The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPLvnyqjKF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT8eUssuQQ
Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh20dk0pUfI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirLNizA9ZX
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlU4ObNGFH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDgkwg6XG7
'Esrin.'204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYSoCP95l6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXqUBxDGZq
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkJxXWvAa9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JST6xzty0
The door opened.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmUYlySiIw
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She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67kAnjrQkv
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Every student seemed to hold their breath.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJgYnpBWqH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jrx4ssDrk
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkqSdySrBF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNLaX4VCoo
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtyy0cgQyX
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Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxhKk3QNk4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmAGLYw1v2
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwgngWkJSs
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The door closed with soft finality.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ3e3ZVHUt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrde0RzjeN
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa5B5YVlGF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97RmdP5cYr
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiCaf4bTAe
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eGTPGFJlG
"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaD4uxoxLK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRXwoxmHXu
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1k3sVaWTA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEPLXd8RPK
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5IzihGYRw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgPgfetJWp
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVzeQb5eLa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyjyA3eenj
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTwRnWmz5q
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Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6i9xUgQVo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v6VGylhsi
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAkTt0shTT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGwReL9hm1
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWFPlpCebi
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She met the girl's gaze directly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9a1zVn7lt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSKBtk3ZTG
"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNkauo7Nd0
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The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LFonBp71V
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Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXRhj9SVaD
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Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU17LVMDCf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVps88mcNI
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXmhwB4md0
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The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZsvYIvpF2
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"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrZYN68OWM
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Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfybGyIQHHD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE5pjP83BJ
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFzBBQevid
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Cb0adWSF
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegw0JsZ69f
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDKGS5SMtE
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaayzjc5fH3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GPLjeM3lX
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudYUfjwc9Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GwKPWkye3
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2u8LysA2u
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IlLEn0axJ
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAzZAyhMJE
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"Yes."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLR0IUNzJU
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The answer came flat. Final.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59VbAocWDE
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But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPNVn6jPSs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBFRI3I6VE
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2NBrtUXmi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQITlYUURYi
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv5CwzWrR8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhKTLfg1ZQ
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQC61nK3XD
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So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1ejdN78x7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkX6qWjTEr
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtB3iGnAgC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOKOndbpk1
Interest rippled through the classroom.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGCcr3AdTq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUZycOgzgk
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2N1vJEiqB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBkoep3KyD
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYRmuBg5Uj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgceqsiMq
She lifted two finger.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMju1fj2sM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05V97iZrt1
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrp9tSJ7YM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddDFFg6Pue
Cel's jaw tightened.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LPw6UmMIh
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'What about me then?'204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHX2Gay0h0
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The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oRycMFbQd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaiaeUw6pG
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ846rOoJjLq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNOvYSoUUv
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1k5CgdjbX
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She raised a third finger.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ANigdh3py
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlakELQKBWq
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi6WNsiTX1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ55lCNd15
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakJoE4pW2c
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PscbnLywR
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZJm0DetJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSosr8B9X5j
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUoPn80g1L
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx67mJPVLS
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Z8JgP3Yn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGXlfIbosx
She paused, letting that sink in. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyusdqhPSM
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"Most Chosen never achieve it.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv54DlamXPE
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A fourth finger joined the others. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj7AKGMlqB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ138AW8yNXu
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1F6lQH1kV
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She lowered her hand.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasGaYDQbnC
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"Only a handful in history have reached this level."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMItM98u17Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7psZQKFdK
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7lRLZJPfT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNe1I80yFS
Several students still looked confused. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ00YtP5sF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbOSZ4ndor
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR3u5C2UaI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgMJNKpWVc
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CT2YlzYuk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGVvmrEVZP
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cfMtHFnao
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Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMJ0SkJbO5
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"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiideK1v0tb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bz6SKKnDo
The classroom went very still.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW0NNcQR4x
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Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL2E1xPKX7
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Another hand rose.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijggL6YeAv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z1vO8nCWs
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX5K0dsMdG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58z4PGpNvs
The question was innocent. Curious.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUSuFscKS5
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But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIVztRMbCA
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Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGaMHZtA3x
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Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtUpWtuIEf
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His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2UWeLiKrE
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At Esrin.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUwPwEhh5W
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His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwefn2YHBvd
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'Did something happen between them?'204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei2xtjifqt
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Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMppZurAqX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybPFTxzhBa
"I forsook it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8S1pR2iNP
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The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy0QZeSALs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyw6zj003l
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId7JUDTLxR
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But Esrin's attention had already moved on.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSOXsvzqSI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTjGXYSksN
"Any other questions?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWL4sBjFqt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdZMjCChxV
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZouH2Z0SS
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Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGBusMxLkk
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Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJB2wi6uKe
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She walked toward the exit without ceremony.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkAzszyiHA
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Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOL5rmlyKy
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The door closed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZIS8sbHhs
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Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV7Bh0gTRe
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"Did you see her eyes?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAeaGObwLW
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"The way she moved—"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFYZ7uEbtE
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"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrgafVcUl6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUPIeezcI5
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98qOfNwklY
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Cel sat quietly, processing.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DVhEzVu0p
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA9E5hxgl0
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlS4arIa28
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos0HeBFw1H
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKngLPU2pN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Numak2duu
The question burned without answer.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIc0e1Whc1
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Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbX2CHv9PA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmUSzHlVto
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPAOuo54a9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGyi8YLNsY
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fDR4kmzHI
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His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUUk3fdIFJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYA4dlUKoR
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm4MzITs9r
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmamZrs6CcU
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW70YD50O9
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Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaV7VQs9cA
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"All of us are," Cel said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEPOCV76Yo
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgApithdVHu
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr8RoyN782
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupHePUVCOr
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaedIj7Pw10
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ8XSDJuI6
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1qZLgIMoZ
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDJTQVTF1J
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVPM4mrqU5
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection200ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVoNaGLLAc 尼

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