The silence in his room pressed down on him, suddenly oppressive. The evening light filtering through his window felt wrong somehow - too dim, too uncertain.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTJ53CTZ98
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmAuC31Vab
Cel closed the Ledger with deliberate care. The moment his grip loosened, it dissolved into faint motes of light that faded into nothingness.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lNTIdMMeq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzvwwrC9Wg
He needed answers.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0bRrAHppY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWsZaCx7dz
He closed his eyes and reached inward.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIUcj6i1EK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo21qiaIKp
The cracked earth materialized beneath his feet. Mist curled around his ankles in familiar patterns. Small flowers with bluish-white petals swayed despite the absence of wind, their blooms catching moonlight.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDmowW2Scj
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGOIBbU4JN
Footsteps approached through the haze.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmyd3tskzl
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQMnMgfpGy
Selina emerged, her white robes drifting through the mist. Her silver mask caught the moon's radiance, and below it, her lips curved in a serene smile.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSNp6abHgv
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EFcgSKfqD
"Welcome back, Chosen One."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxz9xIkuV8
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3qUWMq6ou
Cel didn't waste time on pleasantries. "The trial. Was it real?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx2RVBbswZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7djDxUUG5
Her expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested she'd been expecting the question.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe0Q6DsTNa
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYNNLXLcvg
"Yes and no," she said simply.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mv7C3vgct
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLgTux5J4h
The answer settled over him like fog - present but impossible to grasp.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmxXkncMPu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBDoNxW1D6
"What does that mean?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAWJ64Xtd2
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGxMysRAZo
Selina's hands folded at her waist. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft rustle of flowers swaying in the mist.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdVQ7voSnu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGI4r7Quk2
When she finally spoke, her tone carried quiet finality. "I am sorry, Chosen One. That does not lie within my authority."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4uOjApg2f
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w8zNUVx64
Cel's jaw tightened. The same answer she always gave when questions pressed too close to divine truth.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J8nNY9bTi
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxcmHVoozl
He tried another approach. "The Crystal Monarch. Was that a real drake?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTOICG2ZQ9
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHuGGhLzXm
"It was."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLO26nGigt
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjUhDPPzRU
"And the Moon Goddess killed it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WOgoxxotF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFCYL26lmF
"She did."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidueGzKupo
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVlhfzdoVj
Something shifted in Selina's expression as she spoke - subtle, almost imperceptible. But it was there. Her shoulders straightened slightly. Her chin lifted. The serene smile deepened into something warmer, more genuine.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQM8ILfKCq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKNvDxbmEt
Pride.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNOJCkbwKx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfy3gFzApi
Not the cold satisfaction of victory, but something fiercer. More personal. The kind of pride that came from absolute faith in someone you served.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkCrROMWtS
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvtWTyL7Zq
It was the first time Cel had seen that particular emotion from her. Selina, who maintained perfect composure through every conversation, who guided him with patient certainty - she was proud of her goddess in a way that went beyond duty or devotion.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMEPucGBXA
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyjbJ4t1W5
The realization settled in his chest with unexpected weight.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gRkE5Ynhx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSVaqVB5Nv
The simple confirmations felt inadequate. But when Selina said nothing more, Cel realized he wouldn't get detailed explanations. Not about why the goddess had intervened personally, not about what the drake's final creation had been, not about any of the mysteries the legacy had raised.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpP8d4x5qC
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjAxxw2pja
He forced himself to move past it.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFar5jALmdP
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhlohttgaN
"What do I do now?" The words came out rougher than intended. “Now that the ten days are over."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tz9vunEPT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7ITAGlsEq
Selina's expression softened, the pride fading back into gentle patience. "Did you find something you enjoy? Something that brings you peace?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHnokOM6nI
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemJnv8rnV
The question pulled at memories from the past ten days. Wandering the city. The church. The tavern.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvJUsTOXGU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq1knDkCxJ
His sister's face surfaced first - the way she'd smiled when he'd told her about the Moon Goddess. The genuine warmth in her voice when she'd said she hoped to see him again. Those brief conversations where he could pretend, just for a few minutes, that they were simply two believers sharing faith rather than siblings separated by death and resurrection.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZigAgVvbn2
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzTyYbzVuB
"I like talking to my sister," he said quietly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTb9GpuJIh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIa92GvxFJ
"And the tavern." Cel continued. "It's... comfortable there.."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4bgtrn6oX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWESkLnbdnO
He left out the third thing. 86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc3KnICeM6
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC48bDc2Ou4
Talking to Selina herself. The way she listened without judgment, offered guidance without condescension, existed as a point of certainty in a world that made no sense.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh9026ChPk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUujNaPTEQg
"I'm sorry," he added after a moment. "That's all I found. Just two things."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKaWiy3hTJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9O4czg48Y
Selina's smile deepened - genuine warmth transforming her serene expression into something radiant.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAwU7OYEsT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdCjqTreL2
"Even one thing would be more than enough, Chosen One."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzIXjTdKWh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmQHKdFz6X
Her voice carried absolute sincerity.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5pVvqxNrN
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQWP8CHzab
"The goal is not to accumulate pleasures like coins in a purse. It's simply to experience joy at all. To allow yourself moments of peace without guilt or justification."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bp367cYAQ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OOw5zpb9M
The words settled in his chest with unexpected weight. He'd been bracing for disappointment - for her to tell him he should have tried harder, found more, done better. Instead, she seemed pleased.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorZwERsH2W
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWb9qZbVhi
"What's next, then?" Cel asked. 86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G8kn85wmp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAG1JUsJ7o
Selina was quiet for a moment, as if considering her response carefully.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRG5HizzJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuujZ3gNjvy
"The next step is to find out who you are."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrKHPu2Tkv
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCcWROsq11
Cel blinked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnLiwAdZss
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yOo9s8iG2
"I..." He started, then stopped. The answer seemed obvious. Almost insultingly simple. "I'm an abandoned noble child. A Moon Chosen. That's—"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXuGqdklcM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibm43XMHmX
"Chosen One." Selina's voice remained gentle, but carried enough weight to stop him mid-sentence. She stepped closer, moonlight seeming to gather around her. "You don't need to give me an answer."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsazjv8Leia
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklo87jERay
His mouth closed.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JeFra103i
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb2eBt2KYo
"The task is not to deliver a satisfying response that I can acknowledge and approve." Her masked gaze held his. "The task is to find an answer for yourself."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbZxXji8xI
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LFrHGKnlj
Silence stretched between them. Cel's hands curled at his sides.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBbLWocNEl
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVdxCQKYp1
"I don't understand."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLaKCsYmjB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBehwz3owZ
"You will." Selina's tone carried certainty that felt almost tangible. "Take your time. Let the question settle. See what surfaces when you're not searching for it."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMznX6VklqD
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUFi5BGHhE
The mist curled around their feet, patterns shifting without reason.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpRET6riyZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF88EssGdXd
"Is there anything else, Chosen One?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Ixiouyy0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYZgh3YGwj
Cel shook his head slowly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshaYOWxVIU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXehPWZqFgR
"Then rest well." Her smile brightened once more. "May the Moon Goddess light your path."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdSDZW5XXh
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kg9XDhVX2
The familiar blessing wrapped around him as he closed his eyes and reached for the boundary.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5EMSF9P11
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gbTyxWJkW
The room materialized around him with jarring immediacy. Narrow bed. Empty desk. Walls that pressed in from all sides.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JrecmH9Iw
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4jC02XzJu
Cel sat on the bed's edge, staring at nothing in particular.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9n8208IZY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SFOSeGMpb
‘Who am I?’86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2LuNhl9FU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyaanaZOz8
The question circled through his thoughts like a persistent insect. Simple. Direct. And he had answers.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr4QrUAHFf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRAjPq4ebb
He was an abandoned noble child. Lord Aldric of House Solmar had thrown him away the moment the wrong deity claimed him. That was just fact.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1pyyW8Mny
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4EY3e8ZVH
He was a Moon Chosen. The mark sat between his shoulder blades, whole and unmarred. Undeniable.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF0OZxUEwz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs6Y0mNRoi
He was the Heir to the Moon Goddess. The paragon's name said it clearly enough.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS6x8lx6Na
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVAhUviZC6
He was a Chosen guided by a Divine Oracle. Selina stood in his soul, the highest authority beneath the gods themself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNj3wQEJa3
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYFRFBxZA9
He was one of few Chosen who'd survived a journey through the Hollow Realms. Most who entered either died or went mad. He'd done both and come back anyway.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuownJbuPK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQE3qj0NJG
He was a member of the Reckoning. Ninth rank. White Death. An assassin in an organization that hunted corrupt Chosen.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVuzy7oHXq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgw5gcPQFa
He was an Academy student. Enrolled. Expected at morning assembly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmTJVlay8k
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOElVlY2is
The list felt complete. Accurate. These were the things that defined him - the truths of his existence laid out in neat categories.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy2yrr4nJU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX0iWxJGII
So why did the question still felt unanswered?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYcDMQXwfb
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3TKYIolq8
His fingers drummed against his thigh, restless.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzCmJgcFxZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLNt3uuF8r
Cel pushed himself off the bed and moved to the window.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj892m4I9tJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxiE31hiYM
Night had fallen completely while he'd been in his soul. The Academy grounds lay quiet beneath moonlight, paths empty and still. Beyond the walls, the capital glowed with scattered lamplight - windows bright against darkness, signs of life continuing without him.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HxZp6vdta
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOhZAiFdoG
The waning moon hung overhead, bright and clear.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJX113ZImO
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87TCszeUda
Energy flooded through him immediately - Lunar Vigor filling his veins with effortless power. His muscles responded, tension draining away as strength settled into bone and sinew.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA0JZqrusy
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpYnU7dkBb
Thanks to Eternal Witness, he had the whole night.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6hMVNHQae
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGcalgSphv
Cel's gaze tracked toward where he knew the training grounds waited, dark and empty.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BL7KGZsxd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyc5BuY5cj
He moved to the door.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHdQl8qM10
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nZYwky65q
The training grounds stood silent beneath moonlight. Empty weapon racks lined one wall. Archery targets at the far end. The packed earth center stretched wide and unmarked.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQtUwpenPS
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dm7wLbx4K
Cel crossed the threshold, boots crunching softly against dirt.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoyNeZp1g1
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHgUIi4APl
No one would notice. The Academy slept. Guards patrolled the outer walls, not internal courtyards. And even if someone saw him…86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcMyUM6F7j
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2BTiqcZro
He was a Chosen. Training at odd hours wouldn't raise questions.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga1kuTiai3
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZkTTTm5Hg
Moonlight poured down across the open space, silver and clear. Lunar Vigor surged stronger here - no walls to block the light, no ceiling to filter its strength. Power hummed beneath his skin like a second heartbeat.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmle1kp4p1
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdUaZOUr01
His hand moved instinctively toward the bond with Silent Moon—86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq6SKLi3T4
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYKpP2ViMx
Then stopped.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bTfeYmAIE
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL2cgt0JpW
Instructor Calder's words surfaced in his memory - about base strength, about how enhancements multiplied what was already there. How doubling nothing still left you with nothing.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3dSuzUvId
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Mu3GkuU4
The foundation. Everything started there.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaV6NzEjca
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyvkCTJWjM
And beneath Calder's recent lesson lay older memories - fragments from childhood training. His weapons instructor drilling the basics into him before he'd ever been allowed near a real blade.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBWImQJBbp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHU0Zph6C0
The Moon Goddess had forged him a new body. But that didn't mean the foundation was complete. Didn't mean it couldn't be strengthened further.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1iklXg5cZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQoKAttOGn
His hand dropped.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmXd9khm2b
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTJ71qS24z
Basic training first.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu82OLrYMhg
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelrR6rk0bE
His hands moved to the Academy uniform's collar. The fabric separated easily, buttons coming undone with soft clicks. He shrugged the top off and set it aside on a nearby bench.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgMMbjv3fD
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9VffKqiXe
Cool night air touched bare skin. The divine mark between his shoulder blades caught moonlight.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkopcebAfQw
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bKffPs3gM
Cel looked down at himself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRHiIpnSlR
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XjrDPcEkX
Lean muscle defined his arms and chest - nothing excessive, but present. Real.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5dQOll9F0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscYvzKn0zk
He'd seen his reflection in mirrors and windows, but he'd never actually looked. Never examined what the Moon Goddess had given him when she forged this new body.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrE12CBCHR
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zsWpOCUh0
His fingers traced along his forearm, feeling the subtle shift of muscle. No scars. No marks of torture. Just... smooth skin.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjALuOyoTx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoAAjhdzuw
It still felt strange. Like wearing someone else's skin.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr2yTiaUJo
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXUeuthgN9
Cel moved to the center of the training ground and began.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRUUEREpXo
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRp4TYSIG6
Hours blurred together.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOpXPClBkf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7aEd4xjYl
Push-ups until his arms trembled. Squats until his legs burned. Planks that tested endurance. 86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk59h00c7P
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleYRd60TYP
The moon tracked overhead, marking time in silver light.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYLkZaTm7t
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LmMGnkvS2
Sweat coated his skin. His breathing came hard and fast. The pleasant ache of exertion settled deep into muscle and bone.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL07apyOqoa
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ArVvksqy
He worked through the exercises methodically, the same way he'd been taught as a child. No wasted movement. No shortcuts. Just pure, fundamental training that built strength from the ground up.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xKQSlWrDF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPtmkVSiTY
Eventually, the sky began to lighten at the edges - darkness bleeding to gray, then pale gold as dawn approached.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQcY5ZMB89
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW0YXu6eQ8
Cel straightened from his final set, chest heaving. Sweat dripped from his chin onto packed earth.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1T8OgM9sp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Ayjpc1y7
He felt... something. Barely noticeable. A faint satisfaction that came from work completed rather than exhaustion overcome.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5qUrZNRYU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXlLi8YgVR
His divinely forged body had taken everything he'd thrown at it through the night and emerged with only the mildest acknowledgment that effort had been expended.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPQKvBH4O7
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm0FxDRw9e
Strong, then. The foundation was strong.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba7Y0ShjHw
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdAINZz4ad
But not complete. Never complete.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDixcsypAR
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVWko6mv9r
A bell rang across the Academy grounds. Clear. Sharp. Unmistakable.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte3Uyy7oJg
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y4Gz1e7LV
Morning assembly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7H0Jz7t69
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Cel grabbed his uniform and pulled it on, fingers working buttons with practiced speed. The fabric stuck to his damp skin uncomfortably.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i8WD9r4QG
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The well. Students would gather there before heading to morning conditioning.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGvSeUBObS
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He left the training ground at a quick walk, cutting through paths between buildings. His breathing had mostly settled, though his muscles carried the pleasant warmth of sustained exertion.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm9lZPWUxP
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The well came into view ahead - a simple stone construction with a wooden bucket suspended over dark water. A few early students had already gathered, forming a line. They held basins in their hands, waiting their turn to draw water.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFgcKXpJoM
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Cel slowed as he approached, keeping to the periphery.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BvNSPijDK
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Lior stood at the well, hauling up the wooden bucket. Water sloshed as he carefully poured it into his basin, filling it to the brim. He set the bucket back and turned away, heading toward the outer edge where other students had already drawn their water and were washing themselves.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi5LxVJIVq
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More students filtered in from different directions. Most looked half-awake, their movements sluggish with sleep. The line at the well grew longer as they queued up.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgRgF4od8S
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A boy sat on the ground near Lior's path, already washing. His basin rested beside him, water dripping from his cupped hands as he scrubbed at his face.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPApOqMsgJh
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Lior walked past him, careful to keep his basin steady.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ2KRFWqqQ
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The boy's foot extended - casual, deliberate. Placed directly in Lior's path.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIcDrFPumY
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Lior's foot caught the obstruction. His balance broke instantly. The basin flew from his hands as he stumbled forward, trying to catch himself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgm7bLCCyI
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Water arced through the air and crashed against packed earth.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j7FUnZ6aU
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Lior hit the ground hard. The basin clattered beside him, empty.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmscMLadWK
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The boy who'd tripped him continued washing his face, unbothered.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4zxG8x7yq
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A few nearby students glanced over. Some chuckled. Most simply ignored it and went back to their own business.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TNWqPzJL1
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl7vbPOVSQ
Lior pushed himself up slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoK4pj2Uev
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He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4IQSg7kTR
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Cel watched from the periphery.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloVj3jw4S2
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His expression shifted.1234 copyright protection82ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu7Whub3k6 尼

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