Grand Return System

The Pride of Amethyst Summit Division

Selena’s clear blue eyes showed not the slightest intention of retreating.

"Yes..."

She answered steadily despite the crushing pressure.

"I’m Leon’s student."

Her voice was calm.

It was neither loud nor defiant, yet it carried an unwavering conviction that echoed throughout the silent battlefield.

The terrifying pressure released by Dario continued to descend upon her like an endless mountain, causing the ground beneath her feet to fracture inch by inch. Her silver-white hair danced wildly in the violent currents of Mana, and her snow-white robes fluttered behind her, but her posture remained perfectly straight.

She did not lower her head.

She would never lower her head.

Everyone present immediately understood Dario’s intentions.

The grudge between Leon and Dario was no secret.

Inside the Martial Emperor Tomb, Leon had repeatedly shattered Dario’s plans, humiliated him before countless cultivators, and ultimately defeated him. That hatred had long since become irreconcilable.

Now...

Leon was absent.

Unable to vent his resentment upon its true target, Dario had chosen to direct every ounce of his fury toward Leon’s students.

Selena understood this better than anyone.

She knew exactly why Dario had singled her out.

She also understood what would happen if she admitted fear.

But none of that mattered.

Ever since she had entered Amethyst Summit Division, Leon had taught her only one thing above all else.

The students of Amethyst Summit Division could lose a battle.

They could suffer injuries.

They could even die.

But...

They would never bow their heads.

That belief had already become engraved upon her heart.

Death was frightening.

Disgracing her Teacher was far worse.

Before anyone could speak—

Another graceful figure stepped forward.

Flowing crimson robes fluttered gently as Rias walked to Selena’s side.

Her beautiful red eyes showed traces of nervousness, but they never wavered.

She raised her chin proudly before speaking without hesitation.

"There’s also me..."

"The nineteenth-generation student of Amethyst Summit Division..."

"...Leon’s second student..."

Although her cultivation was far inferior to Dario’s, she stood shoulder to shoulder with Selena without the slightest intention of retreating.

The two young women stood before the countless experts of Sky Breaker Academy.

Neither took a single step backward.

A heavy silence spread across the battlefield.

Many spectators unconsciously held their breath.

Some admired them.

Others pitied them.

More simply sighed.

High above the battlefield, Rex Vine quietly watched the two young women standing beneath Dario’s overwhelming pressure.

His expression gradually became complicated.

"Respectable..."

He let out a long sigh.

"...lamentable..."

His gaze lingered on Selena and Rias for a long moment.

If he had stood in their position...

Would he have possessed such courage?

Even he could not answer that question.

Perhaps...

He would have chosen survival.

Yet these two young women had made their choice without the slightest hesitation.

To them...

The dignity of Amethyst Summit Division...

The reputation of their Teacher...

Were more important than their own lives.

That unwavering faith stirred even the hearts of their enemies.

Not because they approved of them.

But because such conviction was impossible not to respect.

"Hahaha..."

Dario suddenly threw back his head and laughed.

The laughter was wild.

Cold.

Filled with madness.

The black aura surrounding his body surged violently with every laugh, spreading across the sky like rolling storm clouds.

When the laughter finally ceased, his blood-red eyes became even colder.

"Good..."

His lips slowly curved into a cruel smile.

"Very good."

His gaze swept over Selena and Rias as though looking at two corpses.

"Since you’re all so eager to die..."

"I’ll fulfill your wish."

Every word dripped with murderous intent.

The surrounding temperature seemed to fall several degrees.

"Back then..."

"Leon humiliated me..."

"...and ruined my plans time and time again."

His voice became lower and lower.

The hatred hidden within every syllable made even the surrounding spectators shiver.

"Today..."

"...he’s not here."

A sinister smile appeared on his face.

"Today..."

"I’ll make an example out of you."

"I’ll settle the score with him later..."

The final word had barely fallen—

Boom!

A terrifying burst of Mana erupted from his body.

Without warning—

Dario drew his sword.

The black blade carried an overwhelming aura of destruction as it tore through the heavens.

Its speed was so great that countless people saw only a streak of dark light flashing across the sky.

The space before him trembled violently.

The air split apart.

Even the clouds above were cleaved open by that terrifying sword intent.

The target...

Was Selena.

Rias instinctively stepped closer.

Neither of them retreated.

Neither tried to flee.

Faced with a Pinnacle Realm expert’s attack, they knew escape was impossible.

Their expressions remained astonishingly calm.

Even in the face of death...

They chose to stand.

Just as the sword descended—

"Come back!"

A thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield.

Whoosh!

A flying sword streaked across the sky like a bolt of silver lightning.

It arrived at the perfect moment.

Clang!

The two swords collided with an earth-shaking explosion.

A violent shockwave erupted in every direction, shattering rocks and sending countless cultivators stumbling backward.

Shera’s flying sword had forcefully intercepted Dario’s strike.

Almost simultaneously—

A ribbon of pure white silk flowed gracefully from Maya’s sleeve like a living stream.

The silk wrapped gently yet firmly around Selena and Rias before either of them could react.

With a swift pull—

The two young women were instantly drawn away from the center of the battlefield.

Their feet barely touched the ground as Maya pulled them safely behind the defensive line.

Only then did everyone realize how dangerously close they had come to death.

Shera stood alone before Dario.

Fresh blood continued dripping from the corner of his mouth.

The violent circulation of the forbidden Blood Drinking Art caused crimson veins to spread across his neck and arms.

His Mana surged wildly.

Every heartbeat sounded like the beating of a war drum.

Everyone understood what that meant.

Once Shera activated the Blood Drinking Art...

There was no turning back.

Even if he survived this battle...

His cultivation foundation would suffer irreversible damage.

Yet he had not hesitated for even a single moment.

Because behind him...

Were the future of Celestis Academy.

His breathing became rough.

His eyes gradually turned crimson from the violent backlash of the forbidden technique.

Still...

He never stepped aside.

Instead, he slowly raised his sword once more.

Then he roared with every ounce of strength left within him.

"Go!"

The sound echoed throughout the battlefield like thunder.

It was not merely an order.

It was a desperate plea.

It was the final command of an elder willing to sacrifice everything for the next generation.

At that moment...

Everyone understood.

Shera intended to remain behind.

Alone.

To buy time for every student to escape.

The disciples of Celestis Academy stared at the solitary figure standing before them.

Tears slowly welled in countless eyes.

No one had expected that the strict Guardian Elder who constantly scolded them...

Would become the wall protecting all of them when true disaster arrived.

The old figure standing against the endless darkness suddenly appeared unimaginably tall.

Like an unshakable mountain.

Like the final guardian of Celestis Academy.

"Guardian Elder Shera..."

Kevin slowly reached out his trembling hand.

Halfway through the motion...

His strength left him.

His arm fell weakly back to his side.