[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-121":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grand Return System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1080291,1397,"Chapter 121: The Opening Move","grand-return-system-chapter-121",121,"\u003Cp>The Opening Move\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike’s announcement struck the entire Celestis Academy like thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, the martial arena fell into stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers erupted everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students looked at one another with wide eyes, excitement burning in their gazes. The promise of the Mana Guidance Fruit was simply too tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people’s breathing even became heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The competition had not even officially begun—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the battle had already started in everyone’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it quietly ignited beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the elevated platform where the division leaders stood, Shera cast a sideways glance toward Leon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corner of his lips lifted slightly in a mocking smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like Junior Brother Leon is determined to get this reward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried a faint hint of ridicule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nearby quietly turned their attention toward Leon, curious about his response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon seemed momentarily surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single blink came first, followed by a quiet laugh - like the thought was secretly funny. Then again, maybe it just caught him off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother must be joking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That quiet tone of his carried through the room. A stillness sat inside each word he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Amethyst Summit Division has very few people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And my students are still inexperienced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker passed across his fingers as they skimmed the dark fabric. Smiling like it meant nothing, he carried on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll just treat this Martial Meeting as a grand occasion to play around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t have any thoughts about this reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several division leaders almost rolled their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Play around?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one believed a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon’s reputation inside Celestis Academy was already well known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had a bad habit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He liked to pretend to be weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly erupt and stun everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people still remembered the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days after entering the academy—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His student had already reached the first star of the Onyx Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months had passed since then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew how far she had progressed now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masters exchanged silent glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid is lying again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Leon’s student inherited even half his personality—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was probably doing the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pretending to be harmless while secretly preparing to shock the entire academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of them exposed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone simply cursed silently in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Maya gently tugged the edge of Leon’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sky-blue robes shimmered softly in the sunlight as she leaned slightly closer and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried a trace of concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don’t you look nervous at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blue eyes flickered toward Shera standing not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Shera has been waiting for this day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If your Amethyst Summit Division loses...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won’t miss the chance to humiliate you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he slowly turned his head toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, the way he looked at her made Maya suddenly feel slightly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Sister...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you worried about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s cheeks immediately flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go to hell!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who’s worried about you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared at him angrily, but the redness spreading across her face betrayed her embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’d better be eliminated in the first round.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That way I won’t have to worry about Holy Water Division being last!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She huffed and quickly turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost like a thief escaping the scene—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slipped back into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon watched her leave and shrugged lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile lingered on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being at the bottom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t going to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And humiliating him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera would need far more ability than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drawing ceremony began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students lined up one by one to draw their match tokens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process took some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, small waves of discussion broke out among the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everything finished, Shera stepped forward and delivered a brief speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of it was the usual formal talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assuring everyone that the referee group would maintain absolute fairness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the competition would be conducted with integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That no faction would receive special treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present silently added one thought in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except Secret Sword Summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Shera finished speaking, people began leaving the platform area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the first day of the Martial Meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the training ground, eight arenas had already been constructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each arena was large and elevated, surrounded by protective formations to prevent stray attacks from injuring spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students began moving toward their assigned arenas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon said a brief farewell to Mike, then returned to where his students were waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he approached—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena and Rias stopped their quiet discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could say anything, Harry Taylor suddenly burst out complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Shera is really shameless!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He actually tampered with the drawing of lots!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry’s face was full of indignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon didn’t react much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment the reward was announced, he had already guessed Shera would do something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But honestly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schemes only worked when strength was equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the difference in strength became too large—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No trick could change the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon’s gaze slowly moved toward his two students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena stood quietly with her sword at her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long silver-white hair swayed softly in the breeze, her blue eyes calm and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sign of nervousness on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Rias stood with a relaxed posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her red silk robes flowed lightly around her slender waist, the gold sash accentuating the graceful curve of her hips. Her bright red eyes sparkled with curiosity rather than worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them seemed affected by the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon felt satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mental composure alone was already better than many students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted toward Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man was still muttering angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon looked at him with open disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry completely ignored it and continued ranting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That guy is really shameless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He can’t win openly, so he plays dirty tricks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is only the first match...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Sister Selena and Sister Rias already drew opponents from Secret Sword Summit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed dramatically toward the arena list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Selena is fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what if Sister Rias holds back and loses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry slapped his forehead dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wouldn’t that embarrass our Amethyst Summit Division completely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1054,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.787Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","20140fc73d11ce9009ced1ef6144359c53da8c69526f1db8c5521e6542e5e797","grand-return-system-chapter-122","grand-return-system-chapter-120",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]