His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO6Eqkb0aV
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QW24YH7Lc
"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlwCBfc66v
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Tt5Zc1NL
Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui0Mb9r3Do
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk0w3K3VMZ
His eyes snapped open.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3jGqtMAaK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYeRguqx38
The ceiling of his room stared back. Wooden beams. Familiar cracks.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X1FIAfdiG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMEl2e3KUU
Cel's breath came in short gasps. Sweat soaked through his shirt, making the fabric cling to his skin. He pushed himself upright, pressing his palms against his face.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCniInVLgx
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9UFE3NHmX
‘Just a dream.’36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CX5HFYoAl
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH828TmWIFn
The same dream that came whenever exhaustion finally dragged him under. He didn't need sleep anymore - Eternal Witness had freed him from that necessity. But four months of relentless training had taught him that not needing sleep and not benefiting from it were different things entirely.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelN1s0e9Ek
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDrzrKdkQ4
His body could push indefinitely. His mind couldn't.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI8FsP0OAH
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77XUHgmxZ0
So he slept. Not often. But sometimes.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G2yUnT7HO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANjSHdgul
And the nightmares always waited.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm6FplsQ2P
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBpOFV6XMz
Cel swung his legs off the bed, feet finding cold floor. Dawn light filtered through his window - pale and gray, the sun not yet fully risen.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvi68mRleH
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HHzAQHrBp
An off day. Their weekly rest from training.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhRl4FRKhp
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjoB6eceLn
One day before the nobles would arrive.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7D9RRMqTo
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9GjNyCBwW
He stood and moved to the basin in the corner, splashing water on his face. The cold helped ground him, washing away the lingering fragments of the dream.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVMO0eDcEu
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71d9fragte
An hour later, Cel walked the capital's streets with his hood drawn up. His feet carried him without conscious direction through familiar routes. Past the market square. Through the craftsmen's quarter. Down the narrow street where the Moon Church waited.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL5SmXAcjD
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiQpV38QIP
The building rose ahead - simple stone, unmarked except for the crescent carved above its door. Cel's hand found the handle and pulled.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRClQcY375
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nxUw9kF6p
The door swung open.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2MxElDh6s
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo5yciqvoj
He froze.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNiyUk65xB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNvLgalHRM
Lyra knelt on the floor near the altar, her dress bunched around her knees as she scrubbed at stone with a wet cloth. Water dripped from the fabric, leaving dark trails across pale rock.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4cbNLeCHK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01bHfkj3wX
She looked up at the sound of the door. Surprise crossed her face - eyes widening, hands freezing mid-scrub - before recognition softened her expression into a warm smile.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSrziWhVt3
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSMYy88l9V
"Oh… Good Morning." She started to rise, then seemed to remember the cloth in her hands and settled back down. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone this early."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD7q7yaOD8
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjND0SQyx9
Cel stared at her. At the bucket filled with murky water. At her reddened hands.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7bfrCBSgk
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoPeoXMhtw
"What are you doing?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdibLUG48d
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gZs3bwp2s
"Cleaning." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglxjSPaFIx
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam09Q30VIK
A sharp voice cut through from the shadows near the entrance. ”And that's exactly the problem, my lady.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKTwhStU5l
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLpsCpd9pd
A woman in servant's attire stepped forward - Lyra's personal maid, the same one who'd collected her after each visit. Her expression carried the particular exhaustion of someone fighting a losing battle.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJrC3rTBC0
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXit6ifBuwP
"You shouldn't be doing this," the woman continued, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not proper."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJF3XKuTAU
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBt4TwvUzl
“It's perfectly proper when I want to do it, Margaret." Lyra's voice remained gentle but firm, as if they’d had that conversation countless times.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mkXLhySBA
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWsMibpuVv
Another figure emerged from a different corner - a younger servant Cel hadn't noticed before, carrying a second bucket. She bowed quickly when Cel's attention found her.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1xkq1DCsO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKAb3wsGzh
Cel scanned the church interior. Empty benches. Dusty corners. Just Lyra and the two maids in the entire space.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEXbZuU7hS
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVcxogcUGA
"Is there no one else maintaining this place?" he asked.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6BlwHrDmN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF0kNpQqrw
Margaret sighed softly. "The Royal House owns this church, young master, but..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It is not maintained. Has not been for some time."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHysw2cfOfL
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9R9lshKWS
“That’s why I do it.” Lyra cut in proudly, as if announcing good news rather than confessing to doing a servant's work.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGu41HKco7
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Hd3qU9Fb
Margaret's hand rose to touch her temples. "And that's why we're helping. We can't let our young lady do all the work alone."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAFgbw9gFh
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk42rOr06pY
The younger servant nodded vigorously, her agreement silent but emphatic.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5bqoIuL0G
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHi9cdJtXH
Cel looked at Lyra again. At her smile. At the way she knelt on cold stone.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyTFPQ20Qu
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOPwMN65EA
Their father would have beaten her senseless for this.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IGLvb4gLo
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmAb0ETsbj
The thought arrived with cold certainty. Lord Aldric would have seen his daughter scrubbing floors and lost whatever thin restraint he possessed. The shame of it. A noble child doing servant's work.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxlnc8DIxA
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAAVS1x0zu
But Lyra simply smiled and went back to her scrubbing.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosXwPycmxK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFXJmFLc1W
"I'll help." 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqGR11t3c
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZMvkiayR8
The words left Cel's mouth before thought could catch up.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq8jt3GHmX
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyCWwQBJkD
Margaret's eyes widened. "Young master, you don't need to—"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeebd66tMy
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TT1Xlki8u
"I want to."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv6VmeRKmC
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWylgiBOyn
"Really?" Lyra’s face brightened, voice lifting with genuine warmth. "That would be wonderful."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2BgV3DVWF
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMoHn1dZQN
Margaret and the younger servant exchanged glances, clearly uncertain how to refuse a Chosen who'd already made up his mind.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2s84RQdfy
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡombr62zOg3
"There's another cloth in my bucket," Lyra said, gesturing. "And we still need to clean the benches. And the windows. And—oh, the altar could use polishing too."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtzd2n7gqa
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4myleaAKcR
The work began.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuPk64ThTV
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSs2s4aYqe
Cel found himself on his knees beside Lyra, scrubbing at ancient stone that held dirt in every crack and crevice. The water in his bucket turned gray within minutes, then nearly black.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6txr0a8sN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3J4DEfEJc
"You don't have to press so hard," Lyra said, demonstrating with her own cloth. "Just steady circles. Like this."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEjydhYseb
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk98eFQPbG2
Margaret worked on the benches, her movements efficient and practiced. The younger servant cleaned the windows with careful strokes.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtXwlGtzBN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Fh7Yrh7t
They fell into an easy rhythm. The silence broke occasionally with conversation - Lyra asking about Cel's studies at the Academy, Margaret offering tips on removing particularly stubborn stains, the younger servant making quiet observations about the dust patterns.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmGyAgWfgj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm7TaGCGsR
"I come here every week," Lyra said as they moved to a new section of floor. "Sometimes twice. It feels wrong to let it fall apart like this."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv3Q3Bws9B
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy95FdgGgA
"The Moon Goddess deserves better," Margaret added from her position at the benches.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19oszjGTza
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnbl9dtx2b
"Exactly!" Lyra's enthusiasm bubbled over. "She's a goddess, same as the others. Just because she doesn't have a Great Clan doesn't mean her church should be forgotten."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSNZftWtbN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bOqDZvTcb
Cel's hands stilled for just a moment. Then resumed their circular scrubbing.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov0RfIBXk2
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdVSs7QV4X
The hours passed in comfortable work. The church slowly transformed around them - dust cleared from corners, grime lifted from stone, windows letting in more light than before.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuggD0zAJZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhos4iJFibQ
By the time they finished, afternoon had faded toward evening. The church looked... better. Not perfect, but cared for.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5VubLwoMd
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSmVbJnbdA
"Thank you," Margaret said, bowing deeply to Cel. "Your help made this go much faster."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSOyIKkxqJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SG4Vh4Cvs
"Yes, thank you." Lyra glanced back inside. "It usually takes us hours longer. Having another person really makes a difference."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2k3BXVOed
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiXdgFFJad
The other maid bowed as well, gathering the buckets.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcjssw7CBv
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD7JF1K8sC
They parted at the church entrance. The two maids heading back toward whatever duties awaited them. Lyra promising to see Cel again soon, her smile warm and genuine.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaQHW2qohP
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYdcAHfrCY
He pulled his hood back up and stepped into the evening streets, his feet turning toward familiar ground.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowZZ6rzm41
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfDNaODP8w
The Golden Hart's door swung open beneath his hand.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFz223f55d
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck99jIps0v
Sound crashed over him like a physical wave.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjNetV1GDQ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTTsH5HcnP
Music. Laughter. Voices raised in celebration, argument or both. The tavern was packed - every table full, people standing in clusters between them, the bar lined with patrons waving for drinks.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uTcbsUL8d
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwsUi0VhzA
Cel paused in the doorway, momentarily overwhelmed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CjnyJGUDX
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCEzNoOET8
The bartender spotted him immediately. His weathered face split in a wide grin.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNa0XFNVrj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo9IzaBtkq
"Ah, there you are!" He beckoned with one hand, the gesture exaggerated. A wink followed. "Come here, boy!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0YgmvkaRm
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Y149YMst
Cel navigated through the crowd, confusion clear on his face.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGYRjZNNyO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t6oRiTVAd
‘What's going on her?’36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviElE8eVyK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIewfo5Crgi
Strong hands gripped his shoulders the moment he reached the bar. The bartender spun him around to face the room, one arm wrapping around his shoulders in a gesture that was half-embrace, half-presentation.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nsOUkMg54
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM2haIQOhl
"This is Cel!" the bartender announced, his voice carrying over the din. "If someone beats him, everything goes on the house!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxrJBYzzWK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUooCqgys8
The tavern erupted.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK6Uvvb1nk
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPgLBHB7kk
Cel twisted his head, staring at the bartender. "What the hell are you talking about?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtehIbLfsX
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGmv3c6EmH
"Drinking contest, of course!" The bartender's grin widened. "Been talking you up for an hour now. You wouldn't make a liar out of me, would you?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22lShhzZ3C
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayK0PkRUj9
"You think that boy can drink?" someone shouted from across the room, laughter following the words.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOzDTWbwqg
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w1hZidSs2
"He looks barely old enough to hold a tankard!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyvbo8ga2s
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASkdHHCPSf
"You sure you want to lose all your money, old man?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7nfsMaUJZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0atXL5tRVo
The bartender's arm tightened around Cel's shoulders. "This boy puts away more ale than any three of you combined! I've seen it myself!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hg8nNbP14
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ZpJsxxXK
"Then I'll take first challenge!" A broad-shouldered man pushed through the crowd, already swaying slightly. "Easy coins!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7l1VUhw3S
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVeoXFra2q
A table cleared instantly, patrons scrambling to make space. Chairs scraped. Bets started flying through the air - coins exchanged hands, odds called out and adjusted.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZBjZ18kHn
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflJ4mGHJeS
The man dropped into a chair with a heavy thud, gesturing at the seat across from him.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32766kSN5k
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXlPPA5IFK
Cel looked at the bartender.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa627n34F2r
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe4UK82CzV
The bartender's eyes gleamed with anticipation.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM78UXJRsB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdCKLQhaEO
Cel sat.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7crpQJiF4
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1kBdsFFC6
Two massive tankards appeared on the table, filled to the brim. Foam spilled over the edges.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8VC4zHe3l
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBCOb8QJmx
"First one to stop loses," the challenger announced, lifting his drink. "Simple enough for you, boy?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrhL2VvMEx
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXWJWWvRQk
Cel lifted his own tankard.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6XUsBxajO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVIK9dRQ46
They drank.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNLSwCohz1
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3b0QpzavD
The man who challenged Cel went down after six rounds. His face had gone from red to a sickly pallor, and he stumbled away from the table muttering curses.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTMYXSIp7G
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauJgMyehs7
Cheers erupted from those who'd bet on Cel. Groans from those who hadn't.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYnKgoEht2
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JYgvNcFNl
"Next!" someone called.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo0n4Pi3Pv
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln9sz11cKo
A woman took the seat. Confident, experienced. She matched him drink for drink through eight rounds before her eyes glazed and she had to concede.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeVfCkFZbN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlF38Ewwfl
Then another challenger. And another.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR0FMDpLZ7
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOr0JrPAU7
The crowd grew larger. People pressing in from all sides, abandoning their own tables to watch. Voices rose higher with each victory, disbelief mixing with growing enthusiasm.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7UtLhnSRb
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYVhhD6WM2
"How is he still standing?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPuubbXEIz
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2qO2jKB3u
"That's his tenth opponent!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEps69XYcf
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAPIjoPNne
"I've never seen anything like it!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtnu4ZXUB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXlWDJP20A
Cel felt... something shifting. A warmth spread through his chest that hadn't been there before. His thoughts moved a fraction slower. The edges of his vision had started to blur slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOwn4km74y
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjebwwG4TQ
The alcohol was finally affecting him.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bsVFDugtB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNWHWqS5yP
Apparently, his divinely forged body wasn't immune - just extraordinarily resistant. But even the strongest resistance had limits. And he'd been drinking steadily for hours now.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlByANhXhlC
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMKpsyPxQ2
Strangely, he didn't care.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSUOhIx8WJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3ZTqJBTCk
The warmth felt... good. Pleasant. Like the weight he carried had lightened just slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3pokGK5vg
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKqSP2v7D3
A man collapsed face-first onto the table after round four. The crowd roared.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUvf6bVw39
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmCeA7AFWy
Another challenger sat down. This one massive, his arms thick as tree trunks. He glared at Cel across the table.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqeninvywj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVyvU9i9hf
They drank. One tankard. Two. Three.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NveaC6RqO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CtO10TObd
The man's face grew redder with each round. Veins stood out on his temples. But he kept pace, determination written across his features.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LPPfobdbc
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrimc8Jnsa
Seven rounds passed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAIkgKjPOG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqTQ319PsD
The man slammed his empty drink on the table. "That's it. I'm done."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI0canv8vA
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojdoutADb
But his expression shifted immediately - anger replacing defeat.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprrgUNh3Cx
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHoCeNc1OH
"This isn't fair!" He pointed at Cel, his words slurring. "I'd beat you easily if this were an arm wrestling contest instead!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBlIWgJbWH
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oOehrZrT7
The crowd turned on him immediately.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjQHH4Z1NN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkHCHjazQf
"You lost! Accept it!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwPaTFHZaw
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kHIACMED9
"Don't be a sore loser!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mzMDPWiUv
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD73EmbnYgl
"You want to arm wrestle a boy half your size? Have some shame!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48XZ0VIASJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyK2QsAN51
Cel's mouth moved before his mind caught up. The alcohol made everything feel distant, decisions easier.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5JFgZP7h7
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrAiDeAcj5
"Fine by me."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJLxp2HBLJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYQJ5XUMbn
Silence crashed down.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM1w9IZjZa
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmFFEjwA4j
The crowd stared. The massive man blinked, clearly not expecting agreement.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXORstgTZEI
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDTinczIik
"You... you sure, boy?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqjgT6OgFK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7LZs81tTr
"Why not?" Cel answered without thinking. "Let's do it."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMScw6yskF
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFB8tbZuVF
The table cleared. They positioned themselves, elbows planted, hands clasped.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu7nDSJTpf
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnR1rWzyOX
"Three!" someone called. The crowd joined in. "Two! One!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfcfylBcoa
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NPOiVJyA8
The man's strength hit immediately - real force behind it. Enough to make Cel actually engage his muscles instead of relying purely on his divine body.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2p5le75SZ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPrqN2FOD2
But only slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9okrDTAiB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui5SCnTGT6
The man's hand slammed to the table within seconds.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpsQOJdsbs
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31mW3Z9V0r
The tavern exploded.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvoaP7MRXt
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf8NWCFvwN
"Did you see that?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgpC5ZPoaL
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUepglAbqIP
"The kid's a monster!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDA2gbdwbe
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LM4BwkE68
"Who else wants to try?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrAXINyiZN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78SdfxiNSS
The drinking contest transformed. One by one, patrons lined up to test their arm against Cel's. Some lasted longer than others. But none won.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiEYwuGA5l
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXj0vsAu97
Cel felt the warmth in his chest growing stronger. He found himself smiling. He laughed at jokes he normally wouldn't find funny. Responded to teasing with his own.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4WnVU8fzK
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIWj3rOK4t
The crowd loved it. They cheered for him. Clapped his shoulder. Treated him like he belonged.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mOuAco40X
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQgGio5dSY
It felt... really good.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUMkjlP9V1
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF6SpoNSBm
A new figure approached through the crowd. Hooded. Moving with confidence that suggested sobriety.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohTv2GbZnw
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIt6TMVOiS
He sat across from Cel and pulled back his hood.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x9GQ6l6QD
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvfPklznV7
A face Cel's age looked back at him. Broad features. Stone-gray eyes, steady and direct.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Ytfeg6nT
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxl3aETtvE
They clasped hands.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVn2hDZFyP
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA4exTwe4J
The countdown began.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN6JbZYHm3
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7VNqqyxI6
The moment their match started, Cel felt the difference. Real strength. Not just muscle and determination - something more. Divine enhancement.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqaTHss3OO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl92gKYqO7D
Another Chosen.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMMkqtdTJu
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGliCAy2pq
Cel had to actually push. Had to engage more of his strength than he'd used for any previous challenger.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeKfjGlpLA
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Rhrhj428
The wood beneath their elbows groaned.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHt3nIPjOT
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZK3BwDyVN
Both of them pushed harder.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4UFZBZDj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoCBY9iy5E
The table exploded.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7465Lx6pIY
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlInjeC48P
Fragments flew outward. Their hands separated as the surface between them simply ceased to exist, reduced to splinters and broken planks. Cel fell forward, hitting the floor in a graceless heap.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAJE1LeAGj
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAHODw6fBR
Complete silence followed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQy5HankeJ
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMbouDpIg4
Every eye in the tavern locked on the destruction. On the two young men who'd just shattered a solid table through arm strength alone.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHW3J9CFpH
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2K5gPZBoo
"AHHH, MY BEAUTIFUL TABLE!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihrZLEHgsP
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU8kFnk3AI
The bartender's wail broke through. He clutched his head, staring at the wreckage.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pC3zDdav9
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ6snaGHqO
His opponent stood smoothly, brushing splinters from his clothes. A faint smile touched his face - genuine satisfaction. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a pouch, tossing it to the bartender without looking.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7DtKMA4AC
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H0B1j5bY5
It landed with a heavy clink.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVodP9kQjsS
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh6CtfPT88
"Fair trade," he said. A brief nod toward Cel.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrHlBXY67I
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ3PhpwoRQ
Then he turned and walked toward the door.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHta27LqpB
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBXUstSmad
The crowd parted automatically, too stunned to speak.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSwpO9pNb4
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK0WbjeYgq
He vanished into the street.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNYR16eLwN
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRshebD8FB
The tavern remained frozen for another heartbeat. Then someone laughed. Then another. The party resumed as if nothing had happened, voices rising even higher than before.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr7qooVh5T
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiItrV74r1
Cel sat among the destruction, staring at the doorway where the stranger had disappeared.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUSbQ3SVCR
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqoPGD4BLk
His vision swam. The room tilted slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubl60XFO6
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4OMez84Ag
The bartender appeared beside him, still clutching the money pouch. "You alright, boy?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj7X4d5WNO
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6E7PNmhFY
"Sure," Cel said. The word came out slurred.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLILI8qGQf
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEBUEj8TF7
"Right. Well, enjoy your winnings. You certainly earned them."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpgKyM1hxg
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfGDY62YP8
Cel blinked. ‘Winnings?’36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecZ9hf7eM
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAOYsZk6xJ
He tried to ask, but the words wouldn't form properly. The warmth in his chest had spread to his limbs, making them heavy and distant.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAX3AEBX6u
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLS7E39WtE
The tavern spun.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ncIybZQH
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5jRNFEaNH
Everything after became haze.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRG3pnu83F
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrYht0Loai
Sensation returned slowly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh76krFresG
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDczFrqcTEd
Cool ground beneath him. The scent of flowers.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17pHFudZqv
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7fX1kwlj8
Cel's eyes opened.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCfBjBJvgI
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cyn0YHyjt
A face hovered above him. Silver mask catching light. Rose-colored lips curved in a gentle smile.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZF4DaFtBX
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVNsn17GC5
Selina.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRGsJYoDdz
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ7osMpL0m
“Chosen One, I'm pleased you found joy. Though I wonder if you'll remember doing so.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9cxqxkxHw
1234 copyright protection32ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAmrfO1OL8 尼

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