Grand Return System

The Fruit of Trust

The group returned to Amethyst Summit Division and the place became peaceful.

It was a different kind of silence from the stillness of battle’s aftermath.

This was home.

The mountain mist rolled gently through the Academy Premises, touching old pines and cliffside stone. Distant cranes cried once in the clouds. The air felt washed clean after the thunder of the Martial Meeting.

Back at Amethyst Summit Division, the restless energy slowly dispersed.

On the north mountain, the renovation of the training hall was almost completed.

The new structure rose with quiet dignity, timber beams catching afternoon light, formation markings half-inscribed across the courtyard floor.

As soon as he returned to Amethyst Summit Division, Harry Taylor went to the north mountain alone to continue supervising.

He had changed.

Even Leon noticed it.

No complaints.

No laziness.

Only action.

Perhaps humiliation and inspiration truly forged a person faster than lectures ever could.

Rias, meanwhile, lingered only a moment.

Her red eyes briefly swept toward Selena.

That look was subtle.

But Leon caught it.

Comparison.

Pressure.

Resolve.

Rias said that she was exhausted as soon as she returned to Amethyst Summit Division and found an excuse to go back and rest.

But Leon knew better.

Perhaps she also felt the gap between her and Selena and wanted to absorb that precious bone as soon as possible to catch up to Selena.

And strangely—

He approved.

Competition among students, when born from admiration rather than malice, was not poison.

It was sharpening stone.

Soon, only teacher and student remained in the training hall.

Quiet descended.

A lantern flickered against polished wood.

Dust motes drifted in slanting golden light.

And Leon sat before a low table, sorting through the rewards of victory.

In the training hall, Leon sorted out the rewards obtained from this Martial Meeting.

One by one, treasures passed through his hands.

Spirit medicines.

Ancient talismans.

Rare materials.

Then—

He paused.

And took out the Mana Guidance Fruit from his Storage Space.

It glowed softly.

Almost breathing.

Like a tiny captured star.

A sacred fragrance spread through the room.

Even Selena’s eyes widened.

Leon smiled.

Then looked toward her seated below.

With a calm voice, he said,

"Student, your current cultivation has already reached the ninth star of the Astral Realm. Coincidentally... this Mana Guidance Fruit can help you comprehend the laws and break through to GrandMaster Realm."

His tone was so casual one would think he spoke of tea.

Yet those words struck Selena harder than thunder.

After weighing it in his hand, Leon threw it to Selena and continued,

"In this Martial Meeting, you have made a great contribution to my Amethyst Summit Division. This thing should belong to you."

The fruit landed in her palms.

Warm.

Heavy.

Unreal.

Selena was a stunned.

She looked at the Mana Guidance Fruit in her hand and was at a loss.

Leon actually gave her the Mana Guidance Fruit?

Her thoughts blanked.

Because she understood what he perhaps did not know she understood.

Because she understood what he perhaps did not know she understood. Wasn’t the reason she had fought so desperately—

Bled so much fiercely—

Because she thought he wanted this fruit?

Because she wanted to win it for him?

And now—

He gave it back.

To her.

She was speechless for a moment.

Emotion rose in her throat.

Her blue eyes trembled.

She was indeed stuck at nine stars of Astral Realm and could not break through.

However, she firmly believed that if she was given a little more time, she would definitely break through to GrandMaster Realm.

But now—

In order for her to quickly advance—

Her teacher resisted the temptation of the Mana Guidance Fruit and gave it to her.

That realization shook her.

Selena was touched.

And conflicted.

For a very long time, she lowered her gaze, fingers tightening around the fruit.

Then—

She made a decision against her own desire.

"Teacher, I can’t accept this Mana Guidance Fruit."

Her voice shook.

"Teacher, you’ve already treated me well enough. I’m grateful. This Martial Meeting is the only way I can repay you."

She lifted her eyes.

Clear.

Earnest.

"The Mana Guidance Fruit is also extremely helpful to Teacher’s cultivation. How can I let Teacher bear the pain of giving it up?"

Selena shook her head with a flustered expression.

She wouldn’t want this Mana Guidance Fruit.

Even though it could allow her to break through GrandMaster Realm in the shortest time possible.

She still couldn’t accept it.

Because this thing was clearly more beneficial to her teacher.

Silence followed.

Soft.

Heavy.

Leon watched her quietly.

And inwardly—

He almost sighed with satisfaction.

Leon looked at her quietly, feeling relieved.

Sigh... I didn’t teach this student for nothing. She knows how to feel sorry for me. What a considerate little girl.

Then his thoughts turned instantly practical.

However, how would I get the benefits if you don’t want it?

That would not do.

His face stiffened.

He deliberately straightened.

Pretending seriousness.

"I told you to accept it, so you should accept it. Are you not listening to me?"

Selena froze.

Her breath caught.

This was the first time she had seen Leon so strict.

And it unsettled her far more than anger would have.

Her fingers trembled over the fruit.

"Teacher... I..."

She wanted to protest.

Couldn’t.

Leon saw the panic in her eyes.

And softened at once.

Like snow melting.

His expression changed again and he said gently,

"Although this Mana Guidance Fruit is a supreme-grade spirit medicine, it’s not very useful to me."

Not very useful?

That was almost certainly a lie.

But spoken with such calm conviction, it became hard to challenge.

He looked at her steadily.

"Student, I have always been at ease with you."

Those words alone nearly made her eyes redden.

Then came the weightier words.

"I look forward to the future when you can make our Amethyst Summit Division famous and shake the Forsaken Domain. You can’t disappoint me."