... looking at this lineup, what chance do us commoners have? I don't even know what the requirements for this son-in-law selection are, but I bet 'being rich and powerful' is top of the list."
In an instant, the enthusiasm of many who had come with hopeful hearts deflated. They looked at their own worn clothes and then at the silk suits of the young masters, their faces filled with dejection.
At the base of the manor's grand staircase, City Lord Cyrus Xander was playing the role of the gracious host, though his eyes scanned the crowd with a discerning sharpness.
"Hahaha, nephew Liam! You've come to join the fun as well?" Cyrus greeted warmly, stepping forward.
Liam Lee, dressed in an impeccably tailored white suit that seemed repellant to dust, bowed slightly. His face wore a confident, practiced smile that didn't quite reach his arrogant eyes.
"Greetings, Uncle Cyrus. I am merely here to try my luck. I've long admired Miss Sia, and I thought perhaps fate might grant me a chance to form a bond with the Xander family."
Liam spoke with the politeness of a textbook noble, but his posture screamed entitlement.
"Mhm, very good," Cyrus nodded, stroking his chin. "How is your cultivation coming along recently?"
Liam straightened his chest, ensuring the family crest on his lapel was visible. "This subordinate is untalented, but I have already reached Tier 1, Rank 1. I am currently preparing to break through to Tier 1, Rank 2 by tonight."
As he spoke, he puffed out his chest a little further, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding commoners with disdain. To reach Rank 2 within two days of awakening was a feat that placed him in the top percentile of geniuses in the city. He expected awe, and he received it.
"Impressive, truly impressive," Cyrus praised politely, his tone devoid of genuine surprise. "Young Liam, I have high hopes for you!"
"Thank you, Uncle Cyrus! If I succeed today, I promise to treat Sia with the utmost care and devotion," Liam promised solemnly, placing a hand over his heart.
Cyrus: "?"
I was just being polite, you little brat. Don't take it so seriously! Do you really think I want my daughter marrying a peacock like you?
On the surface, however, Cyrus maintained his diplomatic smile. "Hahaha, good, good. Please, make yourself comfortable. I must head up to prepare."
With that, Cyrus found an excuse and hastily retreated up the stairs, eager to escape the suffocating aura of pretension.
Liam watched Cyrus's retreating figure, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
It seems Uncle Cyrus has a good impression of me, he thought smugly. Today, I am destined to be the brightest star in this venue. No matter what the rules for snatching the ball are, my cultivation realm will crush these peasants!
Meanwhile, on the upper balcony of the City Lord's Manor.
The vantage point offered a sweeping view of the city, but the people on the balcony were focused on family matters.
"Sia, darling, tell Mom what you're looking for in a future husband," Elena Xander, Sia's mother, asked softly. She adjusted the hem of her daughter's dress, her eyes filled with maternal concern. "Tell me your type, and I'll help you scan the crowd. When the time comes, you can just toss the ball to the right person."
Sia pouted, pulling away slightly. "Mom! Can't I decide for myself?"
"Oh, Sia, don't be difficult. The news of this selection has already spread across the entire city. Look at how many people have come! Your father and I just want to find you a good home, someone who can protect you."
"Hmph! Mom, stop worrying blindly. I already told you, I have someone I like!" Sia crossed her arms, her cheeks puffing out.
"You keep saying that, but I know you. You're just trying to trick me to get out of this. Isn't that right?" Elena sighed, knowing her daughter's mischievous nature all too well.
"I'm not lying! If you don't believe me, ask Dad!" Sia pointed a finger at Cyrus, who had just walked onto the balcony, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Cyrus? Is what Sia saying true?" Elena turned her gaze to her husband.
Cyrus blinked, caught in the crossfire. He shook his head helplessly. "I'm not entirely sure either. But Sia did say that whoever catches the ball later is the person she likes."
Speaking of this, a trace of anticipation flickered in Cyrus's eyes. He moved to the railing and looked down. I really want to see which brat has the skills—and the guts—to catch my daughter's eye.
Elena looked skeptical, but she relented. "Fine. Since Sia says she has someone in mind, I won't object. The time is almost up. We should go through the motions and start the ceremony."
In her heart, she felt a bit helpless. If she had known her daughter already had a crush, she wouldn't have made such a grand spectacle of this event.
Sia couldn't wait any longer. "I'm going out to look!"
She dashed toward the edge of the balcony.
"Sia! Wait! You forgot the embroidery ball!" Elena called out.
Cyrus and Elena hurriedly grabbed the ornate red ball, decorated with gold tassels, and followed their energetic daughter.
The Reveal.
When Sia appeared at the railing, looking down from her high vantage point at the dark mass of people below, she froze for a moment.
It's just choosing a fiancé... why are there so many people?
As Sia stepped into the sunlight, the crowd below fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting.
"Holy... I heard the City Lord's daughter was beautiful, but this is next level!"
"Wait, she's so... cute! Brothers, I swear I'm not a lolicon, but my heart just skipped a beat!"
"Is that legal? She looks like a doll! Nobody tase me, I'm just looking!"
"Sigh, looking at her, I want to cry. Who will be the lucky bastard to catch that ball? Probably one of the big clan heirs."
"Yeah, snatching that ball is going to turn into a brawl. You definitely need strength."
Sia turned a deaf ear to these discussions. She stood on her tiptoes, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously, searching for a specific face.
She looked circle after circle. Left, right, center.
But she couldn't see that familiar figure.
A flash of disappointment crossed her large, expressive eyes.
Did Alex not come?
Hmph! That liar! That big jerk!
"Miss Sia, what are you waiting for? Isn't it time to toss the ball?"
Below, Liam Lee spoke up elegantly. He smoothed his hair, struck a pose he thought was dashing, and tried to catch Sia's attention.
Sia didn't even give him a peripheral glance. Her focus remained entirely on searching the sea of faces.
Liam's smile twitched, but he maintained his composure, assuming she was just shy.
Just then, Sia's eyes lit up.
In the distance, on the periphery of the crowd, she saw a young man leisurely strolling toward the front, looking as casual as if he were taking a walk in the park.
It was Alex.
A radiant smile instantly bloomed on Sia's face, outshining the midday sun.
"Hmph, at least you have some conscience!" she muttered to herself.
But then she paused, pouting slightly. "No, wait. It's the Combat Skill that has the charm, not me."
Alex definitely only came for the skill book!
Below the stage, Liam Lee saw Sia smile right after he spoke. His heart leaped with secret joy, and the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably.
She smiled! She smiled at me! My charm is irresistible!
He had no idea that in Sia's mind, he was nothing more than background noise—a clown in a suit.
Alex's Arrival.
In the distance, Alex was having a hard time. He had to use a bit of strength to squeeze through the layers of people.
"Excuse me, coming through. Hot soup, hot soup!" he lied, pushing his way to the front.
Finally, he looked up at the balcony of the City Lord's Manor.
When he saw Sia, he was slightly stunned.
"So she isn't an ugly monster..." Alex muttered in surprise. "She's actually a super cute little loli!"
Sia was wearing her hair in playful twin tails that bounced with her movements. Her skin was fair and rosy under the sunlight, glowing with a soft pink hue like a morning blossom.
Her eyes were large and watery, innocent and bright like a clear lake. Beneath a small, straight nose was a cherry-red mouth that curved upward naturally.
She was dressed in a simple white oversized cartoon T-shirt paired with denim shorts, making her look youthful, energetic, and incredibly adorable.
Alex scratched his head. Wait, was the mummy I saved yesterday really this girl?
Up on the balcony, Sia saw Alex looking at her. She stuck out her tongue and made a playful grimace at him.
Seeing this, Alex confirmed it.
Yep. That's her.
I didn't expect to save a loli.
Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully. I'm not a lolicon...
Okay, fine. Maybe I am.
But I also like mature older sisters. And cool swordswomen. And gentle girls.
Therefore, if I like them all, it means I don't have a specific fetish! It just means I have a heart big enough to love the world!
Logic: 100.
At this moment, Cyrus and Elena stepped forward to stand beside their daughter. The City Lord cleared his throat, his voice amplified by his Origin Energy, booming across the square.
"Welcome, everyone, to the City Lord's Manor! Today is the day my daughter, Sia, tosses the embroidery ball to select a potential husband. Whoever catches the ball will earn the right to speak with my daughter—consider it a blind date interview."
The crowd quieted down, listening intently.
"However," Cyrus continued, his tone turning serious. "To ensure fairness and suitability, there are conditions."
"Only those who Awakened this year and are at least 18 years old may participate!"
"Regardless of your ability rank or family background, as long as you meet these two criteria, you may fight for the ball!"
"Those who do not meet these conditions, please retreat to the sidelines. Thank you for your cooperation."
As Cyrus's voice faded, wails of anguish erupted from the crowd.
"No! I'm nineteen! Just one year!"
"I awakened three years ago... why is the City Lord discriminating against older men?!"
"This isn't fair! My love for Miss Sia transcends age!"
"Shut up, you're forty-five! Get out of here!"
The conditions instantly eliminated the vast majority of the crowd. Those who didn't qualify retreated reluctantly, forming a large circle around the open space in front of the manor, eager to watch the show.
The ones who remained stood in the center. From the original thousands, only a few dozen people remained.
These were the fresh blood of Riverdale City, the newly awakened generation.
Cyrus looked at the thinning group and nodded. He turned to Sia. "Daughter, you can start now."
Sia, however, shook her head. "Not yet. No rush."
"Huh?"
Before Cyrus could react, Sia turned around, pulled out her phone, and ran to the back of the balcony, tapping furiously on the screen.
Cyrus stood there, completely baffled. What is she doing?
He had been eager to see which pig was going to root for his cabbage, but now the cabbage had called a timeout?
Helplessly, he turned back to the crowd, raising his hands to calm the confused young men below.
"Gentlemen, please wait a moment! The bride-to-be needs to... uh... adjust her mindset!"
[Phone Notification]
Down below, Alex felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and saw a message.
[Cute Bunny Loves to Eat: Wait for my signal! When I throw it, you better catch it! Don't let anyone else touch it!]
Alex typed back quickly.
[Alex: Don't worry. For that Skill Book, even if a dragon tries to grab it, I'll slap it out of the sky.]
[Cute Bunny Loves to Eat: Hehe, good boy! Wait for it...]
Alex put his phone away, cracking his knuckles. He looked around at the other competitors. Liam Lee was glaring at everyone, his B-Rank aura flaring slightly as a warning.
Alex smiled.
Sorry, kids. But that Skill Book is mine.