Grand Return System-Chapter 111: The Demon’s Maw

The Demon’s Maw

A mechanical voice echoed quietly inside Leon’s mind.[Ding...][You taught your student Moonlight Flicker Strike.][Triggering Critical Hit Return.][Activate?]

Leon didn’t react immediately.

For a brief second, he just stood there—still, composed, as if weighing something invisible. Then the corner of his lips curved, subtle but certain.

"Activate."

[Congratulations.][You have obtained Heaven-grade secret technique: Hell Maw Strike.]

That small smile deepened, just a fraction.

Perfect.

That—was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Not luck. Not coincidence.

A result.

Another prompt appeared in his mind.

[Do you want to learn?]

Leon let out a quiet breath, almost like a laugh that never fully formed.

"Yes."

The moment he confirmed—

It hit him.

Not gently. Not slowly.

A torrent.

Ancient knowledge surged into his mind like a river breaking through a dam—violent, overwhelming, unstoppable. Symbols, patterns, fragments of sword intent... all of it flooding in at once.

His fingers twitched slightly at his side.

Sword scriptures unfolded before his inner vision.Complex mana circulation routes carved themselves into his instincts.Killing intent—raw, suffocating—compressed and refined into precise, lethal movements.

Leon closed his eyes, just barely.

Not to escape it—

but to embrace it.

The chaos settled almost instantly under his control.

Within seconds, he grasped it.

Not partially. Not vaguely.

Completely.

The full structure of the Hell Maw Strike laid itself bare in his mind—every angle, every flow, every intention behind the blade.

And what he saw... made his heartbeat slow.

It was far more ferocious than the Moonlight Flicker Strike he had just taught.

Where Moonlight Flicker was swift, elegant, almost deceptive—this...

was brutality given form.

The technique didn’t just aim to cut.

It aimed to devour.

To tear through anything standing in its path without hesitation, without mercy.A sword path forged purely for destruction.

A demon-like killing aura lingered within it—thick, oppressive, as if the technique itself hungered for blood.

Leon’s eyes opened again.

Dark. Calm.

But deeper than before.

"...So this is what you’re hiding," he murmured under his breath, voice low, almost thoughtful.

Not fear.

Not hesitation.

Just... interest.

Meanwhile—

Selena stood near the lake completely unaware of what had just happened inside Leon’s mind.

She was too busy enjoying the sword technique she had just learned.

"Ha!"

She stepped forward lightly.

Her slender body moved gracefully between the bamboo shadows.

The silver strands of her long hair swayed gently with every motion.

In her hand—

A sword flashed.

SWISH!

A streak of pale sword light cut through the air.

The lake surface rippled again.

Selena’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Teacher, I like this sword technique very much!"

She turned toward Leon with bright enthusiasm.

"I will definitely cultivate it well and not let you down."

Her voice was full of confidence.

Leon watched her quietly.

Selena continued practicing.

Her movements were smooth.

Elegant.

Even though her strike didn’t reach the terrifying power Leon displayed earlier—

The technique already carried impressive sword intent.

With her current strength, she could easily defeat opponents whose cultivation level was higher than hers.

Selena raised her sword again.

But before she could strike—

Leon spoke.

"Disciple."

Selena stopped immediately.

She turned.

"Yes, Teacher?"

Leon looked at her calmly.

"Although this sword technique is strong..."

"...it’s not the strongest."

Selena blinked.

"???"

Her mind froze for a moment.

Not the strongest?

A realization slowly appeared in her mind.

Her eyes widened.

"Teacher... do you mean—"

"—you have an even stronger sword technique?"

Leon didn’t answer immediately.

But his faint smile was already enough.

Selena’s heart started beating faster.

Her beautiful blue eyes shone with anticipation.

Leon slowly spoke.

"The Martial Meeting is approaching."

"You will represent Amethyst Summit Division this time."

Selena’s expression became serious.

Leon continued.

"Your junior sister Rias has only recently joined the academy."

"Her cultivation is still shallow."

"She will only observe this time."

Leon turned slightly and looked toward the distant bamboo forest.

"Therefore..."

"The honor and reputation of Amethyst Summit Division will depend entirely on you."

Selena straightened unconsciously.

She could feel the weight of responsibility settle onto her shoulders.

But instead of fear—

Her eyes filled with determination.

Leon continued calmly.

"After thinking carefully..."

"I have decided to teach you another technique."

"A ruthless one."

"For your protection."

Selena felt warmth rise inside her chest.

Her teacher... had been thinking about her safety all along.

She clenched her fists slightly.

"Teacher!"

"Don’t worry!"

Her voice carried strong conviction.

"I will not disappoint you."

"Our Amethyst Summit Division will definitely not lose to Secret Sword Summit."

Leon nodded slightly.

Selena then stepped closer to him.

Her silver hair shimmered beneath the sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves.

She stood directly in front of Leon.

Leon raised his right hand slowly.

His palm rested gently on the top of her head.

The moment his hand touched her—

Mana surged.

A powerful scripture instantly flowed into Selena’s mind.

It felt like a blazing star exploding inside her consciousness.

Ancient sword diagrams.

Mana pathways.

Terrifying sword intent.

Everything appeared inside her thoughts.

Selena’s body trembled.

Her eyes widened.

"This...!"

Her breathing became uneven.

"A Heaven-grade sword technique...?"

Her lips parted slightly in shock.

"Hell Maw Strike?"

She inhaled sharply.

"Hiss..."

Just hearing the name made her feel the terrifying aura contained within the technique.

She immediately began analyzing it mentally.

The more she examined it—

The more shocked she became.

This sword technique was unbelievably powerful.

Far stronger than any sword technique she had learned before.

The technique gathered mana violently—

Then exploded forward like a demon tearing open the world.

If combined with her Hell Blizzard Technique—

The destructive power would become even more terrifying.

Even challenging opponents several stars above her realm wouldn’t be impossible.

Selena’s heart raced.

She slowly looked up at Leon.

Her teacher stood calmly before her as if everything he had just given her was completely insignificant.

Gratitude filled her chest.

Without hesitation—

Selena dropped to her knees.

"Teacher..."

She bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Her voice trembled slightly with emotion.

At this moment—

She didn’t know how to express the feelings in her heart.