Grand Return System

Chapter 136: A Gift Too Heavy

A Gift Too Heavy

"Although my junior sister entered the academy later, Teacher was worried she wouldn’t be able to catch up to her peers... and gave her a precious bone of a King Realm beast."

"Hiss..."

The reaction came instantly.

Sharp.

Uncontrolled.

The moment Selena’s words settled in the air, the entire inner circle seemed to freeze.

Then—

Whispers exploded.

"A... precious bone of a King Realm beast?"

"That kind of treasure... he just gave it away?"

"Is that even real...?"

Even those who had tried to remain calm could no longer hold their composure.

Because they all understood one thing—

That wasn’t just a treasure.

That was something even powerful elders would fight for with their lives.

And Leon...

...gave it to his student.

Just like that.

—

Maya stood there quietly.

But inside—

Her thoughts had already gone far away.

That bone...

She knew exactly what Selena was talking about.

The Inferno Long from the wasteland.

A King Realm beast.

A treasure born from blood, death, and luck.

She had seen it.

Felt it.

Even now, just remembering it made her mana stir faintly.

At that time—

She had believed Leon would absorb it himself.

That would have been the most natural choice.

The smartest choice.

But instead...

He gave it away.

To his student.

Maya’s fingers tightened slightly at her side.

...This man...

Her brows furrowed faintly.

He treats them too well.

And then—

A strange thought slipped in.

Uninvited.

Uncontrolled.

Why... isn’t he like that with me...?

She paused.

Her own thought startled her.

A faint trace of confusion crossed her eyes.

...What am I thinking?

She turned her gaze slightly, hiding that brief flicker.

But the feeling didn’t disappear.

It stayed.

Quiet.

Lingering.

—

Back then—

She had been just one step away from breaking through to the sage Realm.

Just one.

If she had that precious bone...

Things might have been different.

She wouldn’t have spent those months grinding, struggling, forcing herself forward step by step.

But—

It wasn’t hers.

And she had no right to ask.

So she endured.

Silently.

—

Now, hearing it again—

It stirred something deeper.

Not just regret.

Something more... personal.

—

"Wow..."

Sana’s voice broke the silence.

She looked at Rias with wide, shining eyes.

"Your Teacher... is really too good to you."

There was no jealousy in her tone this time.

Only pure, honest envy.

Rias smiled softly.

Her expression carried pride—but also something warmer.

"Of course."

Her voice was gentle.

"Teacher’s kindness to us... is as heavy as a mountain."

Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of her robe, almost unconsciously.

"He never hides anything from us."

—

Sana’s expression dimmed slightly.

Just a little.

She remembered—

Those rumors from before.

All those words people used to describe Leon.

Cold.

Useless.

Unworthy.

And she...

Had believed them.

She had even—

Tried to persuade Selena to leave.

Thinking she was helping her.

A faint bitterness rose in her chest.

How ridiculous...

Her lips pressed together.

If I were her... I would never leave.

Not in this lifetime.

Not for anything.

—

She let out a soft breath.

Then smiled again.

Sincere this time.

"Selena... I really envy you."

Her voice carried warmth—but also something fragile.

"You have a Teacher who cares about you this much."

She looked at her, eyes clear.

"When you become strong in the future..."

Her smile trembled just slightly.

"...don’t forget me, okay?"

—

Selena froze for a second.

Then—

Her expression softened.

Completely.

She stepped closer.

Gently reached out—

And patted Sana’s head.

"What nonsense are you saying?"

Her voice was quiet.

But firm.

"We grew up together."

Her eyes were steady.

"That won’t change."

"Not in the past."

"Not in the future."

—

Sana lowered her gaze slightly.

"...I hope so."

Her voice was soft.

Almost lost.

Because deep down—

She understood something.

The path of cultivation...

Was not kind.

Not fair.

The stronger Selena became—

The further she would go.

And her...

If she stayed like this—

Would she even be able to stand beside her in the future?

Or would she—

Fade into the background?

A face in the crowd.

Someone forgotten.

—

Her fingers tightened slightly.

I... don’t want that.

But wanting...

Didn’t change reality.

—

Maya watched everything.

Quietly.

Her gaze rested on Sana for a moment.

Then shifted away.

She didn’t say anything.

Because she understood.

Too well.

The Holy Water Division had many students.

Resources were limited.

She couldn’t give everything to one person.

She couldn’t be like Leon.

Selfless.

Unreasonable.

Overwhelming.

—

Every time she compared herself to him—

Something inside her felt... unsettled.

Back then, when she took over the Holy Water Division—

She believed she was doing well.

More than well.

But now—

That confidence felt... shaken.

"...That man..."

She muttered softly under her breath.

A faint, helpless smile appeared.

"He really knows how to hit where it hurts..."

—

She exhaled.

Then looked back at Selena and Rias.

Her expression returned to calm.

But her eyes were gentler now.

"With the help of that precious bone..."

She said slowly.

"It’s natural for you to progress this fast."

Her gaze sharpened slightly.

"But remember—"

Her voice lowered.

Firm.

"Power is not everything."

"Your Teacher has given you more than others could ever hope for."

A brief pause.

"Don’t waste it."

Her eyes lingered on them.

"Don’t let him down."

—

Rias straightened slightly.

Selena’s expression turned serious.

Both of them nodded.

They didn’t need reminders.

They already knew.

Better than anyone.

—

Selena stepped forward slightly.

Her voice calm.

Sincere.

"Respected Maya, don’t worry."

Her eyes were steady.

"We will not disappoint Teacher."

A small pause.

Then—

Her tone softened.

"I don’t seek anything else."

Her fingers curled slightly at her side.

"I just want... to stand beside him one day."

"To help him."

"As a way of repaying everything he has given us."

Rias didn’t speak.

But she nodded lightly.

Her usual playful expression was gone.

Only seriousness remained.

Maya watched them.

And slowly—

She nodded.

"...Good."

A faint sense of relief passed through her.

These two—

Were not ungrateful.

Not reckless.

Leon had chosen well.

—

"I’m relieved that you think this way."

She said softly.

Then—

Turned away.

Her gaze returning to the arena.

Where battles continued.

Where students fought, struggled, chased something far ahead.

But for a brief moment—

Her thoughts drifted again.

Back to that man.

That calm figure.

That quiet, dangerous smile.

"...Leon."

Her lips moved slightly.

So soft—

No one heard it.