Grand Return System-Chapter 26: A Sword, A Secret, A Storm Stirring

A Sword, A Secret, A Storm Stirring

For ten long years, they had shared the same Acedmy premises — crossing paths, nodding politely, exchanging only the simplest courtesies as fellow teachers of Celestis Academy.

Nothing more.

So why had Maya suddenly come to Amethyst Summit Division?

Leon watched her in silence, a faint unease threading through his thoughts. His gaze flicked once — purely instinct — toward her chest beneath that sky-blue silk.

A quiet breath left him.

Even if her heart carried layers upon layers of schemes, there was no denying her beauty — mature, elegant, poised. Her E-cup curves pressed subtly against soft fabric, her waist slender, her long legs graceful beneath the flowing robes. Compared to Selena, she possessed the confidence that came from age, knowledge, and charm — the kind of woman countless men secretly dreamed of.

But Leon’s eyes cooled just as fast.

Beauty alone had never swayed him.

Inside the training hall, he took a seat and spoke calmly.

"Senior sister, what brings you all the way to my Amethyst Summit Division today?"

Maya let her gaze wander across the simple courtyard, the plain training room, the small wooden huts. Compared to other Divisions, everything here felt humble — almost barren.

A peak teacher should at least have more than this, she thought.

But considering the strange temperaments of past Amethyst Summit Division leaders... the fact Leon even had structures standing was already something.

She folded her hands gracefully.

"Junior Fellow Brother Leon, I mainly came to visit. My student is good friends with your student. I thought, since there was some free time, I’d let them catch up."

"Oh... I see."

It clicked.

A moment later, Selena returned — carrying tea.

At the same time, Sana sat stiffly, discomfort stirring in her chest as she watched. Her best friend — here — doing chores?

Shouldn’t labor students be doing that?

"Teacher, Respected One — please have some tea."

Selena bowed respectfully, every movement precise and sincere.

Maya nodded — quietly satisfied with the girl’s manners.

Then—

Leon reached beside him, lifted the Amethyst Mist Sword, and held it out.

His voice was quiet. Steady.

"I originally intended to teach you swordsmanship today. But since your friend is visiting, take the day instead and spend time together. As for this—"

He placed the sword in her hands.

"—from today onward, it belongs to you. This is the Amethyst Mist Sword. It once belonged to the teachers of Amethyst Summit Division. I hope you will not bury the glory it carried."

The world seemed to freeze.

Even wind forgot how to move.

Maya’s pupils shrank.

The Amethyst Mist Sword...

She stared at Leon — then at Selena again.

Unbelievable.

That sword — a treasured legacy passed down through generations — something only the Division’s teacher had the right to wield.

And he simply... handed it to his student.

"Is he insane...?"

For once, Maya was genuinely stunned.

Was Leon deliberately showing off?

Or did he truly trust this girl to such an extent?

Sana’s jaw tightened.

So much envy burned in her chest she nearly trembled.

They said Amethyst Summit Division had nothing.They said whoever came here would suffer.

Then why...

Why did Selena hold a treasure weapon in her hands?

"M-Teacher, this..."

Selena’s fingers trembled as she accepted the sword.

Leon never spoke lightly. If he said something belonged to her — then it belonged to her.

Compared to the elixirs.

Compared to the cultivation he had risked to impart into her mana.

A sword — even a treasured one — felt small.

She swallowed.

"Thank you, Teacher, for granting me this sword. I will never let it fall into disgrace. One day, I will use it to restore the prestige of Amethyst Summit Division."

She moved gently, letting the blade dance.

Her footwork flowed.

Her wrists turned like drifting clouds.

Her breathing merged with the rhythm of wind.

Mana surged unintentionally from her body — strong, steady, rising.

Maya shot to her feet.

"Onyx Realm...!"

Shock tore through her composure.

Impossible.

She had only entered Celestis Academy for five days — yet she had already stepped into the Onyx Realm?

Her eyes narrowed, peering deeper.

That was when she saw it.

Inside Selena’s body — a shimmering glacial brilliance. Cold, radiant, sacred.

A Divine Ice Bone.

Maya’s world tilted.

"Born with Divine Ice Bones...?"

She stood frozen.

Her voice turned into a whisper, lost beneath the quiet room.

But we checked her before.

There was no divine bone.

So how—

Had Leon awakened it?

Had he used some Sacred Art?

Or perhaps some mysterious spiritual herb?

Her mind ran through possibilities.

Yet one truth pressed hardest:

Amethyst Summit Division was supposed to be poor.

Something wasn’t right.

Her lips tightened.

He’s pretending.

He’s been hiding his strength... hiding everything.

Quiet realization crept into her chest like cold water.

Leon wasn’t the joke the academy whispered about.

He was something else entirely.

And that truth unsettled her more than anything.