Grand Return System

A Quiet Night Before the Journey

They weren’t merely students.

They were family.

The realization warmed their hearts more than any reward ever could.

Selena gently lowered her head, her silver hair swaying softly in the breeze.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Teacher...

I’ll never disappoint you.

Beside her, Rias quietly clenched her fists.

Her crimson eyes shimmered with determination.

One day...

I’ll become strong enough to stand beside Teacher.

So that he never has to shoulder everything alone.

After speaking his piece, Leon slowly turned back toward the Prison Holy Sect elder.

His expression had returned to its usual calm.

"Since you’ve sincerely repented..."

"I’ll spare your life today."

The elder hurriedly bowed despite the blood still flowing from his severed shoulder.

His face remained pale from the pain.

Yet relief shone clearly in his eyes.

Leon continued,

"If you’re still unconvinced..."

"You may come find me."

The elder immediately shook his head so hard that it almost seemed painful.

"No."

"I’m convinced."

"I’m truly convinced."

His voice carried no resentment.

Only sincerity.

He understood clearly.

Trading one arm for his life...

Was already Leon showing remarkable restraint.

If Leon had truly wished to kill him...

No one present could have stopped it.

The hatred in his heart no longer targeted Leon.

Instead...

It burned entirely toward Sirius.

Leon noticed the change with a single glance.

He simply smiled faintly.

There was no need to expose it.

Some grudges...

Were more interesting when left to grow on their own.

Finally, Leon shifted his gaze toward Sirius.

His purple eyes rested on the Prison Holy Sect leader for only a brief moment.

A hint of disappointment appeared in them.

He slowly shook his head.

"The Prison Holy Sect..."

"Heh..."

Only those few words.

Yet the disdain hidden within them struck far harder than any insult.

Without another glance, Leon turned around.

His midnight robes fluttered gently behind him as he walked away.

No one dared stop him.

No one dared speak.

The crowd silently watched his departing figure.

Then...

One after another, countless cultivators looked toward Sirius.

The expressions in their eyes had changed completely.

Some were disappointed.

Some were contemptuous.

Others simply sighed.

Everyone had witnessed today’s events from beginning to end.

An elder had devoted years of service to the Prison Holy Sect.

When disaster arrived...

He had been abandoned without hesitation.

Had Leon not shown mercy...

That elder would already be dead.

Who could wholeheartedly devote themselves to such a sect after witnessing this?

Compared to the Prison Holy Sect...

Celestis Academy presented a completely different picture.

Moments earlier, its elders and students had fought side by side.

They had shared honor and hardship together.

No one retreated.

No one abandoned another.

Life and death...

Victory and defeat...

They faced everything together.

Against that unwavering unity...

The contrast with the Prison Holy Sect was impossible to ignore.

--------------------

Leon wasn’t interested in staying any longer in the ruined battlefield.

The conflict with the Prison Holy Sect had finally come to an end. Across the shattered land, the surviving sects and academies had already begun withdrawing, each returning to tend to its own wounded. There was nothing left for Leon to accomplish here.

By now, Headmaster Mike had already led the main force of Celestis Academy toward Sky Breaker Academy. After Shera recovered alongside Maya, he gathered the remaining elders and disciples before leading them to reinforce Mike’s assault and put an end to Sky Breaker Academy once and for all.

Only Leon, Selena, and Rias remained behind.

Leon raised his eyes toward the western horizon.

The setting sun painted the endless forest in brilliant shades of crimson and gold. A gentle breeze drifted through the ancient trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves. The battlefield’s killing intent had faded, replaced by an unexpected calm.

"It’ll be dark soon..."

He thought quietly and quietly calculated the distance to Ashford City.

The journey back to the city would take time, and rushing through the dense vast Forest at night served little purpose.

Flying through the vast forest after sunset would only attract the attention of powerful nocturnal magical beasts.

"There are still plenty of things waiting for us tomorrow..."

Harry’s condition...

The Taylor family...

There were still many matters waiting for him tomorrow.

Harry’s condition...

The Taylor family...

The aftermath of today’s events...

And eventually rejoining the academy.

After a moment’s thought, Leon spoke calmly.

"Let’s go."

The three of them left the battlefield together.

Selena and Rias nodded together.

The three walked away from the battlefield.

After only a short distance, Leon chuckled.

"At this pace, we’ll still be walking after midnight."

The two women looked at him curiously.

"So..."

"My girls, come here."

Both blinked before obediently stepping closer.

Before either could react, Leon gently slipped an arm around each of their waists.

"What—"

"T - Teacher..."

With one smooth motion, he lifted both into the air.

The forest beneath them rapidly shrank.

Selena instinctively held onto his shoulder while Rias let out a surprised squeak before laughing.

"You could have warned us!"

Leon grinned.

"Would the surprise have been as fun?"

Rias pouted playfully.

"Absolutely not."

Selena shook her head with a helpless smile.

"You really enjoy catching people off guard."

"I only do it to people I trust."

Hearing that simple reply, both women exchanged warm smiles.

The evening wind rushed past as Leon carried them effortlessly through the sky.

Not long afterward, he descended into a quiet valley hidden deep within the vast forest.

A crystal-clear stream flowed beside a wall of ancient trees, while soft grass covered the ground beneath their feet.

Leon looked around with satisfaction.

"This place is perfect."

"Water nearby... natural shelter... and enough open space."

"A perfect campsite."

Rias glanced around in confusion.

"We’re not returning tonight?"

Leon shook his head.

"It’s already getting dark."

"We could reach the city if we rushed..."

"But why rush?"

He looked at both of them with a gentle smile.

"We’ve spent days fighting."

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