Lior pushed himself to his feet slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin lying on its side, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmPO036TCB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGHfrTJeIJ
He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him. Didn't say anything. Just picked up the basin with careful hands and walked back toward the well, joining the end of the line that had grown longer.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L7CUWxo3v
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdPMBGvXhD
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvmFGlACTF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuDq6ebpdO
The line shifted forward slowly. Students ahead drew water, their conversations a low murmur that didn't quite mask the occasional laugh directed at Lior's back.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvRyULdEsO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAeGB1bWKC
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRnN3bMrMT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvscEldHLwR
"Morning."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mrZsod2XW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9SNUbpGI
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdW3EKnCVw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBessg4gbA
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFUZrPpXpo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkZmWeZw4x
Lior's expression brightened slightly. "Hard. Really hard. But..." He paused, searching for words. "It's a blessing, being able to learn this. Reading and writing, I mean. My parents never had the chance."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvSYvS1qh2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50bfIRQJTQ
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygiqbx89Cv
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ETXdIBJS6
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJajmHgTHYD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJKwlJB42L
"It will."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWPQunqeAO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQt76GCF6m
They reached the well. Lior hauled up the bucket with both hands, the rope groaning under the weight. Water sloshed as he tilted it carefully, filling his basin to the brim.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBLTjETH2S
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJMpw3ZzIQ
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpP1uVwVFA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKca8C9otv8
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCVLsTJzDl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsjB5KYRXX
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYhzJCYWUw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeb25qH2Nd
"Ready?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmS25iQ5CY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUwAVayuW6
Cel nodded.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzQRVKBGs0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFMjhhxofS
He turned toward the area where students washed - and kept walking past the closer, emptier spaces. His path led directly toward where the boy sat, pulling his academy uniform over damp shoulders.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL33ojtV2B
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WQ6D16tcs
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDktY8HJkk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xr9WKrAmC
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nt1oiTrjN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EffDM266i
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8peR79NoW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQht4zdqhi9
Cel's foot caught on nothing.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahutlfTVnN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVd9ixYzl3
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EBO64o1d2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRwYKNTJd2
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi0AI0dBOG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ofAJYLYBH
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqgerDs6zD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ375CWX9yaH
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6i4y10s1R
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yVwZmG6JH
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOf8MQ0Gfb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwHtk8NTmL
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPDiqhT7Vf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlFVb5sSOb
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsxQU1Ig1L
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwsQFPV7Cq
"Are you kid—"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH77SE3iuWT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UDilUQZks
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhp5w8aO10
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU0vBEGh90
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0soLQrKzl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bskg1H4al
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVy5dqjzSU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffj3dWuotm
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugJT3Cg6XX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTuJYjMsZX
Then he released his grip and stepped back.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOuQFPrhbz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmD3V5WyAu
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uRLILfW0i
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksgZrWy1V4
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJNXKQYi3i
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjcWVJUpZo
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDgYsl2Crt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDFMWypktS
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9Tc0qW1Gk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7VzffuRKz
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI7c4ncfBl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0p12P0NPY
"Thanks."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTnyjXPH6z
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsY9EP1iXS
They moved to an empty corner. Lior set the basin down with careful hands, his gaze darting back toward where the boy still sat paralyzed.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEvYnl0bc9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4zP2Qo5ML
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX52KxyuWZ5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXvAkd7v2o
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB8cQBjTTZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqd1mE8JyQ
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4O83qtsVa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ8HGY6NBC
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAgDm8zSu0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeim53OZia
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILuaW8KH38
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVh6G6uV1L
"You have a nice body."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXA90r8DLM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrcjFCTOxu
Cel glanced at Lior.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtC9PZ1HnJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPz34XuUsp
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzMwfg84xQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou5dRkqW8h
Lior's face went red the moment he realized. "I mean—that came out wrong—" He gestured helplessly. "It's just... you're really built."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1u6ERTZqn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVjDhSRZyk
A pause.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyEQiI09zO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOE4mDikC6
"How did you get it?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB5ePJqdca
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdycGCEraA5
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB3gmCiB81
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NrNlVdpfa
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35YJMVa9MP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcFkyloDRZ
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVfHELgPgf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgkFPKOLpS
Morning assembly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lQ4qhJAzx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjXgqsdt9n
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVemwu62k8w
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWkQMw1LV
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhDUvgoT5K
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA4KO6Mzh5
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35S5mJ12y3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYyGM4yvI8
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCFA5Hc5ax
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEzXGT0zQw
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYmNSoiIHO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERxyqx5nhF
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVRBInf2YR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhF7WKM9ZR
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmot1vzzVZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIr2kn7FZv
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBteaftvqd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQtnoOcUy9
Then combat training.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr21MwRbiS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvwkv4SBrs
Instructor Calder stood in the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. Weapon racks lined the wall behind him - swords, spears, axes, all designed to kill.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyltLQ8ork
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZRWPOl2dp
"You don't choose your artifact," he said without preamble. "The gods decide. Some of you will receive swords. Others axes, spears, bows, staves. A few might get something stranger."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTsW1lmuVr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZkG0wpMc8
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYovyq5w29x
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZckRzhfPq
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSHquT0Wcf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlqBcjCRjX
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Pvnaq6Gd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi40INZczW
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklvv2tIrLA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRCrsVXX56
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNelEpmdpe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr2exppD1e
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dYhj6ijHr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSWTHLyklu
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHvO045xgR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRRkzsU1JA
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwElksfv1lX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPt80SyG7G
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgsZcNtns7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvqQ5VdOwk
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gc4cWn8aI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMZf7pfat
His blade rose overhead in one smooth motion, held steady at the apex, then descended in a controlled arc that ended with the point aimed at the ground.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeCyJ4jMEX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5ZrREm54X
"Again."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbfh2r1BKL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpt6FVnUgL
The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX025aITaML
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmlCS4koqZ
"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrBsQZYHoO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVoQQKbEgl
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA4IXkqOKM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqYqtCttCP
The training began.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVAg1Z0w2Q
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgaZK1r9p0
Cel's body moved through the motions with muscle memory he'd thought buried. These weren't the techniques of House Solmar - no blazing offensive sequences, no emphasis on overwhelming aggression.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1uoFse9mJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBklKzLaAvq
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNPZLE3nOd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxK84Q7z67
He'd studied them once, years ago. His weapons instructor had insisted on broad knowledge despite his father's preference for the Solar Blade technique.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag4ufEs2U3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElwDVjtg41
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3y9oWYq6s
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqg2V5q1wn
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJkFIsSiba
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjeLix1Rz3
Cel forced his third swing to drift slightly left. Let the fourth end too high. Made deliberate mistakes that would mark him as learning rather than trained.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW1hQaNmiP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAALDqq9szv
But the Solar Blade technique... he'd need to forget that entirely. The forms were too distinctive. Any observer familiar with Sun Clan methods would recognize them instantly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CFRVJjcC2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyQUJFRkmk
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiTLZHqWM6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IcfJINNz0
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhlfg9yvaL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBkGVVr0cJ
Days bled into weeks.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqFOPt94Kt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvVlsfAgqD
Morning conditioning pushed bodies past limits. Theoretical classes filled minds with knowledge. Combat training taught weapon forms that repeated until they became reflex, leaving calluses on every palm.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0A5jl1thZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTzJSnDV0S
Cel attended everything like the others. Made mistakes during combat drills - mistimed swings, overextended lunges. Pretended confusion when Instructor Saren covered topics he'd learned years ago.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbUcdYaKqr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpaBp0I42z
But physical conditioning betrayed him.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak5kSa5NYY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTalDUM3J5
No matter how much he feigned exhaustion - letting his breathing grow ragged, allowing his movements to slow - his body wouldn't tire enough. While others collapsed after the final sprint, he remained standing. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbATlrKeeiu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTau0qJVME
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3HHzPPbPR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgGp8Z2e47
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Fs3eHWbcI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedtID3qVhp
Combat training told a different story.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13scuzYjMp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhYAw9L9tE
His strength worked against him there. A basic parry became a disarming strike when his opponent's blade went flying. A controlled thrust nearly impaled the practice dummy. His two-handed grip shattered a sword's crossguard.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT5Pt2Yih1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9WaFhl1BO
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNohfRE9lka
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9pSod9DRf
The lie held. Barely.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoU3ceV4OJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0LNkr30pu
His Divine Energy problem was a simpler. When asked to demonstrate his control during theoretical lessons, Cel simply said he possessed a trait that suppressed his signature.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSTmfM1ulE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuCi36niU8
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9nRz2PkA7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCM96wdpab
The nights belonged to training.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUKpdASMSe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT3SlrEWZ4
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3z5dH4B3H
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQTGznOE6W
Free days took him into the city.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0gjDv7YmB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wYrAX30hR
The Moon Church welcomed him with empty silence. Most visits, Lyra wasn't there. But sometimes she was, arranging flowers or simply praying. They would talk about small things. Safe things. He never stayed long enough to risk deeper questions.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEqlwWNfPB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnJ3gBZaQ9
Lyra mentioned their mother occasionally. How she'd joined the Chosen Legion after the divorce. How she was leading missions in the name of the royal house now. Cel absorbed every detail without comment, tracking his mother's movements through his sister's casual updates.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5nIc3LMmk
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The Golden Hart offered different comfort. The bartender knew him now, poured without asking. Cel drank and listened to conversations around him - politics, gossip, complaints about work. He absorbed it all without participating.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeBkztFkSv
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Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVeMR6bpAR
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It was... peaceful. In its own way.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCqDOHwdVi
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Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cvznhm9Ee
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Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVUJYhPAzw
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"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8EX7dp67e
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Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0CCPIF0a0
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"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwa8KbfA5Y
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"It's fine."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wu4yNAoDS
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And it was.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uVznnyyZg
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No one approached Cel or Lior.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6LNMSmqgi
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The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaQpwxzsHT
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They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMXSVqY0Az
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Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNffMNDD5wS
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Cel didn't care either way.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmJcdPfBlR
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Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1b3P3ZMvH
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The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXJrM03Xeo
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Cel's strength improved despite his best efforts to hide it. His sword forms remained clumsy - from the lack of talent and from his overflowing strength.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUKiS23ZOC
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On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzBbsD855A
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"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwIP5LFM3Y
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Silence answered her.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceFyPE2HeE
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"You've had four months to prepare. To learn your place. To understand what's expected." Her gaze swept the assembled commoners. "When they walk through those doors, you will show proper deference. You will not embarrass yourselves or this Academy."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNggpO0XyjG
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She paused.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnZLaNkWzl
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"And you will remember - they've trained since childhood for this. Everything you've struggled to learn in four months, they've mastered over years."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUBxUNIeuo
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The weight of that truth settled over the room.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJtW3WsgcO
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"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWqqJc0Eb2
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----216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoMS5EftYr
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ1ChSJGzF
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I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMp20xP4aM
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFQ7hikazx
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGnWZ3Zwoc
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl1eBkzwZF
1234 copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqIq9XViA1 尼

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