The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3E0SQZ6N6
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Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW3zLbtUjk
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jkgq0Fmak
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxGy1onLqH
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WsgisnTk3
'Esrin.'40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXXeLdyubO
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbcmT0kXXM
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER7npK3goo
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVSY5NTP6C
The door opened.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXStNnuuKS5
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She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W55My3jda
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Every student seemed to hold their breath.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXzqgBiIyG
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKZTPJXw1S
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgIWQTm1yJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u1mGoovMJ
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvAQDQjTMz
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftig4tdqVb
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtR5fZeCSq
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwnV3Xi8WL
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExaeaExMtv
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B675BfZqN
The door closed with soft finality.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuVLBO3KvZ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevSWgUFl7q
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDU2bwq149
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Xu751gLy
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1DSBoskQA
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"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecP673Gcab
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnBwoPwXMM
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFOjsmlVmO
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSAA4ovnzX
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQjSTK3INb
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTg2wTySXK
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qNYol4QZA
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1boyuADFV0
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDXPO3Sm3g
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Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK9Kbva9u3
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE2mB8cZmT
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECjOEhPPB
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvr8Bpu3qz
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqVQXdUnCG
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She met the girl's gaze directly.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDxhA3NKeW
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"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOXKtyWzOz
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nj6MroxMD
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe1sTIeTtW
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEuMrBj9kG
Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQjgxkVEAF
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Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuskqjm439
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJapJ0nk3P
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7dfyWBBPR
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The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitfGs4iav0
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtgRm30yfH
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXMMXdWUKJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g34qoEmPi
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TSjcGVdBe
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEwSyC8l4Q
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh28C5YwhD
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffNLga8cc0
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTigzvEHsxo
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Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GgFw3hrbn
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVLqiJayK
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvZwRoy7t0
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynw0FzLBZl
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeGe27ns48
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dTkQBfjm9
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvEqTcCRUV
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"Yes."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQvASwCpCx
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The answer came flat. Final.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO8L3FBf93
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But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WcHm0uSRX
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'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cf7TCYVOi
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyMD3WgLyQ
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m2oUxJCnz
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But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XhwN0gBST
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So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQz1EXqV4K
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFzv28z2jS
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY4iHeLn5i
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmtAZgVFno
Interest rippled through the classroom.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDYKyDsISc
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Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTux0bso0J1
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIOwvTVpt3
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wxyiDtaei
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She lifted two finger.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0G0ilMsV
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTSqGstZmh
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe0Ma9QRPs
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Cel's jaw tightened.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTTqMg6KYL
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'What about me then?'40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEt6kOAmh9
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The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWe6G4sj3D
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs29SaUSWx
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavG4Q5DKFA
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCQgQKmPHv
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO6MCL26OF
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She raised a third finger.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSDd0nTfJg
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJlb3ZnDFb
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuq3bxppyC
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqDJb13nFq
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMbwAqy74
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsufDO2mal1
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsSTyD3aZF
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Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYinGVV1RB8
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33L5nx8toX
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6Ux1AsAX
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She paused, letting that sink in. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVZlLLbf4l
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"Most Chosen never achieve it.”40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJRETQe0D3
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A fourth finger joined the others. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt7YZQWxUw
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVFt1wPLkN
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gm2PZSpW6
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eWaHyl9hF
She lowered her hand.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkidpf2puOB
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"Only a handful in history have reached this level."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLK3zOzEzo
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE5fyt4g1J
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7oFyK9t8Z
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRKnF2L8Ed
Several students still looked confused. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdWu72VcjS
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLxtF8LVz
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqsFORh1HE
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Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGJ2CIfIij
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWHunJ7tmK
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRjecwUNb8
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Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAXbXdlqnf
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"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpO37n0jgh
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCbYKIeWrp
The classroom went very still.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraiJsPTn2R
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilz402qIA2
Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2YgS77Nxj
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Another hand rose.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaQYNkNpyJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTJezMDDyo
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sFTVbETRb
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The question was innocent. Curious.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9170yPeyV
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But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Bpz5OXg9
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Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVA8uosEJz
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Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijMil2oMOg
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His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz11NUBfHb
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At Esrin.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNaKDJSa3D
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XPfthgCAh
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZspi62yMGu
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'Did something happen between them?'40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOBT1n7QyO
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhCYoQDTze
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5dYdTfzif
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLd7VcnhBa
"I forsook it."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PEL8y4PAm
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The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6NbC9BaQo
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtYOoY233y
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK3EAMvJmh
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But Esrin's attention had already moved on.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedhcMoVTOC
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CeQdAwCoA
"Any other questions?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiWSTjq42B
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9hLpbbjUe
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwUnfi8lzN
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1foxq7Qw4
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRdX12nhsl
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Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIskc2QFNaJ
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She walked toward the exit without ceremony.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrboi1c0LJc
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Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q1VRiTuiV
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hV25xdAPE
The door closed.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNX0lP7VEO
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Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxODOP0KtRJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYPW9Ico19
"Did you see her eyes?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHT7TapEF0
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhSjKob6kn
"The way she moved—"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlMuhEP7F6
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnjuKPQv8K
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgvvuN9OwI
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd85tPIQdT
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YGjVNMr9B
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Cel sat quietly, processing.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LiAEzXpH7
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcGdRi8mD3
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8wfh3DrMU
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzdwdgFHx3
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMNJ6JuOMJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k9BKfKa0G
The question burned without answer.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsISVWHCpIA
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Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq2sXwQJON
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CUO8GYjKQ
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0iJhR2hix
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And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMULse3x986
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His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCDNNrvR6b
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQioumaWHU
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXupBDu4GVe
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94PaEl47vW
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjysFJrYJe
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Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDkkfjKo53
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"All of us are," Cel said.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjSIBowM9m
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF6ixQ00h2
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtNUYKFtOe
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdWoQNehRk
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD6YNHpETY
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHR07eY3lg
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEXereG9sk
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvNKyrOvDw
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVZLAaLnsi
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection36ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nYmRbijnD 尼

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