"What do you want from me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfXZMFDhU0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Ig1fLBZY
The question hung in the night air between them. Hestia remained perfectly still in her meditation pose, crimson eyes fixed on him with that same intense assessment she'd worn since the first day.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCnjtGYo5b
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv95y07BI4
Silence stretched.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZrfHQiNpc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUpLnyovDB
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch9ikj8YRB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsWnSQvPDZ
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAS98Ns7kE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd4vnjP2qV
"That's not an answer."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDToMkE36j
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gzxFd0Sln
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmRGwjaubE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxarVJgC99
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JH8FmoauB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFIGGqKxsJ
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ674KNpF84g
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yy5Ba5fA6
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtXJCCgufu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1nGvXhQHs
Finally, she spoke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmx9pEYccN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVNE33H8oq
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmIEOXfr3Y
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hBfdBL6Vn
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLnAfqrsYf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HMQVKrcvs
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqXDd5wAlk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoyIG67iP8
"Yes. But do you know why?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGAwCtywJf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcImRVnYO0
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtU7nTYpoX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3TDCDihGu
Hestia moved closer - just a few steps, maintaining careful distance. "In the other Great Clans, leading houses rise and fall. The Mountain Clan, the Ocean Clan - their leadership changes when stronger houses emerge. Political maneuvering. Martial superiority. Strategic marriages."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HOP7A3sKu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5712svUObV
She paused.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nj9ZvItXS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwwiP3q5qW
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pD8NnRiqR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NLQ3rx14S
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PNrYK7vka
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiDZameuGP
"Because we bear a gift." Her voice softened slightly. "A blessing granted directly by the Death God himself. Every member of House Mortveil possesses it - from the moment we're born until the moment we die."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUiHoIUvfS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tSXMBPEH0
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR98OfRpfGp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADvGt57cLg
"We can smell death."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofi2iHOpEW
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHYyxhIUco
She paused.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThjaISnVOL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaPi0osUgn
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJNCNT7ZKP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYkotx95tE
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFzNWBiA96
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzKAGtfABK
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUS5RW1tWO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cKiOwOSp
"You reek of death."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Vq1kdjCk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTin9wJUuIT
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4CgiSdS7O
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpIXt8FZZ6
His resurrection. The new body the Moon Goddess had forged. He'd assumed it wiped away all traces of his death - made him fresh and unmarked.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqLTHkXyKz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6lzxnTVTR
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbjyqtCQ18
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcPBCTP1QA
'Raven.'192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubTsfu1I7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwrRbckWhU
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bYwZLlWp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeahFSIuYsh
Their encounter in the Ashlands. He'd assumed it was chance. But what if it had never been coincidence at all? What if Raven had tracked the scent of death clinging to him like a beacon, drawn to it the same way Hestia was now? 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZKC0R3fbT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAvSiyLUBf
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQyvN4IoBq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56gqRuUSLA
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2LgDkdYkm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3ueFYtdte
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj9HXlyhxF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxD4ve7Jff
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbcJlxn7Ps
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKCYrDiI3k
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zqFumU0BH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2p1IaSmKo
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxGuHJrXmm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2YgzNgd3h
The irony was almost laughable.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtphUrwWYJR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZGh8FdN9j
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFormgP0DJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYunYxxpCPy
She met his gaze directly.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKjnepC0FW
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j7vFv9PiK
"I didn't lie."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0905nT1fjf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDkPmHA7L6
"You didn't tell the truth either."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoz4ntL9Az
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcBn3g0bvr
Silence stretched taut as wire.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLpuAHt2uc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMo8yEYRny
Then Cel made a decision.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8c0hAwt9f
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX6xPrZZbI
"Fine. I'll help you."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79qefrY5HM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsB8578nRk
Hestia blinked. "What?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNVU50U00C
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrGN9XhAXT
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzXWDu7Y9c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpqJjNCMRl
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlQLrsHhya
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY6tgW69Vf
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCLhhlVgxs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWrQiIQXna
"You want to fight me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ytHuC0MBz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl5PzsLExw
"I want experience against someone skilled." Cel's grip tightened on the hilt. "Instructor Calder's lessons are useful, but there's nothing better than actual combat. And you're ranked third in the entire academy."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmy5AYutZe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpwf8T0tDO
For a long moment, Hestia simply watched him, utterly still. Then something shifted in her expression - calculation giving way to something that might have been respect.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Jog7MHZq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRndYRFcHel
"That was extraordinarily rude."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxFLagq9dp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIFuLyvL0m
"I know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyNhQeC2BA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7sB0FLgZ8
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjeFsvl0W5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaxQ7JxxNX
"I know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLU5kPC2Bx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs7clrziwH
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTZZcccH1Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3wqrBzj7D
"Very well. I accept."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQiuhsDgxB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXdEmbQNZc
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4H0hBfLMa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUJsuALJHo
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHVD6qUxfI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulPLiWjx4U
A longsword.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sWwkzHhH6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NF3Ti2JGT
It was beautiful and terrible in equal measure. The handle, wrapped in black leather, led to a golden crossguard with a crimson gem embedded at its center - the exact shade of her eyes. The blade itself glowed with deep red light, looking less like steel and more like congealed blood given solid form.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJT7t25NTQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcCZU1qsZE
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl8GXPN5QC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlGb0ivHjj
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaA05JsYuq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojTDL3cLHq
They moved to the center of the training grounds, taking positions across from each other. The moon hung overhead, flooding the space with silver radiance that made the crimson blade glow even brighter in contrast.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjquZ20cSoz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZJ9RUCt8i
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11655Jwpel
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdYZXzeecy
Cel moved first.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHu1FY2Byx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iUBcwDXQI
He closed the distance in three quick steps, Silent Moon rising for a diagonal slash aimed at her shoulder. Fast. Controlled. Using only a fraction of his actual strength.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINFftRkwoo
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLMY9WBiQl
Hestia's weapon intercepted.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWTsQOnT3Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDZYpQAony
The impact rang across the training grounds. But she didn't just block - her blade redirected his momentum, sliding along Silent Moon's length before the crossguard caught his guard and forced it aside.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUogaXM4FI4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLHhC1mFQk
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXzra8SSJX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdOt4NWjc0
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpubiMPxCqF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCJocIdfld
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYOHyfyPL0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MXZsIgDc
Her knee caught him under the chin.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhnc2bw4Yb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIyEV9Zaqo
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpAjWLAWze
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz0dFBMnNP
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9qy6MZQo1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii7SboasVC
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UeYpqfYUO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdubyuBOxaq
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c3yNbY5vl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovK9VOL5l2
"Yield?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25k0FweBH1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqAEo5lfpL
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzJcg3ay4H
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x3bwdTVzU
"Yes."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWo22pOZps
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImmNmFcZuX
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbXCdGOipF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRrMf2Pwp0
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs6bo2PWoq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaQveRztn5
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlN8hahe4Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW199YXlNf2
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ338AK37UlI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YBjZdgFx1
Cel raised Silent Moon again.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNzrLHeV37
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqatat8FCB
They fought.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTKU3bQAQj
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7XVXGNPsI
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyddaubInQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDLaVd6XyH
Every strike he made, she countered. Every opening he tried to exploit, she closed. Her artifact moved like an extension of her body - not just weapon but partner, flowing through forms that suggested decades of practice compressed into sixteen years of life.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgvz3j04LL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlQ1pW9Jk4
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uwetIgtOm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiTU1l509p
Each victory came with unnecessary force. Each strike landed harder than required. When he tried to yield early, she pressed the attack until he had no choice but to acknowledge complete defeat.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaunLPiPVQJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz9RaOWuzF
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXQmu9Kw5W
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6J32gmItp
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DvUv0wNl2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTIA0RJepo
"I'm uncertain what you mean." Hestia's blade remained pointed at him. Crimson light reflected in her eyes. “You asked me not to hold back. I merely honored that request." 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp5CsPelz9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2GflTfiWw
But the slight tightness around her mouth said otherwise. The extra force behind her strikes. The way she'd targeted ribs he'd already bruised.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgckkblfqBc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEnUS1HGJU
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiLCDpeJ0O
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczoFTRG3Dg
"Your apology is noted but unnecessary." She dismissed her artifact, the deadly weapon dissolving into a cloud of darkness. "I did use you. You were correct to call it what it was."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r09biSSTm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMrGYbXLhE
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEqATBCLcy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cEYs8finn
"However," she continued, adjusting the sleeves of her uniform, "rudeness carries consequences. Consider tonight's spars a reminder that courtesy serves practical purposes beyond mere tradition." 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmUY5sPtlz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0sTdRrkwF
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTfcXbQBTl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiN6OH7Xwt
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lig9XehEd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAcSV4zyVL
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk3P2SU5HX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOeEjYuTJb
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wpF84mlL5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLDteNUUk2
'I really do regret this.'192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUPLq59aRu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhaOOzmZM2
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5h7Zc7pDu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS8fzOMoR3
Lior had found something in himself after that conversation. His posture straightened. His voice grew steadier. During combat drills, he stopped apologizing for every mistake and simply corrected them.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF62O1GIDZD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUpNSIDuPM
The rankings reflected it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dx7uGcJYI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVRiKJlIDi
Rank 38: Lior192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMJ98aM1Gu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZImRan8zs
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9NXj4kGzA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCaeef43Gg
The change was small enough that most wouldn't notice. But Cel saw it in the way Lior held his practice knife, the determination that replaced hesitation.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDspcvIkXw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sbHOPhl1Y
Progress. Real progress.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaaF5WnV7T
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8acWlL2S5
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMW0GtFYnv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoFSSR0B8G
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMjIV7XLdF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbNXG0vk4C
He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqxjtHTYSg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2TDVcrVQe
None of it worked.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ew89aTw5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFMCQyALzc
By the fourth week, Cel had started to recognize patterns in her fighting style. The way she favored her left side slightly. How she created distance before committing to heavy strikes.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhe2NK4yIe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOwoBce2mA
He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aRTuuguJF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBIFvlnQ2I
The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZuknpmJgA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09vZeK94gz
Sometimes, during their matches, Hestia would pause and correct his stance. Adjust his grip. Point out openings in his defense with the same clinical precision she used to exploit them.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8hWfwFT9Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OvB4TqK9P
It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDM2EjLG45
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueNdTJtXdI
And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueYiVk8iP0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnrLTzXBgS
They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKWXDFr6Ky
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0LYVVGVvg
Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNawTV9xnhM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnLL8KWy2m
The routine held until one particular morning.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5SychLxuJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvrZc1HqxM
Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0iDbTkqFS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSWfizE7D7
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkTLoSNAC1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJEUPbZjZM
Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gPpi7HE9O
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgmYdvkr2P
Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm6x2oMMhY
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm165HqsE1
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"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzf7MI9NkV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz1oaGfDjN
Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx3hteu5fr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdD98Myx9Z
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpUZJRq1Z7
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She paused.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYhK7X4vrQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEMezAu2zD
"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGKZFxSKpQ 尼

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