[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-155":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},1080225,1397,"Chapter 155: The Calm Before the Final Storm","grand-return-system-chapter-155",155,"\u003Cp>The Calm Before the Final Storm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the arena, Blaise struggled to stand up from the ground with a dejected expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust clung to his robes. His grip on the sword had loosened at some point, fingers trembling faintly as if they still remembered the cold that had pierced through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were unfocused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from injury—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not figure out why he would lose to a new student who had just entered the Celestis Academy a few months ago. Was the Amethyst Summit Division really that terrifying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question circled in his mind, over and over, with no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around the south Arena, voices dropped into hushed murmurs. Even those who had mocked or doubted earlier now wore expressions of quiet shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That girl...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s only been here a few months...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is that even possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could quite make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena descended slowly from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a falling snowflake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were light, precise, without the slightest wasted motion. The cold aura around her faded, but not completely—it lingered, subtle, like frost that refused to melt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long silver hair swayed gently as she landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, she turned her wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Amethyst Mist Sword slid back into its sheath with a soft, clean sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flourish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No glance toward Blaise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t leave the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply stood there... waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a blade planted into the earth, waiting for the next hand to grasp it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months of nothing but training...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days blurred into nights. Hunger forgotten. Sleep abandoned. Every breath, every drop of effort poured into a single purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lifted faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secret Sword Summit...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way Shera had looked at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way their division had been dismissed... crushed beneath quiet ridicule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint chill flickered in her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today... I return everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side of the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya staggered back slightly, breath uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest rose and fell with visible strain, strands of her black hair clinging lightly to her cheeks. The earlier rounds had drained her more than she expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Shan...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how hard she tried—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t force him to reveal his ultimate move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each exchange had felt like striking a wall that refused to crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened around her weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is his level...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from her, Shan stood steady, his expression calm—almost indifferent. His black eyes held no urgency, no tension... just quiet confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, more than anything—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Made it suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the edge of the arena, Maya watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands were clasped tightly together, knuckles pale beneath her sleeves. Her usually graceful expression was strained now, eyes locked onto Amaya with growing unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could already see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya let out a quiet breath, her shoulders sinking ever so slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no turning this around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap was too clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final exchange came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya gathered what little strength she had left, her aura flaring weakly but stubbornly. She stepped forward, forcing one last push—her technique sharp, desperate, carrying everything she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan didn’t retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body shifted just enough to avoid the core of her attack, his hand guiding his weapon in a smooth arc. There was no wasted motion—no excess power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just perfect timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attacks met—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya’s weapon trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her strength collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force behind Shan’s counter pushed through her defense like water breaking a fragile dam. Her footing faltered, body stumbling backward as the last of her Mana dispersed into nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in a spectacular clash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in a quiet, undeniable difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood there for a second... then lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the side, Maya closed her eyes briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled again, softer this time, the weight in her chest finally settling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya had fallen in the top four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t advance any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no disappointment in Maya’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a quiet, bittersweet acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, the Holy Water Division was no longer the second last. All the effort, all the resources she had poured into Amaya... it wasn’t wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya slowly walked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step felt heavier than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes glistened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she reached Maya, she stopped... then lowered her head, voice trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher... I’m sorry to disappoint you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, refusing to fall—but refusing to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remembered everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The careful guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silent expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t bring back the result her Teacher deserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t enough...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya reached out gently, her fingers brushing away the tears at the corners of Amaya’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her touch was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silly girl,\" she said softly, a faint smile touching her lips, \"why are you crying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried no blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m already very gratified that you’re able to reach this step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaya froze for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her shoulders trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from sadness this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Amaya’s defeat, the final curtain rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The championship battle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Leon, who had remained relaxed until now, leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long black hair slid over his shoulders, the faint amethyst embroidery on his midnight robes catching the light. His purple eyes narrowed just a fraction, attention sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now... it gets interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the stage—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a sword drawn and waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint chill around her hadn’t fully faded. It lingered in the air, subtle but unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze locked onto hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan’s expression darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory surfaced—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silent pressure that had been building within him all this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air around him shifted—just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold and controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It settled in his chest, steady as a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan stared at her coldly. anger rose from his heart as he thought back to the humiliation his father and him had experienced during this period of time.\u003C\u002Fp>",1096,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","f8a40f71a06ed328bac42f52a233b584904491b466260523a4445fb739a03c09","grand-return-system-chapter-156","grand-return-system-chapter-154",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]