"What do you want from me?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvc1Gi2f9Y
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPzFmazo6c
The question hung in the night air between them. Hestia remained perfectly still in her meditation pose, crimson eyes fixed on him with that same intense assessment she'd worn since the first day.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT2Dtz9q4X
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVg2ibbVBu
Silence stretched.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbBquU4EKQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCuGoZZOsh
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxaeKhcjPB
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0js24XEMd
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPxEuLdLrA
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy7R4DHFfI
"That's not an answer."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NqbWzY5kf
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUKlEp2Zot
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ROl6zulo
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvqxJmC6Vr
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8mQudlT8I
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqM555lRnI
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGchEbuHSaz
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphgCExBsC0
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFVrXR2NQD
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gyHi8RBXP
Finally, she spoke.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgDmp3qeGL
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAzPMeIq65
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sOOVmJyj9
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkaeR2Cxix
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKYDMNfkvB
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFzqnvDqsJ
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LxcLoML2g
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqV3KTHYKi
"Yes. But do you know why?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxryOyX3PLq
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U2wAjXV6Q
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2UzQaqS0z
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk5UZwMcYM
Hestia moved closer - just a few steps, maintaining careful distance. "In the other Great Clans, leading houses rise and fall. The Mountain Clan, the Ocean Clan - their leadership changes when stronger houses emerge. Political maneuvering. Martial superiority. Strategic marriages."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U1r04BlLZ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe2nuDv5SI
She paused.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L2lUjR6gp
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6A5vurpXo
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgO3ijnudE
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsrqKfGLB7
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PnNaGzEY3
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQV6MorX60
"Because we bear a gift." Her voice softened slightly. "A blessing granted directly by the Death God himself. Every member of House Mortveil possesses it - from the moment we're born until the moment we die."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDOgVqCxFE
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqRRLRCibj
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORHMQwi0gi
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsfxmIdqGV
"We can smell death."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa6qdjjjO0
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATRv4YiBhs
She paused.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9DXoT9UF5
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYXURubsQW
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9VCnabfTv
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESzbs4iUCv
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5YjhxtsTb
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjpaytO9M4
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qI8sks0rR
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5mIxIVPHx
"You reek of death."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSicvFzW1i
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ZPmVY9UG
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI3xRj7g2j
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBJ3pGPj4W
His resurrection. The new body the Moon Goddess had forged. He'd assumed it wiped away all traces of his death - made him fresh and unmarked.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5vFfnqXTQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooErr2UogU
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IImGAR4Km
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtd40iMlHJ
'Raven.'45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDFeKsCYsX
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QeLdx3bPs
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbg6uFFFMS
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfsc2y3jqP
Their encounter in the Ashlands. He'd assumed it was chance. But what if it had never been coincidence at all? What if Raven had tracked the scent of death clinging to him like a beacon, drawn to it the same way Hestia was now? 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKIhQNy6E3
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgY5UNyC8u
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEctFfBeOb
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUhNCf0Q50
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnpksDEg6W
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDRSX0D4y0
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGytPfcv1Hu
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBLVChGOwl
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzGvwahQsi
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0N0rlGFf2
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52d5p02i1b
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLcDPB1UPO
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpcCC6TnrJ
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The irony was almost laughable.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32EQw63bSJ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvNIGZVjcw
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLJVZVqcI8
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2svVOSzap
She met his gaze directly.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFoQkpFHiM
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1To8HN1Fg
"I didn't lie."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUroJMykGl
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGLJ7iCpul
"You didn't tell the truth either."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgJuIl0rpG
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyNdSQixoj
Silence stretched taut as wire.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcImIL5jNjf
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncknmfwtUE
Then Cel made a decision.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPTM2LwlOn
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gov6EVFNR
"Fine. I'll help you."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg7VxuGmTc
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D9JBe4xs5
Hestia blinked. "What?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCKP19Ryrp
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VDTV1YcUP
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLZQJun5HX
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vD48fr0aK
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaX7GyuOqf
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1tHYFkylh
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WTptGCvWQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAjVniubCp
"You want to fight me?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDlhfGM39r
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbkkLlolUV
"I want experience against someone skilled." Cel's grip tightened on the hilt. "Instructor Calder's lessons are useful, but there's nothing better than actual combat. And you're ranked third in the entire academy."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8uCH7uvly
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa30MOC2Pbc
For a long moment, Hestia simply watched him, utterly still. Then something shifted in her expression - calculation giving way to something that might have been respect.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MIZwL7Z4i
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSptGZBxur
"That was extraordinarily rude."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQYWBzima
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWdLdrvI6x
"I know."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9M3T5kcBK
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHAebTUqjt
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5OPG3QE5d
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaOtkTadEy
"I know."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR5EnUNZ4o
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1TCTXZq4j
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnWthZDkQo
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmFe0Kaxy3
"Very well. I accept."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91tv8kzNrW
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUKjH4oPO0
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90v1mYTIV
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLnVfsuc57
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY3ZDEVW5j
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ0ycUAFFs
A longsword.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUg9DxbdaV
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTqufZpccR
It was beautiful and terrible in equal measure. The handle, wrapped in black leather, led to a golden crossguard with a crimson gem embedded at its center - the exact shade of her eyes. The blade itself glowed with deep red light, looking less like steel and more like congealed blood given solid form.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqUt2xAmXD
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROinC8qKXS
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVc5eXcdET
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGt1j17aqv
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHtUdIVRux
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1mWZ965s3
They moved to the center of the training grounds, taking positions across from each other. The moon hung overhead, flooding the space with silver radiance that made the crimson blade glow even brighter in contrast.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLYBPNlI85
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNzo8r8jbZ
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8xKEq3VXL
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ940Ee4MrZC
Cel moved first.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdFA714Brn
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJwhQxLELL
He closed the distance in three quick steps, Silent Moon rising for a diagonal slash aimed at her shoulder. Fast. Controlled. Using only a fraction of his actual strength.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy9hvl9E7o
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YegbfMHJV
Hestia's weapon intercepted.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZreEayrFJJ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXnQYk9jFx
The impact rang across the training grounds. But she didn't just block - her blade redirected his momentum, sliding along Silent Moon's length before the crossguard caught his guard and forced it aside.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz0YkCEFgC
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO2zMRVEaX
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZuR7IxZLl
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp9MA3NOBl
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAdrGAs8fg
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4QViCah3K
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc5Z5X8d9Y
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Her knee caught him under the chin.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHs1Kt4wrv
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXh0H4ocbc
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38ZlgfagI4
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBUjQgBbjN
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfu9eH0AwL
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3KjRgpWqN
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPY8LW9bGf
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIWvyF2Olp
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID9ZF4eHJr
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9ukR1XMuU
"Yield?"45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBvd4IKBw6
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEUlzDxD13
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx5xTx7Uin
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBoblF3ASM
"Yes."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEyYdbKrw2
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNihBhg6bLg
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmVXCFeyEQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYmFK8y03n
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE9qc2d4gt
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLngpmnbXZJ
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU2KCyVZrO
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbStObb8C5
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS9sBOeq1t
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3wzIp4PKh
Cel raised Silent Moon again.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzftcvKNfW7
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xx5DgaUC1
They fought.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLZ9nM6FAk
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8AY5eUBEd
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdUHW8qCw4
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxipxbDowfK
Every strike he made, she countered. Every opening he tried to exploit, she closed. Her artifact moved like an extension of her body - not just weapon but partner, flowing through forms that suggested decades of practice compressed into sixteen years of life.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddDI1kdhhN
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqxcYFFLuE
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NSS6Ix2Lh
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtHD7NgECD
Each victory came with unnecessary force. Each strike landed harder than required. When he tried to yield early, she pressed the attack until he had no choice but to acknowledge complete defeat.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMOxa3BtaU
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfMW7hxJU8
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN28MDcHodJ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUbqXqPwxf
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz4OAHWrO0
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxJev4P8R1
"I'm uncertain what you mean." Hestia's blade remained pointed at him. Crimson light reflected in her eyes. “You asked me not to hold back. I merely honored that request." 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7az9x1qck
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But the slight tightness around her mouth said otherwise. The extra force behind her strikes. The way she'd targeted ribs he'd already bruised.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzNZAaBmcy
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL1XDbFMcy
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRGjT8eaKO
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKs9Wie2P
"Your apology is noted but unnecessary." She dismissed her artifact, the deadly weapon dissolving into a cloud of darkness. "I did use you. You were correct to call it what it was."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZAjpP3uon
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqQQs0j3d0
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dMKQNSK8X
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qoNKzM8jP
"However," she continued, adjusting the sleeves of her uniform, "rudeness carries consequences. Consider tonight's spars a reminder that courtesy serves practical purposes beyond mere tradition." 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUT3MAJzur
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlchSe7A7F
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1BGLoqgUE
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEhwiW4OcF
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gKLSiTuYN
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzzHruv921
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQJWyhiwGO
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaFmCfy2KJ
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKSv81BxsY
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh9mNXUHHy
'I really do regret this.'45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2IM6Fsk4p
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDi0c1HkRq
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwdIBKOgJk
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UJCHd0biB
Lior had found something in himself after that conversation. His posture straightened. His voice grew steadier. During combat drills, he stopped apologizing for every mistake and simply corrected them.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N61ehRjb3
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlrkyS4jbQ
The rankings reflected it.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2P3drngRq
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq7jxvnVBk
Rank 38: Lior45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU4AelB4OS
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt02gIDF3C
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWLOr4VUvc
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswCwZpaqKX
The change was small enough that most wouldn't notice. But Cel saw it in the way Lior held his practice knife, the determination that replaced hesitation.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG0iON9Kt4
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsGmeDsgul
Progress. Real progress.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UyPOBRBAz
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwMv4HxXH1
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0UdIzzGYd
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIji88Qxa2K
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi1xOMgHkR
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoyxpNrv0G
He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHh2b0Pevt
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None of it worked.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF9q9vbDcF
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQEcJsZGB2
By the fourth week, Cel had started to recognize patterns in her fighting style. The way she favored her left side slightly. How she created distance before committing to heavy strikes.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqhE89Xrgu
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX6eZpwJty
He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMoGEXTDCn
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sN9TJMy7F
The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb0w6bHs8k
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZfZNZiF4w
Sometimes, during their matches, Hestia would pause and correct his stance. Adjust his grip. Point out openings in his defense with the same clinical precision she used to exploit them.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrzQCkDSRQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm5PyENDOP
It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5r9Wdk3iY
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And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPqVCtZvvr
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM6nDINQdc
They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUQYK2caqY
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZQQAPqKeM
Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBkmUhuHsH
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84AKVjBuhP
The routine held until one particular morning.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo0yJYfOhj
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEHO1RbmQp
Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVWeTDVWoq
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlEYTVlfV7
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Et83LAAG
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblnTbXkyIr
Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jeLHTO4R0
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsr6W8Rlb0
Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytclOD2q9Q
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBTYUUGYpe
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ705s22IwnT
"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaQKil3yeD
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FdGVD1vg3
Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkjhgAWNj9
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzckRQpgqlh
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe2wcqYSaw
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdTtzYDjFS
She paused.45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeevBocQFFY
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"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection41ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK4b5zF0ja 尼

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