Kyros stood over Lior, fire-red outfit drenched and dripping. The expensive fabric clung to his chest, wine spreading across the embroidery in dark stains that would never come out.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hNNMYrlOk
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhvDTtXBcD
His amber eyes blazed with fury.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG1P98wtJd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPvV3c7XSF
"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPxAFUrxwE
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE6DV42vds
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPKsRkONFu
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnBUUFN693
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE7pakWW63
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfLDDfiEC9
The crowd pressed closer. Students formed a tightening circle - nobles in the front, commoners hanging back nervously. The music had stopped entirely. Even the servants had frozen mid-step.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pTOtkKj4G
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5imkHGroZ
Cel pushed forward through the ring of onlookers, Hestia just behind him. But there were too many bodies, too much space between him and where Lior knelt.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31HYwpGMD1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlnlerwzvW
"Please," Lior whispered. His sky-blue eyes were wide with terror, locked on shattered glass fragments. "I'll—I'll clean it. I'll find a way to fix it. Just please—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzcoLUiarO
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a4GMGr3ps
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xOEutiUyb
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMv7pvpzey
Lior flinched as if struck.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw0lnOfvTa
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKRLNAYbTY
Kyros took a step forward. The movement was deliberate, calculated to intimidate. "But I suppose that's fitting, isn't it? A worthless Moon Chosen destroying things of actual value. It's what your kind does."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX343tyjWe
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnntPMCQyy
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzVXYe9W69
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWZSPd54Wa
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv21kHYQdyE
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgBQQqSfF5
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUkqCd5dhn
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzUQOONeTp
"That's not my problem." Kyros crossed his arms, heedless of the wet fabric. "Your clumsiness, your responsibility. Unless you're suggesting I should just accept the loss? That House Solgrand should simply absorb the cost of your incompetence?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92b2PT3YZ1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOklPvW2T7Y
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthn8nz8vHV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoSmUng7pX
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20lQZRuGCZ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO5lSIEE71
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS7qgPj4mn
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD81Lm6nA4U
"Can't what? Afford it?" Kyros's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Then perhaps they shouldn't have sent you here in the first place."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX2dx8TIXa
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeoJ2OXPJY
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKh1spFFhw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WHbmC35xM
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJ3yuw6Up
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJCiIBNHb5
Cel finally broke through the crowd. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. The air around him had gone cold - frost beginning to form on his palm.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEqa1Mbpwr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvPiepVr7e
But before he could speak—42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5P9mZRYQq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl3P7F5hea
"That's enough."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XtjAkPy3M
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmSyWMb5Bv
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF02HkJbxc
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduCmxHh9lC
Theron stepped forward from the gathered nobles. His brown eyes were serious, the perpetual smile gone from his face. He moved with quiet confidence, positioning himself between Kyros and the kneeling Lior.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfvxMPNZqk
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6OyC3hTM
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE6EFfPAnR
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3OmjnLxoa
The ballroom went absolutely still.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIJk0nrfMf
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbV01ecvE5
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWgevnpVPe
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk3zNgxqX5
"You gestured while speaking and stepped back without looking. Lior was already walking past with a glass. You moved into him, not the other way around."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdtdXiRM0N
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ApIgYibTH
Several students who'd been nearby shifted, exchanging glances. Their faces suggested Theron's account matched what they'd seen but been too afraid to say.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mOO8KeUZF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScrCeflWjd
Kyros's hands twitched. His jaw worked as if chewing words he couldn't quite spit out. "That's—you're mistaken. Obviously you didn't see clearly—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpcLuflRf2
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdPJC4qTr7
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWUPefZkHr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LJfOlPbNo
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz23olYEWqq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XRVD6q4Bv
He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKSRkbUQfk
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp3EJFF8Bj
Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CZvD0bptA
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHRyol3xd4
But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZhcOzcDZx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6icx7YsHzk
Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUO5cmj58f
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD3rHf6loE
"Even if—" Kyros's voice had lost some of its certainty. "Even if I moved first, he should have been more careful. He should have—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAQO4RpGse
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTG6iiZPTq
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpr0BfElyv
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkgoHIS81L
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6Ed1bzKmY
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8IEVeAfUc
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeTW5gzQL6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ16OOyJNmM
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb6LB2VO9h
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85iKvtOv9z
"Lord Kyros."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhH2p3YotB
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJXlbTe5YG
Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYmbGNALaA
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn19Qd0HuEg
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY1saOu6Rx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgKtNoARMx
"Perhaps it would be best to let this go," she continued. "The evening has been lovely so far. It would be unfortunate to let one mishap sour the entire event."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qUMYxxvY0
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSL1f0rPZk
Kyros's jaw worked. Every line of his body screamed that he wanted to press the issue, to salvage something from this disaster. But Sylvaine's presence beside him, the weight of the watching crowd,  Esrin observing from near the wall—42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG0q2R53eK
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ21w6cHo6j
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxz2CJw2OO
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId7RsvkUou
He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his wet clothing squelching with each step. Several of his usual followers hesitated, glanced at each other, then hurried after him.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLtp41chIT
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHlGvPw8Nj
The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbffjlNQyw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHladBUAOE
Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVw6iu9qBl
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL9GlJqWh3
"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpis9yfowcP
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfG8YPSbtj
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvctVYN1XRn
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQiUJUGrDo
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMAJEcZ0mr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMdJPmWTUs
After a long moment, Lior's shaking hand reached out and grasped Theron's. The All-Blessed pulled him to his feet with gentle strength, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder until Lior stopped swaying.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18i22bSmjY
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZx3o98DSh
"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43JNqjHRmI
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvWxI3T2g2
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVCdRHjm3w
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnVzO1ZZC1
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57adewKFDu
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVR1mZbGGE
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC7juTq2DH
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZHLIQ12lV
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGXORSuv53
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhhOS8T115
"How about some fresh air?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhzEKC7s3N
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI46hwHlm8P
He guided Lior toward a side door, away from the watching eyes and whispered conversations. Behind them, the ball continued, but neither of them had any interest in returning.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrM0peQbJE
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F3TPV4MRd
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIastUtxe8T
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFLx6DSHVT
Cel returned to his room and changed out of the formal attire with mechanical efficiency. The dark fabric whispered as he folded it, placing it carefully aside for the Academy to reclaim.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUvUUvpppZ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaThoQMcup
His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOZYncjFO1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWhpijvLtI
He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXMbpiYsFf
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCdQUFkH8V
The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEwf3pYdJ8
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MwkEGHt1U
He started his training in silence.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzVxmeH5Ol
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0AGkfW92q
Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhgRRyEOMs
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn3QyY8D8g
Hestia emerged from the darkness in her usual training attire - black and practical, stripped of the evening's elegance. Her crimson eyes tracked his movements with clinical precision.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaecKOKBvg
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBpKo9veRS
"You're here," she observed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddY2Rk9CAa
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zcfXJyHhr
"So are you."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgS90C2ZX8
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZDSEr4cN
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7zaUnI4O1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxMNS9BsQF
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNi6NgO2zp
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjuB52napB
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIbGvAAhWS
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCtPcoMKDh
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HpGRfj8c
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMmO271C0s
After a while, Cel broke the silence. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatkPTWBBNV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtXoN1AgU0
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnDrHji1DF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRWXmtfWpD
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzkNfwqCr7
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYykp8w62B5
"Standing up to Kyros like that. In front of everyone." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new sequence.  "Most people would have looked away. Especially someone in his position."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO1jvNB4UG
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbTjrj7t8G
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskt1PbkQqC
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzJ7FXjDTZ
Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJGfeyUp4u
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1oOCTkgcw
"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UM5jOMFgx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XNUG2TJW8
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00sBDZYDnp
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sq2byY3ZV
"She gave Kyros an escape. Made it easy for him to back down without losing too much face." Hestia's tone carried something that might have been approval.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3kk7Q0SG4
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jiksZXBoN
She tilted her head slightly.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5KWplC4wZ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl4t4erVfe
"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDulXKVsqr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTqISa0QAt
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYl9R7tBdo
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj44EgHd0Z
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhoNq3Y6q0
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPxJZprQDN
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWZ5VJHlho
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5Q2p2q8z7
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9dxDA7lrt
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzSk2Aru96
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkquA0moLz
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGaYHlPSmu
"You're curious about that?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX68xUSgy4Y
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOp5dv2IxP
"Yes."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKJLT1jAo6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMMBwRUPdc
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tFwzNlgEd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnnshsDyIv
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeolSF9wzVy
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObjklUmbyI
A pause.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLtqMA3Abd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxI6bbUx1h
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLVpA69ij4
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT2bBd4x1L
Her gaze held his.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK9I7zLhHr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QY35adSlS
"You're different. The scent doesn't cling to you - it emanates from you. It's not something you've accumulated. It's something you are."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSXGICQAvF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ENn8oiI05
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztsLxYI1Lq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXbIzik2wL
"What does that mean?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWc5jZfLQ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L15TfEinC
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38kNrQvZJ4
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ5ucHAh9b
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK3DlDcO9v
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI6Qw0ji46
Silence stretched between them.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FW1uund0n
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4uetJ8Fjr
Unique. The word settled over him without the weight it should have carried. He'd died and come back changed - he'd accepted that fact long ago. He even found himself grateful for the power it brought. Either way, dwelling on it changed nothing. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7pmb0Y2aC
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrwd2gepnN
"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3k1WwAzyj
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSWBLjo5tv
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Then she shook her head.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSfNFR8V8x
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"No."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kYojp6E6S
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Cel blinked. "No?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI2bqKnbh3
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHcIQzuOdC
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo37815xnW
Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGcjb6z7TV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GOpwhPWEw
Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYLQ3XEcG3
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnidd8q7MP
"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKRtcrxszH
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The word hit like a physical blow.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KjXjYBv3
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF8agpgIHm
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhm3h3qDt5
Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvF9BWtath
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai7HX9wcvb
"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZKx3ewy5r
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"Then what—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh12rBsLig3
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWHodw2cz7
"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgIok6aIEo
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The night air suddenly felt colder.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq2L0xALUq
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox9rxzIGAM
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTH12flfux
She shook her head slightly.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysZZi6NBo3
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlTysRA23T
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Silence pressed heavy between them.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD55HV1rcfN
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8QEZAPWzN
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFkRySqEwC
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvlNLRQZiz
In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8BAxpH6oH
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5RDB4MpC9
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE95Ez2ItR
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV96FMjPtUG
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVNaxCgllZ
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH82r1TNau
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cELVBXR0v
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZNkJtWjew
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmNkzOMIYq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8k27wgp9H
Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCVauXOOBK
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But he couldn't say that. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQPmTNPQV8
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIR6OSfad6
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"I—"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcngqGYsGF
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbScOI8YhM
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---42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlhaDdDLwr
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1234 copyright protection38ＰＥＮＡＮＡujOtLELium 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection38ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2vOoEJTYO 尼

I wanted to apologize that the chapter on saturday was left out. I would recommend you to join the Discord to stay updated on those matters: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm1234 copyright protection38ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs8vISF8mS 尼

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