The Novice's Gift
[Congratulations, Host.][You have received a Novice's Gift.][Would you like to open it?]
Leon stared for a heartbeat, then exhaled slowly.
"Open it."
A cold, ethereal voice echoed in his mind:
[Successfully opened the gift bag. Obtained one superior-class mortal Blood & Bone Elixir. Gained ten years of cultivation.]
A moment later, something surged into his body.
Not heat — not pain — but a force that felt ancient and refined, like clear water pouring quietly into his veins.
His back straightened.
His breath deepened.
A pulse of power rippled through his spiritual core, spreading outward, threading itself into bone, blood, sinew — as if someone had lit lanterns inside him one by one.
Leon let out a low sound.
"Oh… cool."
The energy circulated swiftly, merging into his spiritual core without resistance. The foundations of his cultivation stirred, then climbed — steady, deliberate, undeniable.
His cultivation rose…
And settled.
Onyx Realm — 3 Stars.
Leon blinked.
"Only three stars? System, are you kidding me? I'm only at three stars after getting ten years of cultivation!"
The reply came calmly, almost indifferent:
[Guest, there is no mistake. Cultivation is not measured by ten years of time lived. It is calculated based on the effort an ordinary person could achieve in ten years. This level of improvement is appropriate…]
Leon went silent.
"…"
Ten years… for a single star increase.
That was brutal.
But when he thought about it carefully, his frustration faded into reluctant understanding.
The higher one climbed, the more stubborn the walls became. In a world like the Forsaken Domain, decades — even centuries — in seclusion weren't unusual.
Progress demanded patience.
He exhaled, long and steady.
Alright. Fine. Reality.
A new notification chimed.
[Host, please accept a student as soon as possible. After completing the mission, you may receive a high-critical return.]
Leon lowered his gaze.
In his palm lay the Blood & Bone Elixir — faint light swirling beneath its surface like captured moonlight.
He rolled it between his fingers, thoughtful.
He didn't swallow it.
Not yet.
Something told him it would matter more later — that using it blindly would be wasteful.
He tucked it away.
Just then—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Knuckles rapped against the old door.
"Guardian Elder Leon, are you inside?"
He paused.
Then said quietly:
"Come in."
The door creaked open.
A young man stepped in — handsome, dressed in clean academy robes, posture respectful but relaxed. Leon recognized him.
Kevin — chief student of the Emerald Crest Division.Black hair, dark eyes, steady presence.Astral Realm — 3 Stars.
A realm above Leon's.
A promising talent… and smart enough to move through the academy without offending anyone.
Kevin bowed lightly.
"Guardian Elder Leon, Headmaster Mike instructed me to inform you — please rise immediately and go to the Emerald Crest Division. There will be a meeting."
Because of Leon's teacher's status, his seniority sat equal to division heads — even the Headmaster himself. So even Kevin, who outranked Leon in strength, spoke with formal respect.
Leon rubbed his brow.
"Did the Headmaster say what happened?"
He rarely received messages out here. Amethyst Summit Division was quiet — too quiet. For something to summon him, it had to matter.
Kevin hesitated, then answered:
"It's because of the violent beasts in the village at the foot of the mountain yesterday. The surviving orphans have awakened. Teacher is gathering the Seven Divisions to discuss the cause of the beast riot — as well as arrangements for the orphans."
Leon nodded slowly.
"Oh, I see…"
Fragments of memory flitted through him — screams, smoke, ruin.
As for arranging the orphans… there was only one likely outcome.
Recruitment.
A ceremony. A chance for fate to choose.
A flicker of calculation lit his eyes.
"Hmm. Just nice. I'll go take a look and see if I can take in a student to test it out."
With the Grand Return System, he couldn't afford to waste such an opportunity.
"Alright, I got it. You can go back first."
Kevin bowed again.
"Guardian Elder, I will take my leave."
Before stepping out, his gaze lingered briefly on the lonely wooden structures scattered along Amethyst Summit Division.
He shook his head faintly… and left.
Silence returned.
Minutes later, Leon stepped outside.
The air carried a faint chill, brushing through his long black hair. Something in his demeanor felt different — lighter, sharper. Between his brows, a quiet charisma stirred.
To a stranger, he might have looked like an otherworldly expert descending the mountain.
In truth?
Just a man at Onyx Realm — 3 Stars — faking composure.
Leon lifted a hand.
The Amethyst Mist Sword responded from within the house, humming softly before floating into the air.
He placed a foot onto it, gathered mana, and whispered the technique name:
Skyward Flow Swordflight.
The sword lifted, slicing cleanly through the wind. He rose, riding the blade across the sky toward the Emerald Crest Division.
This sword — an inheritance from Respected Zeon — was priceless. A treasure beyond measure.
Perhaps the only true wealth he possessed.
Not long after, the towering hall of the Emerald Crest Division came into view.
He stepped inside.
Survivors stood below the platform — children, shaken yet alive, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and numbness.
Before Leon could fully take his place, a mocking voice drifted from the side.
"Fellow Brother Leon, how grand of you — making so many of us wait."
Leon turned slightly.
The man beside him — handsome features, black hair, eyes like deep ink — wore the robes of the Secret Sword Summit.
Shera.
Disciplinary Elder of the Celestis Academy.
His gaze carried faint disdain, barely hidden.
Leon studied him for a second, then simply looked away.
He knew exactly how these people viewed him.
They tolerated him because rules demanded it — nothing more.
Aside from Shera and Headmaster Mike, the leaders of the Seven Divisions were all present.
Most never even greeted him.
They kept their chins raised, pretending he didn't exist.
Leon ignored them and bowed slightly toward the high seat.
"Senior Headmaster Mike, I apologize. The distance from Amethyst Summit Division is long. I was delayed on the way. Please forgive me."
Mike waved his hand.
"It's fine."
Even though he privately thought little of Leon, he still upheld harmony for the academy's sake.
Shera's lips tightened.
Ignored — again.
He scoffed under his breath.
"Hmph. He's just a little Onyx Realm cultivator with two stars before and three now. No ability, yet full of airs. If he hadn't gotten lucky and been accepted by Teacher Zeon, he never would've inherited the Amethyst Mist Sword division. He doesn't even deserve to speak here."
Those nearby glanced at Leon.
Everyone knew the truth of his position.
Inherited.
Not earned.
And deep down, nearly all of them looked down on him.
Leon felt their stares but didn't bow beneath them.
He simply stood there — quiet, calm, watching…
Waiting.
Because this time, he had something they didn't:
A secret.
And if things went his way?
Everything would change.