Kyros stood over Lior, fire-red outfit drenched and dripping. The expensive fabric clung to his chest, wine spreading across the embroidery in dark stains that would never come out.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlYOMfWwFJ
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His amber eyes blazed with fury.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReYnpKxhtg
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"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EIA5TsCGU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVYwgYcg0i
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXfrRcB2Iq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW4jQWfbsM
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xCILIbb6F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkpTs1r6bD
The crowd pressed closer. Students formed a tightening circle - nobles in the front, commoners hanging back nervously. The music had stopped entirely. Even the servants had frozen mid-step.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5LPsAvvfh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpVUc9js2y
Cel pushed forward through the ring of onlookers, Hestia just behind him. But there were too many bodies, too much space between him and where Lior knelt.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFz123zxj5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByAOEdNsBT
"Please," Lior whispered. His sky-blue eyes were wide with terror, locked on shattered glass fragments. "I'll—I'll clean it. I'll find a way to fix it. Just please—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nI2ApLThb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxw0Ddp0Vk
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG0xElvMVY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8VDe5xaH4
Lior flinched as if struck.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Vt37saRL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVDRUsxxPn
Kyros took a step forward. The movement was deliberate, calculated to intimidate. "But I suppose that's fitting, isn't it? A worthless Moon Chosen destroying things of actual value. It's what your kind does."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gKuntwYBE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ7y67vdIh
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpKxUNMmEL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpbSXSEKgY
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iGcW8W1rZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaZg1UMjKQ
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eoBn2x3Gq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmgUNiJua0
"That's not my problem." Kyros crossed his arms, heedless of the wet fabric. "Your clumsiness, your responsibility. Unless you're suggesting I should just accept the loss? That House Solgrand should simply absorb the cost of your incompetence?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U8giWFYHD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jzFQ4j7j3
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUhFU9S2e3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytkT2UDqN7
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9xmZGJp2i
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYD0MYFRJO
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqRsOfdDRZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn25CRNhRw7
"Can't what? Afford it?" Kyros's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Then perhaps they shouldn't have sent you here in the first place."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoXpnzYHEi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjrDSC7lax
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ2wJX6OiO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEKfFIjTnx
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn5LPSeb3m
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLokBN5POJv
Cel finally broke through the crowd. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. The air around him had gone cold - frost beginning to form on his palm.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfqJ13j7M1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuAz29LIrA
But before he could speak—189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7bbaiLO1r
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"That's enough."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjhWiceDyS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXLe3p5E26
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbjbDT2fMs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf96Hnv8Pd6
Theron stepped forward from the gathered nobles. His brown eyes were serious, the perpetual smile gone from his face. He moved with quiet confidence, positioning himself between Kyros and the kneeling Lior.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZIxYNNgTo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdl8ifTnEu
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqgMP3xFjg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzagDHEmj
The ballroom went absolutely still.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ciL4AXyq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA8wszXMCp
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrciGGQ8VUC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7feKZOWpai
"You gestured while speaking and stepped back without looking. Lior was already walking past with a glass. You moved into him, not the other way around."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbz2jowuJx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8iE1K73py
Several students who'd been nearby shifted, exchanging glances. Their faces suggested Theron's account matched what they'd seen but been too afraid to say.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Q1JJrLbx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDTr7Hwd0B
Kyros's hands twitched. His jaw worked as if chewing words he couldn't quite spit out. "That's—you're mistaken. Obviously you didn't see clearly—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm3mRaRgQG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD60FzzJOs
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8wEBD0xwI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDlC8ps4LP
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd193Z6YJtS
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He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysQ0lLRSR6
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Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIyMwLxSx
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But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtJ4NJCDP7
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Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ypH6qJff
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpUuliWw8Q
"Even if—" Kyros's voice had lost some of its certainty. "Even if I moved first, he should have been more careful. He should have—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsCJ3RkNaI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhxHBQhp61
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb5QmoxQVm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3uFoCfXEV
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDc1dlm6fN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKRxE0W14I
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDHAzBY4kM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeMrU1uYzh
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykUWV8k9ZM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFoEPkZTiG
"Lord Kyros."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGGbqtJXHM
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Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEv98S2AGF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPppuRcsCS
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXAihhjh24
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEdu0yb1t4
"Perhaps it would be best to let this go," she continued. "The evening has been lovely so far. It would be unfortunate to let one mishap sour the entire event."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypwUsReE38
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LKL3KvUXe
Kyros's jaw worked. Every line of his body screamed that he wanted to press the issue, to salvage something from this disaster. But Sylvaine's presence beside him, the weight of the watching crowd,  Esrin observing from near the wall—189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxWqsNJvws
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaD06R8UTO
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ThtwJdbTG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AqYfxxGm8
He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his wet clothing squelching with each step. Several of his usual followers hesitated, glanced at each other, then hurried after him.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBK9bMfzu0
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The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja9uAdppTC
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Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t0WCBDpgV
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"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AB9JC6DA2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO4iZQGHTw
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsERVZoK8O
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzh9A8Uqbu
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbbGix4PVk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIvCyWcXom
After a long moment, Lior's shaking hand reached out and grasped Theron's. The All-Blessed pulled him to his feet with gentle strength, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder until Lior stopped swaying.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYCzWxwvtl
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"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wYionR0qf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTx5id9n4D
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPwDLDc1XO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62TQLkaPX
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDVSefirx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqrNqARcq0
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDHRIqj2Sk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVt0PimQpB
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRnRYc6jLt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IKUmkWfiR
"How about some fresh air?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUUwzHFz4G
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He guided Lior toward a side door, away from the watching eyes and whispered conversations. Behind them, the ball continued, but neither of them had any interest in returning.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJD8Lp8FPB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa5WO70Esa
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nUn3nzTyZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7554VtX0BZ
Cel returned to his room and changed out of the formal attire with mechanical efficiency. The dark fabric whispered as he folded it, placing it carefully aside for the Academy to reclaim.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBE0flcbw4
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His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJJO1eJl7Y
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He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagPwvW9Rde
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The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wziOqMaH7
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He started his training in silence.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76kCsdlvek
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Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIafPZi14oK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuYznCUqKm
Hestia emerged from the darkness in her usual training attire - black and practical, stripped of the evening's elegance. Her crimson eyes tracked his movements with clinical precision.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5zfeMYxAo
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"You're here," she observed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE3i0XUPPG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCj4YqAZLf
"So are you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ587GGemgsp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcaXdLxctt
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ4v0LSDtn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG2YGDTCSo
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf1cHUeOhb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ14pwFCTm
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNqxv7WFeF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4OfBG60PJ
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeguc2PM332
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After a while, Cel broke the silence. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTDlvt1IcN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7nHbHZFkF
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3boZBL0jHw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiaRMdcI7D
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HVguamLPy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvvwWZ5O9k
"Standing up to Kyros like that. In front of everyone." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new sequence.  "Most people would have looked away. Especially someone in his position."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9zxf8L0MB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOqJimMShh
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby6pg97oGM
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Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzlTjJbDRZ
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"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwtLcynWK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA82BISbcn
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EZuO820VI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfxHkoJnSt
"She gave Kyros an escape. Made it easy for him to back down without losing too much face." Hestia's tone carried something that might have been approval.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtptiPTiFEX
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She tilted her head slightly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2amFoQFNKQ
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"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp5djBhGFJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkHQx9EF2
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaN6fsMaZp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej2pTlhWdo
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFA4WZXURN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikG7wxkG5F
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NnOQRw7fS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjsiiWHwJh
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjtvyWtarw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6fYNbGZLr
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w45wjxJ7K
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"You're curious about that?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcfbI2Q2FV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSEhGIUSz1
"Yes."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9UPhDCXb1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNoWXCKrfk
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbgY9EsaU6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqEcsCe7Xk
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK31cenhYWp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVBuCSutXJ
A pause.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9Q7LGMEZA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbp9qpnSZC
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkaDOL7Ovl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEtyokAh9R
Her gaze held his.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRdnZAdhWa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4bgMBRU08
"You're different. The scent doesn't cling to you - it emanates from you. It's not something you've accumulated. It's something you are."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd846RmjlP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRLaJ5xWfJ
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaNQIQnPjb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08uhDrD5PT
"What does that mean?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iNuO0RxRU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO3tEs1jvA
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LJowYwJ73
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1FBsBu8Re
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRI2zQrcyI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNFnoIO79e
Silence stretched between them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrXBArmbzx
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Unique. The word settled over him without the weight it should have carried. He'd died and come back changed - he'd accepted that fact long ago. He even found himself grateful for the power it brought. Either way, dwelling on it changed nothing. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wcvRBFsTV
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"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vlWq6p7sE
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSZn3AuFNK
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Then she shook her head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yNhJhKx6J
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"No."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgrnrKh2pP
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Cel blinked. "No?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSwkUJkMip
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWsydGgolz
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Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEvC5iXP8A
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Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVjgiDoK5g
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"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Q5oHj3pa
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The word hit like a physical blow.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx2ZTAun02
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK2Fr63Ymf
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Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycDwWwQvaa
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"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw87K8wbLD
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"Then what—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsrfKA4P2v
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"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx40pDlkQ4
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The night air suddenly felt colder.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArz6DhSIde
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg82cASwaV
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She shook her head slightly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V4prpYsGG
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VCwz62hvk
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Silence pressed heavy between them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Od3xMBA4
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGs0yQXixm
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJjhUvo72V
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In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y02sLSujB
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBatbG9Fia
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl06hRBb3b
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22zOOEuqcU
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLE1iunnJj
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAccflbia6a
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb09RL6Vcwn
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsscCIutRK
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SHh7PwKFx
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Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPU8x92Z2w
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But he couldn't say that. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA62ANQML5L
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2YJLs8Cm0
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"I—"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL2dJPuVOR
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJhbacpvgC
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---189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17weM6Ndho
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1234 copyright protection185ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4UXcF3DqK 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection185ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpNgQy71Km 尼

I wanted to apologize that the chapter on saturday was left out. I would recommend you to join the Discord to stay updated on those matters: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm1234 copyright protection185ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIwXE439nq 尼

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