Grand Return System-Chapter 18: Fire Beneath the Frost
Fire Beneath the Frost
"Seven Division Martial Meeting... interesting."
Facing the drop, Leon felt gusts pull against his dark robes - silver-stitched with purple strands. His mouth edged upward, quiet, sure.
"This time, I’ll surprise everyone."
Above, the sky went on without edge, thin and light. Quiet filled everything now, as if the earth waited, paused deep in thought.
Staring came from behind - Selena stood there. He could feel it before he turned.
Wind moves through pale strands that shine like metal. His gaze holds a cool hue, catching shapes in its depth. Something about him sits apart, not heavy with earthbound things. As though sky-laid hands shaped his form long ago.
Her chest fluttered.
What a looker... yet here I am, staring at my instructor. That one detail changes everything without saying much.
It seemed absurd - still, it thrilled her. In a single reckless moment, a different thought crept up without warning
How might things shift... were it possible to overcome him?
Fever burned across her face.
Something made Leon pivot. He stopped cold at the sight of her empty stare.
"Student, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
A jolt ran through Selena as she blinked into the moment. That bold idea came rushing back, catching her off guard. Heat climbed up her neck without warning. Her cheeks glowed before she could stop them.
"N-No. Not at all, Teacher." She looked away, pretending to be casual. "It’s windy here. Let’s go back."
Leon nodded.
"Alright, let’s go. We’ll find somewhere quiet - and see whether you’ve been neglecting your homework."
Her nervous look passed him by. Moving lightly, he made his way to the practice room. Behind him, Selena came along, fabric brushing softly against her ankles.
A hush met them when the door closed behind. Stillness already lived there, waiting.
Faint light danced along the torches. Through the rock, mana moved - quiet as roots beneath soil.
A hush fell as Selena held her breath, fingers locked together. Her pulse raced beneath still skin. The room watched, silent, waiting for motion.
Maybe he’d be glad. Or maybe it would sink his mood instead.
Down he sank into the chair, quiet. Stillness followed his move.
"Give me your hand."
Her throat tightened. Across the room she moved, then set her delicate fingers into his palm.
When he touched her wrist, she felt it instantly. Tiny sparks rose on her skin. Something moved inside her, sudden and sharp.
Leon didn’t notice.
Furrows appeared across his forehead.
"Fourth star of Mana Requirement?"
Into the silence he moved, calm and intent.
Clear paths ran through her mana channels. Bright, like moonlight on frozen water, her spirit center pulsed. Nothing shaky. Not a trace of harm found. Growth pushed forward, strong and rising.
For a second, he just stood there thinking.
Funny how the old elixir keeps doing its job... while the ice bones crank up every effect.
Just like it had been for her, really.
Floating through four relentless days - sucking in each sliver of energy - he broke into the fourth star of the Grandmaster Realm. A blur of principal hum and undying spark swirled inside his presence, throwing off any who dared measure it.
It made sense now, the reason he’d faced Shera without holding back.
Deep down, few ever noticed his real depth.
Facing him, Selena chewed on her lower lip.
"Teacher... my potential is still too low. I only reached the fourth star of Mana Requirement."
Quiet disappointment lived in her voice. Not loud, just there. Her shoulders dipped slightly, almost unnoticed. It felt like she hadn’t met what he wanted. Almost as if the weight came from inside.
Over by the window, Leon rolled his eyes.
"You broke through to the fourth star in four days. What else do you want? Wings?"
With a small sound from his mouth, he shook his head slightly.
"You can only talk like that in front of me. If you go outside saying nonsense like that, someone will beat you to death."
A flicker of irritation slipped through his stillness.
Still light-years from unlocking their initial breakthrough, Secret Sword Summit’s prodigy lagged behind. Yet here she stood, ranked fourth, convinced her talent barely scraped average.
Back when I started - could those years of shame ever have happened if my efforts looked more like this?
"Ah..."
Her eyes fluttered open, caught off guard by the sudden edge in his voice.
A hush passed through the room, brief as a breath. Slowly, the tight air gave way, shifting into warmth laced with quiet laughter hidden just behind his firm look.
The training? It hadn’t even properly started yet.
