Kyros stood over Lior, fire-red outfit drenched and dripping. The expensive fabric clung to his chest, wine spreading across the embroidery in dark stains that would never come out.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuq2PlZ4wu
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His amber eyes blazed with fury.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnw6ZFLha8
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"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1lnFjQ8Kh
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Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZ2mHT2qa
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"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkkGqoMdaP
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The crowd pressed closer. Students formed a tightening circle - nobles in the front, commoners hanging back nervously. The music had stopped entirely. Even the servants had frozen mid-step.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqshNd3uZxE
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Cel pushed forward through the ring of onlookers, Hestia just behind him. But there were too many bodies, too much space between him and where Lior knelt.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiqdCcGDt1
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"Please," Lior whispered. His sky-blue eyes were wide with terror, locked on shattered glass fragments. "I'll—I'll clean it. I'll find a way to fix it. Just please—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2q4GR33LT
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"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1MEuFoBr2
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Lior flinched as if struck.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWarLKi2c8O
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Kyros took a step forward. The movement was deliberate, calculated to intimidate. "But I suppose that's fitting, isn't it? A worthless Moon Chosen destroying things of actual value. It's what your kind does."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhz6WPlMGc
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Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVKZbIoBm3
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"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEObidfBMrM
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The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAMeRlLeYL
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"That's not my problem." Kyros crossed his arms, heedless of the wet fabric. "Your clumsiness, your responsibility. Unless you're suggesting I should just accept the loss? That House Solgrand should simply absorb the cost of your incompetence?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGr6dnHRX
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He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VYMXVCwmN
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"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez8l85haOE
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The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LmZUSnzWP
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"Can't what? Afford it?" Kyros's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Then perhaps they shouldn't have sent you here in the first place."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iT3Cle9b5
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The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGWi4iw5qA
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The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtoxbPcYUd
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Cel finally broke through the crowd. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. The air around him had gone cold - frost beginning to form on his palm.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj45hsmnHn
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But before he could speak—14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qzN391uIK
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"That's enough."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j4mSev8s6
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The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a7pM8kwGn
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Theron stepped forward from the gathered nobles. His brown eyes were serious, the perpetual smile gone from his face. He moved with quiet confidence, positioning himself between Kyros and the kneeling Lior.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRVlPryFeu
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"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiFEoC7YLh
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The ballroom went absolutely still.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZLwAkyFFw
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Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdwFrMuEW8
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"You gestured while speaking and stepped back without looking. Lior was already walking past with a glass. You moved into him, not the other way around."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3TFMbQo9C
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Several students who'd been nearby shifted, exchanging glances. Their faces suggested Theron's account matched what they'd seen but been too afraid to say.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcH9X9iE6u
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Kyros's hands twitched. His jaw worked as if chewing words he couldn't quite spit out. "That's—you're mistaken. Obviously you didn't see clearly—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD1nUZYpUd
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"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed4dJKMEFP
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Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoF1hykZt7
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He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlkUAXT8E9
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Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrk54f095M
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But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ79dL2BDwP
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Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU6Sy4uyNC
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"Even if—" Kyros's voice had lost some of its certainty. "Even if I moved first, he should have been more careful. He should have—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7yH1swfyY
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"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZCi1TK7EP
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The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39QqbZpKa0
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Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZK0YiRs5w
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Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfPo5XTQLb
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"Lord Kyros."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3PpXObWKo
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Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASjK9z8SWq
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She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaINkOxAkLz
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"Perhaps it would be best to let this go," she continued. "The evening has been lovely so far. It would be unfortunate to let one mishap sour the entire event."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqaICLT20v
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Kyros's jaw worked. Every line of his body screamed that he wanted to press the issue, to salvage something from this disaster. But Sylvaine's presence beside him, the weight of the watching crowd,  Esrin observing from near the wall—14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdR8pCKqNY
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"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrLJwcJhFs
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He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his wet clothing squelching with each step. Several of his usual followers hesitated, glanced at each other, then hurried after him.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTZ34TPVIo
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The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVh0R31BC
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Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gdRVzFh7m
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"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD6V8grbFG
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Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapUmXVAw4O
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"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0BuFhCFwU
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After a long moment, Lior's shaking hand reached out and grasped Theron's. The All-Blessed pulled him to his feet with gentle strength, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder until Lior stopped swaying.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUzCh9dgz8
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"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyPb1b5UQ6
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"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnc6vXkLUH
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Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEneYDopwET
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The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2VmKt7e4M
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Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMell6zPae
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"How about some fresh air?”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGGcqvlkuf
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He guided Lior toward a side door, away from the watching eyes and whispered conversations. Behind them, the ball continued, but neither of them had any interest in returning.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuIqPrNaPn
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The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfdYNs7v1B
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Cel returned to his room and changed out of the formal attire with mechanical efficiency. The dark fabric whispered as he folded it, placing it carefully aside for the Academy to reclaim.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGBVyEv7QL
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His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBgMd9jfAJ
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He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1mYi9Ck3Q
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The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJYcu2baEl
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He started his training in silence.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ8FbOl6rt
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Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaklvBF7Pz
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Hestia emerged from the darkness in her usual training attire - black and practical, stripped of the evening's elegance. Her crimson eyes tracked his movements with clinical precision.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1GLkktk4Y
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"You're here," she observed.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNRaBguTTS
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"So are you."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwZFUHsPWR
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She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Q6oXVGr4
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The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHdtSgnLcU
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"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit2gJTFtP5
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They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxxpmmXgLz
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After a while, Cel broke the silence. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjx3Gi2BWx
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"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwb7LS9WN2
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Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON8ys9Djc8
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"Standing up to Kyros like that. In front of everyone." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new sequence.  "Most people would have looked away. Especially someone in his position."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0sLrwEIvr
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"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBf9e9QOZl
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Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGodyMT8lE
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"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70V1jVLhu8
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“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhomy8DaMN5
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"She gave Kyros an escape. Made it easy for him to back down without losing too much face." Hestia's tone carried something that might have been approval.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXHEXKSojR
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She tilted her head slightly.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyvIT0HGUV
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"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWniBkAUXMu
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Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I4zHGC3T3
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"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaGODVHXyy
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Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RvmFgqHia
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"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQjoT0MR8l
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Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXbLsDZ3z
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"You're curious about that?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEDjVoD3qy
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"Yes."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8wBd3oh1n
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She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PR2rsZi1J
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"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQr3XRbOBF
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A pause.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wmr3eLAxa
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"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuosgKNYjY
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Her gaze held his.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbGw2DLcAe
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"You're different. The scent doesn't cling to you - it emanates from you. It's not something you've accumulated. It's something you are."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyvWEp8cKM
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The words landed with uncomfortable weight.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzQj0AY4oe
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"What does that mean?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLG7R6RjhJ
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"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil95P2bzjj
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"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3kg44jFji
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Silence stretched between them.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzJxPNb7Ab
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Unique. The word settled over him without the weight it should have carried. He'd died and come back changed - he'd accepted that fact long ago. He even found himself grateful for the power it brought. Either way, dwelling on it changed nothing. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMATd0eVqIY
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"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LDDkFoJun
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cabK4x57s
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Then she shook her head.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSgx9aC080
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"No."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaUbmFJj4h
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Cel blinked. "No?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCax6EzPeT3
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReaydCyOVW
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Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciW1ofZP3K
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Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W0hRk1wcR
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"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQ8eA16Bw
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The word hit like a physical blow.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsFABFRk46
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpkkwjT5Xp
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Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFCps8oc7K
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"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkoVjIez5X
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"Then what—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3EUbTJq3W
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"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKzEaoDrsa
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The night air suddenly felt colder.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKun5NjuVN
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVrcQjKhk
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She shook her head slightly.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ERH46VGi
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqnfkQfweT
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Silence pressed heavy between them.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU2pDUdySr
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf3AwWx6EL
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjrEU2uK5d
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In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaUi0Kbg6e
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAg44EdUN6
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0VGZ6kHBY
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq91cyg8jHo
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYgH1hxl7h
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0z7jMWq63
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77BLFrFrIY
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9qIheWVAa
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1o7Wg8j8D
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Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Od0adc9L
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But he couldn't say that. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy7fromchM
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfisPKUQgco
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"I—"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3n6l4Rqle
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3PjucCYnS
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---14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfBjYEHoob
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1234 copyright protection10ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnuvzNuhHt 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection10ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SYURrgLky 尼

I wanted to apologize that the chapter on saturday was left out. I would recommend you to join the Discord to stay updated on those matters: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm1234 copyright protection10ＰＥＮＡＮＡznCTdMr5nx 尼

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