Grand Return System

A Blade That Doesn’t Rush

Selena rose tall inside the ring.

Still.

Composed.

A blade sat in her grip - no motion, no warning, simply there. As if meant to be. As though time itself remembered it that way.

A hush moved across the open space, tugging light threads of her pale hair into motion. Fabric swayed near her skin, grazing it like breath barely heard at dawn.

She didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Yet when she stepped forward -

A shift passed through the space near her. Quiet, but impossible to ignore.

Blaise sat on the opposite side, his eyes staying on her without a sound.

Then he smiled.

Easygoing, courteous - yet his gaze stayed alert.

"Junior Sister Selena," he said, raising his sword slightly in greeting, "please guide me in battle later."

A hush fell, his grin shifting just slightly, now edged with something harder to name.

"...Don’t embarrass me too much."

Laughter bubbled up among those sitting close by.

It sounded like modesty.

But everyone knew -

Heavy truth pressed into each syllable. Words carried more than sound that day.

Selena turned her eyes toward him.

Just one glance.

Then -

A little movement of her head showed agreement.

No smile.

No reply.

Just acknowledgment.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse.

A flicker of stillness crossed Blaise’s lips.

A small jerk tugged at one side of his lips.

It came out wrong. Not my intention at all.

A soft exhale slipped out as he tilted his head just a fraction. The motion carried doubt without words.

"I was just being polite..."

Low words slipped out, just loud enough to catch. A hush hung around each syllable, like smoke thinning in air.

"...why does it feel like she already decided I’ll lose?"

Her face showed nothing like pride.

No provocation.

But somehow—

That silence felt heavier than words.

Cold...

Blaise exhaled slowly.

Just like the rumors.

He tightened his grip on his sword.

Then steadied himself.

Good.

That makes it interesting.

On the other arena—

Amaya and Shan had already stepped into position.

The tension there was different.

Sharper.

More direct.

No need for words.

"Begin!"

The Referee Elder’s voice cut through everything.

Clear.

Final.

In an instant—

Both arenas exploded into motion.

Shan moved first.

No hesitation.

No testing.

He stepped forward and struck with his palm, his body flowing forward like a sudden wave crashing against the shore.

No sword.

Just pure force.

The air cracked under the pressure.

Amaya’s expression tightened as she raised her guard, Mana gathering around her arms like flowing water.

So fast...!

At the same time—

Blaise moved.

His sword left its sheath with a clean, sharp sound—

Shing—!

"Junior Sister, here I go!"

His voice carried a trace of excitement now.

Gone was the earlier politeness.

This—

Was battle.

He stepped forward, his blade cutting through the air in a precise arc, Mana surging along its edge like a flowing current.

The strike was clean.

Powerful.

Measured.

Selena didn’t answer.

Not a word.

She simply moved.

Her wrist turned slightly—

The sword case in her hand shifted.

Then—

She pushed it forward.

Boom—

The two forces collided.

A burst of air exploded outward, kicking up dust across the arena floor.

But—

Blaise’s expression changed instantly.

His blade...

Didn’t go through.

Didn’t even hold.

It was... erased.

Cleanly.

Effortlessly.

Like his attack had never existed.

"Hmm?"

Below the stage, Headmaster Mike’s eyes sharpened.

He leaned forward slightly.

Surprised.

No one knew Blaise’s strength better than him.

That strike—

Was not casual.

And yet—

It didn’t even force Selena to draw her sword.

Just how far has she gone...?

On the arena—

Blaise stepped back instinctively.

His grip tightened.

That... wasn’t normal.

There was no backlash.

No resistance.

Just—

Disappearance.

Selena walked forward.

Slowly.

Calmly.

As if nothing had happened.

Blaise attacked again.

Faster this time.

His sword flickered—

One strike became three.

Three became five.

Each one sharper than the last, slicing through the air with increasing pressure.

But Selena—

Didn’t rush.

Didn’t retreat.

She moved.

Light.

Effortless.

Each step perfectly placed, her body weaving through the attacks like wind slipping through branches.

Her white robe fluttered as she moved—

Not chaotic.

Not hurried.

But smooth.

Almost... graceful.

Like a dance.

The crowd fell quiet.

Eyes locked onto her.

Because what they were seeing—

Didn’t feel like a fight.

It felt like—

Control.

Absolute control.

"Is she even trying...?"

"How is she dodging like that...?"

"She’s not even using her full strength..."

Rias crossed her arms, a faint smile forming on her lips.

"She’s still warming up."

Her tone was casual.

Confident.

Selena’s figure blurred slightly as she shifted her footing again.

Another strike passed just inches from her shoulder—

Missed.

Completely.

Blaise’s breathing grew heavier.

Not from exhaustion—

But from pressure.

I can’t touch her...

Every attack—

Avoided.

Every angle—

Read.

It felt like he was fighting someone who already knew everything he was about to do.

On the side—

Rias watched quietly, her eyes reflecting the flow of the battle.

"In the past month..."

She murmured softly.

"I’ve sparred with her every day."

Her smile deepened slightly.

"I know exactly how terrifying her sword techniques are."

Her gaze sharpened.

"This level..."

She shook her head faintly.

"...isn’t enough to make her go all out."

On the arena—

Selena finally stopped.

Just for a moment.

Her eyes lifted—

Meeting Blaise’s directly.

Calm.

Clear.

And for the first time—

There was something in them.

Not arrogance.

Not contempt.

But—

A quiet signal.

If this is all you have...

Then this fight will end soon.

The air tightened again.

And this time—

Even Blaise felt it.

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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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