Grand Return System

The Frog Beneath the Sky

The Forsaken Domain was currently in turmoil.

Sects and factions were complicated.

Storms gathered beneath calm waters.

Even the air seemed to carry the scent of unrest, as though some unseen tide was already moving beneath the surface of peace.

To gain a powerful ally—

That was never a bad thing.

Leon naturally understood.

His purple eyes flickered thoughtfully.

For a brief moment, his gaze lingered beyond Tobias, as if looking past the Celestis Academy premises itself and into a future only he could vaguely sense.

Then he smiled.

"Yes. How could I dare to refuse since you invited me? When I’m free another day, I’ll definitely go up the sect to visit."

His tone was light, but the promise was sincere.

Tobias’s face lit up at once.

"Haha, good, good. Then I’ll return to the mountain and wait for Respected Leon to visit."

Tobias laughed and left with Rex Vine.

The two figures gradually retreated into the dispersing crowd, robes swaying beneath the afternoon wind.

Yet Rex Vine kept turning back.

Again.

And again.

Reluctant.

Almost unwilling to leave.

When Rex Vine left, he was still a little reluctant.

His mind remained trapped in that sword strike.

That impossible sword.

That hell-like brilliance.

He was still immersed in Selena’s shocking sword strike.

And beyond admiration—

There was envy.

Deep envy.

He was also very envious that she could become Leon’s student and learn such a peerless sword technique.

One thought kept circling in his heart.

If only...

If only he had such a teacher.

If only fate had arranged things differently.

But fate rarely asked permission.

After they left, Leon looked at their backs and said to Selena, "Let’s go."

Selena, who had been silent all this while, lifted her eyes toward him.

There was still faint heat lingering in those clear eyes of hers, the aftermath of battle not yet fully cooled.

Her hand unconsciously rested on the sword at her waist, fingertips brushing the hilt as if touching something sacred.

"...Master," she said softly, hesitating.

Leon glanced at her.

"What?"

She lowered her voice.

"That Rex Vine..."

A pause.

"He looked at you the way starving men look at food."

Leon blinked.

Then a slow amused smile appeared.

"And that worries you?"

Selena gave a small snort.

"It irritates me."

Leon almost laughed.

Almost.

Instead, his gaze slid toward the empty path where Tobias and Rex had vanished.

"He has talent," Leon said.

Selena frowned slightly.

"You’re considering taking him?"

Her tone was controlled.

Too controlled.

Leon caught it.

His lips curved.

"Jealous?"

Instantly, Selena’s ears reddened.

"No."

The denial came too fast.

Leon gave her a long look full of dangerous amusement.

"No?"

Selena turned away.

"...Maybe a little."

That nearly made him laugh out loud.

Around them, the academy grounds were slowly returning to normal after the earlier commotion.

Disciples whispered.

Some cast awed glances toward Selena.

Others looked at Leon with something between reverence and unease.

News spread faster than wildfire in places like this.

One sword strike—

And reputations changed.

Leon walked forward.

Selena followed half a step behind, as always.

The stone pathway beneath them was littered with fallen leaves, stirred by wandering currents of wind.

The sun hung low enough now to cast long shadows, painting gold across the courtyard.

But Leon’s expression slowly grew distant again.

Selena noticed.

Whenever his face became like this, it meant his mind had moved elsewhere—into calculations.

Plots.

Storms.

The things only kings and monsters worried about.

"The sect invitation," Selena said at last. "You’re actually considering it seriously."

Leon nodded.

"The Forsaken Domain is beginning to move."

"Sects choosing sides?"

"Soon."

His voice carried no doubt.

"The calm is already cracking."

Selena’s gaze sharpened.

"You sensed something."

Leon exhaled.

"Power always shifts before chaos. Alliances form before blood spills."

He looked up at the darkening horizon.

"The mountain sect invited me because they smell that change too."

Selena was silent.

Here’s a cleaner, natural version with the emotion preserved and the dialogue made believable:

"Then... you’re going?"

"Eventually."

After Leon answered, Selena fell into deep thought.

Leon noticed the silence in her eyes and smiled faintly. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

She snapped back to her senses, blinking. "Master... how—"

Leon looked ahead, then said softly, "Don’t think too much, Selena. Whatever comes, I’ll stand in front of it... for now."

He stepped forward.

"Let’s go."

His back looked strangely solitary as he walked ahead.

Selena watched him, a faint ache stirring in her chest.

Don’t worry, Master... even if you never say you want protection, I am already your sword.

My life belongs to you.

I will stand beside you, whatever outcome awaits.

I have already given you my heart, my life... and my blade.

So do not carry everything alone.

Simple words.

Yet to Selena, they carried a strange warmth.

Not the command of a teacher—

But almost the familiarity of family.

She nodded and left the arena beside Leon.

The shattered stones still bore sword scars.

The setting sun cast long golden light across the fractured ground.

And the two figures walking side by side—master and disciple—

Looked almost like a scene painted into legend.

Yet before they could go far—

A bright, loud, shamelessly dramatic voice suddenly rang out.

"Hehe! Sister Selena, your performance just now was dazzling! You really showed me your skill."

Harry Taylor ran over, practically glowing with excitement.

His green eyes sparkled.

His expression looked even prouder than Selena’s.

"I’ve decided. From now on, other than Senior, you are my other idol. In the future, remember to protect me when I follow you."

He spoke with such sincerity—

And such shamelessness—

That Selena couldn’t help blinking.

Then laughing softly.

He was so smug which made one think that he was the one who won the finals.

Leon gave him a side glance.

Then—

A sharp glare.

"Useless."

Harry froze.

Leon continued mercilessly.

"You’re a real man. How are you going to take over the Taylor household in the future? Did your father ask you to come up the mountain to be someone’s underling?"

The words hit hard.

But not cruelly.

Like a blade used to cut arrogance.

Harry scratched his head awkwardly.

His earlier smugness evaporated.

Because he knew—

Leon was right.

He knew very well that his father had asked him to go up the mountain not only to get in touch with Leon and ease the grudges from before.

He also wanted him to broaden his horizons.

To see how many people were better than him.

To make up for his shortcomings.

And today—

He had seen it.

Clearly.

Painfully.

He had watched the entire Seven Division Martial Meeting.

There were countless people stronger than him.

Not one.

Not two.

Countless.

Every genius on those stages had shattered some illusion in him.

He also gradually understood that he was ultimately a frog at the bottom of a well.

The realization was bitter.

And humbling.

It was laughable that he was so arrogant previously, thinking that the Taylor household’s strength could let him do whatever he wanted.

How small he had been.

How childish.

Harry lowered his head.

For once—

No jokes.

No swagger.

Only reflection.

Selena watched him quietly.

Even Leon said nothing.

Because some truths had to settle in silence.

After a long pause, Harry lifted his head again.

But the boyish frivolity was gone.

Something steadier had appeared.

Resolve.

"Senior, I understand!"

His voice carried weight now.

"From now on, I will definitely cultivate diligently to make up for my shortcomings and not disappoint my father and Senior’s teachings."

Harry said from the bottom of his heart.

No pretense.

No empty vow.

Just sincerity.

Since he had sincerely changed, he would definitely do as he said, no matter how bitter or tiring it was.