Grand Return System

Rising Reputation, Silent Schemes

Alright—this opening is already doing its job. The atmosphere is there, the tension is alive. I’m not touching your beginning or tone—I’m just stepping in and deepening the pulse, making the crowd feel real, sharpening the weight around Selena, and tightening the flow so it hits harder.

Here’s your expanded version:

Amethyst Summit Division had been in the limelight for the past few days.

Not just a little.

Completely.

Every conversation, every whispered discussion in the stands, every sideways glance from other divisions—it all circled back to one place.

Amethyst Summit Division.

And at the center of it— Selena.

Her performance had been too sharp... too clean... too unbelievable.

A student who had only entered Celestis Academy three months ago—

Now standing among the top four.

It didn’t make sense.

It shouldn’t have been possible.

Yet there she was.

Standing quietly behind Leon, her silver-white hair catching the morning light like frost, her blue eyes calm and unreadable. The soft white robe clung gently to her slender figure, her steps steady, her presence... composed.

Too composed.

There was no nervous shifting. No tension in her shoulders. Not even the faintest flicker of anticipation in her gaze.

It was as if the noise around her—the crowd, the expectations, the weight of the stage—simply didn’t exist.

People couldn’t read her.

And what people couldn’t read—

They feared.

"She’s terrifying..."

A student near the railing leaned closer, lowering his voice instinctively, as if speaking too loudly might somehow draw her attention.

"I heard she hasn’t even revealed her full strength yet."

"How is that even possible... three months..."

Another voice cut in, sharper, almost irritated.

"She must be hiding something."

"No... it’s not just her."

A pause.

Then quieter, heavier—

"The entire Amethyst Summit Division feels different now."

That wasn’t speculation.

That was observation.

Across the arena, disciples from other summits watched in silence. Some with narrowed eyes. Some with forced calm. Others with barely concealed unease.

The shift had been too sudden.

Too absolute.

Just weeks ago, Amethyst Summit had been a name people forgot.

Now—

It was a presence people tracked.

Feared.

Measured.

Voices overlapped across the arena, blending into a low, restless hum.

The kind of sound that never settled.

The kind that carried tension underneath it, like something waiting to snap.

What used to be the weakest division—

Was now wrapped in mystery.

No one dared look down on them anymore.

Not openly.

Not carelessly.

Eyes lingered longer now.

Words were chosen more carefully.

Even laughter, when it came, felt restrained—like people were afraid of being proven wrong too loudly.

"Which of the top four do you think will win today?"

A voice rose from the crowd, cutting through the noise—curious, excited, carrying just enough volume to pull others in.

Nearby, a group immediately leaned into the question.

Predictions had become a game these past few days.

A dangerous one.

It didn’t take long for answers to follow.

"I think Shan from Secret Sword Summit will definitely win."

The response came quickly, confidently—like it had been waiting.

"His sword is too fast. No one can match him."

"You’re underestimating that girl."

A scoff followed.

"I’ll vote for Amethyst Summit Division for the second spot."

"Second?" another voice challenged, eyebrows lifting. "You don’t think she can win?"

A brief hesitation.

Just enough to reveal doubt.

"...I didn’t say that. I just think Shan is more stable."

"Stable doesn’t win fights."

The reply came colder this time. Sharper.

"Talent does."

A quiet ripple passed through the group.

The discussion grew louder.

More heated.

Everyone had their own opinion.

And no one was completely confident.

Meanwhile—

The drawing of lots had already ended.

The result spread quickly.

Selena’s opponent—

Was not Shan.

But Blaise of Emerald Crest Division.

Leon rubbed his chin slowly.

A faint sigh escaped him.

"...So it’s like that."

His gaze shifted slightly—

Landing on Shera in the distance.

The man stood with his usual cold expression, arms folded, as if nothing had happened.

But Leon’s eyes narrowed just a little.

He tampered with it.

It was obvious.

Too obvious.

Avoiding a direct clash between the strongest early—

Spreading tension.

Controlling outcomes.

A small trick.

A petty move.

Leon looked away.

Unbothered.

Do whatever you want.

In the end... it changes nothing.

"Haha, Junior Brother!"

A warm voice cut through his thoughts.

"I wonder if my student will catch your eye?"

Leon turned slightly.

Headmaster Mike stood nearby, smiling, his tone relaxed, almost teasing.

Behind him—

A young man in white stood quietly.

Blaise.

Calm.

Steady.

His aura was refined, his posture straight, his presence grounded like a mountain.

Not flashy.

But solid.

Very solid.

Leon observed him for a moment.

Then smiled faintly.

"Headmaster’s student is naturally an outstanding individual," he said calmly. "His talent is extraordinary."

His tone was smooth.

Measured.

Almost too polite.

Mike laughed.

But the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Outstanding individual?

Compared to your two monsters?

He shook his head slightly, amused.

"You’re being too modest, Junior Brother," he replied, voice light. "I’ve seen your students fight."

He glanced at Selena.

Then back at Leon.

"...They’re not something ordinary talent can explain."

Leon didn’t deny it.

Didn’t confirm it either.

He just smiled.

Quietly.

Mike exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting toward the arena.

Truthfully—

He didn’t care much about winning or losing.

Not like the others.

To him—

All of them were students of Celestis Academy.

Whoever won—

The academy won.

That was enough.

Still...

His eyes flickered toward Blaise.

There was expectation there.

Not pressure.

But hope.

In this past month, every division had poured resources into their students.

Elixirs.

Treasures.

Everything.

All for this moment.

This final push.

Even he—

Had made his choice.

The resources meant for Kevin—

Were given to Blaise instead.

Because Kevin had already stepped beyond.

But Blaise—

Still had room to rise.

Leon, on the other hand—

Felt something different.

A quiet satisfaction.

Good timing...

The cooldown of his Grand Return System—

Had aligned perfectly.

A thousand years of cultivation—

Transferred.

Stabilized.

Refined.

Without that—

Selena would have struggled.

Even with her talent.

Because talent alone—

Wasn’t enough here.

Not anymore.

These old foxes...

Leon glanced around at the other division leaders.

None of them are simple.

Everyone had their own foundation.

Their own hidden cards.

The question was never if they had them—

But whether they chose to use them.

And now—

Under pressure—

They had.

The Seven Division Martial Meeting...

Was not just a competition.

It was pride.

Reputation.

Standing.

No one wanted to fall behind.

No one wanted to be last.

Leon’s gaze returned to the arena.

Calm.

Steady.

No matter what they do...

The result won’t change.

Mike watched him quietly for a moment.

Then smiled again.

If Selena could defeat Blaise—

He wouldn’t be disappointed.

Not even a little.

Because he knew exactly how strong Blaise was.

And if someone could surpass that—

Then that person...

Was worth celebrating.