Kyros stood over Lior, fire-red outfit drenched and dripping. The expensive fabric clung to his chest, wine spreading across the embroidery in dark stains that would never come out.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0acZBDX4wN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aUFR4Uvvc
His amber eyes blazed with fury.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfVz5XNc8Q
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbCrS6pm0L
"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmu6dBzQLB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXZNTea41p
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQQ5ufr0mA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO3jfkSW4W
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMuKfrNmjO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnSVkFT6Rb
The crowd pressed closer. Students formed a tightening circle - nobles in the front, commoners hanging back nervously. The music had stopped entirely. Even the servants had frozen mid-step.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2kt2IjPmo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB8j36vN93
Cel pushed forward through the ring of onlookers, Hestia just behind him. But there were too many bodies, too much space between him and where Lior knelt.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5r8YSFfpD
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkY3qLYbBw
"Please," Lior whispered. His sky-blue eyes were wide with terror, locked on shattered glass fragments. "I'll—I'll clean it. I'll find a way to fix it. Just please—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKxCP2KqAn
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoKN9dCTat
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2DPcLugJX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIyFDFHPQ0
Lior flinched as if struck.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlCpyZ2VGu
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0UU346k7s
Kyros took a step forward. The movement was deliberate, calculated to intimidate. "But I suppose that's fitting, isn't it? A worthless Moon Chosen destroying things of actual value. It's what your kind does."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGglbFx3s
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjToVKb7hpE
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidjYzASVLE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nr55OtbHf
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aYcz2e3so
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGx8t5vdMh
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cgyipOYgX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmUb1KVz5q
"That's not my problem." Kyros crossed his arms, heedless of the wet fabric. "Your clumsiness, your responsibility. Unless you're suggesting I should just accept the loss? That House Solgrand should simply absorb the cost of your incompetence?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYopF2BNGvU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FzJQlZPtg
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfslyVKZkM
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ZdAYJ1pb
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynsMs0HQ7F
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVASIqGh74
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRgN9VrKfj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkU2CFQjY9
"Can't what? Afford it?" Kyros's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Then perhaps they shouldn't have sent you here in the first place."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4s87TQbBk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKKIE4fKa0
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6fwSTMSDo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35G3OlPYg1
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSCGcPvEfl
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS2SdSRNZL
Cel finally broke through the crowd. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. The air around him had gone cold - frost beginning to form on his palm.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FpB2bEyfT
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs8DYssMy9
But before he could speak—78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfWRla9pgK
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEvbgAttCr
"That's enough."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ymqoXhZrh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCb6RDDyqY
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TNyIM7paO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5h7oWAzAf
Theron stepped forward from the gathered nobles. His brown eyes were serious, the perpetual smile gone from his face. He moved with quiet confidence, positioning himself between Kyros and the kneeling Lior.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeg9WGnYn1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FffzPo7js
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JkNtxnWDh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk9BhbCkhP
The ballroom went absolutely still.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsex5GfTkH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwRBSFVoZg
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgEDBHCi1D
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkD9MkiNeG
"You gestured while speaking and stepped back without looking. Lior was already walking past with a glass. You moved into him, not the other way around."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREWUUyQAhS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJOciwwVcu
Several students who'd been nearby shifted, exchanging glances. Their faces suggested Theron's account matched what they'd seen but been too afraid to say.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiaDn5B5m1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09PvXUHlCD
Kyros's hands twitched. His jaw worked as if chewing words he couldn't quite spit out. "That's—you're mistaken. Obviously you didn't see clearly—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzuBUvA37h
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOZcCCfkip
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkIq4I7KrB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWz1HV0VQs
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sNw0kc0NL
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He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbsq6jmWAk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGaSmvEM36
Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbT5npcHLo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvldMhQgQXY
But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnUDb3J69v
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIJejsbUJ3
Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvUes7bAoQ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUeCsdrE3W
"Even if—" Kyros's voice had lost some of its certainty. "Even if I moved first, he should have been more careful. He should have—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaCkVUT4vX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuwChGh7Hd
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtIVAm2bUy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxgqkU0A5C
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Ou5GCnl2
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bKlHlGBtf
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfosBrzTKmU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzLhkI2Irv
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNAnkWjTiv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqyHIjcTrC
"Lord Kyros."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUlACFqjLR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaw4UdXiWh
Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY1bq2Ob1r
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7hu3ElCIO
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR3BBRUoSn
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4H5luaaEm
"Perhaps it would be best to let this go," she continued. "The evening has been lovely so far. It would be unfortunate to let one mishap sour the entire event."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpJwaGm8lO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kGBAAbHaF
Kyros's jaw worked. Every line of his body screamed that he wanted to press the issue, to salvage something from this disaster. But Sylvaine's presence beside him, the weight of the watching crowd,  Esrin observing from near the wall—78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsQjCrRuUp
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL385EsgTi
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxh7v6kycS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjhSkH042m
He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his wet clothing squelching with each step. Several of his usual followers hesitated, glanced at each other, then hurried after him.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANkgJG4zmH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolvAbojpxZ
The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbhMReaTOq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW35QWxGsf3
Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4k8XOeJjA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGLZg3oe2V
"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0PMhg3GNB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkoFfItgTm
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9Uut7jgyE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbBz8av800
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMxG1Fa4ct
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAvtVPxPhg
After a long moment, Lior's shaking hand reached out and grasped Theron's. The All-Blessed pulled him to his feet with gentle strength, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder until Lior stopped swaying.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FEidrPaTR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl38H5m7AyI
"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ1KEA5UAG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MkbM6oWp6
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRZEU1BwSB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0iQPA9Mpn
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzkbJMU4ZG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcOXFKjy6w
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5bNIBPq0a
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJclFNcsw1E
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8yAmlK7pg
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDb3JiwC3G
"How about some fresh air?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ9lrnM5Vt
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KP7VX1Yc9
He guided Lior toward a side door, away from the watching eyes and whispered conversations. Behind them, the ball continued, but neither of them had any interest in returning.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsLFWHn2MD
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbDTJrD11b
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WYnf7mhhA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLgF2n4F59
Cel returned to his room and changed out of the formal attire with mechanical efficiency. The dark fabric whispered as he folded it, placing it carefully aside for the Academy to reclaim.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbadREF68o
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtDYCRll1M
His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq7KQqsU7n
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzXktLcUct
He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBV5iRBnco
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLkcys8TNc
The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflqawan21L
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKveB8lYv0g
He started his training in silence.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM2pqYz20g
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Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MyGe1d0V3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyx7e57Cum
Hestia emerged from the darkness in her usual training attire - black and practical, stripped of the evening's elegance. Her crimson eyes tracked his movements with clinical precision.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiIgozFcN7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYJgVqUvu3
"You're here," she observed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCJnjIeZdu
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlua1bYYMG
"So are you."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JkCiRk6Zw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4ifTWp6yB
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjRPMWSl5A
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1Nso6ETDD
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzsFhwj5Nv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJqEP3f3jn
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYLPibmcmO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfnduWa3Sr
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniszmf6UUe
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfFN3XH9U7
After a while, Cel broke the silence. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gRIZDyBPj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBHyv0tyTT
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNPyJzJDN7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPLieUo75I
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGJiU4Cq4w
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI7vKs4WAj
"Standing up to Kyros like that. In front of everyone." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new sequence.  "Most people would have looked away. Especially someone in his position."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmWwceY1Zj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPZV6Tx2lB
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kgjLyaubK
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH1ajjTKdV
Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbetBsFkuTB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePg3ToVyEJ
"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV3d7jSe8r
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0GN2h4qNv
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuZMVpfqFq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUnc640TFX
"She gave Kyros an escape. Made it easy for him to back down without losing too much face." Hestia's tone carried something that might have been approval.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOwtIgjuGW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNUdl6eNOY
She tilted her head slightly.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE87nLnybeC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg0WUYoDfe
"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Cn6PzdxU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eyXBqRwsw
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsMCQY2DPF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV6pSxuseG
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwtCPjdQyF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt6vwH5Ikh
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78LcQzlmYm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRNgHJt4eQ
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb5Y6BwWJ4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSic5hiwY3S
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2dYsYhENi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRT5WOb196
"You're curious about that?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVdhLZD1Pl
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmvcchSjse
"Yes."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoJUhrAj2P
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJsTNkv9QN
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcNd0kqhWH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfMahT2mWV
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaNc66cJGw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnuwzyFcHE
A pause.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9OCFXRTc0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ5o6FVp6X
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3C6L2t7W7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1UH25OPKc
Her gaze held his.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTaz1Rlzud
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfXAVWzrWc
"You're different. The scent doesn't cling to you - it emanates from you. It's not something you've accumulated. It's something you are."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2n5jXAvNV
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevIJ151qIK
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT2km9uTiO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdy5rzAJXO
"What does that mean?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI3TQ0Hkw3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c0Z7vJy0n
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEaYz2w86C
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBoM7F8see
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ZCxyFNO3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAsQpf1DwG
Silence stretched between them.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKVHC5uYZd
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1W7gyJ9OB
Unique. The word settled over him without the weight it should have carried. He'd died and come back changed - he'd accepted that fact long ago. He even found himself grateful for the power it brought. Either way, dwelling on it changed nothing. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WdTH3nYX5
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"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqhnRAqRFv
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0411X6kVz
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Then she shook her head.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TRtQN68ZE
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"No."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuPypXTzWw
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Cel blinked. "No?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p5n9JGQhy
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49A7L3VxVu
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Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd78974AXY
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Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBKHLFbMKC
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"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRyVPXRYK6
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The word hit like a physical blow.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG1v5mYzNW
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jlc6hDO4K
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Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqMhx5fQ9k
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"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSTPZ9qxep
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"Then what—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUIrCdsqxe
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"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Mp4mbI9n
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The night air suddenly felt colder.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5iTAMTU4b
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdt08Y0bVn
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She shook her head slightly.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ixLiRGvJ
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PcnBk3jmS
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Silence pressed heavy between them.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PadXHoIK4
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd4yPW9ckD
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaa0Z7FNd3
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In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EPYBNkvij
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklY49AnJ27
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraaRyd6JDW
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK7iaDaqMa
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2QmxuRrri
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmzxjmleK
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW7dbXnwsM
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ObO6JcLbk
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3EB7QS8hE
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Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxIFNT06s4
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But he couldn't say that. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwnW1AVuNF
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNW7TIvY29
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"I—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQeKmgjzHC
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0FpDpAW4T
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---78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi39Xf6XXqA
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1234 copyright protection74ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQFzhJpNML 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection74ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV6K1KqslB 尼

I wanted to apologize that the chapter on saturday was left out. I would recommend you to join the Discord to stay updated on those matters: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm1234 copyright protection74ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnhmH7gm65 尼

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