The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yqgKj8XNO
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8x4PPV6Ny
Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YQZaH4xpf
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9nIyA9F90
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNrXxn9NwR
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pyHociplO
'Esrin.'54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xrEa7KWlr
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrPxR25Sy6
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UetXS2DjY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTl8YFExDc
The door opened.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzn4B1Yy1d
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZYnHV2kak
She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAidv5tKm4
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcM234YCxk
Every student seemed to hold their breath.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGgvUqYrUn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGeunniv39
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOSdpOmBtC
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraBZkPb4On
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlApk0Jq3WK
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK4s8spWmg
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyL33TPU26
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hGtRvfpx9
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkMpfCOhsg
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOZtPaMxzx
The door closed with soft finality.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPJCZBHyL5
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdwOXTV0Kp
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfMy1TMSNn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlo29O6sLF
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ031lrbGZxK
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z2J1qekHM
"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYWNiLXRYF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HgBkbtoOX
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqNTujYqvn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj6u2875nu
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp11lTCOlF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iCt9uXpc2
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba26FBiHHI
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQWtgzIiO
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqJzqIxYY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJlt1xagzF
Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaepPUZyfPs
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyERxIVwlO4
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KRw3PGVsY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACiDOoWpYU
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4xEgcq8rh
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKlzzaJStK
She met the girl's gaze directly.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfITHa2kFaD
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0rOlyrGTX
"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f7AzalOMT
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZqoFukCrH
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaQ2iQOkUJ
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V6HGxRaDr
Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgAjUTeWOh
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45EhWgDHGJ
Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMbAfciVwC
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTMS7rxEpc
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydReMsZZgV
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaqjSggNpl
The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AODo4RbzN
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZuhhO5RNL
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tecyzUujZ
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAHI5KJzPJ
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP0r7PTC9F
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwaY0iwOT3
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavsznm8yIT
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo46c7U2jNJ
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bHRqx8sCp
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7xIqGK4Kz
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8TZgjY7nf
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4nA9v0nwx
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxkBLHqFnd
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g5SWcfGi4
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg6ewBiO0g
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeKMaJFCU0
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNVxEIlfrE
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaXjIbFRbP
"Yes."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QbS06FADs
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAT586Q5xe
The answer came flat. Final.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK8sKNFHfR
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtXOFYeOmS
But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh7BjPk30e
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi5SBYma17
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjCa5t4FR6
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVJyZRAuPF
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwgk0fzADw
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIzxfxwFU3
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69RnZfEf9l
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSvBfuZn6
So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7ir6uK1CF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QCVReGgUV
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBHqC6W1fQ
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o3b320WJw
Interest rippled through the classroom.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszIKL8JJak
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lz1NgPePt
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp9A3pBn27
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkATkn9QoBD
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHLNj3iQCe
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUN9reBLES
She lifted two finger.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ow3cixFrp
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHe6JOamnW
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaeU8GaIMR
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaLY0wSR8Z
Cel's jaw tightened.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt70EZ07a3
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbx7xszYh4
'What about me then?'54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz6IHXlX8R
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFzQW0LKOc
The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuoD8alq6d
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VGeOpfTiP
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSTzaSUBYi
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH06kChhkeb
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReMx1J70ls
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M6uScvHS3
She raised a third finger.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwTCL3RJBl
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwyfyePYGY
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQESXk6X57
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUQwFKLUH4
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqTPlltwlL
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBlDf3MR9H
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL520wKkQe
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT7j3QlHfk
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnzP8dmzqF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd94IgHsL5g
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9DM8L5BP9
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoDerXS8ZI
She paused, letting that sink in. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtReKqFBm2
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Cdugyucu
"Most Chosen never achieve it.”54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGGOn4K0NY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQW7QBMM2V
A fourth finger joined the others. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSApSws6Ya
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3ZWASr6Fs
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3cIkOimHs
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT88RBYXbrX
She lowered her hand.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshR3sBRPHI
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJsmDAVjEQ
"Only a handful in history have reached this level."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCzG6hmChT
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2lobL0VzX
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1G5NfZci9
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zova2uHr6
Several students still looked confused. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce6MD4WK9S
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhKWERIZGU
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtu1nCaS86
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yA08edS2S
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSzjSGInsv
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5M8PWljjc
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT40HWbfgx
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwdMR1KfCq
Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaDpF3TzWu
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifuC2MYEb6
"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDKToFIiSx
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou6N2fiXwU
The classroom went very still.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZphrzmWY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFZACG9TZg
Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS8jUjYNjm
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJrv48eV1X
Another hand rose.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y5jqgErhn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vg59368lm
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv4p0nlCUf
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSmOgpwZhq
The question was innocent. Curious.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1G6bghV0N
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcEAgw74jQ
But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrQ861IBGu
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF5pGbYV7Y
Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyFPbadDEu
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRFz2fKyWi
Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIlZ5lt8IO
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJR33gQxvT
His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQGzG9hXGn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj72rQVSKvl
At Esrin.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9y82OLAl
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLpuDFkK4e
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ62VKphPi
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7uBsTnhdZ
'Did something happen between them?'54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAlpAzNqww
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWEPEsa0rx
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xJ4O17e93
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkm86aPsO0
"I forsook it."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHlPLodSSN
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOHLihrxbu
The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4tg73JLTq
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFtD78FDZ0
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfnCYkpdNt
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOpwiAXm6g
But Esrin's attention had already moved on.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiXMqhay70
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs9myRAstp
"Any other questions?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5DPE1ipP8
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX4mQBwGI4
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAeKB7bo1c
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7uZ4BddUs
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrGBuNA2H6
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx9mxJVjZi
Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftJK6VSOcb
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4KWgrcODj
She walked toward the exit without ceremony.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQZINEFbIL
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSray70sRw8
Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNURBsU1eYn
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItAUxnVmVz
The door closed.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOL1JJINlU
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPylmbeD10
Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHIC1sevSd
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3in4zalbD
"Did you see her eyes?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW59UDly0T
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJfJuKcqIa
"The way she moved—"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1BuHLNjSR
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXJGjEG4dF
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUiFVSUdOp
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozRQCv973H
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5jkSjZQWB
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4j9m8Y67w
Cel sat quietly, processing.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvz4Db2n6m
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1o0O2kxww
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v3lM14daF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK9cO3WTPo
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo887HYJz0
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcG7ET1IMs
The question burned without answer.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ldnBaKREY
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFGJtMEtC
Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEGuNbObrx
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCaS5d3zH
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc1NQgg58Q
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohexmruNYS
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KVQZfSrt
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMduFm54wvR
His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINCpFKM8GF
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtt0f7MxF6
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4yqRXoVIw
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyduQiII4yv
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlTuUs8KzZ
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM9EENxUal
Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dWTnLruwB
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebFqlI4zJa
"All of us are," Cel said.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaADhcKNFe
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7up9yefFx
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Dgq2yCuT
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY6pYkbCtk
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DU9ZgYI4v
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf4IFbHACW
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKb8vLRdga
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchy1l15whi
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTaJHicEyQ
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection50ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMYIfXLG4o 尼

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