A Promise Before the Battle
"Sister Selena is fine, but if Sister Rias doesn’t do her best and loses, wouldn’t we be embarrassed?"
Harry Taylor continued complaining loudly, clearly unable to suppress his irritation.
The mont the words left his mouth—
Smack.
A sharp slap landed squarely on the back of his head.
Harry’s vision spun.
Rias stood beside him with her arms folded, her red eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You’re the one who’ll lose."
"If you can’t speak properly, then shut up."
Harry rubbed the back of his head miserably.
"Am I that bad...?"
Rias was clearly annoyed now.
Her red robe fluttered slightly as she shifted her stance, the gold sash around her waist catching the sunlight. Her full chest rose and fell with a quiet breath as she glared at him.
Although her cultivation was not as high as Selena’s—
She was still a first-star Astral Realm expert.
During the past month, she had continuously absorbed the power of the precious bone Leon had given her.
That power had finally allowed her to break through into the Astral Realm.
Originally, she had been quite excited.
This Martial eting would be the perfect opportunity to show her progress to her teacher.
And now—
Harry had the nerve to question her strength.
Who could tolerate that?
Harry quickly waved his hands.
"No, Sister Rias, that’s not what I ant!"
The slap had left him dizzy and confused.
His voice carried a pitiful tone.
"I went next door to ask around earlier."
"I heard that your opponent has already reached the ninth star of the Onyx Realm."
"And that guy was specially arranged by Shera to deal with you."
"I’m just worried about you!"
Rias tugged lightly at the hem of her red robe.
When she heard the opponent’s cultivation—
Her worry actually decreased.
"Ninth star of the Onyx Realm?"
Her lips curved slightly.
"That’s it?"
Her tone carried a faint trace of amusent.
Before Harry could continue explaining—
Leon raised a hand calmly.
"Alright."
"We’ll talk about it later."
His voice was steady and relaxed.
Harry imdiately shut up.
Leon glanced toward the distance where Shera stood speaking with several elders.
His purple eyes flickered thoughtfully.
"There’s still an hour before the competition begins."
"Use the ti to prepare."
"I looked around earlier."
"There are quite a few capable people in this Martial eting."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I don’t require you to get any ranking."
"Just do your best."
"If you encounter danger..."
"You can imdiately admit defeat."
Leon’s voice softened slightly.
"I won’t bla you."
"Nothing is more important than your safety in my heart."
For a mont—
Both girls fell silent.
A warm feeling spread through their chests.
Their teacher’s words were simple, but they carried genuine concern.
They slowly clenched their fists.
Leon’s kindness toward them truly felt like a mountain.
He taught them carefully.
Protected them.
Encouraged them.
How could they allow anyone to humiliate him?
How could they allow Shera even a single opportunity?
Selena’s eyes beca resolute.
"Teacher, don’t worry."
"We will definitely not disappoint you."
Her voice was calm but firm.
She had trained relentlessly for three months.
This—
Was the mont she had been waiting for.
The mory of the scene in Erald Crest Division three months ago still burned clearly in her mind.
The disdain in the eyes of the other division leaders.
The ridicule directed at both her and Leon.
Those mories had beco a silent fire in her heart.
Leon looked at her quietly for a mont.
Then he nodded.
"Good."
"As long as you’re confident."
"Go."
His tone sounded indifferent.
But inside—
Leon was secretly delighted.
Yes.
That’s the spirit.
Beat them until they cry.
Just as he was about to leave—
Leon suddenly felt both of his sleeves being tugged.
He turned around.
Selena and Rias were standing very close to him.
Each of them was holding one of his sleeves.
Leon blinked in confusion.
An amused smile appeared on his face.
"What’s wrong, girls?"
Rias glanced at Selena.
Selena glanced back at her.
The two exchanged a silent look.
Then Rias spoke first.
"Teacher..."
"Can I say sothing?"
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"You don’t need to ask permission."
"If you want to say sothing, just say it."
Selena took a small breath.
"Teacher..."
"My junior sister and I want to ask sothing."
Leon crossed his arms.
"Go on."
"If we perform well..."
"And get first place..."
"Can you give us a reward?"
Leon stared at the two girls.
For a mont—
He looked genuinely surprised.
Then—
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Inside, Leon thought to himself.
Not bad.
If a promise motivates them to fight harder...
Why not?
He nodded.
"Alright."
"If you two win..."
"You can have whatever reward you want."
Rias’ eyes imdiately lit up.
Selena’s expression softened.
The two girls looked at each other—
Then raised their hands.
Clap.
They high-fived happily.
Leon couldn’t help laughing quietly when he saw their bright smiles.
It felt strangely warm.
He continued gently,
"And even if you don’t know what you want yet..."
"I will fulfill your wish."
The girls looked back at him.
Leon reached out and lightly rubbed both of their heads.
"You two..."
"My precious gems."
"Don’t worry about the competition."
"Just do your best."
Both girls felt their hearts warm again.
But at the sa ti—
Their determination grew even stronger.
"Don’t worry, Teacher."
"We will win."
Leon nodded calmly.
Then he led them toward the resting area prepared for Athyst Summit Division.
After returning to the resting area prepared by the First Division’s students—
Selena and Rias quickly sat down.
Both of them closed their eyes and entered ditation.
They needed to restore themselves to peak condition before the Martial eting began.
Harry, on the other hand—
Was doing the exact opposite.
He wandered around the area like a tourist.
Occasionally glancing around.
Occasionally whispering.
Occasionally staring at passing female students.
Leon watched him silently.
His expression gradually turned darker.
Can you be a little more mature...
Like ?
He truly had expected better from him.
--------
By afternoon—
Several elders had gathered below the main arena.
Mike sat calmly in the center.
Beside him were Shera and several unfamiliar elders.
One of them—
An old man wearing a gray robe—
Smiled faintly as he spoke.
"Hehe, Fellow Cultivator Mike."
"I’ve long heard that the Seven Divisions Martial eting of Celestis Academy is one of the great gatherings of the Forsaken Domain."
"I’ve waited sixty years..."
"And today I finally have the fortune to witness it."
Mike stroked his beard and smiled slightly.
He said nothing.
The old man was Tobias, the First Elder of the Supre Paradise Sect.
He was also the teacher of Rex Vine.
Legend said that Tobias had reached a terrifying level of cultivation—
Almost stepping into the Pinnacle Realm.
He stood at the very peak of the Sage Realm.
His strength was comparable to Mike himself.
The two had known each other for many years.
When they were young—
They had even fought as rivals.
This ti, Tobias had suddenly co to Celestis Academy to observe the Martial eting.
Mike naturally welcod him.
After all—
The Seven Divisions Martial eting was essentially a Cultivator Conference.
Division leaders often invited experts from other powerful sects to observe and exchange insights.
Tobias suddenly spoke again.
"Oh right..."
"I heard sothing interesting recently."
He glanced sideways.
"They say your academy has a young division leader..."
"Soone who already reached the Sage Realm at such a young age."
"And that he injured the three brothers of the Sky Breaker Academy with a single strike."
"Is that true?"
Behind him—
Rex Vine imdiately straightened.
His eyes lit up.
This was the reason he had followed his teacher here.
Ever since witnessing Leon’s sword technique—
He had been unable to sleep properly.
Mike looked slightly surprised.
Leon’s reputation has spread this far already?
Even the Supre Paradise Sect has heard of him?
A proud smile appeared on his old face.
Inside, he felt extrely pleased.
Of course.
That’s my junior brother.
But outwardly—
Mike remained calm.
He slowly leaned back in his seat.
Then spoke casually.
"Fellow Cultivator Tobias..."
"If I’m not mistaken..."
"The person you’re referring to..."
"Should be my junior brother from Athyst Summit Division."
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