Grand Return System

Chapter 308: The First Exchange of Hearts

The First Exchange of Hearts

Leon looked at Anna with a warm smile.

"Fellow Sister, take these six Thunder Floral Pins as my love token to you. Now, you won’t reject me again, right?"

Anna’s heart trembled.

She stood motionless, staring blankly at the six Thunder Floral Pins resting quietly in Leon’s outstretched hand. Their faint silver glow reflected in her red-pink eyes, but her attention wasn’t on the treasures themselves.

Instead...

She finally understood.

The confusion that had lingered in her heart moments ago suddenly disappeared.

So that’s why...

She finally realized why Leon had suddenly suggested becoming temporary Pathbound Companions.

It had never been a careless proposal.

Nor had it been an excuse to cross boundaries.

He had thought about her feelings from the very beginning.

He knew she would never accept such a precious gift from someone with whom she had no special relationship. Rather than forcing her or making her feel indebted, he had patiently found a way that respected both her principles and her dignity.

Everything he had said...

Everything he had done...

Had been for her sake.

A warm feeling quietly spread through her chest.

She couldn’t help feeling deeply touched.

This man...

He’s incredibly considerate.

A faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

He had worried she would refuse.

So he had carefully created a reason for her to accept without feeling guilty or burdened.

He hadn’t tried to change who she was.

Instead...

He had protected the principles she valued most.

Anna found herself looking into Leon’s purple eyes once again.

Those calm, gentle eyes carried not the slightest hint of impatience.

The afternoon breeze brushed through his shoulder-length black hair, causing the delicate amethyst embroidery on his midnight robes to shimmer softly beneath the sunlight.

Everything about him seemed calm and reassuring.

Such a wonderful man...

Gentle.

Handsome.

Thoughtful.

She lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at him.

A warmth she had never known quietly bloomed inside her heart.

So...

Is this what Headmaster Orion meant by a sweet romance?

She remembered the conversations she had once had with him.

At the time, those words had sounded distant and impossible to understand.

Now...

She finally understood a little.

There was no grand declaration.

No dramatic promise.

Just simple consideration.

Simple sincerity.

Yet somehow...

It made her heart feel warm.

Yes...

It’s a little sweet.

And... very warm.

Thinking of that, Anna couldn’t stop the smile that slowly blossomed across her face.

It was a smile so genuine that even she didn’t realize she was smiling.

For someone who usually maintained a calm, almost expressionless demeanor, the sight was breathtaking.

The courtyard itself seemed brighter.

The gentle smile upon her face resembled the first blossom of spring after a long winter, carrying a quiet beauty that could make anyone pause in admiration.

Leon stared for a brief moment.

He was genuinely stunned.

She’s... beautiful.

Not because of extravagant clothing or priceless treasures.

It was simply that sincere smile.

It was enough to brighten the quiet courtyard like starlight filling the night sky.

Without realizing it, even Leon’s heart softened.

Anna carefully accepted the six Thunder Floral Pins with both hands.

Holding them close, she softly said,

"Thank you..."

The words left her lips almost instinctively.

The moment she finished speaking, however, she suddenly froze.

Wait...

A trace of embarrassment flashed across her face.

They were temporary Pathbound Companions now.

Saying "thank you" felt strangely distant.

Almost as though she were treating Leon like a stranger.

She hurriedly looked up and quietly added,

"Alright..."

Although the correction was simple, Leon immediately understood what she meant.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Anna gently searched inside her storage treasure for a moment.

Soon, a small jade pendant appeared in her palm.

The pendant was smooth and translucent, radiating a gentle spiritual aura. Even from a distance, it gave off a calming presence that soothed the mind.

She carefully extended it toward Leon.

"I don’t have any good treasures."

"I’ll give you this spirit jade made from a fragment of the Celestis Stone."

"Although this jade pendant isn’t a supreme treasure, it’s still a rare spirit jade. Wearing it can nourish one’s mind and help one cultivate."

She looked at Leon with complete seriousness.

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in her eyes.

She genuinely hoped he would accept it.

This jade pendant had accompanied her for many years.

It had remained by her side through countless days and nights of cultivation.

Although it couldn’t compare to the Thunder Floral Pins in value...

To Anna...

Its meaning was far greater than its price.

It represented her sincerity.

And the feelings she wished to return.

She still remembered something Headmaster Orion had once taught her.

When two people cared for one another, exchanging gifts wasn’t merely an exchange of objects.

It was an exchange of hearts.

Leon had given her something precious.

Now...

She wished to do the same.

Leon accepted the jade pendant with a warm smile.

He held it in his hand for a few moments, quietly examining its smooth surface.

A gentle spiritual warmth flowed into his palm.

He nodded appreciatively.

"Yes, I like this gift very much..."

Without any hesitation, Leon tied the jade pendant to his waist.

He didn’t try to hide it inside his storage treasure.

He wore it openly, allowing anyone who saw him to notice it immediately.

His actions almost seemed to declare to the entire world,

"See this?"

"This is a gift from the person I like."

"Do you have one?"

"No? That’s unfortunate."

The amusing thought nearly made him laugh aloud.

Anna noticed his little action.

Seeing him value her gift so openly filled her heart with quiet joy.

A smile blossomed inside her heart like spring flowers stretching across endless fields beneath a clear blue sky.

Everything around her suddenly seemed brighter.

Even the breeze felt softer.

For the first time in many years...

She found herself genuinely looking forward to whatever tomorrow might bring.

[Ding...]