Grand Return System

Departure Under Amethyst Skies

The meeting ended.

The ancient bronze bell outside Emerald Crest Division gave a slow, solemn toll as the gathered division masters dispersed one after another. Robes swept over old stone. Sleeves stirred the incense-thick air. Yet beneath the calm order, tension lingered like thunder hidden beyond distant clouds.

Out came Leon, his face holding something off-kilter once more after stepping beyond the gates of Emerald Crest Division.

A quiet tension pulled at his eyebrows, their arch slight but certain. Purple eyes lingered somewhere distant, tracing a path invisible to anyone else. Not quite searching - more like waiting for something half-remembered to surface on its own.

It was Maya who saw it begin. Frozen in place, she could not tell what Leon was talking about.

Her footsteps softened as she fell into step beside him, the breeze tugging at her pale blue robes. Sunlight slipped across the silver lotuses stitched along the fabric, glinting like quiet sparks against the air.

A slight lean of her head, then a grin that hinted at secrets. A quiet kind of playfulness shaped her lips.

"Junior Brother, is there something on your mind?"

Leon shook his head and said, "No, I was just thinking about something. I just don’t have a clue now."

He paused, glancing toward the descending cloud paths.

Then, almost casually, though his tone carried unusual care, he asked,

"By the way, Senior Sister, when do you plan to leave the mountain?"

Maya tilted her head and smiled.

"Tomorrow. I still have some things to deal with before I go down the mountain. How about you?"

"Me?" Leon thought for a moment.

A faint smile crossed his face.

Then,

"Immediately..."

Maya blinked.

"Why are you in such a rush?"

"There’s no time to lose. I have a feeling something big is going to happen."

His voice dropped on those last words.

Not dramatic.

Instinctive.

As if spoken from somewhere deeper than reason.

He looked at her.

For a heartbeat, the ever-unreadable Leon looked almost... concerned.

"Senior Sister, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back first."

But before leaving, he hesitated.

Something rare.

Then, lower, gentler—

"Take care on the road."

Maya’s smile froze for half a breath.

Then curved wider.

"Oh? My cold Junior Brother worries for me now?" she teased, stepping closer.

Her finger lightly brushed the amethyst embroidery on his sleeve.

"Should I take that as concern... or affection?"

Leon gave her a dry look.

"You’re overthinking."

She laughed, bright as flowing water.

"And here I thought you might ask me to stay."

Leon turned to leave.

But her voice came behind him again.

"Junior Brother."

He glanced back.

Maya’s teasing softened.

"Don’t do anything reckless."

Leon only gave a faint smile.

"Reckless things usually come looking for me."

That earned a laugh from her.

After saying that, Leon hurriedly left the Emerald Crest Division, leaving Maya with a back view that was gradually disappearing into drifting mountain mist.

"Something big is going to happen?"

Maya stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what Leon meant.

She shook her head and was puzzled.

But somehow... she trusted his instincts more than omens.

She simply stopped thinking and turned to leave.

Amethyst Summit Division.

The summit had regained its quiet.

Clouds flowed beneath the cliffs.

Spirit cranes wheeled in circles over the pines.

The training hall sat bathed in late afternoon gold.

Leon called Rias and Harry Taylor over after returning to the training hall.

Selena was still in seclusion to break through to GrandMaster Realm, so she wasn’t present.

Rias arrived first.

Long crimson hair swayed as she stepped in, red silk robes hugging her graceful frame, dragon embroidery flickering in sunlight.

Harry followed not long after.

The young man looked curious.

Both immediately sensed something unusual.

Leon was rarely solemn.

Today, he was too quiet.

"Teacher, why did you call us here?"

Rias was puzzled.

Leon had rushed to Emerald Crest Division for a meeting this morning.

When he returned, he had a solemn expression.

This was the first time she had seen him like this.

After a long silence, Leon said,

"Rias, I’m preparing to leave the mountain for a period of time. Your senior sister is still in seclusion. I’ll leave everything on Amethyst Summit Division to you for these few days."

"Ah..."

It was a little sudden, and Rias couldn’t react for a moment.

Her crimson eyes widened.

After a while, she said,

"Why are you leaving the mountain? When will you return?"

There was clear worry in her voice.

And something softer.

Something she herself did not hide fast enough.

Leon saw it.

His gaze eased.

"Okay, don’t ask. I’ll come back when it’s time to come back."

Rias lowered her head.

Her fingers tightened in her sleeve.

She looked almost wronged.

Like she wanted to protest.

Leon suddenly stepped closer.

Lifted a hand.

And with familiar ease—

ruffled her hair.

Rias froze.

Red strands slipped through his fingers.

"You’ve grown a lot," he said quietly. "I trust you."

Her breath caught.

The simple words hit harder than praise.

He continued,

"Protect the summit. Watch over Selena while she breaks through. Keep Harry from causing trouble."

Harry coughed.

"Teacher... why am I included in that?"

Leon ignored him.

Rias looked up slowly.

The earlier worry had turned into fierce resolve.

Almost pride.

"I’ll do it," she said.

Then more firmly,

"I’ll guard Amethyst Summit Division until you return."

Her voice trembled only slightly.

But her eyes shone.

Leon nodded.

Good.

That was what he wanted.

Not dependence.

Growth.

And in truth... part of him deliberately left this responsibility with her because he knew she needed it.

To be trusted was also a kind of cultivation.

Rias suddenly smiled again, small but radiant.

"Teacher... if I do well, will there be a reward when you come back?"

Leon raised a brow.

"You’re bargaining now?"

She puffed her cheeks.

"A little."

Harry laughed under his breath.

Leon almost smiled.

"We’ll see."

That alone made her visibly happier.

As though handed treasure.

After saying that, Leon slowly stood up.

His robes stirred in the mountain breeze.

He glanced at Harry and said,

"Let’s go. This time, I’ll bring you down the mountain to play."

Harry Taylor was stunned for a moment.

Then overjoyed.

His whole face lit up.

"Really?"