Grand Return System-Chapter 12: When the Mountain Breathes

When the Mountain Breathes

"Alright, there’s nothing particularly important. It’s about the Seven Division Martial Meeting in three months. I wanted to ask your Teacher whether the Amethyst Summit Division wants to participate this time?"

The wind curled along the cliffside — thin, crisp, carrying echoes across the valley.

The Amethyst Summit Division had only one student.

Seven participation slots.

Yet, as one branch of Celestis Academy, the Headmaster still needed to ask. He could leave no division unseen — it was a duty etched into his bones.

"Seven Division Martial Meeting..."

At the mention, Selena’s eyes brightened.

Leon had spoken of this before entering seclusion — the weight of it, the pride behind it, the chance to prove something to the world.

She lifted her chin.

"Headmaster, my Teacher told me about this before. The Amethyst Summit Division will participate."

"Good. Very good."Mike nodded, faint satisfaction glimmering in his gaze. He genuinely wanted to see how far this frost-born girl could grow in three months.

Shera snorted softly, disdain curling in his lips.

"It seems your Teacher has great confidence in this Martial Meeting."

Selena’s gaze turned calm — so calm it almost cut.

"Guardian Elder Shera, please don’t worry. During this Martial Meeting, I will definitely show mercy if I meet a student of Secret Sword Summit."

Her voice was gentle.

But the words?

A blade wrapped in silk.

Mana stirred around Shera’s shoulders as anger rushed into his veins.

"You arrogant little girl..."His teeth clenched. "Indeed — Teacher and student are alike. Do you really think you can learn anything following that trash of a Teacher?"

Selena’s brows knitted slightly — frost whispering beneath her skin.

"You don’t have to worry about that, Guardian Elder Shera. Worry about yourself first. If your student loses to a student taught by a ’useless’ Teacher like mine... that would be quite the slap to your face, wouldn’t it?"

"You—!"

Air caught in Shera’s throat.

He nearly coughed blood.

Quiet girl?

No.

Knife-tongued — just like Leon when pushed.

"Presumptuous!" he snapped. "Disrespectful to your elders — offending your superiors. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of your Teacher, so you’ll understand what respect is—"

He stepped forward—

—and then the mountain breathed.

A deep rumble rolled from the back mountain, shaking gravel loose, stirring the clouds.

Mana surged.

Pure. Vast. Terrifying.

Mike’s breath halted.

"Mm? This is..."

It wasn’t just strong.

It was oppressive — ancient, like the world itself exhaled through that presence.

"Could it be... that the other seniors of the Amethyst Summit Division aren’t dead after all?"

Even Shera turned pale.

Selena’s chest tightened — then flooded with joy.

"Teacher is out of seclusion!"

Moments ago, fear gnawed at her. Shera’s hostility had been real — and she knew how wide the gulf between their strength was.

But now—

That power resonating through the valley?

Familiar. Secure. The way sunlight feels when it hits closed eyelids.

Teacher...

"What? Leon...?"

Shock crawled across Shera and Mike’s faces.

Impossible.

The aura sweeping down from the back mountain—

GrandMaster Realm.

Yet Leon had been — publicly — only two-star Onyx Realm days ago.

A streak of cloud flashed overhead.

Then—

He appeared.

A figure stepped calmly through the air — and reality seemed to part to make way for him.

Black hair, loose at his shoulders, moved with the wind like shadows sliding across water. His robes — midnight, embroidered with thin threads of amethyst — billowed softly, carrying a quiet authority.

His eyes —

deep, quiet, purple like cold starlight in winter.

A presence both serene and dangerous.

Like someone who had seen the abyss...

...and walked back out by choice.

His aura didn’t scream power.

It whispered it.

Subtle. Terrifying. The kind that made the world itself hesitate before him.

He didn’t rush.

He simply stepped.

And in one stride, crossed the distance from the back mountain to the cliff.

Mike inhaled sharply.

He had seen teleportation before, but this...

If he wasn’t mistaken—

Leon did not teleport.

He bent distance.

That was a feat only those touching the edge of King Realm could control with such ease.

Beside him, Shera’s face drained of blood.

No way.

Four days ago — trash at Onyx two-stars.

Now—

Standing calmly at the threshold of the GrandMaster Realm...

possibly brushing against King Realm itself.

One conclusion rooted into Shera’s mind:

Leon had hidden his strength.

From everyone.

And it made sense.

Otherwise, how could someone like Respected Zeon choose him?

Selena bowed instantly, voice steady but filled with warmth.

"Student Selena welcomes Teacher from seclusion."

Leon nodded gently and helped her up, his touch light — reassuring.

"Alright. Get up."

With a single glance around, he already understood everything.

He turned his gaze toward Shera — smiling faintly, but there was steel buried beneath it.

"Senior Brother Shera," Leon said softly, "I heard... you wanted to help me teach my student?"

The wind went silent.

And for the first time since arriving, Shera truly felt it:

The mountain wasn’t forgotten.

It had simply been asleep.

And now...

it had opened its eyes.