"What do you want from me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSBwFXSkW2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHElKC0NmKd
The question hung in the night air between them. Hestia remained perfectly still in her meditation pose, crimson eyes fixed on him with that same intense assessment she'd worn since the first day.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv9UYEKTJr
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Silence stretched.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ108DGELc8
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Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIDOQ0dJya
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAIFyelfTw
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJdLPXj3lW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte6f2qpAGb
"That's not an answer."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BB3FWxoat
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxarOoyP8Y
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0VRVI9hqm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B2I8orpbt
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPYWL6fuOA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlpOtZPI3k
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd4YDSCdbS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXSKLFzVzm
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNHaoWxeID
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJvyY5JXhU
Finally, she spoke.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3yOZ5KzIa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozeEltvR2M
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKnwO7RBcN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGJYoZEv25
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rEYdmo40T
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y1DGNvwhX
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MF5U1a9Xu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZBHAbWBIu
"Yes. But do you know why?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKFqgksMYR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11ZC7JHBq4
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrnvR0R5sP
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Aij1FHjw
Hestia moved closer - just a few steps, maintaining careful distance. "In the other Great Clans, leading houses rise and fall. The Mountain Clan, the Ocean Clan - their leadership changes when stronger houses emerge. Political maneuvering. Martial superiority. Strategic marriages."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavtDLmAgtc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU7lcklBtD
She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsLnC3DI9s
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Og5rROxr
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLMSVpOnqQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDyhmNIfH5
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmFfqnbQu4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iLZywmUnN
"Because we bear a gift." Her voice softened slightly. "A blessing granted directly by the Death God himself. Every member of House Mortveil possesses it - from the moment we're born until the moment we die."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26PPOWgPFs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnaSIHaXo4
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYHY7LGb3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwDeykS83G
"We can smell death."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVjfQvOJJP
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She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGNOpJBlWZ
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"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJGaVXUvF8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHVojzy03Y
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ454OvRrUto
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzPN2Swm5E
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH2pXjCi6M
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡownzIp4NPy
"You reek of death."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaaIZc5SSz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMyay21j6H
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3vO7C5Y0w
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeHqavkjqS
His resurrection. The new body the Moon Goddess had forged. He'd assumed it wiped away all traces of his death - made him fresh and unmarked.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjALCBtHr8P
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN9vMy0474
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP13sfEZio
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uGuCpEQDz
'Raven.'85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QekXbQCK8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoLycIXDU3
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOpuUPTOKw
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZxskgmX0t
Their encounter in the Ashlands. He'd assumed it was chance. But what if it had never been coincidence at all? What if Raven had tracked the scent of death clinging to him like a beacon, drawn to it the same way Hestia was now? 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMwpZOqy7I
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSe48UV2mV
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHenxGdQbF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPgFPHUI0l
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyHAoTIVoT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiZVaVtm8g
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7VFkEQqB8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwRvLbkj3x
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpVfFVu0rA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcrfJimXwO
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47xdxoNSCU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlkdXuR6G1
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQOMcxlGb5
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The irony was almost laughable.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE17kkfQ1lH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDeLkbmqra
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso4tNZql3h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCytAWk7yVu
She met his gaze directly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHGrBtSUKr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW8ZoUBlfK
"I didn't lie."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo83wQSt9Ti
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gpYL7MVxm
"You didn't tell the truth either."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IVNTtbmkO
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fqGyR2qlp
Silence stretched taut as wire.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2SHPJ9XoO
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Then Cel made a decision.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQTlqBoCOp
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"Fine. I'll help you."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALid7NUoXu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLOEi6QnuR
Hestia blinked. "What?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpeBvkdsZU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mr2UqTL1A
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FYPqLC0N9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpj1hyYvBs
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi7Lo352K2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq60LRZcJq
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yiFmB2CAs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzZcGiF0M1
"You want to fight me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3beps5UkE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr2UVdNvva
"I want experience against someone skilled." Cel's grip tightened on the hilt. "Instructor Calder's lessons are useful, but there's nothing better than actual combat. And you're ranked third in the entire academy."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQEb0ej4rS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkORMDLKzqQ
For a long moment, Hestia simply watched him, utterly still. Then something shifted in her expression - calculation giving way to something that might have been respect.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ8oZ2cAxZ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJIhcODb2A
"That was extraordinarily rude."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacTKeZcWAc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIj3U53hvf
"I know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2EvUpNLJ4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHosPgBro5
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzXLlTyU0N
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyeQ7hD2d2
"I know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG7Yv45bo8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qdfal6yNg
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hxr4yH7q2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt51Jik26b
"Very well. I accept."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8mLzmn3dX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuIhdfpKbj
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEHriovgeH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrsFUkwiiA
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Of6903cj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsyEXJjxls
A longsword.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctV0dUIdcQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S6gI94kbz
It was beautiful and terrible in equal measure. The handle, wrapped in black leather, led to a golden crossguard with a crimson gem embedded at its center - the exact shade of her eyes. The blade itself glowed with deep red light, looking less like steel and more like congealed blood given solid form.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLHtELxoBx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxRzJ2dMAq
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhTIjCv7KQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhOMKAfVZG
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTt0b4Nevx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDXVamsor8
They moved to the center of the training grounds, taking positions across from each other. The moon hung overhead, flooding the space with silver radiance that made the crimson blade glow even brighter in contrast.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFargkwIeFg
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC12wGwwsrt
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5no9N5x20
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Cel moved first.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvASq1qGaUl
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH9vvAAYeK
He closed the distance in three quick steps, Silent Moon rising for a diagonal slash aimed at her shoulder. Fast. Controlled. Using only a fraction of his actual strength.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbVzrD1Ptl
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Hestia's weapon intercepted.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXIbZ1bjYn
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The impact rang across the training grounds. But she didn't just block - her blade redirected his momentum, sliding along Silent Moon's length before the crossguard caught his guard and forced it aside.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfGSi5heE9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3loSzzMQhk
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34fCCQMuFg
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The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKQmqatJQf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VN1BwTfAm
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuXgqUNvOK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO58s200WM
Her knee caught him under the chin.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LSzahl1dz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IJR4FSAln
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAR3TJdyyq
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The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvwkUAd6VF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NI2hC6MsW
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuc4wZNE8N
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zgTn9HARk
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G7Pr27TVE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hIqDYTLwg
"Yield?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3J7blOoJr
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Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkHsRquPNX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCiJljyU0T
"Yes."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcikwQ2Yyt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hN83JvMSQ
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i1ZVWSm4y
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB92JS28p6
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZjtIcvgUq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRQAQNC1ur
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGVtIgBdo4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2RxK4efjV
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y6dxvSTBR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pqk9KvDsD
Cel raised Silent Moon again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM29MXiacJu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9siRdcbOvw
They fought.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ehR76KEW
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Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA5SLFBTFU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ13Gh1yK8
Every strike he made, she countered. Every opening he tried to exploit, she closed. Her artifact moved like an extension of her body - not just weapon but partner, flowing through forms that suggested decades of practice compressed into sixteen years of life.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXh0ERBu8S
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy464n7QDG
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KZ2oR7HdN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihsXbL60Fc
Each victory came with unnecessary force. Each strike landed harder than required. When he tried to yield early, she pressed the attack until he had no choice but to acknowledge complete defeat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKve8uroqpW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UapMy1NPH
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEvbpoqo3s
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz9LZZjXco
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAmzkvQG2l
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcCAEW3y4k
"I'm uncertain what you mean." Hestia's blade remained pointed at him. Crimson light reflected in her eyes. “You asked me not to hold back. I merely honored that request." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuTbw3G6Yp
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYiqcQEWDe
But the slight tightness around her mouth said otherwise. The extra force behind her strikes. The way she'd targeted ribs he'd already bruised.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk6DjUEQHm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSjXHY8QWY
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXDoz6GBXC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3PsV8vKU5
"Your apology is noted but unnecessary." She dismissed her artifact, the deadly weapon dissolving into a cloud of darkness. "I did use you. You were correct to call it what it was."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GEFz1QrKx
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She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8hlkd8DMV
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"However," she continued, adjusting the sleeves of her uniform, "rudeness carries consequences. Consider tonight's spars a reminder that courtesy serves practical purposes beyond mere tradition." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlEuEG2eBj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcO1T1QGRJ
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61MUDvGK7J
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonROW9EdtT
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSRIDwetJY
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She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9XMguCPkf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7u3boXvP4
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU32yhP1L4f
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeZCXpJNvA
'I really do regret this.'85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrhFEoiW8b
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHTqAodgRv
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrnWwYB01i
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wrv5C7t30
Lior had found something in himself after that conversation. His posture straightened. His voice grew steadier. During combat drills, he stopped apologizing for every mistake and simply corrected them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfIEz0YUtL
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The rankings reflected it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PmDGyRypL
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Rank 38: Lior85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbn3wAYLUR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hGexMU0xL
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxNHrHOOwz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUgWWYKc9A
The change was small enough that most wouldn't notice. But Cel saw it in the way Lior held his practice knife, the determination that replaced hesitation.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWQBL5wO7y
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3786iZFryZ
Progress. Real progress.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XQmUwVSRR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LXOAWXh2L
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsMTJrr5k9
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She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WXkJBKLeI
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He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtVb2G5IbY
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None of it worked.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfanGFuNcd
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By the fourth week, Cel had started to recognize patterns in her fighting style. The way she favored her left side slightly. How she created distance before committing to heavy strikes.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f3i8e7vu2
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He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8971p1cYP1
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The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29NFKoMqgi
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Sometimes, during their matches, Hestia would pause and correct his stance. Adjust his grip. Point out openings in his defense with the same clinical precision she used to exploit them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOPvOptdWL
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It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUHvFXqZEK
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And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyK82NnAuo
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They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L82QQiD7K
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Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkT88Txw1u
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The routine held until one particular morning.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAcd8SWS5a
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Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWqoTDal77
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Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWjDagktzB
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Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMdcWUkbT8
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Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW5SDaVn42
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVka9Fjw4
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"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfz6leqPX
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Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VE9NJawuS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaEiH0LHRN
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiDpDA64k1
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She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJn3UvGELv
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"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Vh64izEq 尼

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