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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIV11AqNdp
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD7xh3Pjs0
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGEQ7WhPDL
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVJdnUXRzA
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqov4Waz2Y
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue8me8ZOot
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjgFqtW6RP
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G56hfe0Wa
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxE7Nu1S5l
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC83TZaRLbl
"Morning."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSILtL4V3rX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcO0bO76wy
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZNXB9e6uO
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbWnlQNPLm
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6bQwChnMU
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOB8Mjiebq
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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO2Kb8vjRf
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWYxMTHA0v
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWqfT3faLC
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC9L7kbYmN
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0tWnx7If5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81CT37CNex
"It will."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8GY4qpz6j
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhug1Tc9VN
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ5wMo4ExX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt6ulUcMpF
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsFYSILgfB
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7r3aTgrdr
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE296Myrg5m
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv3Wqnk2t9
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMApVIZnp6J
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMFTngO6b5
"Ready?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K2f3NWrEn
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nwxp8x7LU
Cel nodded.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsKf9r6QTI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmguEJTZAUt
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDL4glRCl
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7ZqKmXUjM
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQgHWI2WxS
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhxz74969X
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k7kby1yuW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDufwjhmxqf
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0KxfSHz6Z
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9XSPhSehU
Cel's foot caught on nothing.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe0weKyIMk
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEylppr9JW2
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gnvWxmDLa
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iQRNzGufO
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjwlof68I6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc5WYrUCt8
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S6PrLFmGw
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vRXdt4EnZ
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSERD4gYNW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXGsoeM1cv
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FyllAW8nm
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1d5f7ZTkn
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePktscHNn8
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC2OsHBIpU
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNCOYVWgLu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEshJBuSAkJ
"Are you kid—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuACSu5nkBQ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6QXJ6FXQP
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLskMnVV8jM
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeW0FGky2J
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0E2pdKcGP
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDx3NGb1ap
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFlh2GDCLD
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFINln0nL9
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrelFZJFO0
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UwtjKDR0w
Then he released his grip and stepped back.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX22ydjdSWF
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA9jafpLdK
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3px988Saw
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxIemm9Pyx
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqjbNl3VzA
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSroeyvQ0b
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUuHv6d2PZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP2Bij7zvE
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisDAoLI4u7
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTiLp9eLR4
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxIYjYUom0
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOBTSyu5Ko
"Thanks."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjbKhhqs9H
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdyNWhgNJZ
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVDxS91M5Z
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGH9uKd3wg
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd6aXKp42w
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGIRCejCNk
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZE1rQkSro
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bfctd34Y8
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRihBZxjma
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwwxusxIbf
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSEbza9e5k
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSCbutbuBl
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp7U4v7DMG
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9jG5lO6S
"You have a nice body."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudqWMiERek
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJcxG3pizV
Cel glanced at Lior.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenxehjtrUh
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozK7RUNycs
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSl745twkO
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcLW2XDOeA
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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHfX4t21O
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAxQ4EXeaf
A pause.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEDf2xndwS
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WPnZJsKUO
"How did you get it?”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm8BlMFSia
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD4yBGtewS
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuMVcCc9Yx
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAmgzZuX8h
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFPHFv0iLy
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClixVcGIXY
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmNQdH5m6j
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcLiVepHw4
Morning assembly.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioJ7uWzpfP
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUGChnhUgF
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVIlzCUIk9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnrYmlFgHx
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1lRk33jA1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLnUS64KS9
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO8h1GjE6q
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejPhQcsEsK
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeFL1qnisI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXuE2Fm9JN
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnKx0nj2a4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdLJozDcKg
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXaJLap8mX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qd9b9x7V1
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbuJdvnPJ1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrZL4zu6JN
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoEdDvSL6V
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZNWFeVfTl
Then combat training.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI03Jrb7CCZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySCOASlnR7
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwVSvq9h8h
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq4mwfJ0BF
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYEE7SxPeC
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0ROLjGR9N
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvZOxJVuoh
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc9erRUWsi
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BGXn3xvZ4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcjrNGI5Zm
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMaruuJZIa
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sHCKSAhDj
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxENhGidp08
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVCVFu7fO
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PfusaCcCo
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNly4NhwbUp
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVKSQdWb7J
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0arbOoz7M6
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXTbWrvj4C
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM2IzmcL3p
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwB8uVlR0r
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAaqp1LKxA
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FXLfKE5CF
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXxUAnLYWD
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDGwOTOkDy
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY0hwiOppb
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqzj9LDTY2
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBeOhimcn9
"Again."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwd5Y3OSZ5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHInOBK65kA
The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOgEUjXaZD
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1zuS1Ad2L
"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqnGSZbNc6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxZnDwfcOj
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cG10agbWy
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrm14qL6y5
The training began.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnu4ZO72tg
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbcD8TPR4Z
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IIKXKkLWH
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyIysAw8PP
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTkGVpqb5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDwnXJolnk
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ8JRxgd9n
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ0mmqK9Sl
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPXCdWRT2j
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEZrHdmHwQ
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidjaYmmBj1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltBCsuankd
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z6n8sWNBY
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uPrr7azEz
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmGoYb5GN6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtbbRaYRus
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZsNxKDbcN
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sVsusVK7f
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnELWz4oNFO
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfLj7M8c0f
Days bled into weeks.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHeKbbQp8Y
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8VlErAW15
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmATm1Zs8SC
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o51vLVE9R
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzuqEso2TR
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPoI9wgkkt
But physical conditioning betrayed him.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp2mkkQ2rq
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AFqghIt6i
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. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya7GuO7sbE
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxKKDh4qU6
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngpK6DD5oH
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4xxv5AVAE
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTO7kIVbND
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Pog0gg7O
Combat training told a different story.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79CnGIrGwt
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYoaczGiuA
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3MBWN42Gp
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdxudLefWk
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfZY1iNVZw
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmUe66R9uJ
The lie held. Barely.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ3mDXa7AE
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn0qaDxuWG
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFosdoFX3dT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKwL1uhcK4
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS2CtKrVdY
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMCmkrUaQf
The nights belonged to training.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XdlIOcZn1
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNspACqLFm
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cdGPbPfUI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYdgOzV8qx
Free days took him into the city.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s7q2KGymA
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YivXc04TC
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0yyRAbqxb
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUXo6XV0AZ
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqniDU1ew
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBnxfNt0vC
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Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoiV4wZ9Ya
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It was... peaceful. In its own way.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Tb4qO4R1
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Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMXc4Zz31u
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Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAR4hkEeDj
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"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoRnI4BMJ8
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Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCI7T3fuw4
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"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMBwfWCJEq
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"It's fine."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPD2EJ06w2
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And it was.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEdIL2zJXR
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No one approached Cel or Lior.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWyI12BfqA
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The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iOkJJsCgE
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They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosVzHIaWXU
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Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o08D4LlGu
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Cel didn't care either way.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFZHVX3ol6
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Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ51OXo4BKZ
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The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bbY8Kiv3w
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡullMUkm4NK
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On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuzCVicXul
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"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iTjjfsXfq
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Silence answered her.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse5o1xu0p3
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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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71qFn4tPk6
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She paused.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uJPPCA0eQ
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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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kvF2lALC5
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The weight of that truth settled over the room.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fU756Rqob
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"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fw2lUzFyf
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----47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS5RiRz1a9
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxGi4871dv
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I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n5kzgUrM0
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAT7MX5mSD
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k2OPIVgYo
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKTluI5vTN
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