Cel stopped before the monolith, grateful for the excuse to focus on something other than the heat still crawling up his neck.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uaEnD7HUf
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAtb5nxGVy
The surface rippled like water, runes burning against his vision:94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNWDRCAsKP
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcnjk6ol8s
<Name: Celvian> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQB6YKvYdV
<Paragons: (Heir to the Moon) (White Death)> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdG8owciVy
<Artifacts: (Silent Moon) (Cinderward)> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hNkWZC7zC
<Insights: (Ledger of Nightmares)> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuIanJeJwz
<Achievements: (2)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2DoTv9S68
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Oedt6DGnR
He focused on the achievements line.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeal7FWMY5
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w82zRA7zj
<Achievements: (You died) (You entered a new dimension)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt3voTsdxj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVH9tCj4na
Cel stared at the words.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmjVkaGoL7
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqcUjoSDvX
Crazy. Both of them sounded absolutely insane when laid out like that.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0QP3co1ZB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ9fIgZg81
The first he'd earned by dying - something that should have ended everything. The second one was new. A record of stepping into the Reckoning's base - that floating island in the crackling violet void.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Aa3q0K4a
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOxAo542ET
His brow furrowed.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTidftnGKCu
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFvm3F4eOQ
Not the Hollow Realms. Not the real world either. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgjZsfdWA5
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Op28wH08
A completely separate dimension.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iUECEcR4S
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6MtSaGxhl
But how?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaecPqXVE6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdLCgXMTRx
Did the Reckoning find it somehow? Stumble across a rift that led to an empty pocket of reality and claim it?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUJWyHRor1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0WpkwtiZu
Or had someone created it?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vummJId0j
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV38AWg3nR
The thought made his stomach twist. Creating an entire dimension seemed impossible - the kind of power that shouldn't exist outside of gods themselves.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3L4QGMSSZ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQNTZtVk2G
But the Reckoning had nine members. Several of them legendary figures - the Mercenary King, the second prince of the Empire, a Hallowed. And Veyron led them all, had welcomed him based solely on Selina's description.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZiFt12bgM
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi3ZWGSqQJ
What kind of person could lead such figures? And what kind of power did someone like that possess?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t6NlzJFV0
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjitebV74I
Cel's jaw tightened. More questions without answers.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelamYT79xm
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYcHH4RkBY
His gaze shifted back to his paragons. One of them had received a new trait.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJswWcGn0VR
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0idqU8TMi
He focused on Heir to the Moon first.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dSJzBX9As
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT2jmg3uts
<Paragon: Heir to the Moon> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDvzmbqk5E
<Affinity: 1/10> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cm86WGJ0B
<Traits: (Lunar Vigor) (Unbroken Succession) (Eternal Witness)>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK8m3rJxXC
<Authorities: />94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qad9gqHrP
<Enlightment: "The moon is never the same twice, yet she is always herself. Full tonight, crescent tomorrow, vanished the next - but never gone. They call it change. The moon calls it constancy.">94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXrtfVXpcw
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZTGShdzZW
Three traits now, instead of two.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtY2tZ8TtH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4olTEKPtS
Eternal Witness. The new addition.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx9IXjJYaY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSl3WwTHQa
Cel narrowed his focus on it and the runes shifted again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSezlAW5Nez
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ccAZKbHDf
<Trait: Eternal Witness> 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChw85BIfJ9
<Effect: Your body has adapted to the moon's eternal watch. You no longer require sleep.>94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23RFO2whK4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z13NfEVkd
For a moment, he simply stared.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljpa6jK9Ed
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk2Cx9LnLs
Then the implication hit him like a physical blow.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsmTAl213T
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduuFvg7noQ
No sleep.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA2nhlkIrt
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYLJYHDpPI
Never again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQMatKEWO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf3cQD5ZYb
Several hours every night that other people lost to unconsciousness - hours he could use however he wanted. Training. Reading. Thinking. Living.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBW1YP3we5
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNL67Fz972
The sheer value of that…94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7UkOeZGxR
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9ujPshRv4
And it wasn't just time. Sleep was vulnerability. A period where threats could approach unnoticed, where defenses lowered whether you wanted them to or not.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0nPKsw3MW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBBnRDnrUj
Now he'd never have to worry about that again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jZy8DMPJ9
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXre2HEBMXZ
His throat felt tight.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TKw9dTVOg
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2YQ9J8Nxw
'Thank you.'94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxFDmPetl5
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejtMpc9Drt
The thought rose unbidden, directed not at the goddess but at Selina. Her presence. Her rank as a Divine Oracle.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf6Wj9qA1a
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPs81IfMIo
Because she held that rank, his blessing carried weight it wouldn't have otherwise.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VMuZb2bxQ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6YEEx9OZo
Other Chosen received abilities suited to survival. Basic enhancements. Modest authorities.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvITU21zqlk
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQduCQODEZu
He'd been given resurrection. And now even the freedom from one of humanity's most fundamental limitations.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNaFT1iVeM
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN40qmhsYEZ
All because Selina stood as his guide.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2dfXrD6QO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE8vTb3bZ4
'I don't deserve you,' he thought. 'But I'm grateful anyway.'94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdTh8S9Wrj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZFVYeh3wc
The monolith's light dimmed as his focus withdrew, runes fading back into its surface.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNS3lHf5SG
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWtrenVcZl
Cel turned away, finding Selina still standing in the mist nearby, that serene smile in place.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTROzUo4Q8N
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hRXDfNT7e
"I’m leaving now," he said quietly.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyLBR6AEZY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuc7SHHDAC
"May the Moon Goddess light your path, Chosen One."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hkqiSSWal
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cy6hkerW1
The blessing settled over him like a gentle weight. Familiar now. Comforting in a way few things were.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TRqq7bqzI
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfS3oaErlq
He nodded once, then closed his eyes and reached for the boundary of his soul.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXRRqTMnAC
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecfZv2ss9Z
The world shifted.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXjuMafRHJ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dx7ahWt1U
Darkness greeted him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTm16d81P4
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJbURMFBtS
Cel blinked, momentarily disoriented before realizing that he was still in his room.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTEaPt6CPN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCsAMEdC06
The night had fallen while he was gone.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkbmRpg4Hv
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWXmcfoHDE
He pushed himself up from the bed, joints protesting slightly despite his divinely enhanced body.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cZEHjkfcy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZtlVsTFs9
The window showed only blackness beyond - no moon visible from this angle. Street sounds had faded to occasional distant footsteps and the creak of settling wood.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16CxRuCkTS
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdY8gQ8tMW
His body felt... strange. Not tired, exactly. But worn in a way that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuOVkBo5TY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygBAOcPduF
Like he'd been running for days and only just realized he could stop.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rlLdUnWpP
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqliZ0mATZ
Eternal Witness meant he didn't need sleep anymore.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALYTl2rZwY
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBmKaz2fML
But that didn't mean he couldn't sleep.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs1ROoPxTb
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb5valoIV9
And right now, despite everything, the thought of lying down and letting unconsciousness take him felt impossibly appealing.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCnFPzlqZj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZt8dMYsGi
Just for a little while.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1XUFZaY04
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9WBwlQZTd
Cel moved to the bed and sat on its edge, then swung his legs up and lay back.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3AXiWUq3R
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTJYfNMaPX
The mattress was thin. The pillow barely deserved the name.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9TayFkZeU
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN1MSEZ2Ur
But it was soft. Safe.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMWfCZvq8j
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vrk6yFMNg
He stared at the ceiling, watching shadows shift across wooden beams.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikgbyqTEEK
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyLeS4ZWqm
Ten days until the Academy started.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNt4luykjR
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYShq3JENdG
Ten days to figure out what it meant to live instead of just survive.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a7rthOLtO
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHsw4STI6R
He still didn't know how.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wD0OLO2El
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1v6Q1E3CI
But Selina believed he could learn.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaGTUxlcgH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI5s8esbzS
That would have to be enough.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2WQofaO21
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3NZ3ttcak
His eyes drifted shut.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkltCRLCrN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfoKCd8zAT
Sleep came easier than it had any right to, pulling him down into darkness.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrjU9nNmaJ
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDUvjNspTd
The nightmare came like it always did - his father's fists, his mother's silence, the cultists' hands reaching through rusted bars. Familiar horrors cycling through his mind in vivid detail.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYulMpb2h7
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC30qJlkop
Cel jerked awake gasping, sweat-soaked and shaking.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF0oVFKYGA
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFxj4UEWiD
Gray light filtered through the window. Dawn approaching.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnQy194Tzm
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX5rdIfRIW
Just a dream.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ssG91zCC
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5sH2GtNMU
The same dream that appeared every single night.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoURgxKHwL
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX1Q7Qnpbw
His breathing slowly steadied as awareness fully returned.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKJz2jmEeo
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW5CLt3dSG
Except now…94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z8kXCj9rC
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgn85ItwlG
Now it wouldn't.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G4cnUz9ZG
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdXiMwA4qn
Thanks to his new trait Eternal Witness, he no longer required sleep, which meant no more nightmares dragging him back through his trauma.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1w6QZbokc
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQx89ehLHx
Relief hit him so hard it felt physical - a weight lifting from his chest that he hadn't fully realized was there until it vanished.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xT2ao88G0
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYmKCNo6Hn
He could sleep if he wanted to. The trait didn't prevent it. But he'd never need to again. Never be forced to surrender consciousness and hope the nightmares didn't come.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiKijwOde9
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQeMkgro9i
He could just... stay awake. Forever, if he chose.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmXZ9c71lz
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e5lXPzP9w
The freedom in that felt impossible.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw5C9uqr1h
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipH3t4eK6p
Cel sat up slowly, running a hand through sweat-dampened hair. His white hair - still strange to see when he caught glimpses of it. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHeUTYlJor
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQFRzCb0hb
Sunlight streamed through the window, bright and clean, spilling across the floor in a warm rectangle. The day stretched ahead of him - hours and hours with no structure, no purpose.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JibxgYlsy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dwnT4q7st
What was he supposed to do now?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusGWQZT0tK
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3j0aW0cIx
Selina's advice drifted back to him. ‘Rest. Enjoy the peaceful time you have been given. Do the things that bring you joy.’94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSoegu6sTW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmpjjJruYi
Cel's jaw tightened.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUChfLttzJW
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXFXrdzkkJ
He still didn't know what brought him joy. Didn't know how to just... exist without purpose or goal.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZWqPhZhYc
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTVqvayr3
Training made sense. Preparing for threats made sense. But wandering around looking for something that made him smile?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GaTqJtyip
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4UStAnn8t
He didn't even know where to start.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3DHzLykmN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELlWcMrOrS
His thoughts circled back to the only moment recently where something close to peace had touched him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGZWHppAwB
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQGTWekZRi
Talking with Selina.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo85Y7Dzdj
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdUDDiByNr
Not during the trial. Not when she explained his abilities or warned him about dangers. Just... talking. Her patience. Her gentle certainty. The way she listened without judgment and answered without condescension.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y1o8J6WnN
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUmq924dIZ
The way she smiled…94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSK3GnyD78
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdLr8Ju5me
Heat crept up his neck at the memory of that radiant expression.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT75uxblz1H
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNMXJZx7M2
He wanted to see that again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2VC3YusMV
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWjx1LsUyk
Wanted to talk with her more. Ask her questions that had nothing to do with survival or power. Learn what she thought about things. Hear her voice without the weight of divine guidance hanging over every word.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc4WNrgROT
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxWAeoJo6u
The desire settled in his chest, warm and uncomfortable.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrsZcdrJ4b
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXpaspaB1u
But she was a Divine Oracle. The highest authority beneath the gods themselves.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRSbKDkAu1
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfhZ6FNp5g
Why would she want to spend time with someone like him?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLwJSL5Guv
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0bBo3diW0
She guided him because it was her duty. Her role. Not because she enjoyed his company or found him interesting.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMsdhxeBI3
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyZw6u68DH
Expecting anything else was just…94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE25hPYKMw
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLhGjA3IgF
Delusional.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6b8Og9VSE
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu3GQEaKxn
Cel pushed himself off the bed, suddenly restless. The room felt too small again. Confining.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvlvjI6F8R
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35wHMV1iSF
Maybe he should go outside. Walk through the Academy grounds. Get familiar with the place before classes started.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRZJgaDaA6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yu36R2PHf
Or maybe he should practice with Silent Moon. Test how Empathic Steel responded to different emotional states.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce8Oz6Vlns
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQUjvrInKD
Or—94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8q3uFDVm6
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHEg3vGydN
Three sharp knocks echoed through the small room.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbT6aSJtyE
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPznj8nICo
Cel froze.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp74o8Gk2oy
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6qspiRZ7s
Every muscle in his body went rigid. His hand moved instinctively toward where Silent Moon would materialize if he called it.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCm49ZLRSH
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9Qz5u2ZEO
No one knew he was here. No one except the Reckoning and the receptionist who'd enrolled him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy28mwXUD0o
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Nt57s1F4
The knocks came again.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkNUpQTH2p
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnmRUVmlhJ
Cel moved to the door silently and stopped, listening.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Wq28bkdq
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Breathing on the other side. Steady. Calm.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvi0nlFQvr
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Not threatening, then. Or very good at pretending not to be.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfeIrUrK3O
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He reached for the handle and pulled the door open.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltyRiPjaj5
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The receptionist stood in the hallway, holding a neatly folded bundle of dark fabric. Her expression was professional but tired - like this was just another task in a long shift.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHNsB1zUM2
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"Apologies for the early hour," she said without preamble. "I meant to deliver these yesterday, but the paperwork took longer than expected." She held out the bundle. "Your Academy uniform and monthly allowance."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl43qWLPid
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Cel stared at the offered items, his hand still hovering near where Silent Moon would appear.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYAj8TTnpI
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The woman's gaze tracked the motion, then returned to his face without comment. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2pFQOgLSj
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"The uniform is required for classes and official Academy functions," she continued when he didn't immediately take it. "You're free to wear whatever you like otherwise." She shifted the bundle slightly. "The allowance is standard for commoner students - it should cover your needs."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h60gvk7XA
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Cel finally reached out and took the bundle.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqqG8Ny1UG
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"The Library is open from dawn to midnight. Same goes for the training grounds. Curfew's at midnight for commoner dorms."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB0TJHCdtr
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She paused, watching him with that same tired professionalism.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lkbdLQcf8
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“Any questions?"94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv5ZQ5wpBb
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Cel's throat worked. Too many questions, actually. But none that she could answer.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpHhTz6ws0
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"No."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKAttDPYWp
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The woman nodded once. "Then I'll leave you to settle in. Welcome to the Chosen Academy."94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivADpFtN9R
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She turned and walked away down the dim hallway, footsteps fading into silence.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjV9lGssRj
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Cel stood in the doorway for a moment longer, then stepped back inside.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50431y4Aft
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He moved to the bed, set the bundle down and carefully unfolded it.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjDAaVEeSR
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The uniform spilled out first - dark fabric that looked almost black, with silver threading along the collar and cuffs. Well-made. Practical. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCChL4Sod
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Over the heart, embroidered in that same silver thread, was the crescent moon symbol of the Moon Goddess.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoRcQDmyEk
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Cel's fingers traced over it slowly.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47SV1DvJrk
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The uniform was stiff. Formal. The kind of thing that would announce what he was to everyone who saw him.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hDp8ConCY
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Moon Chosen. Academy student. Commoner.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3mCLUKcDO
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His fingers pulled away from the silver crescent.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw5UsOKpTe
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The cloth pouch filled with silver coins came next. More money than he'd imagined. Enough to live on for a month, apparently.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqxFHWrfm0
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He weighed the pouch in his palm. Heavy. Solid. Real.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXgWkHXuyN
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Wealth he'd earned simply by existing. By being Chosen.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mBZ1Klju8
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The thought sat strangely in his chest.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvKbpm2Mly
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Cel set the coins down and picked up the uniform again. He already had something to wear. Cinderward - an artifact of the blessed grace that protected without restricting, felt right in a way this stiff formal uniform never would.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuYU1QKjIn
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He folded the uniform carefully and set it in the wardrobe. 94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0KysJ9PAn
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The sky was brightening properly now through the window - dawn breaking across the city in shades of gold and pale blue.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcdgek5Uc1
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Hours stretching ahead with nothing to do and no idea how to fill them.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlbd0GSaJj
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‘Do the things that bring you joy.’ Selina's advice echoed again, gentle and impossible.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje6CZpiIYd
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Cel's fingers drummed against his thigh as he considered his options.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDZZxts0GJ
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His gaze tracked to the door.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIEDKX2N4j
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Outside was a city. Stella - the capital. Streets he'd barely seen while Esrin marched him to the Academy. People living normal lives, doing normal things.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVRRR2P7U2
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When was the last time he'd walked somewhere without a destination?94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB6kCUPfc2
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Never, probably.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRgwLa1lDe
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Maybe that was where he should start. With just... walking.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ui0G8EzUC
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Seeing what was out there.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyUaG0cHjg
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The idea felt foreign and slightly terrifying.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxwyq5kFQP
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But Selina believed he could do it.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvbbGwJdKC
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And right now, that was enough.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2EC0A4mBY
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Cel moved to the door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTyyXlKkwC
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here^^94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8kI5kD58r
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I just wanted to give you a short reminder that you can read up to 5 Chapters ahead on my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW7Z6ywXgC
94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKedzRN7pgK
Also, now that the first arc of Lunar Legacy has come to an end, I'd love to gather some interesting statistics to share with you all later! To start things off, I've created a poll where you can vote for your top 5 favorite characters from the first arc and rank them in order of preference.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwRKeoJ09t
Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2fHPnPWhv7kOVpEW-7_9dVZ-R58KrdhO0hxVfGrV_dHmMIA/viewform?usp=header94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNooO1a74h
(it is anonymous - so please vote only one time to get a correct result)94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ1zJuOjYB
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Would love to see your picks! Thanks for participating^^94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0dptJZqqN
1234 copyright protection90ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOuXg7tzci 尼

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