Lior pushed himself to his feet slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin lying on its side, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPFUUccFZK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfBANBdyZb
He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him. Didn't say anything. Just picked up the basin with careful hands and walked back toward the well, joining the end of the line that had grown longer.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsLx1QdUUR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oIc9ZeBEQ
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDtVRCSTpx
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgm0gjrqZR
The line shifted forward slowly. Students ahead drew water, their conversations a low murmur that didn't quite mask the occasional laugh directed at Lior's back.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjQUKNiZZe
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe5L5LCAYO
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqC4P5pbtY
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGNhE8PGXJ
"Morning."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdD9IzF62f
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vr1P2hVEn
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgQXAy4S5i
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwLwXJ57nM
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF8lx92MeG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIRO8wbrdJ
Lior's expression brightened slightly. "Hard. Really hard. But..." He paused, searching for words. "It's a blessing, being able to learn this. Reading and writing, I mean. My parents never had the chance."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGVkchJmje
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJUUnXrKU2
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CPkrL4m40
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoEQ2zRzXT
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWTkOVFAFs
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqJeD8KDdm
"It will."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF78DiZZz7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqqNHlp0OU
They reached the well. Lior hauled up the bucket with both hands, the rope groaning under the weight. Water sloshed as he tilted it carefully, filling his basin to the brim.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIsGQk0IT8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR6XUhKZtV
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwptFur05Oh
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZrAeF2fQr
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TqcqFv9CA
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG1Oc8xbYx
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYeAjgP5OS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQTlrzvQfN
"Ready?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnL87Dw9zW
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRO3U1u7Gr
Cel nodded.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoCsNZjssB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHlISKLZOB
He turned toward the area where students washed - and kept walking past the closer, emptier spaces. His path led directly toward where the boy sat, pulling his academy uniform over damp shoulders.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xCPxzQaWR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U3wLdpBHj
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgas0oIdyZo
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlRXW9VPzm
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxq7qIhV4Z
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1FHElJyGm
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxcwyoS91A
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1fQSVUFna
Cel's foot caught on nothing.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KDWlf1EGi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRaszEN7k6
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft1TDUUI1Q
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxkKcMvHdF
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY02EIeiF8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDBTazTOo
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrH12wGnij
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0MKtkBWNs
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xj5elpqHz
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KdFkkIw58
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEut7Cwrlw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa1L5xrN70
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYywOtuHFBc
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrogDiPUmcE
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK83IPdAG0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLs9mxllHs
"Are you kid—"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DQ28NjVrs
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGBgPjZBKI
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7qGIJJu5r
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnCvj85Ysh
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBitQwTLEc
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh7zbYMv0X
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHBhLXXS2A
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvAYZjmfAP
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8MiyqC0ff
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ9gRQn2Qh
Then he released his grip and stepped back.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAReuAfpJQO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL467aFhLH
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirEM0ZHQaE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUzTkzkz6R
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlUSH2x4iy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3KLzOzBfJ
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRMmVTehBp
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIDzD5cMW2
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsq5jgva7I
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg03V7AognJ
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQleUb16f6b
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7mJ9aqvO0
"Thanks."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oyEnHDfee
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wPB9hfJH5
They moved to an empty corner. Lior set the basin down with careful hands, his gaze darting back toward where the boy still sat paralyzed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGLzcpdnNO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1QySdk1ag
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW2W9FNhXF
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFJidbPG0E
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUwQU9nGrj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohOFE5EbGB
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwDgnpKGRy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEi0GoacqB
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiW4upmKB7
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyT6N2qLr
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlpS0NHbLK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujzJ5UXiWM
"You have a nice body."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdYRJoulG9
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZNRepGTFR
Cel glanced at Lior.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVeBGMdygq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaCzw8agBs
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9npJux6Lt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylyWVocdi4
Lior's face went red the moment he realized. "I mean—that came out wrong—" He gestured helplessly. "It's just... you're really built."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdaHMLHkSP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHrZqOERf
A pause.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwmPsvoCyH
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyCsIeGruC
"How did you get it?”79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyaj4V4rsV
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8HQbzQFtS
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYLZs5mxKS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf3DkDuKpb
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHzDBsTM6D
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv1i8pqUu3
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m3tOTHqey
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKKXd9DdGw
Morning assembly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsxuYmGjgM
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1RTfHAeoK
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB3vMeAl9U
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek9GyqdpNk
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqLpctAPCT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpnVI0mfgp
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ErcxJ6d4s
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9U0dqs803
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimSW2MFxAw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0OKPK3onS
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVHItyx0ve
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7UdVfvl5r
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBanUm48Qr5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBw6MzB2bX
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaHSiROZzr
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6WAqOusg1
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQKtDxG3nO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOUWUQ72Jq
Then combat training.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR1NGp1NZE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4uUZVPXM3
Instructor Calder stood in the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. Weapon racks lined the wall behind him - swords, spears, axes, all designed to kill.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsbfxNXww3
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasJZfOp3bV
"You don't choose your artifact," he said without preamble. "The gods decide. Some of you will receive swords. Others axes, spears, bows, staves. A few might get something stranger."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4946Z4m3h
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ppsUBHov
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Myt6pTEzr
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gDQyTfktG
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3q3KO4Ckj
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ZSfd3ZK7
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpskSwuMxWF
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxBNfBMIh8
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWrlxZ78SB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67mD5bQlNj
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfPeCUFHZY
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFTuhyhL0z
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbddKDGVFSR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNhooIdM7L
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGe1reGxLk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrLhOymkGY
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeeWUafMjP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NGYFPumvb
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EASYw31mk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHqPDowFT
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4wJwUwqs0
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuPY4EgVIE
His blade rose overhead in one smooth motion, held steady at the apex, then descended in a controlled arc that ended with the point aimed at the ground.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGMXhAc6l
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ6LxZzY3K
"Again."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EwuLjO5Qo
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFwAfTdwKj
The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz53FG3Hcw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ573KfnbdS
"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbVEAj9Kwh
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibYjbnIegx
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJryoCxAgR
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The training began.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv56gagbWCS
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoz0I4JytJ
Cel's body moved through the motions with muscle memory he'd thought buried. These weren't the techniques of House Solmar - no blazing offensive sequences, no emphasis on overwhelming aggression.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCyg7Hnaiv
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡormdwh3exU
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYOc6QEvBB
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHOqeSs9QL
He'd studied them once, years ago. His weapons instructor had insisted on broad knowledge despite his father's preference for the Solar Blade technique.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlJ5fCIvFn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscrBBvxQtT
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS95LSPqkk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmOsKRekEI
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0COsVcqNIR
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi02OG7vTyK
Cel forced his third swing to drift slightly left. Let the fourth end too high. Made deliberate mistakes that would mark him as learning rather than trained.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u1ZF0KkB2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iZ8ViCwmC
But the Solar Blade technique... he'd need to forget that entirely. The forms were too distinctive. Any observer familiar with Sun Clan methods would recognize them instantly.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgN5bxGzG5
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlz6jbNT7q
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2yjokDVyy
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBty5hE2Wdr
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWoBStu5mK
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw7RHa2ZIF
Days bled into weeks.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQGwyc0LdE
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBPlqlrmVu
Morning conditioning pushed bodies past limits. Theoretical classes filled minds with knowledge. Combat training taught weapon forms that repeated until they became reflex, leaving calluses on every palm.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem9kebdshw
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzazoHNbjaG
Cel attended everything like the others. Made mistakes during combat drills - mistimed swings, overextended lunges. Pretended confusion when Instructor Saren covered topics he'd learned years ago.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrsvCzzhpn
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAMt4YbPAV
But physical conditioning betrayed him.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhimiDGJsLq
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSyIl7p0k4
No matter how much he feigned exhaustion - letting his breathing grow ragged, allowing his movements to slow - his body wouldn't tire enough. While others collapsed after the final sprint, he remained standing. 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkNBuxWVdi
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z5bKlwHEW
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhPtlZjZru
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyuQoNVAJD
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCy4RugD7i
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Zwk0pMAg
Combat training told a different story.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBAl2BH2aT
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfLteUakLI
His strength worked against him there. A basic parry became a disarming strike when his opponent's blade went flying. A controlled thrust nearly impaled the practice dummy. His two-handed grip shattered a sword's crossguard.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1yIHIxdfk
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsFJiDaQRD
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8yJzQfblP
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNz0RmHMVN
The lie held. Barely.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNk92bbEdt
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsfAXfBiIR
His Divine Energy problem was a simpler. When asked to demonstrate his control during theoretical lessons, Cel simply said he possessed a trait that suppressed his signature.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK08SFRxp2M
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPWv9ih6PL
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuhYHDFOr2
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0wnOljQvx
The nights belonged to training.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjcRdqOWec
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0AJcLIpzi
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRC3VqPAiJ
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwmOwqizDj
Free days took him into the city.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xl6UhN97G
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99jirrxINK
The Moon Church welcomed him with empty silence. Most visits, Lyra wasn't there. But sometimes she was, arranging flowers or simply praying. They would talk about small things. Safe things. He never stayed long enough to risk deeper questions.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUdbDyzUJO
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JjppxywE4
Lyra mentioned their mother occasionally. How she'd joined the Chosen Legion after the divorce. How she was leading missions in the name of the royal house now. Cel absorbed every detail without comment, tracking his mother's movements through his sister's casual updates.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMLl8Llq4p
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The Golden Hart offered different comfort. The bartender knew him now, poured without asking. Cel drank and listened to conversations around him - politics, gossip, complaints about work. He absorbed it all without participating.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BaltklJzO
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Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PaIE3kbIP
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It was... peaceful. In its own way.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiBVhFvamR
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Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWxRypEtNq
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Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly4dvYo6jp
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"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfRfuK3gBU
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Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghOn9fLVrw
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"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMvHD2Ywcu
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"It's fine."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdKAhHcPty
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And it was.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEBbBkzexz
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No one approached Cel or Lior.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwmZ3s7Nj
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The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpjf8qdX2U
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They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI2QdDJ5wL
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Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7WEsPUFac
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Cel didn't care either way.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiywKt2Kxhz
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Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMMTuFU7Xv
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The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP9DIRdyRI
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Cel's strength improved despite his best efforts to hide it. His sword forms remained clumsy - from the lack of talent and from his overflowing strength.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucwFpIS0xi
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On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFvRhwKq9G
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"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M4dvtkULF
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Silence answered her.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrKIae6jhn
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"You've had four months to prepare. To learn your place. To understand what's expected." Her gaze swept the assembled commoners. "When they walk through those doors, you will show proper deference. You will not embarrass yourselves or this Academy."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEpFgUdt4e
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She paused.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrl8LsB0xj
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"And you will remember - they've trained since childhood for this. Everything you've struggled to learn in four months, they've mastered over years."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QoQYaxkH
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The weight of that truth settled over the room.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtvdNzlB4l
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"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsRauz9L52
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----79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOQ2zu432A
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tUtiPvEy1
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I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz08oFBs7X
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMv8laVtui
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9iZIpNu3m
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7D9XUk7A6
1234 copyright protection75ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s2ATEb8HZ 尼

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