The Door Opens
Selena clung to the back of the sword as it sliced through the clouds, her breath fogging in the bitter wind. The sky shimmered around them — bands of deep amethyst bleeding across the horizon, as if dawn itself had been steeped in starlight.
She should have been terrified.
A girl who had barely left the foot of the mountain was suddenly flying on a sword — riding pure mana through the open sky.
Fear would've made sense.
Yet instead… her heart flickered like a lantern.
Awkward. Bright. Trembling with hope.
Every sweep of the Amethyst Mist Sword sent her silver-white hair streaming behind her like comet light. Her blue eyes mirrored the sky — bright, uncertain, and struggling to believe.
Nervous.Hopeful.On the edge of something new.
Because when one finally stood before the immortal path…
How could the heart not tremble?
Her gaze drifted to the man guiding the blade ahead of her.
Leon.
Her Teacher.
His long, black hair whipped freely behind him, dark ribbons of night dancing in the cold air. His purple eyes were calm, half-lidded, carrying a quiet depth that made the wind itself seem gentler.
Midnight robes, brushed with subtle amethyst embroidery, wrapped his tall frame like distant starlight woven into cloth.
He didn't look like a division head.
He looked like someone who had descended from the heavens by mistake.
And compared to the harsh gazes of the other division leaders, the difference felt like night and flame.
He wasn't severe.He wasn't dismissive.He didn't measure worth the way merchants weighed coin.
He was gentle in a way that was dangerous.
Gentle enough to trust.
Selena's chest tightened.
He chose me.
He chose me when everyone else turned away.
Now and then, Leon glanced back — just quick checks, spoken in small reassurances.
"Are you steady?""Don't be afraid. I won't let you fall.""The air is thinner here. Breathe slowly."
So effortless. So natural.
Like her feelings weren't an inconvenience.
Like she mattered.
Warmth spread through her chest — frightening and beautiful — like someone opening a window in a room she thought had no doors.
I have to work hard, she promised silently.I must not embarrass him.
—
A streak of amethyst light arced downward.
They descended toward the highest, most isolated peak of the Celestis Academy:
The Amethyst Summit Division.
From afar, it looked abandoned.
Mist clung to jagged cliffs like faded scars. Weathered houses huddled together, patched and leaning, struggling against the wind. The rafters groaned faintly — a sigh carried through time.
A forgotten place.
A discarded cradle of legends.
Maybe… a place she could become someone.
Leon landed first. Selena touched down moments later — boots crunching lightly against gravel. Her legs trembled; she steadied herself, heat touching her cheeks.
"We're here," Leon said calmly.
She looked around.
Old stone paths.A single plum tree shedding petals like pale snow.Small houses, stubbornly standing despite age and storms.
Leon didn't apologize.
He simply faced the little wooden house at the center, straight-backed and composed.
"I walk the immortal path," he said softly. "So I follow my heart. I eat when I choose. Rest when I choose. Walk where my heart leads."
He gestured to the humble surroundings.
"Though the conditions are simple, they temper the spirit. Poverty grounds us. Simplicity clears the mind. These things will steady you… and remind you what truly matters."
He paused.
A faint twitch touched the corner of his mouth.
He was trying to keep dignity — even though both of them could see the truth.
Respected Zeon had left this place impoverished, forgotten while other divisions flourished. Leon hid the awkwardness well.
But Selena still noticed.
And instead of disappointment… something like respect wrapped around her heart.
"Teacher, I understand," she said softly.
His eyes warmed.
"Other than this house," Leon continued, "choose whichever one you like. From today onward, you are the nineteenth-generation eldest student of the Amethyst Summit Division — and the future successor of this division."
Her breath caught.
Successor?
"As the eldest student, you must train diligently. Lead by example. One day, your juniors will look to you."
He spoke the very words that Zeon once spoke to him.
For Selena, it felt like the world shifted.
A street orphan yesterday.A future leader today.
She bowed deeply.
"Teacher, I will not disappoint you."
Leon let out a breath — quiet relief flickering in his gaze.
He remembered his own first day here and the urge to flee. He feared she might feel the same.
Instead, she stood steadfast.
"Well then," he said. "Since you've acknowledged me, I won't hide things from you."
He reached into his sleeve and drew out a pill — smooth, luminous, pulsing faintly like a captured heartbeat.
The Blood & Bone Elixir.
"This elixir is mortal grade, but powerful. It will cleanse your body and help you sense mana more quickly."
Selena's eyes widened.
"Teacher… this…"
She had barely become his student — and already, he offered something precious.
She remembered the whispers.
Most division heads hoarded treasures like dragons. They would rather abandon students than part with a single pill.
But Leon…
He gave it to her without hesitation.
He believes in me.
She swallowed.
"Thank you, Teacher. I will not disappoint you."
She took the pill.
It dissolved instantly — fire and storm bursting through her veins.
Heat swept through her limbs. Her bones thrummed. Her marrow resonated. Mana surged, washing everything weak and stagnant away.
Black residue seeped from her pores — foul, thick, years of mortal imperfection burned away.
Her cheeks flushed. Her senses sharpened. The world felt clearer, brighter, almost painfully alive.
Shame crept up along with the transformation. Her body felt unfamiliar — too light, too clean, too new.
She lowered her gaze, mortified.
Leon only chuckled softly.
"There's a hot spring behind the mountain. Go wash up."
No lingering stare.No lecherous smile.No comment about her body.
Just direction — respectful and matter-of-fact.
Selena bowed.
"Thank you, Teacher… I'll go now."
She hurried away, silver hair flowing like a ribbon of moonlight behind her.
Leon watched her back disappear into the mist.
His lips curved faintly.
Alright…
His heart began to race.
"Grand Return System," he whispered inwardly. "Come out. Where's my return?"
A crystalline tone echoed through his mind.
[DING.]
His breath hitched.
At last…
The world was beginning to change.