"What do you want from me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDGuuC1r7G
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomLHyHA1dY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCwksnHU0h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOwpqtWx3k
Silence stretched.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHg270KUW5
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Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0KYrrLn3o
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJuOBnZfXW
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe67n5KubUO
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"That's not an answer."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJD67DvOLu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSINmnDSLg
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJx8NX7KfR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u3KzN7P3c
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV0mhFLZBH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt4rW93g7C
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDTJOhaidQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwLRuEwBi7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEeF5PpCq2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZQWAeDGEX
Finally, she spoke.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4m1msHDxk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXh3AYeXnc
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4vlwdGSQm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq3EgmQetx
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhJ4QM9K92
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviZ0W6MtfT
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM91O4lTli
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wqf4sS6Gg
"Yes. But do you know why?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFFLirWuHe
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDteKdy713f
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2wGxyE8Et
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJgLaJgOWV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW427QdFcP1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ENsGajdap
She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqXDDxgpC7
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQDGsJiGav
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eXUBpfE8M
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURRwZ8o0i7
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1xTZ6e65x
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A0nfW5SPh
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Rnvq0iyS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZT2djOGfF
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH75atGi4g
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DGJoM3Jrg
"We can smell death."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdweuf57dxg
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lCEaWnp31
She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGHQh0BBqC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbdOWgNAmx
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kaA3ppfp5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVUVU7wWs9
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpfFNfL4MX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pUNMoSBRa
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEnRLy6A7g
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57wu5FC0z0
"You reek of death."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKEDPJ4CvJ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMGvYPdvyM
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCwitXOJLS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdz4uvc1T4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKpBomoXmp
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9FnVR2MOb
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudQHzWkaQ7
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAoiBvcg9p
'Raven.'85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC54CWZvLY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5strQ1WZyH
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJgdbBhpYk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV6oUf7oiu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGT60IFWd9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakFAiwQHke
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hiks8W5hj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgwl3m7ekx
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKbFy7OUZW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4znOQ9GnD
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCGKsjqbd0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEQQlzxxYb
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdmilpcQRu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K3BkthucQ
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgLfKnX2dM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfelQ4Olao
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr00xerhIC
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The irony was almost laughable.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2r48vxndd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRObOSiUK6
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtKDec6YeC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQBSUFP8IJ
She met his gaze directly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexYBMcXYv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwQM4wQP5
"I didn't lie."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sv18bQm7q
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjuT4OwmvT
"You didn't tell the truth either."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yoSLBVUOB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ec6MWb9YD
Silence stretched taut as wire.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLIlndeGFD
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Then Cel made a decision.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs6cCfU2pb
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"Fine. I'll help you."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUd3yFKMeW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a1Le3WOIc
Hestia blinked. "What?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxjBxGQw73
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaCuuOwxaI
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsprjLu3tR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOMhkzMu7V
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAdYRpmEuM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2ddX3zq5b
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr0DyEZW8T
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7By0zhwOnE
"You want to fight me?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVf12NpIOB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoetk9i2N99
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q8hFD0ZOl
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjpw1ypGxM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kQCZyhz0b
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7YFSzm9Vm
"That was extraordinarily rude."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanGuJ0ZGf4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1b0K7aoh5
"I know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPKaqX3H3U
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gBhWWogye
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtaWBII8P0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafdDTW4C23
"I know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyzSg99JIB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GJxzMa5oo
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAJ9bgmSZj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR4FGLqMLQ
"Very well. I accept."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Am1yaGjTz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ydfQnt9KP
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsZyASfrK9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx0xfQcdlo
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQkLBptis3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIZ4CNTAMV
A longsword.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE1gSxOmce
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbby16lsGIz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMlvkwGu6p
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Ctsn6gAD
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IwaPu5u0h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2nb2XLWLn
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO2Ixdy81O
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ZoCu76el
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk4b2lzAsK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHgprAsVOj
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdqd4bX6LT
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Cel moved first.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDkRhm0YGe
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtPFHGe5PN
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBeVLFZUG3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74jA5L3lR5
Hestia's weapon intercepted.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSaR4Mstsu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrsDGJTKaX
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNcMKwY4mQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoOalKUppM
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHYZRby7XV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLMRQkjzLc
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiGGXntRoC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HG7a1p9nG
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfLFYnj3oW
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Her knee caught him under the chin.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3omAShVcQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXNlcIePB6
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnqrGaDIbB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4rv3e6YX2
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprQsL0RHzE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80zO8h5KJR
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR9RKxjAWL
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxofrZoNel
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8lLZmk6yv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxH0fYfnRV
"Yield?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxg1wjwC2P
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ7LUvyOpB
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRj7r2JNOm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF025qI043
"Yes."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ieSmV7Psr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ17Ae2mGTA
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPRgjL3sFe
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxKdNoMmcF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu7Vq2UcZa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9J19t1vxE
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshlebMGcRm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhudxhSjnUs
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHovpKUc4A
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQ1lVF0j9
Cel raised Silent Moon again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAiOKFGdUz
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9zJsO52ev
They fought.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrZXARohGu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE5epNMZCH
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJveqVjYAQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QzqlGQNsb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb18o7yzGr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26E4vQRPu2
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ724IEmP3W
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0jMrfMTCZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTTU3Oxphc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2sUMzdP1g
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RxUP90kAB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgLSBCzd2W
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuIa56ZX0M
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9K4hC6bnE
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfSwo3un8f
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHE9WJDtAa
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IQsiAzC6z
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnY1VEptYJ
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3HCpxTzlV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqav5EzhSc
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn5hnnlibU
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She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR0yEtMsEt
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtU8DtF88K
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLkvQgCP2E
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbXrxAELWQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd1uSfi8QW
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdljAyBnaF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpZmQi32qU
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6OY89tNTM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIAUox7IaO
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpA3XPWx9O
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWcKxgxxe
'I really do regret this.'85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NOPjuD3bU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc6kXftpun
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZiAJHd2es
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm276A9Wnm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcPHOJOPao
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2bgYCq25g
The rankings reflected it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP7akWVygt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0h7RXaHkD
Rank 38: Lior85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduVpFJc2do
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLGJtIJmkA
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SMbE3DTPe
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1ZM2XJcYT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmgePc3Ihs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBUvltuSJ1
Progress. Real progress.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G0aiL3GJX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeWzmmEkDj
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8MO8nuvs3
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBsacguCRf
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He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMZnb99Kg9
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None of it worked.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbGgNaWz97
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdtCHEP7XN
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He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g3c8feZsA
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkElvIULPKt
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AHzXhHQrd
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It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFTPv7RnaB
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgYcfbhb4V
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7nu3XqzAU
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Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV5QcdOynR
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The routine held until one particular morning.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsTDHa6NTQ
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Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElbymp64Xy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYTWatGFDa
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIfS6x8aev
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfxp9WANdS
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Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLSkhsZTZj
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTndsoDuqse
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"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ViDjbVVB
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFaMdFPVwp
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"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW3PHCiCMS
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She paused.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXHPICRVY7
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"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡrevTXpM3ED 尼

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