Grand Return System-Chapter 32: The Morning Blade

The Morning Blade

"Alright. You may leave."

Shera waved his hand lazily, dismissing Shan.

The young man gave a shallow nod and turned away, robes sweeping behind him as he left the dojo. His footsteps echoed down the stone corridor, unhurried, confident.

The moment he disappeared, another figure hurried in.

"Teacher! I’ve broken through to the second star of Mana Requirement!"

The youth’s voice trembled with excitement. His chest rose and fell quickly, eyes shining with pride. He had just advanced and rushed over immediately, eager to share the joy.

This was Cassie — the student Shera had fought Yaman over just days ago.

At the time, Shera had thought he had secured a treasure.

Now...

Shera’s gaze fell on Cassie, and a flicker of irritation crossed his eyes.

Second star of Mana Requirement.

Five days.

And Selena — that silver-haired girl from Amethyst Summit Division — was already one-star Onyx Realm.

The comparison burned.

"What’s there to be proud of?" Shera said coldly.

The words struck like a slap.

Cassie froze.

He couldn’t understand. Yesterday his teacher had praised him. Today, the warmth was gone — replaced by indifference.

Had he done something wrong?

"Just a little achievement and you’re already gloating," Shera continued, voice like ice sliding over stone. "With such a mindset, how do you expect to accomplish anything great?"

They were both born with Divine Ice Bones.

Why was it that Leon’s student reached one-star Onyx Realm in five days — and his was still crawling at second star Mana Requirement?

Was I... inferior to Leon?

The thought was unbearable.

No.

He would rather believe he had chosen trash than accept that Leon taught better than him.

Cassie lowered his head, shame flooding his face.

"I was wrong, Teacher. I’ll work harder. I’ll strive to reach the heights you expect of me."

Shera’s expression didn’t change.

"Alright. You may leave."

That was all.

No encouragement. No guidance.

Cassie left quietly, his excitement completely extinguished.

Shera remained seated alone in the dojo, eyes dark.

He no longer placed hope on this student.

His only real hope... was Shan.

After all, that was his blood. His heir.

The next morning.

Dawn unfolded slowly over the Celestis Academy Premises.

Golden light filtered through layers of mist, touching rooftops, trees, and distant ridgelines. Birds stirred. Bamboo leaves trembled softly in the wind.

In the bamboo forest of Amethyst Summit Division, Leon stood calmly.

Midnight robes embroidered with fine amethyst threads draped over his tall figure. His long shoulder-length black hair swayed gently behind him. Purple eyes, steady and composed, reflected the rising sun.

"The plan for a day lies in the morning," he said evenly. "Morning is when vitality is strongest. It is the most suitable time to train."

Selena stood before him, posture straight, silver-white hair catching the light like frost. Her snow-white robe wrapped elegantly around her narrow waist, pale blue sash tied neatly, fabric flowing softly along her legs.

Her blue eyes were attentive. Serious.

"Student, understand this," Leon continued. "In the Forsaken Domain, survival depends on the sword in your hand. Only when you are strong will others listen."

Selena nodded firmly.

"Yes, Teacher."

"Today," Leon said, "I will teach you the Amethyst Mist Swordsmanship."

His voice carried weight.

"This sword technique is passed down within Amethyst Summit Division. It was originally derived from the academy’s foundational principles. After your grandteacher Zeon refined it, its power reached its peak."

He stepped forward, plucking a slender bamboo branch from the grove.

"Swordsmanship cannot be mastered in a day. You must cultivate diligently — without neglect."

Selena’s expression was solemn.

"I understand. I will cultivate with all my heart."

Leon nodded slightly.

"The Amethyst Mist Sword emphasizes elegance and illusion. It appears like a dance within drifting clouds. Light. Graceful. Yet beneath it lies tremendous force."

He raised the bamboo.

"It may look gentle — but one strike is enough to break an opponent’s will."

"I’ll demonstrate once. Later, I’ll give you the sword manual. Follow what you see."

He did not draw the First Mist Immortal Sword.

It was too dangerous.

With his current King Realm cultivation and that blade, even saint-level experts might struggle to withstand him. He wasn’t about to split his own division in half.

Taking a quiet breath, Leon began.

The bamboo spun between his fingers.

A flower of sword-light blossomed instantly — delicate, precise.

A faint lotus pattern formed beneath his feet, petals of light blooming across the ground. His body lifted lightly, robes flowing like drifting clouds.

He moved.

Graceful.

Unhurried.

Each step traced invisible lines through the air. Each rotation carried balance and hidden sharpness.

Selena’s breath caught.

He didn’t look like he was fighting.

He looked like he was dancing.

But then—

The air changed.

The illusion shattered.

Sword intent condensed.

The gentle bamboo branch suddenly radiated killing force. The atmosphere tightened, leaves slicing apart in midair as invisible pressure descended.

With one downward motion—

Crack.

A line split across the ground.

The bamboo branch trembled slightly, then stilled.

Silence returned.

Leon descended lightly, landing without sound. Bamboo leaves fell around him like drifting snow.

For a moment, he truly resembled a sword immortal walking the mortal world.

"Student," he asked calmly, though inwardly slightly nervous. "Did you see clearly?"

Truthfully, he had only mastered the technique days ago, thanks to the Purple Lotus of Great Principal. He had practiced relentlessly.

If she didn’t understand...

That would be awkward.

Selena smiled faintly.

"Yes. I saw clearly."

Leon blinked.

"You memorized it?"

She lifted her chin slightly, pride flickering in her eyes.

"What’s so difficult? Even if it were a thick Principal scripture, I would remember most of it after one glance."

Leon’s eyes widened slightly.

Photographic memory?

He had completely underestimated her.

"Very good," he said, genuinely pleased. "Take the manual. Practice as I demonstrated. If you have questions, ask me."

He paused, then added seriously:

"However, memory alone is not enough. The essence of swordsmanship lies in comprehension."

"Sword techniques are countless. But ultimately, they converge into one thing — sword intent."

He looked at her directly.

"Without sword intent, technique is empty."

"To comprehend sword intent is extremely difficult. Even prodigies require a year... sometimes several. Those with poor insight may never grasp it."

Selena’s eyes sharpened.

Then she smiled with determination.

"Teacher, don’t worry. I will cultivate properly. I will comprehend sword intent as soon as possible."

Leon nodded.

"Good. Go. I trust you."

Those three words lit something in her chest.

He trusts me.

That was enough.

Clutching the manual, Selena left the bamboo forest, steps light and joyful.

She did not notice—

Behind her, Leon exhaled quietly.

"Hopefully... she really did understand."

The wind stirred the bamboo again.

Three months.

The Martial Meeting drew closer.

And beneath the calm surface—

Blades were sharpening.