The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxRZOWnFhp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKd20BL72l
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCEiayArXj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dm721BZ2x
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY0fxEDdJu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Jl4i4snE
'Esrin.'83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQih4U5q5O1
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4HJHWjiyj
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPb8Io41D6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9tRPl1Q75
The door opened.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdhbmgb0SN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlTfFz9wwD
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB0j3lDsb5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9tbDByzSS
Every student seemed to hold their breath.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fzImlCs4d
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4ut7lpqSh
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuk6mibLk9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNAjBVvPBK
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunRk85ajWJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQCjfnxgwc
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd7k3IkOok
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U2NIKHyrj
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLBk3CR5UP
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FaKcO2cmC
The door closed with soft finality.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn63sUBR8UW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGwKWNUF7p
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DhTfTClC7
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4djvS9pQIm
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqdA24sgug
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1pMWyJieT
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicVj5BIvyv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu58XsGsZf
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLhTwC7dBf
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqfY6IlD5A
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCk368eDce
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n6Pfp2IWU
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5dVn4hI4u
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmepCAzpDo
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kt6Xvwd7G
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTUa9H5u1j
Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbc8WpdEoQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNo3XJqioj
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?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyrXIqJFxB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EeVKIdePV
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGJhQXK4En
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7KR2oCKCa
She met the girl's gaze directly.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt4pahfIYx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JkY9IrfRM
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn1qSWrkI7
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6glaB6vWFI
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzVwCOH6RB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ4sWZ659t
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?” 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N3TmIiqH6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCKVRi9qyn
Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeycPgrR8QQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEIMDLNRdf
"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." 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMH3Hfpj99
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0qmYQppK6
The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUmANEZJY0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKzxRQcla
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79faoLHELy
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0jlaGSUQ7
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADYccnmZ5P
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0SJkfwDuX
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV69FRk4ys
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb91DzhiMAT
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUfFSzJEFA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn9Pt4p03q
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bz68tg5s5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyndkQYoii
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSz0ghpGkc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqA3fYyTpm
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5ULuKi0cs
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8vByXeISe
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlISMQJcO5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiJRYqVyiD
"Yes."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3PlarvoQS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WtFjcnOpH
The answer came flat. Final.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROz0WTRGGW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhUvYdJbV2
But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFmw5An1CH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmfVuJgkjg
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uOEa1ElgZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4swmB71RW
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNxngSg4fF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxfdYAyH6g
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM1IU36AtL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXcxQK0FZQ
So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTq5TCnPON
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9hL1iPBoI
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKem9yQL3X
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcCv1fpWMj
Interest rippled through the classroom.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqISIx9DKvB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXe1mgtq6x
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb6C63b2zu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpNWSqOq1i
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oMQizt69Y
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTuHStm7Cy
She lifted two finger.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fPsyByUnf
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuw1kE1zGx
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S9lxsFbLK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IeVaUEpTm
Cel's jaw tightened.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hZuPuZvmX
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyfMtGIbLN
'What about me then?'83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9RNPTJypS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2ZO6shLim
The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXC8iVKsoa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ8hGi49P2
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhjNcHOf2u
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF81UQloQa
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqfZTbe5an
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG85nYQn8v
She raised a third finger.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZKpvI08Xh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb1T1mzmcN
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYekOv2r2q
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr81KJ1tWjV
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJGwX5zI3T
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawjkROzYWp
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU9yvdkCyp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRyUUXXI2y
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJfuopLLJ5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLIUAWxTBE
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDAsniNNc3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RavH9feb8
She paused, letting that sink in. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA3ELBpa9Q
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s0RLzXx2l
"Most Chosen never achieve it.”83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVxDkFzOdk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ79MasCHSW
A fourth finger joined the others. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHQECQJ2tj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX2yqq1WZB
"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.”83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0IJvPYdKv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eX4cRwD8c
She lowered her hand.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3osmj6TJN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46CHpw9fJX
"Only a handful in history have reached this level."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dGMRw9R3i
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT8xzR6HBZ
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrP8QZDJbd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi4Lkn8M0S
Several students still looked confused. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9jKmm146g
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQBtve1jlb
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq8Xjlo6vg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH31Vw0uZmy
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuCFlqUASM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDoOC5MPap
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9au4lBndgm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCvdT48BR0
Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM0jocAhDB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6uQ5sP4ie
"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb39yuTySUc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oBhO8JKPl
The classroom went very still.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxETpkX1XCO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYF0TbTfdv
Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtra2k9pbNj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD4I7orgKM
Another hand rose.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmANRJg98Y
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gvw94JbUc
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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTkbMv9FUP
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kNYpD4Iw5
The question was innocent. Curious.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoo70d0HGK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRV5mVqvSG
But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVtViuQfH0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITlfnRePIg
Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsXWGUFUET
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ4bK3iJry
Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlmH9vD9dp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc6zQ3vgep
His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90C19yKpID
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw4Dx8so8t
At Esrin.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbp1v78Pvk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXpbeMS9Aa
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yDPg1ELhO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdphmtztpuY
'Did something happen between them?'83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijoXici256
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgqp0a1Rbi
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XS9T8sB62
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz2ux2ZlH3
"I forsook it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPg5rvBalI
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6MFWzhJRO
The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7g3B3EvTL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3kxKucrSm
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHXrU97MyD
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozyBavlBN6
But Esrin's attention had already moved on.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6LmCOC7Yi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ9j0cuUaJ
"Any other questions?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQedNxRLVCR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XdzOaUoXA
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkFJihivO0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeObDPT5KNk
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZELO3HjHlW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBbdlkpAB5
Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ODf5hWvRS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1wyO3F9sw
She walked toward the exit without ceremony.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg7i3MV96p
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPlruUsGep
Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XMEfrzVkL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaL0mnifG1
The door closed.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd8foDiOii
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGXGSDDP9t
Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKBwdIyawR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtn0S0JxED
"Did you see her eyes?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRzYQYhQR4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHbyzFlohE
"The way she moved—"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG5rVHgSEz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswuOaqKEY7
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIZ8iA03Ym
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIYcXSI321
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOl4YLm2sj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeeYjmfMka
Cel sat quietly, processing.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9jAmqs1fd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnpBvNBKp2
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupor1rBaff
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIKcgTP1YB
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EYaRSoTaE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGVTv0BHPa
The question burned without answer.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9w2H2JVyL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs5JFnfSAv
Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCWyg5HmFa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYddvt4xeXW
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV9uaoiyO8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI6gsdPMLc
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz5XpbSaxQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FUPxmLxFX
His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8mc6n52Qr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlTPpbgd5s
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi74wB4wzdr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLCZFatyzH
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOAbaEG3xj
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nnQ7IHm9e
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"All of us are," Cel said.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WpTR56GA1
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38aK74eyvi
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs9XYskl4w
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRtIPGsvZY
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV9u9AYkjp
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gnZNhdz2A
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0GIWNcJZ9
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlCJmapqqE
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD36HWCjPH
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWB950cIWk 尼

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