Grand Return System-Chapter 92: Ice and Flame

Ice and Flame

In this month or so of actual combat training, her realm and mentality had already stabilized, and her overall improvement was huge.

The Selena standing before Leon now no longer carried even a trace of the helpless girl who once stood silently inside Emerald Crest Division two months ago. The chill that radiated from her was no longer fragile defensiveness—it was controlled, dignified coldness. The kind that made others instinctively lower their voices.

Even she might not have realized it yet.

She had already grown into someone her peers would one day look up to.

The bamboo leaves swayed softly above them, sunlight slipping through in fractured lines. Leon looked at her for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Your swordsmanship has already stepped into the Profound Realm."

Selena’s breath hitched slightly.

"As long as you enter the GrandMaster Realm and master your law domain, you will undergo a true rebirth."

His tone was calm, but his eyes held quiet approval.

"The only flaw," he continued, "is that you lack a decisive killing move. Something that ends a battle in a single breath."

Selena lowered her head slightly, listening carefully.

"Don’t be anxious," Leon added. "I’ll search through the ancient records later and select a suitable sword technique for you."

Her blue eyes lit up instantly.

"Thank you, Teacher!" she said, stepping closer unconsciously. A rare softness appeared on her usually composed face. "You’re the best."

The coquettish tone was subtle, but it was there.

Leon chuckled faintly. "Flattery won’t make you stronger."

But he was clearly pleased.

Then his gaze shifted toward the stream where Rias stood watching.

"Rias. Your turn."

"Ah—?"

Rias blinked, clearly pulled out of her own thoughts.

She had been staring at him far too intently just now—watching how he moved, how effortlessly he neutralized Selena’s attacks.

The contrast between her poised, elegant posture and that slightly dazed expression made Leon’s lips twitch.

"We are in the middle of an examination," he said dryly. "Where is your focus?"

A faint blush rose across Rias’s cheeks.

"I—I’m coming..."

Ah... this is so embarrassing.

She walked forward, red silk robes brushing against the grass. The golden sash at her waist shimmered under the sunlight. The dragon embroidery at her hems seemed almost alive as they caught the breeze.

Her long red hair flowed behind her like living flame.

She stopped before Leon, trying to steady her breathing.

Don’t think about how handsome he looks right now.

"Come," Leon said, extending his right hand calmly. "Attack me as you wish."

"Alright, Teacher... be careful."

The moment her voice steadied—

Flames erupted.

The Inferno Lotus Art ignited around her, deep crimson fire swirling with a faint purplish undertone. The heat spread outward instantly, the bamboo forest crackling as dry leaves curled at the edges.

Leon’s eyes flickered.

The Inferno Lotus Art combined with the dormant Inferno Kong flame within her bloodline...

The explosive potential was astonishing.

It suits her perfectly.

Rias was only at two-star Onyx Realm for now. But Leon knew this was temporary. Once she fully refined that descendant’s precious bone within her body, her cultivation would surge forward rapidly.

Foundation first.

Power later.

"Come," he said softly.

Rias stepped in.

Her palm struck out—clean, decisive. The flames spiraled around her arm, amplifying the force. She aimed low, attacking his abdomen at a tricky angle while the fire burst outward to obscure vision.

The bamboo forest was instantly engulfed in searing light.

Leon stepped back lightly.

His right hand moved—calm, precise—catching her wrist.

A faint golden pattern surfaced briefly along his skin: the Golden Physic of Prime Dragon suppressing the raging flame instantly.

The Inferno Lotus Art flickered.

Rias smiled.

Leon’s brows lifted slightly.

Suddenly she twisted her wrist, slipping from his grasp with surprising flexibility. In the same motion, she lunged forward again—closer this time, flames coiling tighter around her.

"Clever," Leon said, genuinely amused.

He pivoted smoothly, letting her second strike pass by inches. With a light palm, he tapped her shoulder and sent her gently sliding backward across the grass.

"Ah—"

Rias rubbed her hands, lips puffing slightly in frustration.

She had almost succeeded.

He didn’t even hesitate...

She looked at him with exaggerated grievance. "Teacher... you don’t know how to cherish delicate girls at all. You really pushed me."

Selena, standing nearby, nearly laughed.

Leon shook his head.

"You are clever," he said. "But you lack experience."

His tone turned serious.

"You focus only on surprising your opponent. You leave no retreat for yourself."

Rias blinked.

"In a real life-and-death battle, such recklessness will corner you."

He stepped closer, eyes steady.

"The Inferno Lotus Art is indeed powerful. Against opponents of the same realm, it creates absolute pressure."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"But you have not yet grasped how to control that power."

Rias lowered her head slightly.

It was true.

She felt the flames respond to her emotions—but she didn’t yet command them.

Leon continued, voice calm.

"You are like someone holding a massive explosive force... yet you only know how to throw it blindly."

Selena coughed lightly to hide a smile.

Rias pouted. "Then what should I do?"

She looked up at him, red eyes bright and curious.

Leon considered briefly.

"Today, I’ll teach you the Floral Hand Strike."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"This palm technique was created by previous division masters of Amethyst Summit Division."

He raised his hand slowly, demonstrating the opening posture.

"It is intricate and ever-changing. Firm yet gentle. Aggressive yet adaptable."

He met her gaze.

"It will pair perfectly with your Inferno Lotus Art."

Rias’s expression lit up.

"For the next month," Leon continued, "you will focus solely on mastering this palm technique. Once you grasp its essence, handling the Seven Division Martial Meeting will not be a problem."

She stepped forward immediately.

"Thank you, Teacher. I will definitely comprehend it well and not disappoint you."

Floral Hand Strike.

Even the name felt elegant.

Soon, Leon began instructing her.

He demonstrated slowly at first—each movement flowing like drifting petals carried by wind. His palm arcs were soft yet precise, angles shifting seamlessly. It was not brute force—it was redirection, layered intention.

"When you strike," he explained, adjusting her wrist slightly, "do not commit fully in the first breath."

His touch was firm but measured.

"Let the opponent reveal their response. Then shift."

He stepped behind her, guiding her stance.

"Power from the waist. Do not isolate your arm."

Rias swallowed lightly, focusing hard.

She mimicked his movements.

At first, her strikes were too direct—too fire-like.

Leon stopped her gently.

"Feel the transition. Not everything must burn."

She closed her eyes briefly, trying again.

This time, her palm rotated mid-strike, force hidden within softness. When she pushed forward, a spiral of flame followed the arc—controlled, condensed.

Leon’s eyes showed approval.

Selena watched quietly.

Ice and fire.

Sword and palm.

Two completely different paths—yet equally dominant.

Within less than two hours, Rias had already grasped the essence of the Floral Hand Strike.

Her comprehension was terrifyingly high.

Leon finally exhaled softly.

Selena mastered sword techniques.

Rias mastered palm techniques.

Ice and fire.

Both Heaven-grade attributes.

How far they would go... depended on their effort—and whether their hearts remained steady when true storms arrived.