Grand Return System-Chapter 58: The Weight of a Sage

The Weight of a Sage

The night had not yet fully settled when it happened.

Leon was still immersed in the subtle circulation of his newly stabilized Mana. Every vein felt clearer. Every breath felt heavier. The Prime Dragon’s refinement lingered in his marrow like molten gold cooling into iron.

He simply wanted to feel it.

Just a little more.

Without thinking, he allowed a strand of aura to leak.

It wasn’t deliberate.

It was excitement.

A sage Realm’s pressure — even restrained — was no small thing.

The lake shuddered first. Ripples exploded outward as though something enormous had plunged into its depths. The surrounding trees bent violently. Loose gravel lifted from the ground.

Then—

Boom.

Three soft bodies hit the earth almost at the same time.

"Ah—!"

A muffled thump.

Selena’s slender frame dropped to one knee, silver hair whipping wildly. Rias staggered back two steps before collapsing onto her hands, her red silk robe spreading around her like a fallen flower. Akeno gritted her teeth, her long purple hair lifting as she struggled — then finally sank to one knee with a dull impact.

The air grew unbearably heavy.

Breathing felt like inhaling stone.

Leon’s pupils contracted.

Oh shit.

In an instant, he forcefully withdrew his aura, the golden traces on his skin receding completely. The overwhelming pressure of a sage Realm folded back into his body like a tide returning to the sea.

Silence fell.

Only the sound of their uneven breathing remained.

Leon stepped forward quickly, brushing his hair back in mild panic. "Hey— hey, are you all alright?"

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, face stiffening.

"Sorry. I didn’t mean to— I got a little carried away."

The three girls finally exhaled.

Rias — pressed a hand to her chest and breathed out slowly. Selena sat down heavily, rubbing her knee. Akeno steadied herself with one hand on the ground, her expression returning to elegance.

"We’re alright..." Selena muttered, though her voice still trembled slightly.

Rias shifted, then winced faintly as she sat back on the ground.

"Our butts are going to be bruised tomorrow," she said, pouting as she rubbed the spot she had landed on. "Ah... It hurts like hell."

Despite herself, she shot Leon a look that was half reproach, half amusement.

Seeing his stiff, embarrassed expression — that slightly flustered, almost boyish scratch at his head — something pierced her heart gently.

He looked... cute.

Not like a distant sage.

Just a man who had made a mistake.

Akeno’s lips curved faintly. Senior can be this clumsy too... how interesting.

Rias stood up quickly and walked toward him, smoothing her robe. Her red eyes shone as she bowed lightly.

"Congratulations, Teacher, for successfully entering the sage Realm."

Selena reacted almost instantly, rising to her feet despite the dull ache in her legs.

"Congratulations, Teacher," she added sincerely.

Akeno approached with composed grace, admiration plain in her eyes. "Senior, congratulations on becoming a sage."

Leon waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, get up. Such a small matter isn’t worth congratulating." His tone softened. "Cultivate well in the future. It’s only a matter of time before you become sages too."

The two girls froze for a heartbeat.

Then their eyes brightened.

They?

Sage Realm?

On the path of cultivation, countless geniuses were buried by bottlenecks. Many cultivators spent their entire lives stuck beneath a single star.

To even touch sage Realm was the dream of millions.

And he spoke of it so lightly.

Rias hesitated, then asked softly, "Teacher... do you think we really have a chance to break through to the sage Realm?"

Leon met her gaze steadily.

"As long as you work hard and study seriously," he said calmly, "a sage Realm is not worth mentioning."

The words landed like thunder.

Rias’ heart trembled.

Not worth mentioning...

Confidence.

Absolute confidence.

Not arrogance — certainty.

She felt warmth bloom in her chest.

"Thank you, Teacher. We’ll definitely cultivate seriously and strive to break through to the realm of sage as soon as possible."

As she looked at him, memory suddenly surged back — the lake, the firelight, the earlier moment when she had almost...

Her cheeks flushed.

Leon noticed the subtle change but said nothing.

Better to pretend nothing had happened.

Selena tilted her head slightly. "Junior Sister, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red...?"

"Ahem." Rias coughed lightly, flicking a glance at Leon. When she saw his gaze deliberately fixed elsewhere, she relaxed.

"I’m just happy for Teacher’s breakthrough. Senior Sister, you’re thinking too much."

Selena narrowed her eyes suspiciously, glancing between the two.

Something happened while I was gone...

Her imagination ran briefly wild.

Then she shook her head internally.

Impossible. Teacher wouldn’t...

She quickly dismissed the thought, straightening her posture.

"Teacher," she said instead, "Akeno and I hunted a desolate deer nearby. Should we roast it now?"

Leon stood and surveyed the area.

The ground was cracked. Several trees leaned at unnatural angles. The lake still churned faintly.

His lips twitched.

If this were the mortal world, I’d probably be fined for environmental damage.

"Yeah," he replied calmly. "Go ahead. It’s getting late. Eat something and rest early. We’re heading deeper into the Forsaken Domain tomorrow."

Selena nodded. "Alright. I’ll deal with it right away."

"Senior Sister, let me help you," Rias offered instinctively.

Selena shook her head with a gentle smile. "I’ll do it. Junior Sister, you’ve lived in the Imperial Palace for a long time. You probably don’t know how to handle this kind of thing. You’ve just entered Celestis Academy — there’s still a lot to learn. Take this time to ask Teacher more questions."

Rias stiffened slightly.

It was true.

She didn’t know how to skin or prepare a deer.

But that wasn’t the real reason she had volunteered.

She didn’t dare sit alone with him.

Not after earlier.

"Alright..." she murmured softly.

Selena and Akeno walked away, the two silhouettes illuminated by moonlight as they began preparing the deer. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Soon, only Leon and Rias remained near the lake.

The wind softened.

Rias sat down across from him.

She adjusted her red robe.

And then—

Those long legs appeared again.

The slit of silk shifted just enough to reveal smooth, fair skin beneath moonlight. Her posture was elegant, almost innocent — but the angle was deliberate.

Leon’s mouth twitched.

This girl...

He seriously began to suspect something.

The first time could be dismissed as accident.

The second?

Her eyes lifted, meeting his.

A faint smile curved her lips — subtle, knowing.

She was testing him.

She wanted to see if her Teacher was truly calm.

Inside, Leon’s Mana stirred faintly.

His mind scolded him sharply.

Focus.

He maintained a neutral expression, gaze steady.

Rias studied him carefully.

No reaction.

No fluster.

No wandering eyes.

Just calm composure.

Her smile faded slightly.

He really is that steady...

A strange mix of disappointment and admiration bloomed in her chest.

The night stretched quietly between them.

The scent of roasting meat began drifting through the air from the other side of the clearing.

And beneath the stillness—

A silent battle of restraint continued.