Chapter 143: The Sword Finally Drawn
The Sword Finally Drawn
The arena buzzed like a storm about to break.
Voices overlapped—some confident, some uncertain, all convinced they were right.
"Lior will win."
"No, Selena hasn’t even tried yet."
"You’re blind if you think Gale Division loses this."
"You’re blind if you think Amethyst Summit Division doesn’t dominate again."
Even the elders seated below the stage began exchanging quiet words, their eyes locked on the two figures standing across from each other.
Everyone had their own judgment.
Everyone had their own logic.
And yet—
No one truly knew.
—
At the edge of another arena, Shan had already finished his match.
Victory.
Clean.
Decisive.
But he didn’t stay to enjoy it.
Without a second thought, he turned and walked straight toward Selena’s arena.
His steps were fast, purposeful.
This fight... I can’t miss it.
Only by watching her closely—her habits, her rhythm, her hidden cards—
Could he win later.
Could he restore the dignity of Secret Sword Summit.
When he reached the main seating area, he stopped behind Shera.
"Headmaster... Father..."
Mike gave a small nod, saying nothing.
Shera didn’t look back immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the stage.
Then—
"Hm."
A low response.
"Shan. Watch carefully."
His tone was heavy.
"See how many of her trump cards Lior can force out."
A pause.
His fingers tightened on the armrest.
"Whether Secret Sword Summit can regain its reputation... depends on you."
His voice lowered.
"She hasn’t drawn her sword even once in this entire Martial Meeting."
A flicker of unease passed through his eyes.
"I really don’t know... what kind of monster technique Leon taught her."
The more he spoke—
The more uncertain he became.
Rias alone had already been terrifying.
So Selena—
How deep did she go?
Shan nodded, his gaze sharpening as it fixed onto the stage.
"I understand."
—
On the arena—
Lior stepped forward.
His presence alone felt like a war drum.
"Gale Division, Lior... please guide me."
His voice was cold. Direct.
His grip tightened on the hammer in his hand—heavy, dark metal etched with faint flame patterns.
Since stepping onto the stage—
His eyes had not left Selena for even a second.
He was watching.
Measuring.
Testing.
And the more he observed—
The tighter his chest felt.
This pressure...
It wasn’t loud.
But it was suffocating.
Like standing in front of a blade that hadn’t moved yet... but could cut you in half the moment it did.
She’s dangerous.
More dangerous than anyone he had faced so far.
Selena stood quietly.
Her silver hair moved gently in the wind.
Her hand rested on the hilt of the Amethyst Mist Sword behind her back.
"Amethyst Summit Division, Selena... please guide me."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Like the surface of ice before it cracks.
—
"Junior Sister... here I come!"
Lior didn’t waste another breath.
The moment the Referee Elder dropped his hand—
He moved.
Boom—!
The ground cracked beneath his foot as he surged forward.
The hammer rose—
Then descended like a falling mountain.
Heavenbreaker Descent.
The air itself seemed to compress under that strike.
Selena didn’t move immediately.
Her eyes tracked the motion—
Then—
She stepped back.
Just one step.
The hammer slammed down.
BOOM!
Stone shattered.
Fragments exploded outward.
She avoided it cleanly.
Still—
She didn’t draw her sword.
—
Smack.
A sharp sound echoed from below.
Shera’s hand slammed against the armrest.
"Too arrogant."
His voice dropped, heavy with irritation.
"She still refuses to draw her sword at this point? Completely disregarding her opponent..."
His lips curled coldly.
"Like Teacher, like student."
Beside him—
Levis blinked.
His expression turned strange.
...Isn’t that my son up there?
Why does it feel like he’s angrier than me?
For a moment—
He genuinely questioned reality.
—
On the stage—
Lior’s expression darkened.
He felt it clearly now.
That quiet refusal.
That lack of urgency.
That... indifference.
She’s looking down on me.
His grip tightened.
Mana surged.
The hammer spun in his hand, flames beginning to crawl along its surface.
"Fine..."
His voice dropped low.
"Let’s see how long you keep that attitude."
The next second—
He moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Blazing Wheel Crush.
The hammer swept sideways, carving a burning arc through the air. Flames followed the swing, forming a rotating ring of fire that surged toward Selena.
The heat spiked instantly.
Even the audience felt it.
Selena’s eyes narrowed slightly.
This one...
There was weight behind it.
Real danger.
She exhaled softly.
Enough.
—
Her hand moved.
Shing—
The Amethyst Mist Sword left its sheath.
A clean, crisp sound—
Like something finally being allowed to breathe.
"She drew it!"
The crowd erupted.
Eyes widened.
Every gaze locked onto that blade.
A faint amethyst glow shimmered along its edge—calm, but terrifyingly pure.
—
The fire ring crashed forward.
Selena didn’t retreat this time.
Her wrist turned.
The sword moved—
Not fast.
Not slow.
Just... precise.
A gentle arc.
A second.
A third.
Each movement cut into the incoming flames—not to destroy them instantly...
But to redirect them.
To unravel them.
Like untangling threads.
The blazing ring began to break apart.
Layer by layer.
Its power scattered.
Its structure collapsed.
Until—
Nothing remained but fading heat in the air.
—
Silence.
A brief one.
Heavy.
Then—
A low murmur spread through the crowd.
"...She... dissolved it?"
"No brute force..."
"She completely redirected the attack..."
"How precise is that control...?"
—
On the stage—
Lior’s pupils shrank.
She didn’t block it...
She dismantled it.
A cold realization crept into his chest.
This wasn’t just strength.
This was—
Control.
Absolute control.
—
Selena lowered her sword slightly.
Her expression didn’t change.
But her aura—
Shifted.
Subtly.
Like a blade that had finally been unsheathed... and acknowledged the battlefield.
The fight—
Had only just begun.
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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Grand Return System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!
With love,
Scoturn777
Creator of Grand Return System
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