The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf6kiqNteo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X8UKkbxQg
Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UY9SDDsT0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiyFg7HUao
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYPLVkTQI7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKuAv9Hwxt
'Esrin.'84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgDkrofjU6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhgcyKuJhY
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML9kzClEIW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkYvs6xAxo
The door opened.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RePBYjRQA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUaXnFe459
She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85dDelBgPs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8AykD1YPX
Every student seemed to hold their breath.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLuAm2mf2M
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfMQMSqhHD
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz5eSXGhn6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XGKo9o4x3
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQams4Sxjvd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev5LwdkTpR
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQFJiPwYKO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBEN7Gf2Xq
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafeR0eMytP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupD6AhIULy
The door closed with soft finality.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWz2dzUxQd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8VV37WD1N
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OifugXS8o
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCn364vIyY
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXZpLkdoRG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZnvxURPMS
"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoxK1Is5co
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBacnBtP9J
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqIoZSra00
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnedRuytoPP
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidOjsXqHcd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzpBDjef5P
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNI9sc92aa
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVUie5Zhyh
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsVh8vKDDA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kbWHefcmj
Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgCGe6kdAs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TUplu2hJ8
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7jtmrkgpG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmXGSvXBre
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPakAAjJ4P
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwHsgNcuLW
She met the girl's gaze directly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfcTbuYJJE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLYA95bmlQ
"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kt9xaOMet
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpxe1DSukc
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDBDh0279W
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98HmAv8erj
Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQmODdxDIl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTtaRQH9vr
Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5nAhnmQg4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16BAjbUsJa
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0qG0YCtL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5mokJco43
The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcY3ZyVzfA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMezT79Hdyq
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG48kCUKCg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqYIN8Gk54
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3rJ7K5Woh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRY04OEysN
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YAmckZdiE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtpyjC5YDS
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v8eU1GiW9
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIuF9lbQtW
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFQ4VOBLyE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPucacsHxrS
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO21N4PVZI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8wOQRtuDO
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNplsE3FVAu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VkrNjSvO4
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pbTi4HPkN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNUfFWWaKw
"Yes."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNm0TKNNZv
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3No6RMyTP
The answer came flat. Final.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor4W029Fxj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJxQ6FVJlK
But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLtpiiEx3k
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnCPXiajcS
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWenBIMuNdl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9FD33ouSw
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mP1EIhguR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1Xhu9E8iO
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7TGmn3JAC
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnJzjYANjg
So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKR3Hg97Cg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9X6n7HXGi
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGkI2UhhVs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQeecyOMNm
Interest rippled through the classroom.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzr2XVfSXN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvADm41YcDl
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcMH2H6HqT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNpZtWpMSU
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTD0HrUBhQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwwaWtO4vx
She lifted two finger.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaYDQrsrpH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODyauM0hya
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VfDu5jL9h
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtSntuGo2N
Cel's jaw tightened.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJGtXV7ag
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QaEVpvNow
'What about me then?'84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9qL43K9fW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM6kNaBgvY
The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyn110OfJZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwmNOisnp6
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylSHuaooNP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80lXwI5hnY
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamroxMCkHB
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFltWgS8zR0
She raised a third finger.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW1mOxliLs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsFl7QBVtc
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3DHzqN70Y
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrwIFY0DyR
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIrzv1bcgI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx3qnPTXFr
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRALsqd3dD2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PyjwZEWSa
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s5LOLI7wH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECJuQbmQS9
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNYvbAgb9k
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY6qgJz9VF
She paused, letting that sink in. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEd1DgYm05
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0nQcGkGPS
"Most Chosen never achieve it.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5B7pb41XF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yx5nuGtkD
A fourth finger joined the others. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVYmXyHc9K
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMFiPY9GFf
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F4Ypv8sjT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEDv0jpCN
She lowered her hand.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIO47wHy37
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyfnce5Pyc
"Only a handful in history have reached this level."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgpk7pMcFg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtmBnzI3Ho
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhg4WOtODV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MYEjhlf4O
Several students still looked confused. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8bSCfS01j
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQJYfLiGzC
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWmCZahqKv
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LqdW6LZUk
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdFZO3GDN6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBgHzGiplR
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRjBszgXgn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoRXANI3ek
Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXQNoNrpOg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCxv3GewBy
"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuOhXzjT3h
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTaY8QnLQR
The classroom went very still.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ7ijl4SH5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16mwDCILYi
Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0p6c6zZ0Y
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1tiU4b8kG
Another hand rose.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirirXd7lYe
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdxFhSeVxW
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsuNHbYB45
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLiJ90SVVx
The question was innocent. Curious.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRiP3ADg9w
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgn4eAZMe1
But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDw9UUURtv
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcxDvbH0OY
Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89wVRcHYnE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I1Ota9kth
Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ek0o3lknc
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzDwinIQJz
His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtkYx30j46
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQ4EjP3Uy
At Esrin.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1X0SQfSnr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgenwGgiqZ5
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t4qEtZgoS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxgigtcLqt
'Did something happen between them?'84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq65KAJe51n
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdm8rhO4nK
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOehl5qdOf
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTrtYYhA0Y
"I forsook it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVKERd4tst
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdIbfbId8Q
The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7A59ffBsm
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUBlx8SbXM
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwySRLrUCw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtECXF3ozML
But Esrin's attention had already moved on.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaPsOUIxFe
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvI7kZduy7
"Any other questions?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyQMWx3pop
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHHVkkqQRs
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccv9RKCkl3
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YtLUKfBzz
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkyUU5JnR7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKba43SEwB
Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKC1Xn98C4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszxnMqmLQM
She walked toward the exit without ceremony.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4AC3bgpMH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zUzlIxRS7
Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurDTLSNXOQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8dhJ0w2lO
The door closed.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjYDC58TuF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEPWxfNPqF
Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEVhiP3Z32
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Lk83UG4F
"Did you see her eyes?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32fW8gsazL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW162d7RNSN
"The way she moved—"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ORkcLV7r
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevF6pCSUNy
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXAJvKkrTP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMWUJpHBNs
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TEtCUGvAI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUQEaFU8AO
Cel sat quietly, processing.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd8SfSV0MR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF81IPeyQdJ
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF1ryHjhiL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUfecXNS8R
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCmXBkLMZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0tC0YJhB
The question burned without answer.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiJ9IVro8k
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKUgm0Dhq1
Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKH0SM0cR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ECny3uppg
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqk4oYaEUP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPwZSHT5Qq
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfph1u92VV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJISEPaWyB
His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3OhXHXk6o
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLqsmOQRdA
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGMKATqno0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeGmtM0gDr
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt031emTfrt
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w955aoWnX
Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwewiC4dcxr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83SCgBDENi
"All of us are," Cel said.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBUKBv9EdU
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5voMeZkKG1
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGf26PZ5H4
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqY5Vzm85h
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TgadMAZyR
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnoHqFj0M2
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjjA4C19FX
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPJ2e74aPa
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkPNrHcEXt
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection80ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDycufliQ1 尼

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