A Thousand Years of Resolve
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."
A hush fell when Selena lowered herself onto the cool blades of grass near the water’s edge. Not far past dawn, her face neared the earth - reverence shaped every line of her stillness. Threads of silver spilled forward, catching light like frost does just before sunrise.
Then ca a silence where words just wouldn’t form. Her chest filled with sothing heavy yet light at once.
Gratitude.
Respect.
A feeling settles, heavy like an old coat. It fits without trying. This is where you fit. Not by force. Simply here.
Few people stepped forward, yet her teacher opened every door. Maybe trust grows where others turn away.
He never hid anything from her.
Even today—
He had passed down a Heaven-grade Sacred Art without hesitation.
Such techniques were treasures that entire sects guarded like their lifeline.
Yet Leon had given it to her as if it were nothing.
Selena slowly raised her head, her blue eyes slightly wet.
Leon stood calmly before her, hands behind his back, his long black hair swaying lightly in the breeze of the bamboo forest.
He nodded once.
His tone remained calm, almost indifferent.
"Student, this sword technique is a Heaven-grade Sacred Art. Its profundity is extraordinary."
He glanced toward the quiet lake, its surface reflecting the sky like polished crystal.
"But you only need to reach the beginner stage."
"That alone should be more than enough for the Seven Division Martial eting."
Selena nodded earnestly.
"Yes, Teacher."
Leon turned slightly, preparing to leave the bamboo forest.
But the mont he stepped forward—
A familiar chanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding...]
[Congratulations, host.]
[The cultivation imparting cooldown has ended.]
[You may impart cultivation again and trigger a critical hit.]
Leon paused mid-step.
One foot hung briefly above the grass before he slowly pulled it back.
"...Hmm?"
He turned his head slightly.
His gaze landed on Selena again.
A faint, almost mischievous smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Looks like...
The harvest season has arrived.
The system had quietly updated.
The maximum cultivation he could impart had now increased—
to one thousand years.
Leon had already granted Selena cultivation once before.
Originally, he had planned to give the next transfer to Rias.
But after thinking carefully—
He dismissed the idea.
Rias possessed the Inferno Lotus Art bone.
That ancient bone was like an endless well of power within her body.
Even now, she hadn’t fully absorbed its energy.
For her—
What she lacked wasn’t cultivation.
It was ti.
Selena, however, was different.
She had no such ancient treasure.
Her growth relied purely on talent and effort.
After a brief mont of thought—
Leon made his decision.
Then this harvest...
will belong to you again.
Selena suddenly felt a strange chill.
She looked up just in ti to et Leon’s gaze.
His expression looked... oddly amused.
Her heart skipped.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Why is Teacher looking at like that...?
She couldn’t explain it, but sothing about his gaze made her feel unexpectedly nervous.
Leon cleared his throat lightly.
His expression returned to seriousness.
"Student."
"Yes, Teacher."
Selena imdiately straightened.
Leon spoke slowly.
"I’ve reconsidered sothing."
"The Martial eting gathers the strongest disciples of the Seven Divisions."
"Although your cultivation has already reached the second star of Astral Realm..."
"...you entered the academy later than most."
His eyes grew slightly more serious.
"In terms of cultivation ti, you are at a disadvantage."
Selena clenched her fists slightly.
She understood that fact very well.
Compared to the other disciples—
Her training ti was indeed shorter.
Leon continued.
"So I’ve decided..."
"...to impart to you one thousand years of cultivation."
Silence.
Selena’s eyes widened instantly.
"A... a thousand years?"
She sucked in a sharp breath.
Her mind began calculating instinctively.
How many stars would that equal...?
Her thoughts completely froze.
Shock flooded her face.
"Teacher...!"
"I... I didn’t hear wrongly, did I?"
"You want to give a thousand years of cultivation?"
Leon simply nodded.
Selena imdiately shook her head desperately.
"No!"
"Teacher, you must not!"
"My current cultivation is already enough!"
Her voice carried panic.
"You must not waste your cultivation on again!"
Selena was no longer the inexperienced girl who had just joined the academy.
She knew clearly—
Cultivation was the most precious resource for any cultivator.
A thousand years of cultivation...
That was an unimaginable treasure.
If Leon gave it to her—
It would an sacrificing a huge portion of his own power.
How could she accept that?
Her voice trembled.
"Teacher... you already treat better than anyone else."
"You are the person who has treated the best since my parents..."
"How can I allow you to damage your foundation for my sake again?"
Leon watched her quietly.
Warmth flickered briefly in his eyes.
This girl...
She really is loyal.
Even faced with such temptation—
Her first thought was still for him.
But...
Would refusal work?
Absolutely not.
If she refused—
Wouldn’t that ruin his chance for another system return?
That simply couldn’t happen.
Leon sighed softly.
His expression beca solemn.
"Don’t worry."
"I know exactly what I’m doing."
"This thousand years of cultivation..."
He waved his hand lightly.
"...ans nothing to ."
"It’s insignificant."
His gaze softened slightly.
"As long as you are safe, anything I do will be worthwhile."
Selena’s eyes filled with tears instantly.
Her teacher...
He valued their safety more than his own cultivation.
Even sacrificing his own power without hesitation.
Her heart shook violently.
She had truly t the best teacher in the world.
"Teacher..."
Her voice cracked slightly.
Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
Leon quickly waved his hand.
"Alright, enough."
"Get up."
He looked away slightly, pretending to remain calm.
"If you truly wish to repay ..."
"Then achieve a good result for Athyst Summit Division in the Martial eting."
He added casually,
"But don’t force yourself."
"I have no strict expectations."
"Just do your best."
Inside—
Leon felt a faint sting of guilt.
These words sound way too noble...
Even I almost believe myself.
Still—
The show had to go on.
He cleared his throat.
"Co."
"Sit properly."
"Today I will impart one thousand years of cultivation."
"How much you absorb..."
"And how far you break through..."
"That depends entirely on your luck."
Selena hesitated.
But before she could protest again—
Leon had already guided her to sit cross-legged.
She finally obeyed.
Leon walked behind her.
His palms slowly pressed against her back.
The mont their mana connected—
A vast torrent of power surged forward.
BOOM!
It was like a quiet lake suddenly erupting into a violent storm.
An endless wave of cultivation energy poured into Selena’s body.
Her body trembled.
A painful expression crossed her face.
Sweat quickly appeared on her forehead.
But she endured it.
Because this wasn’t her first ti receiving cultivation.
She already understood how to guide the energy through her ridians.
How to absorb it—
Without letting a single drop escape.
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