Grand Return System

A Teacher’s Gift

"Selena..."

"It’s been difficult for you, following me."

She looked up in surprise.

Leon continued in a soft voice.

"The Amethyst Summit Division has always been isolated."

"Our division has never possessed abundant resources."

"You’ve followed me since entering Celestis Academy, yet you haven’t even had the chance to wear a new set of robes."

"You don’t even carry much spending money."

He sighed once more.

"At your age..."

"You should be like the other young cultivators."

"Wearing beautiful robes."

"Living brightly."

"Shining confidently."

As his words settled into the quiet room, Selena’s eyes gradually became misty.

She had never once complained about her circumstances.

Nor had she ever envied anyone else.

Yet hearing her Teacher quietly blame himself...

Her heart trembled.

She hadn’t realized he had been paying attention to such small details all this time.

Emotion welled inside her until she could no longer hold it back.

"Teacher..."

Her voice quivered.

"Please... don’t say any more."

"I know how well you’ve treated me."

"I’ve never asked for anything else."

Tears shimmered in her eyes as gratitude overflowed from the bottom of her heart.

Selena’s voice trembled as the final words left her lips.

Crystal-clear tears shimmered in her blue eyes before finally slipping down her porcelain cheeks. She tried to remain composed, but the emotions welling inside her were simply too overwhelming. Ever since she had entered Celestis Academy and become Leon’s student, no one had ever cared about her with such genuine warmth.

Seeing her reaction, Leon secretly rejoiced.

Just as I thought...

She’s still as straightforward as ever.

A few heartfelt words had already moved her to the brink of tears.

Maintaining his calm expression, Leon suppressed the smile threatening to betray him.

Looks like my carefully prepared "trap the girls" plan is working perfectly.

Without lingering on Selena, he slowly turned toward Rias.

His expression softened once again.

"Rias..."

"You’ve suffered as well."

His gentle voice immediately drew the young woman’s attention.

"You were born a princess."

"You grew up surrounded by comfort and wealth."

"But ever since you followed me to the Amethyst Summit Division, you’ve lived a far simpler life."

A trace of guilt appeared on Leon’s face.

"Whenever I think about that..."

"My heart aches."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"I only hope that both of you can grow up happily."

"Safe."

"Carefree."

"As long as you’re under my protection."

The room fell completely silent.

The afternoon breeze drifted gently through the open windows, carrying the faint fragrance of flowers from the courtyard below.

Those simple words struck directly at Rias’ heart.

She lowered her head.

Her bright crimson eyes gradually reddened.

Although she had never regretted leaving behind her royal life, hearing Leon quietly blame himself for something she had never considered a sacrifice made her chest tighten.

She quickly shook her head.

"Teacher..."

"I truly like my life now."

"Even without all that wealth..."

"I’m already very happy."

"I really don’t mind."

Her voice gradually became choked with emotion.

"I know better than anyone how well Teacher treats me."

"How could I possibly ask for anything more?"

As she spoke, tears finally rolled down her cheeks.

Watching both girls standing before him with tear-filled eyes, Leon silently nodded.

Perfect.

Both of them have taken the bait.

He maintained an expression of quiet concern while inwardly celebrating his success.

Not bad.

Two at once.

Looks like everything I practiced beforehand wasn’t wasted.

Now...

The real purpose of this emotional performance could finally begin.

With a gentle wave of his hand, several large wooden chests appeared one after another in the center of the room.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The heavy sound echoed softly across the guest room.

Selena and Rias blinked in surprise.

Leon calmly opened the lids.

Golden light instantly flooded the room.

Inside every chest lay neatly stacked gold ingots that gleamed beneath the afternoon sunlight.

The entire room seemed brighter.

Both young women froze.

Neither of them had ever seen so much gold gathered in one place.

The dazzling sight left them momentarily speechless.

Leon looked at them with a gentle smile.

"I don’t really have much else to give you."

"So..."

"Take this money."

"Buy whatever you like."

"Get yourselves some new clothes."

"And don’t forget to buy accessories you enjoy."

His tone remained warm and sincere.

To him, it sounded like nothing more than a caring Teacher worrying about his students.

Selena stared blankly at the mountain of gold before her.

Her heart trembled violently.

She had lived a humble life since childhood.

Even after entering Celestis Academy, she had never possessed much wealth.

This...

This amount of gold was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

Instinctively, she stepped back.

"Teacher..."

"I..."

"I can’t accept something so valuable."

She hurriedly shook her head.

Just as she was about to refuse—

Leon gently raised a hand.

He stepped closer and softly wiped away the tears lingering at the corners of her eyes.

His movements were slow and reassuring.

His voice was equally gentle.

"Selena..."

"You’ve grown up."

"In the future, there will be times when you’ll travel on your own."

"You’ll inevitably need money."

"Take this."

"Treat it as something I’ve prepared for you."

"If one day you find yourself facing an emergency..."

"You won’t have to worry."

He smiled faintly.

"There isn’t much I can do for you."

"But..."

"I’ll always do my best to give you the very best I can."

Those simple words shattered the last of Selena’s composure.

Her eyes immediately became blurred with tears once again.

Beside her, Rias could no longer hold back either.

The two young women looked at Leon with overflowing gratitude.

From the day they had become his students...

He had protected them.

Guided them.

Given them cultivation resources without hesitation.

Whenever danger appeared...

He had always stood in the front of them.

Whenever someone bullied them...

He had been the first to defend them.

To both women...

Leon was far more than merely a Teacher.