Owen stepped forward with that same confident grin, stone-gray eyes bright with anticipation.57Please respect copyright.PENANAS2r4A9ZjfO
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Instructor Calder's expression shifted - something that might have been approval. "Good. To the center, both of you."57Please respect copyright.PENANARannw9PieG
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Cel moved to the indicated spot, boots crunching against packed earth. Owen took position opposite him, rolling his shoulders with the ease of someone who'd done this countless times.57Please respect copyright.PENANALwrE2mQuj3
57Please respect copyright.PENANAHAceE4peuV
"Before we begin," Calder's voice carried across the training ground, "understand the rules. Killing is prohibited. Severe injury is prohibited. Authorities are prohibited."57Please respect copyright.PENANAhsSMf0VGcW
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He paused, letting that sink in.57Please respect copyright.PENANAvkJoSBZ1wj
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"The match ends when one fighter yields or is rendered unable to continue. Manifest your artifacts."57Please respect copyright.PENANA6lzvVsav6s
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Cel reached for the bond with Silent Moon.57Please respect copyright.PENANADU5Wzb8qiF
57Please respect copyright.PENANAdxggXqMEpT
Moonlight threaded through the air, weaving itself into solid form. The chokutō materialized in his grip - deep violet blade catching afternoon sun, the nine moon phases etched into its length. Four crescents ignited with white light immediately. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAxWaDwy0sLQ
57Please respect copyright.PENANAssqG92xD13
Across from him, Owen's artifact appeared in a cascade of stone dust, hardening into solid form.57Please respect copyright.PENANAD5TMEbY3BC
57Please respect copyright.PENANAdfxqlEvENS
A massive warhammer. The head alone was larger than Cel's torso, carved from what looked like solid granite. Runes glowed faintly along its surface, pulsing with barely contained power.57Please respect copyright.PENANA1fIK07ZtPD
57Please respect copyright.PENANAM6jubiL4FC
Owen lifted it one-handed, the weapon's weight apparently nothing to him. He spun it once - casual, showing off - before settling into a ready stance.57Please respect copyright.PENANA4iMsGjZH6R
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQj0OMMFmmf
Cel's chokutō looked like a child's toy in comparison.57Please respect copyright.PENANAbttSIzz58K
57Please respect copyright.PENANAGvTAmhNMma
"Begin!"57Please respect copyright.PENANA7vbedBh415
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Owen moved first.57Please respect copyright.PENANAmBHGq6JXoe
57Please respect copyright.PENANAC8D045uNWM
The warhammer came down in a vertical strike that would have pulverized bone. Cel jerked sideways, narrowly evading the blow. The weapon's head crashed into earth where he'd been standing, sending up a spray of dirt.57Please respect copyright.PENANAj3Si4gqh1N
57Please respect copyright.PENANAFGsLeM0NBr
Owen didn't pause. The hammer reversed direction immediately, sweeping horizontal at chest height.57Please respect copyright.PENANAJZdx7eqOJ3
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Cel raised Silent Moon to block—57Please respect copyright.PENANAiBjdWNX2LV
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The impact rang through the training ground. But Cel's arms didn't buckle. His stance held firm, boots planted solidly despite the hammer's massive weight behind the blow.57Please respect copyright.PENANA76iOzgdyKN
57Please respect copyright.PENANAGAYUqSjvyE
Owen's eyes widened slightly.57Please respect copyright.PENANArmzziGjKYr
57Please respect copyright.PENANANkJh8llUot
Cel didn't capitalize on the moment. His counter-slash came too slow, too obvious. Owen deflected it easily and pressed forward again.57Please respect copyright.PENANAa0ebqNZa7q
57Please respect copyright.PENANA51OAwlJFaD
The warhammer moved with practiced precision. High. Low. Diagonal. Each strike flowing into the next, guided by years of training.57Please respect copyright.PENANAhehIUZ6nJ9
57Please respect copyright.PENANANVoZ46n9Ol
Cel's blade intercepted desperately. His footwork was all wrong - too wide, too uncertain. He stumbled over his own feet trying to create distance.57Please respect copyright.PENANAPc9JX9YiWi
57Please respect copyright.PENANAPOFe10c8L2
But when Owen's strikes connected with Silent Moon, Cel's guard never broke. His arms remained steady. His breathing didn't labor despite the relentless assault.57Please respect copyright.PENANAp7JFN8e077
57Please respect copyright.PENANAevKEIdPnAt
The nobles watched with growing interest. The commoners shifted uneasily, afraid of what could happen to them.57Please respect copyright.PENANAeXeX2s48xF
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Owen feinted left, then brought the hammer down from the right.57Please respect copyright.PENANAy6YSHnKaed
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Cel's body moved before his mind caught up - blade rising on pure instinct to intercept the strike head-on.57Please respect copyright.PENANATKrLxjvqJb
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The impact drove his feet half an inch into packed earth. Nothing more.57Please respect copyright.PENANAqnzOlFGgnF
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Owen's breathing had grown heavier. Sweat beaded on his forehead.57Please respect copyright.PENANAzCld0qq5Sm
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Cel looked untouched. Unmoved.57Please respect copyright.PENANAJzuAxcRAoD
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They separated, circling.57Please respect copyright.PENANA6erXqXCqyY
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The realization was obvious now - in raw strength and endurance, Cel held every advantage. His divinely forged body simply operated on a different level. Owen's strikes, powerful as they were, couldn't tire him. Couldn't break his guard through force alone.57Please respect copyright.PENANAkYK3EqViK2
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But skill? 57Please respect copyright.PENANAMm39s7OhB1
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Owen attacked again, and Cel's response was textbook terrible. His timing off. His positioning wrong. His blade work clumsy enough that Owen could slip past his guard almost at will.57Please respect copyright.PENANAV1Bkh66smo
57Please respect copyright.PENANAJkw7TnrHAX
The warhammer's shaft caught Cel across the ribs - not the head, just a glancing blow with the weapon's body. But it was enough.57Please respect copyright.PENANAG6Ic54BqaQ
57Please respect copyright.PENANAXQImYQFGk6
Cel stumbled, more from poor balance than the impact's force.57Please respect copyright.PENANAg0Z6Bleeps
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Owen pressed the advantage. A sweep at the legs that sent Cel down hard.57Please respect copyright.PENANAQXXscIMA22
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Silent Moon skittered across packed earth.57Please respect copyright.PENANA9LpmnU4BZY
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Owen's hammer stopped inches from Cel's chest. Waiting.57Please respect copyright.PENANAfSncOwsEu5
57Please respect copyright.PENANAROZNPN9Z4I
"Yield?"57Please respect copyright.PENANA7DLn5S1Tjy
57Please respect copyright.PENANAjcvER1joaF
Cel nodded once.57Please respect copyright.PENANAbu3QomryoT
57Please respect copyright.PENANAGYBjCZJnE1
Instructor Calder's voice rang out. "Match to Owen Peakscale!"57Please respect copyright.PENANAhpB4pjqWRG
57Please respect copyright.PENANA14y2nRgEqR
A few nobles clapped. Most simply nodded, the outcome expected. The commoners watched quietly, the gap between Owen's skill and their own suddenly, painfully clear.57Please respect copyright.PENANAGL6qjwmLZW
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Owen dismissed his warhammer, the massive weapon crumbling back into stone dust that dissolved into nothing.57Please respect copyright.PENANA7tw0iD0Zb2
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"That was disappointing."57Please respect copyright.PENANA10BhHInt5C
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The words were quiet. Meant only for Cel to hear.57Please respect copyright.PENANA9bATyBm534
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Cel's eyebrow twitched upward.57Please respect copyright.PENANAAyvgAFkI25
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'What did you expect?'57Please respect copyright.PENANAhR5E8bm10H
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The thought flashed sharp and bitter through Cel's mind. But he said nothing. Just bowed once - proper deference - and moved to retrieve Silent Moon from where it had fallen.57Please respect copyright.PENANANzRZwwBywM
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"Lord Owen."57Please respect copyright.PENANAG2d45DuQtC
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Both of them turned.57Please respect copyright.PENANA9RE6OgXBBA
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Sylvaine stood at the edge of the sparring area, light green eyes calm and assessing.57Please respect copyright.PENANASkIYwkfnur
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"Would you grant me a match?"57Please respect copyright.PENANASNetVRovGd
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Owen's grin returned immediately. "I would be honored, lady Sylvaine."57Please respect copyright.PENANAuqoVTrU4XB
57Please respect copyright.PENANAr0WR4WUqVX
They took positions in the center while Cel rejoined the watching students. Lior shifted to make room, his expression troubled.57Please respect copyright.PENANAEZ1B3ncvG4
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"Are you alright?" he whispered.57Please respect copyright.PENANADGIIy1Tbji
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"Yes."57Please respect copyright.PENANAQvoswqVkeA
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The answer was true enough. No injuries. No pain. Just the bitter taste of a fight he'd chosen to lose.57Please respect copyright.PENANAE1D5kXlbYM
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Sylvaine and Owen manifested their artifacts simultaneously.57Please respect copyright.PENANAFpbI6jLMPC
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Leaves swirled around Sylvaine's hand, spinning faster until they solidified into steel. Her weapon materialized as an elegant blade - slender and curved with graceful lines. The steel gleamed silver-white, almost seeming to glow with inner light. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAnXmUCwstgR
57Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1wYaD6DFa
Owen's warhammer appeared again, just as massive as before.57Please respect copyright.PENANA5FgiFoXa4r
57Please respect copyright.PENANAF9iyz5oKwG
"Begin!"57Please respect copyright.PENANAxcH1vLvDMw
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Owen charged immediately, hammer rising for a devastating overhead strike.57Please respect copyright.PENANAjy6sZOtlQK
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Sylvaine didn't retreat. Didn't try to create distance like Cel had.57Please respect copyright.PENANAatAgb8VlvU
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She stepped forward.57Please respect copyright.PENANArTwwWFiuDO
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Her blade deflected the hammer's head with minimal movement - just enough to redirect its momentum past her shoulder. Before Owen could recover, her weapon traced a line across his chest.57Please respect copyright.PENANAmTEdZ0WSQm
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Not deep. Not injuring. Just touching.57Please respect copyright.PENANADpgwNaLfR5
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Owen stumbled back, grin wide. A thin red line appeared on his uniform where the blade had passed.57Please respect copyright.PENANAkmb8yawUVJ
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Sylvaine pressed forward. Her weapon moved like an extension of her body - fluid, graceful, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. Where Owen relied on overwhelming power, she wielded precision.57Please respect copyright.PENANAq5fxzJru1E
57Please respect copyright.PENANAll1WgrkNmV
The hammer came around in a sweeping arc. She ducked beneath it, blade rising to force Owen's guard high, then swept low at his legs.57Please respect copyright.PENANAAbOfoq7e4e
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He jumped - barely avoiding the strike - and brought the hammer down while airborne.57Please respect copyright.PENANATX1nlQYsAG
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Sylvaine rolled sideways. The weapon's head cratered the earth where she'd been standing.57Please respect copyright.PENANAaK8Qm1S0LN
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Owen's grin had faded, replaced by focus.57Please respect copyright.PENANA4CprTCo1wB
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He attacked again - faster now, more aggressive. The hammer became a blur of stone and force, each strike powerful enough to shatter bone.57Please respect copyright.PENANA7eHlBf2uIF
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But none of them landed.57Please respect copyright.PENANAEtKr4LqO1d
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Sylvaine's blade wove a defensive pattern that turned aside every blow. And between each deflection, her sword found gaps - touching shoulder, ribs, thigh. Never cutting deep. Just proving she could.57Please respect copyright.PENANAmg0HThTXH8
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Finally, Owen overextended. Put too much force behind a horizontal sweep that left him momentarily off-balance.57Please respect copyright.PENANASjk0k29hyv
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Sylvaine's blade caught him across the shins with its flat side.57Please respect copyright.PENANADFWGfvKPFO
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His legs buckled. He went down on one knee, hammer falling from his grip.57Please respect copyright.PENANAwRMAOPE0DV
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Her sword pressed against his throat. Gentle. Undeniable.57Please respect copyright.PENANA22Giw8F6gI
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"Yield?"57Please respect copyright.PENANAVbVDinXriM
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Owen stared up at her for a long moment. Then laughed - genuine, delighted.57Please respect copyright.PENANAm9r42PXRDx
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"I yield."57Please respect copyright.PENANAF2UObOOF0y
57Please respect copyright.PENANA86YTfYTIxp
The blade withdrew. Sylvaine stepped back, offering her hand.57Please respect copyright.PENANAXWTigXt6Z8
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Owen took it, letting her pull him upright.57Please respect copyright.PENANA7pr4daxivS
57Please respect copyright.PENANA4xZrl7bwjG
"Match to Lady Sylvaine Grovethorn!" Calder's voice carried approval.57Please respect copyright.PENANAS59anZ8hZj
57Please respect copyright.PENANAYtohcV1tVy
Theron appeared at her side immediately, his expression bright with pride. "That was amazing! The way you redirected his hammer. I didn’t know you were that strong!"57Please respect copyright.PENANAvScyDCQIIG
57Please respect copyright.PENANAXy6iihLdBz
Sylvaine's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."57Please respect copyright.PENANA0qllE5WEhR
57Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0pKXIg9pf
They moved to the sidelines together, Theron still talking enthusiastically about specific moments from the match.57Please respect copyright.PENANA1JMtNwgKV0
57Please respect copyright.PENANAMEGiuZMdDQ
Instructor Calder consulted his roster. "Lior, you're up."57Please respect copyright.PENANAIbFhZ897cp
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQH2KX1ZA4V
Lior went pale. He rose on shaking legs, manifesting his artifact - a simple knife that glowed faintly with silver light.57Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ho2zHDLen
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His opponent, a stocky boy who'd been moderately skilled during training, summoned a short sword.57Please respect copyright.PENANAu4Ph64Ifz4
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The fight was... brief.57Please respect copyright.PENANAtoJQh831sf
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Lior's knife work was technically sound but hesitant. Every strike obvious. Every defense half-hearted.57Please respect copyright.PENANA5ezvjoJxQX
57Please respect copyright.PENANAXq72RKqVUe
The other boy pressed forward with confidence born from weeks of watching Lior fumble through combat drills. A feint, a lunge, and Lior's knife went flying.57Please respect copyright.PENANAaCGryhZ5wO
57Please respect copyright.PENANADVBBJmL47K
"Yield," Lior said immediately, voice barely audible.57Please respect copyright.PENANAExV0KB5UTs
57Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0e1fgjzjB
Instructor Calder's expression held disappointment. "Match concluded."57Please respect copyright.PENANATEdFByMLpg
57Please respect copyright.PENANAV83V3iG3Ag
More fights followed. Commoners against commoners, testing newly learned skills against each other. Some showed promise. Others revealed how much work remained.57Please respect copyright.PENANAHwrCgMZE6I
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The sun sank lower, painting the training ground in orange light.57Please respect copyright.PENANAapZolu6uI9
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Finally, Calder raised his hand. "That's enough for today. Rankings will be posted after a month. Dismissed."57Please respect copyright.PENANAhwcnPwECWd
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Students dispersed in clusters, nobles and commoners naturally separating. Conversations rose and fell - analyzing matches, discussing techniques, making plans.57Please respect copyright.PENANAOrkuUMtWnf
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Cel and Lior walked to the dining hall together. Lior kept his eyes down, shoulders tight with the weight of his public defeat. Cel said nothing. There was nothing to say.57Please respect copyright.PENANANmnLZ9n05s
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The hall was already filling when they entered. Nobles occupied the tables near the windows, their uniforms bright against the fading daylight. Commoners clustered toward the back, voices subdued.57Please respect copyright.PENANAFDkUGxlZ9w
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Cel moved to the familiar isolated corner where they usually sat.57Please respect copyright.PENANAgqnBxhiURR
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The servers moved through the dining hall with practiced efficiency, but their pattern was predictable. Nobles first - plates laden with roasted meats, fresh bread still steaming, vegetables glazed with butter and herbs. The food arrived while it was still hot, presented with careful attention.57Please respect copyright.PENANAHzehbh8puW
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Then the other commoners. Their portions respectable, if less generous. The servers worked quickly through the middle tables, refilling water pitchers and clearing empty dishes.57Please respect copyright.PENANAluyHvvCMrP
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Finally, they reached Cel and Lior's corner.57Please respect copyright.PENANAkMQXYOjcp3
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They ate in silence for several minutes. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with energy - students reliving the day's matches, predicting rankings.57Please respect copyright.PENANAt3NiolzQJs
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Then a voice cut through the noise.57Please respect copyright.PENANAe2dlZ1ozqp
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Familiar. Unwelcome.57Please respect copyright.PENANAxaLd8Up8LY
57Please respect copyright.PENANALJe91CcUos
"Hey trash."
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Lunar Legacy
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Lunar Legacy
作者:
Celastos
篇 #61
Chapter 60: Sparring
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