[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-153":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},1080223,1397,"Chapter 153: A Blade That Doesn’t Rush","grand-return-system-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>A Blade That Doesn’t Rush\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena rose tall inside the ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade sat in her grip - no motion, no warning, simply there. As if meant to be. As though time itself remembered it that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hush moved across the open space, tugging light threads of her pale hair into motion. Fabric swayed near her skin, grazing it like breath barely heard at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when she stepped forward -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shift passed through the space near her. Quiet, but impossible to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise sat on the opposite side, his eyes staying on her without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easygoing, courteous - yet his gaze stayed alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Sister Selena,\" he said, raising his sword slightly in greeting, \"please guide me in battle later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hush fell, his grin shifting just slightly, now edged with something harder to name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don’t embarrass me too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter bubbled up among those sitting close by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like modesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone knew -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy truth pressed into each syllable. Words carried more than sound that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena turned her eyes toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little movement of her head showed agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of stillness crossed Blaise’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small jerk tugged at one side of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came out wrong. Not my intention at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft exhale slipped out as he tilted his head just a fraction. The motion carried doubt without words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just being polite...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low words slipped out, just loud enough to catch. A hush hung around each syllable, like smoke thinning in air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...why does it feel like she already decided I’ll lose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face showed nothing like pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That silence felt heavier than words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tightened his grip on his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then steadied himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That makes it interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya and Shan had already stepped into position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension there was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Referee Elder’s voice cut through everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both arenas exploded into motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan moved first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and struck with his palm, his body flowing forward like a sudden wave crashing against the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just pure force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air cracked under the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya’s expression tightened as she raised her guard, Mana gathering around her arms like flowing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword left its sheath with a clean, sharp sound—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Sister, here I go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a trace of excitement now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone was the earlier politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, his blade cutting through the air in a precise arc, Mana surging along its edge like a flowing current.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike was clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wrist turned slightly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword case in her hand shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pushed it forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two forces collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of air exploded outward, kicking up dust across the arena floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise’s expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t go through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t even hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was... erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cleanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like his attack had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the stage, Headmaster Mike’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew Blaise’s strength better than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was not casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t even force Selena to draw her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just how far has she gone...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise stepped back instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That... wasn’t normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no backlash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena walked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise attacked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword flickered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One strike became three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three became five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one sharper than the last, slicing through the air with increasing pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Selena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step perfectly placed, her body weaving through the attacks like wind slipping through branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her white robe fluttered as she moved—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not hurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But smooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost... graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes locked onto her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because what they were seeing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t feel like a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is she even trying...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is she dodging like that...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s not even using her full strength...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias crossed her arms, a faint smile forming on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s still warming up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena’s figure blurred slightly as she shifted her footing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another strike passed just inches from her shoulder—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaise’s breathing grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from exhaustion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t touch her...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every attack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every angle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like he was fighting someone who already knew everything he was about to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rias watched quietly, her eyes reflecting the flow of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the past month...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve sparred with her every day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile deepened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know exactly how terrifying her sword techniques are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This level...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...isn’t enough to make her go all out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena finally stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lifted—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Blaise’s directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something in them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this is all you have...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then this fight will end soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air tightened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Blaise felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Grand Return System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With love,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scoturn777\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creator of Grand Return System\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------------------\u003C\u002Fp>",1036,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","8a18a8533f9c4a85e244c3ba36226c6e6feace30f8e004253d5c47e864833efd","grand-return-system-chapter-154","grand-return-system-chapter-152",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]