Grand Return System-Chapter 31: Ripples Beneath Still Water

Ripples Beneath Still Water

A day passed quickly.

The sky over the Celestis Academy shifted from gold to violet and back to pale blue again, as though nothing had happened.

But something had.

Maya returned to Holy Water Division with Sana at her side.

"Teacher, you’re back..."

The stream that wound through the division shimmered like liquid sapphire. Clear water flowed over smooth white stones, reflecting the sky above. A group of beautiful young women had been playing in the shallows, sleeves rolled, laughter drifting with the breeze. At the sight of Maya, they immediately stood, water dripping from their hems, and bowed respectfully.

Such a routine had always been normal in Holy Water Division.

But today...

Maya’s state of mind was no longer the same.

The image of Selena — serene, silver-haired, already a one-star Onyx Realm cultivator after only five days — would not leave her thoughts.

Pressure pressed against her chest like a silent mountain.

A student who had just entered the academy... already at one-star Onyx Realm.

And her own prized students?

Other than the older ones, most were still circling in the Mana Requirement stage, complacent and comfortable.

"Have you finished your homework?"

Her tone was sharper than usual.

Among the disciples, a young woman in blue robes stiffened.

This was Amaya.

She had long black hair that fell smoothly down her back, glossy as ink beneath sunlight. Her black eyes were bright yet slightly startled. Her blue robe — tailored cleanly to her slender figure — was tied at the waist with a pale sash. The fabric followed the lines of her narrow waist before falling into soft folds that brushed her hips. There was grace in her posture, but also youth. Delicate — yet undeniably attractive.

"M-Master! It’s all done..." Amaya replied, her voice trembling slightly.

She had rarely seen Maya this serious.

Something must have happened.

"All of you only know how to play," Maya’s voice cut across the stream, crisp as cold wind. "There are only three months until the Seven Division Martial Meeting. Do you think your positions are secure? Do you think talent alone is enough?"

The laughter from moments ago had vanished.

"The other divisions are already preparing. Only you remain carefree."

Her eyes hardened.

"Do you all believe yourselves so exceptional that cultivation is optional? That no one can surpass you?"

The words came faster now.

"In terms of talent, First Division has Kevin. Secret Sword Summit has Shan. Which one of you can defeat them? Even Amethyst Summit Division — once considered the weakest — now has a student who entered five days ago and has already reached one-star Onyx Realm. What about you?"

The stream felt colder.

Amaya lowered her head.

"Teacher... we know we were wrong. We’ll cultivate immediately."

Her voice carried both fear and shame.

"Amaya," Maya continued, quieter but no less firm. "As the eldest student, you must set the example. I do not expect you to win first place. I only ask that you do not embarrass me."

With that, Maya turned and left.

Her back looked straight.

But there was loneliness in it.

Sana remained standing by the water, suddenly feeling small.

The moment Maya disappeared from sight, the other senior sisters surrounded her.

"Little Junior Sister, what happened?"

"I’ve never seen Teacher this angry..."

Sana glanced in the direction Maya had gone, then lowered her gaze.

"Teacher brought me to Amethyst Summit Division today. The teacher there... Leon... he’s not weak at all. He’s extremely powerful. And his student — she’s been in the academy five days and is already one-star Onyx Realm."

Silence.

Then—

"What?!"

The group froze.

One-star Onyx Realm in five days?

Some of them had trained for three years and were still struggling to break past Mana Requirement.

"How is that possible?" someone whispered.

Wasn’t Amethyst Summit Division supposed to be the weakest among the Seven Division?

Wasn’t its teacher, Leon, rumored to be useless?

Amaya frowned, thinking deeply.

"No wonder Teacher is angry," she murmured. "Even the lowest-ranked division has surpassed us."

She looked at her fellow sisters, eyes now steady.

"From tomorrow onward, everyone cultivates seriously. Three months remain. In these three months, each of you must rise at least one star."

Groans followed.

But under Amaya’s cold glare, they swallowed their complaints.

In Holy Water Division, aside from Maya, Amaya’s word carried weight.

Meanwhile...

The atmosphere at Secret Sword Summit was entirely different.

Shera was pacing inside the dojo, eyes dark.

"Ha! Foolish man. You dare make a bet with me? Are you asking to be humiliated?"

His voice echoed against the stone walls.

At that moment, a handsome young man stepped inside.

"Father, why did you call me?"

This was Shan — the eldest senior brother of Secret Sword Summit, Shera’s treasured son.

Shera doted on him greatly.

Shan was gifted — talented enough to rival Kevin if he chose to focus.

But that was the problem.

His thoughts were rarely on cultivation.

Instead, he preferred flirting, charming, playing games with the hearts of women.

Shera had long been frustrated.

How did I, an upright and outstanding man, produce such a reckless son?

Seeing Shan now only reignited yesterday’s irritation.

"You will restrain yourself for the time being," Shera said coldly. "Focus on the Martial Meeting. I made a bet with Leon. If you lose to Amethyst Summit Division in three months... you will answer to me."

Shan laughed lightly.

"Leon? That so-called trash teacher? Father, you worry too much. He couldn’t even defeat me. How strong could his student be? Relax. I’ll win the Martial Meeting."

His confidence bordered on arrogance.

Within the academy, aside from Kevin, he feared no one.

Despite his indulgent lifestyle, his cultivation wasn’t low. His refined appearance and smooth demeanor attracted countless women.

Beneath that elegance, however, was calculation.

Shera’s expression hardened.

"You are complacent. Do you truly believe Leon is as the rumors say? Even I cannot see through him clearly."

Shan’s smile faded.

"You’d better behave these next three months. Secret Sword Summit and Amethyst Summit Division have never been on good terms. If he finds leverage against you, I may not be able to protect you."

Killing intent flickered in Shan’s eyes.

"What do you mean? He dares?"

His father was Shera — Disciplinary Elder of the Celestis Academy and head of Secret Sword Summit. Second only to the Headmaster in authority.

How could Leon dare?

Shera’s voice lowered.

"If not for accompanying the Headmaster yesterday, I would not have realized how deeply he hid his strength. Ten years of humiliation — and he endured it in silence."

His gaze turned cold.

"But no matter how deeply he hides, it won’t matter. In three months, at the Martial Meeting, I will humiliate him in front of all divisions."

He looked directly at his son.

"For these three months, you are not allowed to leave the division. Cultivate."

Shan nodded.

No matter how indulgent he was, this was family honor.

"Father, don’t worry," he said calmly. "We will definitely win..."

The storm was gathering.

And three months later—

Only one division would stand smiling in the center of the arena.