Cel stopped before the monolith, grateful for the excuse to focus on something other than the heat still crawling up his neck.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7LDZ1dAQ2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGEcZxsFAk
The surface rippled like water, runes burning against his vision:63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgau8jKmkz2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpyiHZPc0j
<Name: Celvian> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvgJlolXMT
<Paragons: (Heir to the Moon) (White Death)> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFcvFHnGnT
<Artifacts: (Silent Moon) (Cinderward)> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPvZu3yYXJ
<Insights: (Ledger of Nightmares)> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIhLc6Xs5m
<Achievements: (2)>63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnqrFiIqaM
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0ZVd3iwiw
He focused on the achievements line.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ7Z7B1NRs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObXphxKK6Z
<Achievements: (You died) (You entered a new dimension)>63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtIncWU4RZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yaQtKZPFU
Cel stared at the words.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXUSuRp0a1
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8x44EnbRf
Crazy. Both of them sounded absolutely insane when laid out like that.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8NdqvCqBy
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWaTKNyDNm
The first he'd earned by dying - something that should have ended everything. The second one was new. A record of stepping into the Reckoning's base - that floating island in the crackling violet void.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug6QtrU79J
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIId69br6O1
His brow furrowed.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDqkgUxNSw
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtOVzEX1hq
Not the Hollow Realms. Not the real world either. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8CDqxr3Vy
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA19ZFuIeE4
A completely separate dimension.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItKi0f2MXA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUNxAvOxHu
But how?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7nNUuuHi7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJen79yQVEG
Did the Reckoning find it somehow? Stumble across a rift that led to an empty pocket of reality and claim it?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtRzMwq6kf
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnsWW5ZnjG
Or had someone created it?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9QmLC4pTv
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5BXOr1YCg
The thought made his stomach twist. Creating an entire dimension seemed impossible - the kind of power that shouldn't exist outside of gods themselves.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6NZXI9rNz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwVVP2pJns
But the Reckoning had nine members. Several of them legendary figures - the Mercenary King, the second prince of the Empire, a Hallowed. And Veyron led them all, had welcomed him based solely on Selina's description.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzuMhLab7L
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L0XjYc4qb
What kind of person could lead such figures? And what kind of power did someone like that possess?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkel16rzQI8
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYMEYkESTZ
Cel's jaw tightened. More questions without answers.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VLvH8OP94
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy3DSTnvJX
His gaze shifted back to his paragons. One of them had received a new trait.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci7vVQlnM8
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoZ3kMkag6
He focused on Heir to the Moon first.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxFFv6fxnZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK5VFdYhrT
<Paragon: Heir to the Moon> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPMT52V8KA
<Affinity: 1/10> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlFt31SHAZ
<Traits: (Lunar Vigor) (Unbroken Succession) (Eternal Witness)>63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg1OHs6ljm
<Authorities: />63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNO9FAMgZW
<Enlightment: "The moon is never the same twice, yet she is always herself. Full tonight, crescent tomorrow, vanished the next - but never gone. They call it change. The moon calls it constancy.">63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhsjK8hzVH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1Kcpkwz0Y
Three traits now, instead of two.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCURyRK0cI4
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyS7qS3VIq
Eternal Witness. The new addition.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RjwaYAgup
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrCYA1JO2U
Cel narrowed his focus on it and the runes shifted again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJieMAEwMkz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0y16NsFSu
<Trait: Eternal Witness> 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkqyrJk6dU
<Effect: Your body has adapted to the moon's eternal watch. You no longer require sleep.>63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm64835kzp
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexdPMGVJ8E
For a moment, he simply stared.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ2hQrL8C4
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjMbxd7as8
Then the implication hit him like a physical blow.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8vglXxc45
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEE262qwVR
No sleep.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrijwUiAFGw
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD5eKZVjUM
Never again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv1mDGQR2e
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiwvx4ZNpl
Several hours every night that other people lost to unconsciousness - hours he could use however he wanted. Training. Reading. Thinking. Living.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47n3BaCo3G
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUUawXTiVf
The sheer value of that…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1v8W4iNLj
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJd52W88gF
And it wasn't just time. Sleep was vulnerability. A period where threats could approach unnoticed, where defenses lowered whether you wanted them to or not.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFKL3xocde
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2cJ13JTwj
Now he'd never have to worry about that again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDE7FLsjDe
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvWc4FZqzD
His throat felt tight.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm2A1SKJvD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciwrnXaecQ
'Thank you.'63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi6nV82O0V
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2grhtZ5yZ1
The thought rose unbidden, directed not at the goddess but at Selina. Her presence. Her rank as a Divine Oracle.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0jrg2u8FX
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCZi8W0Fhg
Because she held that rank, his blessing carried weight it wouldn't have otherwise.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWpi662upD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU8mnuFBxk
Other Chosen received abilities suited to survival. Basic enhancements. Modest authorities.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiDc6rOwsV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh9gATY19E
He'd been given resurrection. And now even the freedom from one of humanity's most fundamental limitations.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLr1Ll3j71
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkajw06OyzH
All because Selina stood as his guide.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe54IkTGOTy
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeKJJuykYL
'I don't deserve you,' he thought. 'But I'm grateful anyway.'63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeKvQ8UrQE
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ478iII6FcE
The monolith's light dimmed as his focus withdrew, runes fading back into its surface.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0wqW2Tq76
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p475ryMpz
Cel turned away, finding Selina still standing in the mist nearby, that serene smile in place.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeGEcMR9nu
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TTmMYtz2E
"I’m leaving now," he said quietly.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzQilut2fG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq8puUWarq
"May the Moon Goddess light your path, Chosen One."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDlT6vtNe3
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyPc4yW62J
The blessing settled over him like a gentle weight. Familiar now. Comforting in a way few things were.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSzFOJZ9tD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJHIKNElI
He nodded once, then closed his eyes and reached for the boundary of his soul.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC2Eru4Lrj
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy5lmnPs7G
The world shifted.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06dGnTY8Rg
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vsHByUCqU
Darkness greeted him.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Zfn46J6D
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1kC2saRFM
Cel blinked, momentarily disoriented before realizing that he was still in his room.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoT7e2D3DP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Rmevhmw9
The night had fallen while he was gone.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyjTJsQSnf
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrHSYxg4vv
He pushed himself up from the bed, joints protesting slightly despite his divinely enhanced body.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwnMRRIyC5
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi2iVdAifB
The window showed only blackness beyond - no moon visible from this angle. Street sounds had faded to occasional distant footsteps and the creak of settling wood.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWjiVexUPs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWACbD4NOB
His body felt... strange. Not tired, exactly. But worn in a way that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFm8rpOl9f
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnliaKX5yfE
Like he'd been running for days and only just realized he could stop.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMpPWupf6x
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7eAwoxFYd
Eternal Witness meant he didn't need sleep anymore.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46k008E31U
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq6TRva8yK
But that didn't mean he couldn't sleep.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp74dkwb5Fv
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmMj6VoHqd
And right now, despite everything, the thought of lying down and letting unconsciousness take him felt impossibly appealing.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGsynXPe93
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6trpZW4mV
Just for a little while.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaubQgWv74q
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNkEDIYIXC
Cel moved to the bed and sat on its edge, then swung his legs up and lay back.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3V81ozB12
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JDa1qLbZX
The mattress was thin. The pillow barely deserved the name.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5DMzsqWO1
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJHT3N1xzg
But it was soft. Safe.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtLtGX25mf
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHFcYcSdUu
He stared at the ceiling, watching shadows shift across wooden beams.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9x64oiKgf
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfBBSzMZxh
Ten days until the Academy started.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5UACMISjf
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMulUAzMwc
Ten days to figure out what it meant to live instead of just survive.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4d1O6nrCO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE5aNNWCsH
He still didn't know how.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zJHgyElRX
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJB9ZrIydh
But Selina believed he could learn.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vK4A43Wt6
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzWNqFw8uC
That would have to be enough.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zbMlcIdFJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hEw7kKlFs
His eyes drifted shut.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ468CNM5qvy
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6PkTrHbe1
Sleep came easier than it had any right to, pulling him down into darkness.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1kAe503Q2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR77Pfx3ZG
The nightmare came like it always did - his father's fists, his mother's silence, the cultists' hands reaching through rusted bars. Familiar horrors cycling through his mind in vivid detail.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjrEq5g3wj
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcDdrlNHiq
Cel jerked awake gasping, sweat-soaked and shaking.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo8G0rYmTt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8bvZpKjSu
Gray light filtered through the window. Dawn approaching.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk90uMKWYpk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WkQXwoQsD
Just a dream.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqen1LUHMk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlZsJybfvt
The same dream that appeared every single night.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4r2fRkuLG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywvjSiBCVf
His breathing slowly steadied as awareness fully returned.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pg5h3K0RE
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXwaFoxi9x
Except now…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUGXXqwK5p
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJfaPF6JDs
Now it wouldn't.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYz6XlIaV7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2HIzs4I7I
Thanks to his new trait Eternal Witness, he no longer required sleep, which meant no more nightmares dragging him back through his trauma.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl1QnvgbJh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZtBOgjOls
Relief hit him so hard it felt physical - a weight lifting from his chest that he hadn't fully realized was there until it vanished.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyGcABkEtF
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIccPd4GEEh
He could sleep if he wanted to. The trait didn't prevent it. But he'd never need to again. Never be forced to surrender consciousness and hope the nightmares didn't come.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6VlTsTHxX
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1TOOnCwXz
He could just... stay awake. Forever, if he chose.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1QnnRv6ES
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSnGKHcoPa
The freedom in that felt impossible.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEerKVgvEa
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaJaT7UpB5
Cel sat up slowly, running a hand through sweat-dampened hair. His white hair - still strange to see when he caught glimpses of it. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFVRfyycQA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHerb9V7WT
Sunlight streamed through the window, bright and clean, spilling across the floor in a warm rectangle. The day stretched ahead of him - hours and hours with no structure, no purpose.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ433ioBCY6A
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQt0lWjAVV
What was he supposed to do now?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT672yQa51
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybWzvsLvKl
Selina's advice drifted back to him. ‘Rest. Enjoy the peaceful time you have been given. Do the things that bring you joy.’63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EFraH01bu
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRsE65DUHE
Cel's jaw tightened.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaob4ffvrd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoBE5ZoiwK
He still didn't know what brought him joy. Didn't know how to just... exist without purpose or goal.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKEzVmVbIe
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EbCiq4QL2
Training made sense. Preparing for threats made sense. But wandering around looking for something that made him smile?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmjJ6SDTSq
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYxQyjWo7S
He didn't even know where to start.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrAvTIJVxS
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ4tQYlFSa
His thoughts circled back to the only moment recently where something close to peace had touched him.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCcHJaWFsd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGB0Etmast
Talking with Selina.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsio00R9y7O
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPHujojqVd
Not during the trial. Not when she explained his abilities or warned him about dangers. Just... talking. Her patience. Her gentle certainty. The way she listened without judgment and answered without condescension.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cUBpcMitW
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQReqhfvU4n
The way she smiled…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFClKS1q2TG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhjpQByOUe
Heat crept up his neck at the memory of that radiant expression.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu01oJKed9N
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hg21T5Pac
He wanted to see that again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2rMaIdGDG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ysx44CRZ
Wanted to talk with her more. Ask her questions that had nothing to do with survival or power. Learn what she thought about things. Hear her voice without the weight of divine guidance hanging over every word.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTnLKLrYsn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY19FimhEqi
The desire settled in his chest, warm and uncomfortable.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LPjq4ibxT
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqbR2CQ6jH
But she was a Divine Oracle. The highest authority beneath the gods themselves.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UpTMc6hvG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQgp42JX7v
Why would she want to spend time with someone like him?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN4owTUG8U
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwtiRYcjPg
She guided him because it was her duty. Her role. Not because she enjoyed his company or found him interesting.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDqYTVyLm3
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrwWu0c1A9
Expecting anything else was just…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljmgLwZmQl
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7muMqm5bE
Delusional.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpeKmBBbED
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAMcDg6SFo
Cel pushed himself off the bed, suddenly restless. The room felt too small again. Confining.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTE2Naghqb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiFfTjCPec
Maybe he should go outside. Walk through the Academy grounds. Get familiar with the place before classes started.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpQdaHRdi2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj731yDbBkr
Or maybe he should practice with Silent Moon. Test how Empathic Steel responded to different emotional states.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Su7hexvP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwon20m8F3v
Or—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiScROBRuQ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsnSjfAaAh
Three sharp knocks echoed through the small room.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw8JB18JBD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVYH0HRwIw
Cel froze.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xhYFCXY9z
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LfaOn2VZU
Every muscle in his body went rigid. His hand moved instinctively toward where Silent Moon would materialize if he called it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw6x5qNLmP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstK2RfREHa
No one knew he was here. No one except the Reckoning and the receptionist who'd enrolled him.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupYVWrspwx
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeJPe6Nzqp
The knocks came again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtz9EJAung
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzlFcwYjVK
Cel moved to the door silently and stopped, listening.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxP47tShlw
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRDGidFOB2
Breathing on the other side. Steady. Calm.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlBfO72OLJ
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Not threatening, then. Or very good at pretending not to be.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKnSzmK30h
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He reached for the handle and pulled the door open.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer85R6R5XE
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The receptionist stood in the hallway, holding a neatly folded bundle of dark fabric. Her expression was professional but tired - like this was just another task in a long shift.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcpvw7oB3o
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"Apologies for the early hour," she said without preamble. "I meant to deliver these yesterday, but the paperwork took longer than expected." She held out the bundle. "Your Academy uniform and monthly allowance."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ4dcnjQYQ
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Cel stared at the offered items, his hand still hovering near where Silent Moon would appear.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEU0D06S8D
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The woman's gaze tracked the motion, then returned to his face without comment. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNOgiPH8C0
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"The uniform is required for classes and official Academy functions," she continued when he didn't immediately take it. "You're free to wear whatever you like otherwise." She shifted the bundle slightly. "The allowance is standard for commoner students - it should cover your needs."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX0WMY6Par
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Cel finally reached out and took the bundle.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJldikNqxY
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"The Library is open from dawn to midnight. Same goes for the training grounds. Curfew's at midnight for commoner dorms."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD7w1JeShy
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She paused, watching him with that same tired professionalism.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JwhiBQLho
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“Any questions?"63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhgBQxjc1M
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Cel's throat worked. Too many questions, actually. But none that she could answer.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwKQ4mZEEy
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"No."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN3LqEpHf9
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The woman nodded once. "Then I'll leave you to settle in. Welcome to the Chosen Academy."63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHW7sDSQdi
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She turned and walked away down the dim hallway, footsteps fading into silence.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDqCuP9yOs
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Cel stood in the doorway for a moment longer, then stepped back inside.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr69vrE2iE
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He moved to the bed, set the bundle down and carefully unfolded it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV0CVWuLYd
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The uniform spilled out first - dark fabric that looked almost black, with silver threading along the collar and cuffs. Well-made. Practical. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIDNx8OwxO
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Over the heart, embroidered in that same silver thread, was the crescent moon symbol of the Moon Goddess.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU6KGlegOk
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Cel's fingers traced over it slowly.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu91zo8xnH
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The uniform was stiff. Formal. The kind of thing that would announce what he was to everyone who saw him.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1KgXZYfNW
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Moon Chosen. Academy student. Commoner.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi2zpCxCaX
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His fingers pulled away from the silver crescent.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLLcfXzWF8
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The cloth pouch filled with silver coins came next. More money than he'd imagined. Enough to live on for a month, apparently.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFvijIMN3X
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He weighed the pouch in his palm. Heavy. Solid. Real.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVVmZwff92
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Wealth he'd earned simply by existing. By being Chosen.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEOFifest
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The thought sat strangely in his chest.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rFtAitvSC
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Cel set the coins down and picked up the uniform again. He already had something to wear. Cinderward - an artifact of the blessed grace that protected without restricting, felt right in a way this stiff formal uniform never would.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6kqL32B15
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He folded the uniform carefully and set it in the wardrobe. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu919Ey3Qu
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The sky was brightening properly now through the window - dawn breaking across the city in shades of gold and pale blue.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRIv4UGFDi
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Hours stretching ahead with nothing to do and no idea how to fill them.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAx1BNtP7U
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‘Do the things that bring you joy.’ Selina's advice echoed again, gentle and impossible.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCXNBqw4kS
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Cel's fingers drummed against his thigh as he considered his options.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JcJqXCS8g
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His gaze tracked to the door.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1EVQFbIjz
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Outside was a city. Stella - the capital. Streets he'd barely seen while Esrin marched him to the Academy. People living normal lives, doing normal things.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw6726Y4pn
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When was the last time he'd walked somewhere without a destination?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKslz5fkE2H
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Never, probably.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SOrDuMyNA
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Maybe that was where he should start. With just... walking.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKdydV3F9Q
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Seeing what was out there.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKthSWMtkN
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The idea felt foreign and slightly terrifying.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5T6743JSA
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But Selina believed he could do it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtojfOGeIA
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And right now, that was enough.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZQdmjzVLz
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Cel moved to the door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha3VcBZagq
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here^^63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOikwDgzRI
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I just wanted to give you a short reminder that you can read up to 5 Chapters ahead on my page: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMAMMXIlaw
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTr59DlplK
Also, now that the first arc of Lunar Legacy has come to an end, I'd love to gather some interesting statistics to share with you all later! To start things off, I've created a poll where you can vote for your top 5 favorite characters from the first arc and rank them in order of preference.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ48qTiFhZq
Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2fHPnPWhv7kOVpEW-7_9dVZ-R58KrdhO0hxVfGrV_dHmMIA/viewform?usp=header63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UPupxSvME
(it is anonymous - so please vote only one time to get a correct result)63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE8f4xBvnZ
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Would love to see your picks! Thanks for participating^^63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN6wO5tnSL
1234 copyright protection59ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGJ0vAmu7n 尼

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