Grand Return System

A Glimmer of Hope

"Guardian Elder..."

"I don’t understand what you mean..."

Among everyone present, no one understood the complicated relationship between Secret Sword Summit and Amethyst Summit Division better than Shan.

For years, his father and Leon had stood on opposite sides, constantly clashing whenever they met. Their disagreements were no secret within Celestis Academy.

Now, however, everything had changed.

His father had fallen.

He no longer possessed the confidence or status to argue with Leon, nor did he have the strength to resist if Leon truly wished to interfere with Secret Sword Summit.

If Leon intended to make things difficult...

He would have no choice but to accept it.

The inheritance of Secret Sword Summit...

Might truly disappear today.

That thought pierced Shan’s heart.

A deep sense of helplessness washed over him.

His fists tightened until his nails dug into his palms.

Memories of his past arrogance surfaced one after another. He recalled wasting countless opportunities, neglecting his cultivation, and relying on his father’s reputation rather than forging his own path.

Only now did he understand how powerless he truly was.

If he had cultivated more diligently...

If he had become stronger...

Perhaps today his father would not have been forced to shoulder everything alone.

Regret slowly consumed him.

Yet there was nothing he could change.

Seeing the expressions around him, Leon slowly raised his head.

His face remained calm as he glanced across the crowd before speaking in an indifferent tone.

"Who spread the news that he’s dead?"

"...Hmm?"

"...Hmm?"

The simple sentence stunned everyone present.

For a brief moment, the entire battlefield fell silent once again.

Every elder looked at Leon.

Every student stared at him blankly.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

What...

Did he mean?

Wasn’t Shera dead?

Maya’s beautiful blue eyes widened.

Without wasting another moment, she hurried forward and carefully examined Shera once more.

She extended her spiritual perception through every meridian, carefully checking his pulse, his soul, and every trace of remaining life.

Several breaths passed.

She slowly withdrew her hand, her brows knitted together in confusion.

Everything indicated the same conclusion.

Shera’s heartbeat had stopped.

His Mana had dispersed.

His life force had vanished.

By every conventional measure...

He was dead.

She looked back toward Leon.

Her expression was filled with disbelief.

If that was the case...

Why had Leon asked such a question?

Meanwhile, Shan’s lifeless eyes suddenly regained a spark of hope.

His breathing became rapid.

He rushed forward without hesitation.

"Guardian Elder!"

"My father isn’t dead..."

"Right?"

"You must have a way to save him..."

"Right?"

The more he thought about Leon’s words, the more convinced he became.

Hope, which had already disappeared from his heart, suddenly reignited.

Without another thought, Shan gently laid his father’s body back upon the ground.

Then—

Thud!

He dropped to his knees before Leon.

Lowering his head deeply, he clasped his fists.

"Guardian Elder..."

"Please save my father."

"I know..."

"Our Secret Sword Summit has offended you many times in the past."

"I know my father and I have wronged you."

His voice trembled.

"But..."

"I beg you."

"For the sake that we all belong to Celestis Academy..."

"Please save my father’s life."

"If you’re willing to save him..."

"I’m willing to do anything for you in the future."

Every word came from the bottom of his heart.

At this moment...

His dignity meant nothing.

His pride meant nothing.

As long as his father could return...

He was willing to surrender everything.

Leon quietly looked down at the kneeling young man.

A trace of appreciation appeared in his purple eyes.

Shan certainly possessed many flaws.

He had once been arrogant.

Impulsive.

Spoiled by his status.

More than once, he had acted like an entitled young master.

Yet beneath all those shortcomings...

He was genuinely devoted to his father.

For that alone...

He was not beyond redemption.

Just then—

"Teacher..."

A gentle voice called from behind.

Leon turned slightly.

Selena had quietly stepped forward and lightly held the sleeve of his midnight robe.

Her blue eyes shimmered with compassion.

She did not plead aloud.

She did not need to.

The kindness in her gaze already conveyed everything she wished to say.

Shera had sacrificed his own life to protect them.

If there truly was even the slightest chance of saving him...

She hoped Leon would help.

Beside her, Rias remained silent as well.

She looked first at Shera’s body, then at the grieving Shan.

Although she spoke no words, the concern in her expression revealed that she shared Selena’s wish.

Leon understood immediately.

His students had inherited not only strength...

But also compassion.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Not far away, Maya also lifted her gaze toward him.

Her beautiful eyes carried expectation, uncertainty, and a fragile hope she scarcely dared believe.

She said nothing.

She simply trusted him.

That look alone was enough.

Leon slowly nodded.

"Alright."

His calm voice broke the silence.

"Everyone..."

"Take a few steps back."

He walked toward Shera’s body while motioning for the others to give him space.

No one questioned him.

The surrounding elders quickly retreated.

Shan also hurriedly backed away, though his anxious eyes never left Leon for even a moment.

Standing beside Shera, Leon quietly looked down at the familiar face.

For a long moment...

He simply stared.

Then a helpless smile escaped him.

"What a troublesome fellow..."

"You spent years arguing with me..."

"And in the end..."

"You chose to save my students."

He gently shook his head.

The irony almost made him laugh.

The man who had opposed him at every opportunity...

Had ultimately entrusted him with the future through his final act.

"This favor..."

"I suppose I have no choice."

"I’ll repay it."

Hearing those words, Shan’s heart pounded wildly.

Hope completely replaced despair.

Tears once again filled his eyes.

He quickly bowed toward Leon.

"Thank you, Guardian Elder."

His voice was filled with sincere gratitude.

Deep within his heart...

His respect for Leon reached a level it never had before.

This young Guardian Elder possessed astonishing strength, unmatched talent, and a heart broad enough to set aside every past grievance.

If Leon said Shera could be saved...

Then Shan believed it without the slightest doubt.

"Thank you, Guardian Elder."