Cel stopped before the monolith, grateful for the excuse to focus on something other than the heat still crawling up his neck.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s3QVgeIjc
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92FaQbOYg
The surface rippled like water, runes burning against his vision:97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvI0BWvIEb
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDMVDTsXxC
<Name: Celvian> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2QgBXQXMl
<Paragons: (Heir to the Moon) (White Death)> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhNBEqLacE
<Artifacts: (Silent Moon) (Cinderward)> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMVHxOh1Do
<Insights: (Ledger of Nightmares)> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyEWsRDwBI
<Achievements: (2)>97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTojdhiJXQ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswZYPRKWAs
He focused on the achievements line.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz53T40NXE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTkpsb2gU
<Achievements: (You died) (You entered a new dimension)>97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZXfv5dmkG
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMg9jXwHAt
Cel stared at the words.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHF9uXkq4z
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOA52UZra6
Crazy. Both of them sounded absolutely insane when laid out like that.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CYtMsZIAk
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvMqBD9ONA
The first he'd earned by dying - something that should have ended everything. The second one was new. A record of stepping into the Reckoning's base - that floating island in the crackling violet void.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0T0fy5UM8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV24YFHpkDN
His brow furrowed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyBjocAF1U
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wJUjg14xY
Not the Hollow Realms. Not the real world either. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagQw36RI8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmzo9RvNmF
A completely separate dimension.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sD6E89P30
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMxEdwM5Se
But how?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCXmGihiiz
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOYAea7cG7
Did the Reckoning find it somehow? Stumble across a rift that led to an empty pocket of reality and claim it?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbr3N2EVXa
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuFom95qj4
Or had someone created it?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj0WJ4H6lr
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQIzY9ulJK
The thought made his stomach twist. Creating an entire dimension seemed impossible - the kind of power that shouldn't exist outside of gods themselves.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwxGNXWHt2
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkyEXOSw76
But the Reckoning had nine members. Several of them legendary figures - the Mercenary King, the second prince of the Empire, a Hallowed. And Veyron led them all, had welcomed him based solely on Selina's description.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YYrEWqqhr
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrMVIcs9Cu
What kind of person could lead such figures? And what kind of power did someone like that possess?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdceNQVfJu
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvu3jGLgyz
Cel's jaw tightened. More questions without answers.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uDkAxiSzX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNoWaQnWLj
His gaze shifted back to his paragons. One of them had received a new trait.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDpQQ5JPzD
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q3xMQ3yva
He focused on Heir to the Moon first.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LRbWLvJxP
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxwtkgfBcv
<Paragon: Heir to the Moon> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWgGlug1Pk
<Affinity: 1/10> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZItQE5YI7
<Traits: (Lunar Vigor) (Unbroken Succession) (Eternal Witness)>97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Qfhz2dFg
<Authorities: />97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8ljUxAcHq
<Enlightment: "The moon is never the same twice, yet she is always herself. Full tonight, crescent tomorrow, vanished the next - but never gone. They call it change. The moon calls it constancy.">97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90NpYAg0MD
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXas9Leit2
Three traits now, instead of two.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrhGGQVcQe
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsUwDxZH80
Eternal Witness. The new addition.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLd0IR1fQC
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDPyKfxpTK
Cel narrowed his focus on it and the runes shifted again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfM3MvZgPj
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Dd9u6TZ6
<Trait: Eternal Witness> 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdggGmuT5ol
<Effect: Your body has adapted to the moon's eternal watch. You no longer require sleep.>97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwqb0zAGQc
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGmOIN7d6U
For a moment, he simply stared.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY1nnAFH1u
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVZDevJ3Ut
Then the implication hit him like a physical blow.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXnivNiS12
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXE7rrIjy7
No sleep.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDevbEcf9qI
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkgnIOuQdk
Never again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1rS70jbeg
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatcJx8H0A3
Several hours every night that other people lost to unconsciousness - hours he could use however he wanted. Training. Reading. Thinking. Living.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B8JU0fMs4
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA9r3smo09
The sheer value of that…97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmJaqZCwm0
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Pzl6u8oC
And it wasn't just time. Sleep was vulnerability. A period where threats could approach unnoticed, where defenses lowered whether you wanted them to or not.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQscotRZJ8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPu6gTDQXZ
Now he'd never have to worry about that again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2yYkWaN14
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwxwZmb1Fh
His throat felt tight.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29cMIF2UYj
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYL9PdoWmh
'Thank you.'97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VgJtpXdtX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ttFUouEVC
The thought rose unbidden, directed not at the goddess but at Selina. Her presence. Her rank as a Divine Oracle.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ244KI5n9pE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiFfV2Ae0b
Because she held that rank, his blessing carried weight it wouldn't have otherwise.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU6LB3gUD0
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6aEwBevTJ
Other Chosen received abilities suited to survival. Basic enhancements. Modest authorities.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZoCUD9IpR
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyxXiyXGgL
He'd been given resurrection. And now even the freedom from one of humanity's most fundamental limitations.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqDv18Hq9P
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIXPz8B7jO
All because Selina stood as his guide.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo3qL4gOQn
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq6VXfoN74
'I don't deserve you,' he thought. 'But I'm grateful anyway.'97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUXyI7ET7w
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRiP80OyJn
The monolith's light dimmed as his focus withdrew, runes fading back into its surface.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqpJ9mvF4x
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKWkZ3cxCP
Cel turned away, finding Selina still standing in the mist nearby, that serene smile in place.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh0IH9aQU3
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgF0qrkc3Y
"I’m leaving now," he said quietly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNHoWyMsIs
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMZAmXZPqr
"May the Moon Goddess light your path, Chosen One."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1JPIuD7lL
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ts4eKsg8V
The blessing settled over him like a gentle weight. Familiar now. Comforting in a way few things were.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc74sREvTU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZHLyNfPND
He nodded once, then closed his eyes and reached for the boundary of his soul.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCskC0Sak1l
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1MCZNXZmi
The world shifted.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf6OuUbt5y
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gdHPchhcb
Darkness greeted him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMjPxRTdLo
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVxp69Egwb
Cel blinked, momentarily disoriented before realizing that he was still in his room.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwzi6qgC6g
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO16qXdjUB
The night had fallen while he was gone.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtsJW0G1wp
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBBHkOhIdl
He pushed himself up from the bed, joints protesting slightly despite his divinely enhanced body.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGCv5GmuVE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH1YXp7pOB
The window showed only blackness beyond - no moon visible from this angle. Street sounds had faded to occasional distant footsteps and the creak of settling wood.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURFa51jePO
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVuRfYRxvp
His body felt... strange. Not tired, exactly. But worn in a way that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQngTEahsO
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKngRgQNGYz
Like he'd been running for days and only just realized he could stop.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHyUIGvytZ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fxjSA1jhU
Eternal Witness meant he didn't need sleep anymore.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQy6TEtsfq
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCJWR27pNr
But that didn't mean he couldn't sleep.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA540B22Bcd
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8APC0HaRx
And right now, despite everything, the thought of lying down and letting unconsciousness take him felt impossibly appealing.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qopJQ08Gh
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloO95G5Ygv
Just for a little while.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDYnNZWUI1
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIKFJWCd67
Cel moved to the bed and sat on its edge, then swung his legs up and lay back.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTaYRryLxE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa67KVW00P
The mattress was thin. The pillow barely deserved the name.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulMj0NDo1
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ieCGl1Opd
But it was soft. Safe.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dXa0bXWuR
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFFnGOjZVM
He stared at the ceiling, watching shadows shift across wooden beams.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BslrrysyD
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUwdZGi6x2
Ten days until the Academy started.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnAq0wHUr6
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2yjuZxYA7
Ten days to figure out what it meant to live instead of just survive.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ4FtidikY
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqRVmFykBi
He still didn't know how.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMB5jPvVTw
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP99L9KKUGc
But Selina believed he could learn.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmqd2TMT06
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyfG9bqGsr
That would have to be enough.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmIVHioK8k
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoorXUeFb
His eyes drifted shut.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRYotWqsI6
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNVICG0wi8
Sleep came easier than it had any right to, pulling him down into darkness.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHM0DtHM54
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVtUSOhWgp
The nightmare came like it always did - his father's fists, his mother's silence, the cultists' hands reaching through rusted bars. Familiar horrors cycling through his mind in vivid detail.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6OffIq8ph
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXhvkwYbE6
Cel jerked awake gasping, sweat-soaked and shaking.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGoGXeloYe
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetddVtrjUY
Gray light filtered through the window. Dawn approaching.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwebTCl2KEY
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyL9dwSVKk
Just a dream.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2h1tk019Q
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0sDZ8aO5L
The same dream that appeared every single night.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vcTpVKRYX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgpHDMJLlY
His breathing slowly steadied as awareness fully returned.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZGMuYc6Tp
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROSho8JNy2
Except now…97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9hlyBYOVt
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJpeoFovAs
Now it wouldn't.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8QyaT3iND
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMRRe90qjR
Thanks to his new trait Eternal Witness, he no longer required sleep, which meant no more nightmares dragging him back through his trauma.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr32LwgJlG
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf6CyOsIX7
Relief hit him so hard it felt physical - a weight lifting from his chest that he hadn't fully realized was there until it vanished.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdbrsHSdtU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQusJz5RqL
He could sleep if he wanted to. The trait didn't prevent it. But he'd never need to again. Never be forced to surrender consciousness and hope the nightmares didn't come.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0L24iErIC
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf64sWFPP0
He could just... stay awake. Forever, if he chose.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb564tEeFlY
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtbBrcBdov
The freedom in that felt impossible.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0BeD0rp17
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6KNCCnfRn
Cel sat up slowly, running a hand through sweat-dampened hair. His white hair - still strange to see when he caught glimpses of it. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16w6fmkkHn
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllloVckLdf
Sunlight streamed through the window, bright and clean, spilling across the floor in a warm rectangle. The day stretched ahead of him - hours and hours with no structure, no purpose.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM4VweHaM5
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWNuqgP6QD
What was he supposed to do now?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr5NrrHZhE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMr22wVzA3
Selina's advice drifted back to him. ‘Rest. Enjoy the peaceful time you have been given. Do the things that bring you joy.’97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoWU2hCvl5
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7dhOf7nti
Cel's jaw tightened.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY3rizJRp8
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6csCNCDHtQ
He still didn't know what brought him joy. Didn't know how to just... exist without purpose or goal.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeuE1gCofg
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kj74dDYTL
Training made sense. Preparing for threats made sense. But wandering around looking for something that made him smile?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwKkUp00WV
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuMems5xoJ
He didn't even know where to start.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw9ZVd1rgF
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1YHsfjABC
His thoughts circled back to the only moment recently where something close to peace had touched him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3a8F7O4tN
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1sHKutJE5
Talking with Selina.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCwARkHChX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35DV0yMuSk
Not during the trial. Not when she explained his abilities or warned him about dangers. Just... talking. Her patience. Her gentle certainty. The way she listened without judgment and answered without condescension.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8UDBb3lWJ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SKSmEmuHC
The way she smiled…97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqzLKmsQXz
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnuuO2NFls
Heat crept up his neck at the memory of that radiant expression.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqdvGsH0Fx
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jWxwxrUIy
He wanted to see that again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQgJycQXGw
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9yq8DAQaX
Wanted to talk with her more. Ask her questions that had nothing to do with survival or power. Learn what she thought about things. Hear her voice without the weight of divine guidance hanging over every word.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZW3dF4R0P
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7eVCYTDgL
The desire settled in his chest, warm and uncomfortable.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOdWypBsyj
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB4Ode9To6
But she was a Divine Oracle. The highest authority beneath the gods themselves.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMNNi5EqAJ
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPDAw5ZywK
Why would she want to spend time with someone like him?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKDVEE3f8X
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7sgxnKc35
She guided him because it was her duty. Her role. Not because she enjoyed his company or found him interesting.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIn7lLcuVc
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp8iM4yP1H
Expecting anything else was just…97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsAhGlGDAb
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9lSn5KoEp
Delusional.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd7YxyS82I
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NwwRheB0i
Cel pushed himself off the bed, suddenly restless. The room felt too small again. Confining.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq134II4b0
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiYiQGBQAH
Maybe he should go outside. Walk through the Academy grounds. Get familiar with the place before classes started.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvO3p1DpSh
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyhadVYE3
Or maybe he should practice with Silent Moon. Test how Empathic Steel responded to different emotional states.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5587H7lRE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpOATPMDQT
Or—97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlToVhcwQR
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFS9tDaW5V
Three sharp knocks echoed through the small room.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQHqaWs0SE
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c77VoXE1y
Cel froze.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRKUhF3Rts
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qStD9mRwB
Every muscle in his body went rigid. His hand moved instinctively toward where Silent Moon would materialize if he called it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zRq9ydSjl
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdIAlii9Mu
No one knew he was here. No one except the Reckoning and the receptionist who'd enrolled him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRuHw3ldv9
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvO5av6Lmo
The knocks came again.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRV3wIswkU
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HgVBqk5Yh
Cel moved to the door silently and stopped, listening.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrICSG4rY7
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBfa63TXMl
Breathing on the other side. Steady. Calm.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qcC1xKO2j
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Not threatening, then. Or very good at pretending not to be.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNftBEVjUs
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He reached for the handle and pulled the door open.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5vgFUKaDn
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The receptionist stood in the hallway, holding a neatly folded bundle of dark fabric. Her expression was professional but tired - like this was just another task in a long shift.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PownY43zn
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"Apologies for the early hour," she said without preamble. "I meant to deliver these yesterday, but the paperwork took longer than expected." She held out the bundle. "Your Academy uniform and monthly allowance."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHxxcDQaxz
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Cel stared at the offered items, his hand still hovering near where Silent Moon would appear.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUSfooa4Hg
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The woman's gaze tracked the motion, then returned to his face without comment. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3PkqXA4Xn
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"The uniform is required for classes and official Academy functions," she continued when he didn't immediately take it. "You're free to wear whatever you like otherwise." She shifted the bundle slightly. "The allowance is standard for commoner students - it should cover your needs."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTFqwgjg0k
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Cel finally reached out and took the bundle.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCw2420cZs
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"The Library is open from dawn to midnight. Same goes for the training grounds. Curfew's at midnight for commoner dorms."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGAXmhsu1m
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She paused, watching him with that same tired professionalism.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdKvsPNuPL
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“Any questions?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPHwnoudnw
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Cel's throat worked. Too many questions, actually. But none that she could answer.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej3Ul2FFFZ
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"No."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkrMRcSYwQ
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The woman nodded once. "Then I'll leave you to settle in. Welcome to the Chosen Academy."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpgBmsMrBk
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She turned and walked away down the dim hallway, footsteps fading into silence.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvAKYG6BDS
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Cel stood in the doorway for a moment longer, then stepped back inside.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc1ILWVJXm
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He moved to the bed, set the bundle down and carefully unfolded it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaPkwTTbHp
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The uniform spilled out first - dark fabric that looked almost black, with silver threading along the collar and cuffs. Well-made. Practical. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZp2bdAMzP
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Over the heart, embroidered in that same silver thread, was the crescent moon symbol of the Moon Goddess.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO091MHIfV
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Cel's fingers traced over it slowly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMgKjN30pl
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The uniform was stiff. Formal. The kind of thing that would announce what he was to everyone who saw him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWkEUOH4gG
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Moon Chosen. Academy student. Commoner.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S4KOhkNsF
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His fingers pulled away from the silver crescent.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd7y3ZBtDG
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The cloth pouch filled with silver coins came next. More money than he'd imagined. Enough to live on for a month, apparently.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL52DuzL8n
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He weighed the pouch in his palm. Heavy. Solid. Real.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hhqg1vDL9
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Wealth he'd earned simply by existing. By being Chosen.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CYbXGmqR9
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The thought sat strangely in his chest.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrkZtpEtIi
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Cel set the coins down and picked up the uniform again. He already had something to wear. Cinderward - an artifact of the blessed grace that protected without restricting, felt right in a way this stiff formal uniform never would.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwDUi9wTRu
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He folded the uniform carefully and set it in the wardrobe. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEmvnP3Nu9
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The sky was brightening properly now through the window - dawn breaking across the city in shades of gold and pale blue.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJNbVN4MuS
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Hours stretching ahead with nothing to do and no idea how to fill them.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09P7wnSsoT
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‘Do the things that bring you joy.’ Selina's advice echoed again, gentle and impossible.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeVBAcS4gp
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Cel's fingers drummed against his thigh as he considered his options.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvYKJVbinH
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His gaze tracked to the door.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGeZGzoilF
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Outside was a city. Stella - the capital. Streets he'd barely seen while Esrin marched him to the Academy. People living normal lives, doing normal things.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe4flEY31q
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When was the last time he'd walked somewhere without a destination?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNjzBTDIDM
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Never, probably.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOyMFXzUR0
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Maybe that was where he should start. With just... walking.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGr8wh69ia
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Seeing what was out there.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFubSXgP5N
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The idea felt foreign and slightly terrifying.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K2uq7fWab
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But Selina believed he could do it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0gdanXHaZ
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And right now, that was enough.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2XbJ3aRs8
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Cel moved to the door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5oAUmZzfi
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here^^97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62TfCzVweF
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I just wanted to give you a short reminder that you can read up to 5 Chapters ahead on my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV57LBianX
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyUy7TkzLd
Also, now that the first arc of Lunar Legacy has come to an end, I'd love to gather some interesting statistics to share with you all later! To start things off, I've created a poll where you can vote for your top 5 favorite characters from the first arc and rank them in order of preference.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTstgARH5YM
Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2fHPnPWhv7kOVpEW-7_9dVZ-R58KrdhO0hxVfGrV_dHmMIA/viewform?usp=header97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCFq8Qp5d5
(it is anonymous - so please vote only one time to get a correct result)97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fURrsjTmJ
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Would love to see your picks! Thanks for participating^^97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lplorYxdl
1234 copyright protection93ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tLd7iQz45 尼

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