[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-137":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},1080307,1397,"Chapter 137: Ashes Beneath the Pride","grand-return-system-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>Ashes Beneath the Pride\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside the Secret Sword Summit right now\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy quiet filled the room like a weight. The air held still, thick and unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stretch of space opened up inside, its walls made of pale stone that held onto silence instead of heat. Light from a swaying lamp crept down the edges, throwing jagged silhouettes - like fingers frozen mid-grip - over cracked flagstones. Smoke traces clung low, though they couldn’t hide the snap of broken beams or the hush of disturbed grit rising between breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the bed, pieces of a shattered table rested in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed, Shera slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was uneven at first, chest rising and falling as if he had just climbed out of deep water. But the moment awareness returned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So did everything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned pale. Then darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera sat up abruptly, his robes wrinkled, his hair slightly disheveled—nothing like the composed authority he usually carried. His fingers tightened slowly against the edge of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That scene...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It replayed again and again in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word spoken like a blade wrapped in silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Leon... we are irreconcilable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cracked through the chamber like thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and slammed it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The already damaged table beside him shattered completely, collapsing into splinters that scattered across the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned—but heavier now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera didn’t even glance at the mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest rose sharply, breath uneven. For a few moments, he simply sat there, eyes burning, as if trying to swallow something that refused to go down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the door—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of students stood stiffly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already heard everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of them exchanged uneasy glances, their backs straight, their expressions tight. Some clenched their fists unconsciously. Others lowered their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew what was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were waiting for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Shera closed his eyes briefly, forcing himself to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to regain control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least... enough to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of you... come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was lower now—but no less dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words fell, the door opened almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students hurried in, one after another, like prisoners walking into judgment. No one dared meet his eyes. Their steps were careful, restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere turned suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera looked at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lingered—not just on their faces, but on their posture, their hesitation, their silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That silence made something inside him snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph... a bunch of trash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was cold now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each word dropped like stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Secret Sword Summit has been shamed today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single breath out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You strut around every day,\" he continued, his tone rising again, \"acting like you’re the number one in the world with just this little ability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re arrogant. Blind. You don’t take anyone seriously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Secret Sword Summit has become the laughing stock of the entire academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you happy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because they didn’t have words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because none of them believed any word would save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s expression darkened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more they stayed silent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more useless they looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the more it burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That name surfaced again in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast hit him harder than the defeat itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Division leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were Leon’s students like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even their presence felt... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera looked at the group in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowered heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoiding eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bitter thought surfaced—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I... inferior to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment that thought appeared, his jaw clenched hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was still a student, he had stood above almost everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Headmaster Mike could suppress him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become the leader of Secret Sword Summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A peak figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet his students...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t even compare to the weakest division before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That truth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was harder to accept than defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher... I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice finally broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second Secret Sword Summit student stepped forward, his head lowered deeply, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s our fault for embarrassing you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please... punish us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t dare look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Punish you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone dropped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But far more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can punishing you... restore the reputation of my Secret Sword Summit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words cut deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student’s body stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the answer was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera turned his gaze away, clearly losing interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anger didn’t disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It just... changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From rage—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To something colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the crowd, Cassie stood quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Shera, at the broken room, at the trembling students...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And something inside him sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this... is what it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts were quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, everything had been about reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single word about whether they were injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single question about what happened on the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassie lowered his gaze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So... in his eyes... we’re just tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tools that either bring glory—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint bitterness spread in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I choose this place...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He questioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had been Amethyst Summit Division...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it be different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only... weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shera’s face remained dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to speak again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was slightly rushed, as if he had come in a hurry. There was still a trace of energy lingering around him—the aftermath of a recent battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just finished crushing his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A victory he would normally be proud of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he heard Shera had fainted...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything else became irrelevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes immediately locked onto the figure on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief flashed across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father... are you alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1117,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.787Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","781ebb09810990c3847df085c6e9614f9d33241bb9521920753acaf8172dab96","grand-return-system-chapter-138","grand-return-system-chapter-136",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]