Grand Return System-Chapter 71: Borrowed Courage

Borrowed Courage

Rias revealed a meaningful smile. Interesting.

Her crimson eyes curved slightly as she leaned back in her chair, fingers lightly circling the rim of her teacup. The atmosphere inside the private room had grown thick—pride and tension colliding in midair.

She tilted her head and said playfully,

"Young Master Taylor, he said you are trash."

The words were soft.

But deliberate.

Harry’s smile froze.

The corner of his mouth twitched, then his jaw tightened. A pulse throbbed visibly at his temple.

"F*ck!" he snapped before catching himself. "How dare any certified background character call me trash?"

The insult struck deeper than he expected.

It had taken him effort—real effort—to rebuild even a sliver of dignity in front of these three women. He had practiced his posture. Rehearsed his tone. Held himself steady despite fear.

And Vita Zain destroyed it with one sentence.

His fingers clenched around his folding fan until the lacquered wood creaked faintly.

Across from him, Selena remained calm, silver hair spilling over her shoulder like cold moonlight. She observed him carefully—not mocking, not impressed—simply measuring.

Rias’s smile widened.

Good.

Let’s see what you do.

At Harry’s side, Elder Black leaned in slightly and whispered, voice low enough that only he could hear.

"Young Master, this Vita Zain should be here because of the three of them. We can make use of this opportunity. Help them settle this matter. Express goodwill to Respected Leon."

Harry blinked.

Of course.

Why didn’t I think of that?

His earlier panic began to reorganize itself into strategy.

He had offended Leon before. That mountain of a man had humiliated him so completely that even now, his heart tightened at the memory.

But if he stood up for Leon’s students—

If he shielded them from Vita—

Perhaps... the grudge could soften.

Opportunity.

His expression shifted instantly.

He turned to Rias and Selena, flashing a confident smile.

"Don’t worry, fairies. Leave this person to me."

Rias clasped her hands together lightly and leaned forward, chin resting against her knuckles.

"Oh? Then I’ll leave it to Young Master Taylor. Good luck, Young Master Taylor."

Her tone was sweet.

Too sweet.

But Harry didn’t notice.

He was already burning with a mixture of anger and ambition.

He stood slowly, smoothing his robe. The red silk shimmered under the filtered sunlight.

"I was wondering who it was," he said evenly, facing Vita. "So it’s Young Master Zain. What’s the matter?"

Vita let out a short, disdainful laugh.

Seeing Harry posture like a hero only irritated him more.

"If you know what’s good for you," Vita said coldly, "disappear right now. This matter has nothing to do with you. If you insist on being stubborn, don’t blame me for not giving you face."

His lackeys shifted behind him, hands resting on weapon hilts.

Harry did not step back.

He couldn’t.

Not now.

"Sure," he replied, voice steady despite the sweat gathering at his spine. "I want to see what you can do to me. In my life, I, Harry Taylor, have never known how to write fear. Your Zain family is impressive, but my Taylor family is not to be trifled with."

The words sounded bold.

Inside—

His heart was racing violently.

If he really attacks... can I handle it?

But he forced himself not to show it.

Vita narrowed his eyes.

This wasn’t the Harry he knew.

The old Harry would’ve avoided him entirely. Offered fake smiles. Changed seats.

What happened to him?

He studied him carefully.

Something was different.

What Vita didn’t know was that Harry’s courage was not entirely his own.

Behind him stood Celestis Academy.

More specifically—

Amethyst Summit Division.

Respected Leon.

Harry had seen Leon’s protectiveness firsthand. The man would rather overturn a mountain than allow his students to be harmed.

If the Zain family dared lay a hand on them—

They would be courting disaster.

That belief steadied him.

Behind Harry, Elder Black subtly signaled to one of the servants lingering outside the room. The servant nodded almost imperceptibly and slipped away quietly.

Report to Family Head.

Just in case.

Vita laughed suddenly.

"I haven’t seen you in a few days! Your courage has grown. You weren’t so tough before."

"Haha," Harry replied, forcing a grin. "I’ll be tougher in the future."

Rias tilted her head, watching the exchange like a spectator at a staged duel.

Selena’s fingers rested lightly near the hilt of her sword. Frost Mana hummed faintly beneath her skin—but she did not move.

Akeno sipped her tea, purple eyes half-lidded.

How amusing.

Vita’s patience snapped.

"Boy," he said, voice dropping dangerously low, "you’ve successfully angered me. If I don’t teach you a lesson today, I won’t be called Vita Zain."

His aura flared slightly.

Chairs trembled.

Wine cups rattled against the table.

He lifted a hand to signal his subordinates—

But before he could speak—

A cold, authoritative voice echoed from the corridor.

"Young Master Zain. You want to make a move in my restaurant? Could it be that you don’t take me seriously?"

The air shifted instantly.

A middle-aged man in a gray robe stepped forward.

His hair was streaked with silver. His black eyes were sharp and unreadable.

Cavir Walton.

Owner of Whitelist Restaurant.

A five-star King Realm expert of unknown origin.

Silence fell.

Even Vita’s anger faltered.

Cavir Walton’s presence was calm—but oppressive.

Vita lowered his hand slowly.

No matter how furious he was, he knew where he stood.

Cavir Walton’s influence extended far beyond Ashford City. Whitelist Restaurant branches stretched across the Imperial Kingdom. His backing was mysterious—rumored to be tied to an Ancient household.

Vita forced a respectful bow.

"Senior Walton... it was my fault just now. I lacked consideration. Please don’t blame me."

Cavir Walton’s gaze swept across the room once.

He took in the tension.

The hostility.

The suppressed intent.

He sneered faintly.

"Humph. I don’t care what grudges you have. Your father doesn’t even have the qualifications to cause trouble here. How could you?"

His voice sharpened like a blade.

"Get lost."