Lior pushed himself to his feet slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin lying on its side, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML8BHR8wmX
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThPOYvGoRB
He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him. Didn't say anything. Just picked up the basin with careful hands and walked back toward the well, joining the end of the line that had grown longer.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYJ9PMTPFJ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW4H3mVpD3
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7GxjvzCtd
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgAAtgrpaQ
The line shifted forward slowly. Students ahead drew water, their conversations a low murmur that didn't quite mask the occasional laugh directed at Lior's back.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3biklN14G
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoUpywgyPv
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpDDIL5uK8
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eg0yCvvAj
"Morning."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2KWLvcTAk
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflm9lAB63W
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiljsFwFdf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5LmudOyJI
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOumXLTZBhE
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcKAuLVgVY
Lior's expression brightened slightly. "Hard. Really hard. But..." He paused, searching for words. "It's a blessing, being able to learn this. Reading and writing, I mean. My parents never had the chance."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL6SGp5hFL
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx2V6iD1rX
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnng8dVF607
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAk0sjqD3T
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zqspYyM1
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uKlxIMwlz
"It will."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLiUHgIR2q
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf08p6ISrMz
They reached the well. Lior hauled up the bucket with both hands, the rope groaning under the weight. Water sloshed as he tilted it carefully, filling his basin to the brim.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKojMKKbbNb
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZVK8NVsaN
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTYEJjVlKj
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfeQtUeQOU
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZkW2NXnup
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG9fctBip5
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesraxXxY1x
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguu68xHJJZ
"Ready?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlKm1zQSNH
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT5fkSuJQn
Cel nodded.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdtPQav3c2
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPvLZslvX3
He turned toward the area where students washed - and kept walking past the closer, emptier spaces. His path led directly toward where the boy sat, pulling his academy uniform over damp shoulders.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugm4pwyaGL
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigr302beXd
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXXl0XiUtr
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo1BzajNdE
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzYnhRxxSX
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpl10HXvy8
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbEZi5jk6R
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvQOCtbJtO
Cel's foot caught on nothing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0smsLqCSv
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEGqIPDiVg
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0nrbVvxNI
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyUmmzGmyA
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kREGjUkKR
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtqWOBxnqg
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP9OLC5c5q
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxR2NCusv9
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqRO7XatYE
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kVlds5o27
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0nkRpugkt
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPXJ1whlpr
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDXL1LFHE5
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN54rod1keg
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3h70aCIaw
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pi5EFWfN7
"Are you kid—"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoCcNdyonF
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIQhIxaT4c
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiNAG5O8q6
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYhJ8IHpD2
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCxfRqvYrl
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOoiV6zSqn
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzbAFICdpY
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8YeRJzgv6
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2b1pfhfpP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPAbp3yid7
Then he released his grip and stepped back.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQI2I6QdBS
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxr64LFqS7
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VjefjGCGP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcuXIzv5pC
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAz361gMa8
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh5mVHzqyK
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvno8yRQYSM
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBiJarfESr
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAuDPbvTK4
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS8D5lt2hx
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSrN7JXqjD
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSUDWOnZk0
"Thanks."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeC0F2unWC
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv5vDiYEm0
They moved to an empty corner. Lior set the basin down with careful hands, his gaze darting back toward where the boy still sat paralyzed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7G29kigGd
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi5SSpmGDk
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk9xhxzWbf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnQS81kH4x
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxHTxGYY61
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGicyFyHspS
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBznjnpGZTa
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPxCjlI5vX
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjn6nqUOa0
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7FyFxora6
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXvWn9lRJ1
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzokubsZusH
"You have a nice body."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMmhCHSuza
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIHMmW8MH6
Cel glanced at Lior.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeTidSdf7u
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He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1wLpNWLly
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWiNZAKvMB
Lior's face went red the moment he realized. "I mean—that came out wrong—" He gestured helplessly. "It's just... you're really built."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuDwmfII7k
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ3VYZ5GNl
A pause.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPSQzcR0Wc
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb5fAY9uvT
"How did you get it?”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdpZ8jXQkf
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarzz5TIbyI
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a5rynmZxx
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXuzY3mmib
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoK2VPZgVs
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDHHI17nAd
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyYvdiWlgP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD7aZb1r0j
Morning assembly.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnOwENJpcU
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCS7I4plm5
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWE7FccX6H
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKKAenGpD7
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsjHOPeLvx
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFO96SrCHa
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUo2mz89T
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VT0fAjTft
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ni6Sxri4
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLd8L4s7ji
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhvsbcG4JJ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvm41kKbXp
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrD9ipuETa
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelNgAjVpqr
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPnKDm1Y9h
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcoVtBSOUV
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkER9KT18t
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Then combat training.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944iJyF8BI
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxOsUWLXk5
Instructor Calder stood in the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. Weapon racks lined the wall behind him - swords, spears, axes, all designed to kill.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKU1idO5vY
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxPTcES7UN
"You don't choose your artifact," he said without preamble. "The gods decide. Some of you will receive swords. Others axes, spears, bows, staves. A few might get something stranger."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkR1tn1kvp
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg5DuYthpM
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfZEeL7Wlc
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL8h5xopAp
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt8nISe7Em
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm98wuD1LQ
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jFTKvUgqs
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtdzcpykTm
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXIaR1D75W
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi1DU24VTu
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG7wCijVX5
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"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcixH56Kf1N
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPSerfcwgA
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwegT7rA2qs
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhctKrm197o
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tqS0JV91x
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW84SsG6N1V
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eYVqTcG02
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglW6Xo3bzK
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPdC1IjZFS
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZUPhbgnGO
His blade rose overhead in one smooth motion, held steady at the apex, then descended in a controlled arc that ended with the point aimed at the ground.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqjHX0cinI
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"Again."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFupaYJ53v
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The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFF0OfNCdT
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"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlwLWrXYv5
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRKsRQSYU9
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTNCOnCAPE
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The training began.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5TFxscdF7
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Cel's body moved through the motions with muscle memory he'd thought buried. These weren't the techniques of House Solmar - no blazing offensive sequences, no emphasis on overwhelming aggression.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGIWlps17V
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmCn6xsMCj
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx7ZywRXEw
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YX90KC8pb
He'd studied them once, years ago. His weapons instructor had insisted on broad knowledge despite his father's preference for the Solar Blade technique.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto3qusoygo
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JMfZvaSTQ
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5wQRErwD0
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIyRND3Jek
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R9OGIEKcZ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdmwbqa9rt
Cel forced his third swing to drift slightly left. Let the fourth end too high. Made deliberate mistakes that would mark him as learning rather than trained.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiUCtZiCvU
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Uzg3Ozz8
But the Solar Blade technique... he'd need to forget that entirely. The forms were too distinctive. Any observer familiar with Sun Clan methods would recognize them instantly.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64C4x6MRxv
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnCdIDgO9Y
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqwzldLGF9
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmyPr5No0V
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIH8l5pqIz
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdhZc83H1e
Days bled into weeks.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZU2VskH7W
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB2UAu6xmM
Morning conditioning pushed bodies past limits. Theoretical classes filled minds with knowledge. Combat training taught weapon forms that repeated until they became reflex, leaving calluses on every palm.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEgH0ByADB
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax5OtLW9fT
Cel attended everything like the others. Made mistakes during combat drills - mistimed swings, overextended lunges. Pretended confusion when Instructor Saren covered topics he'd learned years ago.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMPGlxmRtM
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcBccBxgGE
But physical conditioning betrayed him.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cQ0GSmb4R
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0VfNpoQkG
No matter how much he feigned exhaustion - letting his breathing grow ragged, allowing his movements to slow - his body wouldn't tire enough. While others collapsed after the final sprint, he remained standing. 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C2f1CggSm
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhu4Zw648D
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHvlpmfX5y
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZPXn0Ym6
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9XQlYwcZR
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jh5qhrp0Y
Combat training told a different story.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbTXhxlSA9
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCNrCQ1slt
His strength worked against him there. A basic parry became a disarming strike when his opponent's blade went flying. A controlled thrust nearly impaled the practice dummy. His two-handed grip shattered a sword's crossguard.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkstpMpgcSt
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uRVEqUHKG
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcigBMvZvp
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgW3SDARhP
The lie held. Barely.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHma7DyAVFM
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDg8ApAVra
His Divine Energy problem was a simpler. When asked to demonstrate his control during theoretical lessons, Cel simply said he possessed a trait that suppressed his signature.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcbVKNqmuz
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7svX1LwtVZ
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H1QFa468l
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMBrW1QaP3
The nights belonged to training.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2sQUujjXP
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcqT6HF5mr
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWscwTkgmX
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNgq4eVcjL
Free days took him into the city.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqOnBSnnWO
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYJNLGQuS4
The Moon Church welcomed him with empty silence. Most visits, Lyra wasn't there. But sometimes she was, arranging flowers or simply praying. They would talk about small things. Safe things. He never stayed long enough to risk deeper questions.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Cg6KBLEZ
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGLvmA7Ip7
Lyra mentioned their mother occasionally. How she'd joined the Chosen Legion after the divorce. How she was leading missions in the name of the royal house now. Cel absorbed every detail without comment, tracking his mother's movements through his sister's casual updates.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpRgQbn8Qe
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The Golden Hart offered different comfort. The bartender knew him now, poured without asking. Cel drank and listened to conversations around him - politics, gossip, complaints about work. He absorbed it all without participating.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtmVjYypss
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Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr4UgPEUhN
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It was... peaceful. In its own way.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDwSPXBPvi
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Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpJrgV4Lry
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Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnas2p91YrL
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"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4I8EKWHyW
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Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdcLF5FNf7
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"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSpgcmqBdl
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"It's fine."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2CVTUhy1K
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And it was.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ltQTddn2x
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No one approached Cel or Lior.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcLkP6GOv3
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The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtavZv2WvMs
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They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmDlaDlqL4
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Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmWj2pK0Sv
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Cel didn't care either way.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjmZggAN7e
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Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6RSQsqSnp
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The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjuQrZdaco
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Cel's strength improved despite his best efforts to hide it. His sword forms remained clumsy - from the lack of talent and from his overflowing strength.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhMCEcyfuh
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On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznxB0h5a2H
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"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ydZ0TGAA
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Silence answered her.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MW3nxR67h
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"You've had four months to prepare. To learn your place. To understand what's expected." Her gaze swept the assembled commoners. "When they walk through those doors, you will show proper deference. You will not embarrass yourselves or this Academy."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjX23H0bGW
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She paused.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEf3mQXu3z
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"And you will remember - they've trained since childhood for this. Everything you've struggled to learn in four months, they've mastered over years."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClDLyMVyog
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The weight of that truth settled over the room.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E4yEqQLUR
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"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMJrPeVzX2
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----89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6zhjfgzOl
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodW1ogD69b
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I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8UKbbWVX8
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2OeNBYL0m
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpHsW3R0n4
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV6ftd2m1u
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