"What do you want from me?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGqOq0iFz8
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTlQeQuibq
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU7vRUzLat
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFhJjNQkKH
Silence stretched.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Z7Xxup8E
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMBsHKIE2d
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJzJvnGdEA
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KkQoZMzj9
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y05GNyIvI
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xpy9dLvoV
"That's not an answer."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ecTwbMe2
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAjAsk5Sbd
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMGgLJUDPb
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qmMGgR7o8
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurZI4dp0pN
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlGCIqmw31
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojCg7ZbnqN
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq8XEt81j1
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RsUn4MMBC
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6kfmzcvHP
Finally, she spoke.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfpxIvHqNw
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDwdoq8TGk
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuFdqnScAI
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPn0WYnfUy
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQlUPjak85
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWqpQsNBcE
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7YaKIycbx
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphPGdPoTzi
"Yes. But do you know why?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZnkIeLWvu
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyUATmB4JI
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMxIsm4BTR
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0e0ttf2ry
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."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPBiMHMQ0V
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL1Fc6hh2f
She paused.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEnzLn2FdI
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS7Rq06lLr
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gztVeC1oY
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroTrzI7mx4
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dsC7Unmo6
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pylwsiBa3
"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."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KGesZha7h
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDDxSTShUw
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIohmproaY
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWufTB8aUU3
"We can smell death."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDUUXdXDji
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She paused.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbtFaHmqKo
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d4T62TUha
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtrhF2sI1b
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzxkbxPomu
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ8LxeqqU7
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAdICRPlFC
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZks4VHdw6i
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcABtP1pGa
"You reek of death."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7hvnJD5oX
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrldDc2MZo
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdJeVPYoOb
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kypR60jFR
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNsTtQ7dOj
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCGQIhfVCK
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dnu84rjdG
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXBEAUFUHT
'Raven.'104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBstTtnq3s
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw6VwfGpch
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjYnYZc24d
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFuOIVC57B
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? 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLouT4rtkIM
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ROnogeuXI
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXARJBVdJd
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPrN13o3PC
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv86Znbctnm
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC8cAIlgIS
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fMrQ3Yg3A
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWTfpOHL63
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94od5u2DgJ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIJIjdLsdy
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavtVu9we6s
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NZ9lcR6gc
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX1KI7GAWf
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKD8WMxErt
The irony was almost laughable.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRIhyjcoXY
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ACVSylqK
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZLYzaDFuW
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiPBqOpvDR
She met his gaze directly.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5MWLOAQ5y
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeKp6jDvI6
"I didn't lie."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMQJUxrkFP
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXXFQVunkY
"You didn't tell the truth either."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rKW3SAjLa
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO0K5PGI76
Silence stretched taut as wire.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSU6ytFmmq
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwV2Kf8RyT
Then Cel made a decision.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCweEDkMKwY
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekx1ga7EJ9
"Fine. I'll help you."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH9Osiyp27
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HASxWVmSx
Hestia blinked. "What?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi1YfD5QHJ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3MI8fBGHH
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj96RkfApz
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqLcQN4xFN
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDye7KDspb
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBWceGkukJ
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3dFHlghFn
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcZVDSQTcC
"You want to fight me?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wUj6FauHi
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh07hDJHVT
"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."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctWk6lkcfI
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah9wtKSU0S
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpota22A5A
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BDTB3shQ0
"That was extraordinarily rude."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkWxrR81C9
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOXwFb3qD3
"I know."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD9QTYqOiw
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSytVCmtDi
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67sJHV30pv
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI68q5qwfo2
"I know."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRaUd09y8r
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU7PZUYnLB
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7KoC54OHn
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xCwP4etiy
"Very well. I accept."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwynkEg5xeq
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglP7DWLqHG
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvwEU1zsBJ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0DhQP1NMl
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYoXALdbuG
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnUTNykiS5
A longsword.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEd4BcZrau
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxgAwquX7r
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOQyNnoeVw
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMArSNscVGv
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIhn78Yu3v
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl1EObMGsu
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEGGkBmLMZ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh4MMMYAmm
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjKXsgz9gU
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dR4Uz7eLe
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZQJRgUAyB
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf474XFNUw9
Cel moved first.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiL3wBxnuZ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBDxqjIUeY
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L15LRVmMo
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS5KfnpOET
Hestia's weapon intercepted.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75NdUw0Pu7
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQjpACidPE
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafnuLHTccW
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmXYPvrnKh
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48vPQpA4Su
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXwpQJFzDy
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG99uHIPD3P
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq3bt9lsK9
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNv9Pdg75N
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaxD6NdgPy
Her knee caught him under the chin.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuBLrrRuPL
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiyvyKDICN
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0gKa3EOi9
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonnpiSHNgf
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSCbr6FEAe
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYGUK6KL63
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCynrSd6ve
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft17FKzVCe
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iBeZNEOAy
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGSQcmFeDn
"Yield?"104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgurYuMUx2c
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVL3GLzTgH
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e1tL9DfGi
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOJAvIxVVx
"Yes."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuKeYN9USX
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf30tusGKVs
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iy1yEvK0g
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJDNt9r9lL
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST3DXtczgh
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY3ckuQyar
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzwZ2dpmA4
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MNk8i9GsQ
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHH1iUmZ6Z
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmBrujP1yp
Cel raised Silent Moon again.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag9ceOMIez
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pG3OLBQhr
They fought.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6WhWIArG4
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFECZMjO13L
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy2L5kLbKi
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V2OFIn6yi
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf7ddippau
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMCNJdoWXQ
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw25vD5VjO
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Rj8BN1yOW
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbbeANVGyf
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE92yoTsdi
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjHacahOT1
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiHVbvFaRj
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5b97wuHgu
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocbfqPsYOO
"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." 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F4MABfXYs
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS21GaVCl1
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAz3CKHB9V
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4yvUNGbPl
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnot83MA3ob
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce2IvAoW5f
"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."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIx14yniwf
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfNof4yUJr
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3h84amNNM
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmZjAL3gAp
"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." 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXFlVvm3mJ
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6EjCKCfM2
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4j1SVo0Fq
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfkjpOasVF
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5bTwRRu81
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl9ThO68QU
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseIiQp7mSS
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv0BTSWYqU
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFA3Pti01T
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0uMqxfhNa
'I really do regret this.'104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpINkWGqWS7
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vCZkNajQ3
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmKOVG4oPD
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtMB680Lhc
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8GXCVtzGz
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJVNU4wFsr
The rankings reflected it.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB3e6YKFfq
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Rank 38: Lior104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I1kS3Lb5u
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5guTHeyBsb
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsrmK3xLhL
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY2Xorl3WU
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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tGWw6RH8A
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM9T69vLjm
Progress. Real progress.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBQKosGwhC
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAp5pEZGDT
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa07YHMT6Yi
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ06gzHM7Ps
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFjuIU18Yt
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He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeHMUikSQ5
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None of it worked.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c9sa5fMS5
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz628UACmsh
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He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVzvCEbWwb
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The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMUTJb45sf
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl8RZvB5RP
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It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99NWgKukCx
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And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlDWWs0tUI
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They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ0OfpO2DB
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Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsI624jYzW
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The routine held until one particular morning.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLtar2lOuE
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Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT3hgp1VNj
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Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpovHWTGGEr
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Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DEWFPr5Ge
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Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHwdVWBOYN
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0vRA0G1UF
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"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNT8Npo2VF
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Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrFglqPdvc
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"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezoj6yK3lM
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She paused.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuMl1uwWZT
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"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection100ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL1wC22FI6 尼

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