Grand Return System

A Quiet Night Before the Journey

They weren’t merely students.

They were family.

The realization warmed their hearts more than any reward ever could.

Selena gently lowered her head, her silver hair swaying softly in the breeze.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Teacher...

I’ll never disappoint you.

Beside her, Rias quietly clenched her fists.

Her crimson eyes shimmered with determination.

One day...

I’ll become strong enough to stand beside Teacher.

So that he never has to shoulder everything alone.

After speaking his piece, Leon slowly turned back toward the Prison Holy Sect elder.

His expression had returned to its usual calm.

"Since you’ve sincerely repented..."

"I’ll spare your life today."

The elder hurriedly bowed despite the blood still flowing from his severed shoulder.

His face remained pale from the pain.

Yet relief shone clearly in his eyes.

Leon continued,

"If you’re still unconvinced..."

"You may come find me."

The elder immediately shook his head so hard that it almost seemed painful.

"No."

"I’m convinced."

"I’m truly convinced."

His voice carried no resentment.

Only sincerity.

He understood clearly.

Trading one arm for his life...

Was already Leon showing remarkable restraint.

If Leon had truly wished to kill him...

No one present could have stopped it.

The hatred in his heart no longer targeted Leon.

Instead...

It burned entirely toward Sirius.

Leon noticed the change with a single glance.

He simply smiled faintly.

There was no need to expose it.

Some grudges...

Were more interesting when left to grow on their own.

Finally, Leon shifted his gaze toward Sirius.

His purple eyes rested on the Prison Holy Sect leader for only a brief moment.

A hint of disappointment appeared in them.

He slowly shook his head.

"The Prison Holy Sect..."

"Heh..."

Only those few words.

Yet the disdain hidden within them struck far harder than any insult.

Without another glance, Leon turned around.

His midnight robes fluttered gently behind him as he walked away.

No one dared stop him.

No one dared speak.

The crowd silently watched his departing figure.

Then...

One after another, countless cultivators looked toward Sirius.

The expressions in their eyes had changed completely.

Some were disappointed.

Some were contemptuous.

Others simply sighed.

Everyone had witnessed today’s events from beginning to end.

An elder had devoted years of service to the Prison Holy Sect.

When disaster arrived...

He had been abandoned without hesitation.

Had Leon not shown mercy...

That elder would already be dead.

Who could wholeheartedly devote themselves to such a sect after witnessing this?

Compared to the Prison Holy Sect...

Celestis Academy presented a completely different picture.

Moments earlier, its elders and students had fought side by side.

They had shared honor and hardship together.

No one retreated.

No one abandoned another.

Life and death...

Victory and defeat...

They faced everything together.

Against that unwavering unity...

The contrast with the Prison Holy Sect was impossible to ignore.

--------------------

Leon wasn’t interested in staying any longer.

The matter with the Prison Holy Sect had come to an end, and the battlefield no longer needed his presence.

By now, Headmaster Mike had already led the main force of Celestis Academy toward Sky Breaker Academy. After Guardian Elder Shera awakened from his injuries, he had also gathered the remaining elders and students to reinforce Mike.

Only Leon, Selena, and Rias remained behind.

Leon raised his eyes toward the western horizon.

The sun had already begun its slow descent, painting the sky with brilliant shades of crimson and gold. Long shadows stretched across the forest, and the evening breeze carried the scent of ancient trees and damp earth.

"It’ll be dark soon..."

He thought quietly.

The journey back to the city would take time, and rushing through the dense Vata Forest at night served little purpose.

There were still many matters waiting for him tomorrow.

Harry’s condition...

The Taylor family...

The aftermath of today’s events...

And eventually rejoining the academy.

After a moment’s thought, Leon spoke calmly.

"Let’s go."

The three of them left the battlefield together.

Instead of flying directly to the city after nightfall, Leon guided them deeper into a peaceful valley within the Vata Forest. A crystal-clear stream flowed gently nearby, while towering ancient trees sheltered the area from the wind.

"This place will do."

Selena and Rias nodded obediently.

Soon, a small camp was prepared.

With a casual wave of his sleeve, Leon gathered dry branches. Another flick of his fingers ignited a modest campfire.

Golden flames danced quietly.

The gentle crackling of burning wood blended with the sounds of insects and flowing water.

For the first time in days...

Everything felt peaceful.

The three of them sat around the fire.

No one spoke for a while.

After everything they had experienced, silence itself became comforting.

Leon finally broke it.

"So..."

"What did you gain from this journey?"

Selena looked up.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"I found something, Teacher."

She carefully took out a sword.

The moment it appeared, a faint crimson glow illuminated the campsite.

The blade was elegant and ancient, covered in mysterious runes that pulsed softly beneath the firelight.

Leon immediately recognized it.

"The Red Abyss Sword."

Selena nodded happily.

"It chose me."

She carefully handed it to Leon.

He examined the weapon with interest.

The sword emitted a powerful aura, yet it remained perfectly obedient within Selena’s grasp.

"It suits you well."

Leon returned the sword.

"Take good care of it."

Selena accepted it with both hands.

"I will, Teacher."

The praise alone made her smile brighter.

Rias, unwilling to be left behind, quickly reached into her storage pouch.

"I found something too."

She proudly revealed several rare spiritual herbs along with an ancient cultivation manual she had discovered within the ruins.

Leon accepted the manual and flipped through a few pages.

"Not bad."

He smiled.

"These herbs are valuable."

"And this scripture isn’t ordinary either."

Rias’s eyes sparkled.

"Really?"

Leon nodded.

"You’ve both done well."

The two young women exchanged delighted glances.

Hearing those simple words from Leon filled them with satisfaction.

For a while, they continued chatting.