Nobody seemed to notice. Saren and Calder continued their assessment without pause. Students nearby remained absorbed in their own conversations. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nVRA0HTMi
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But Cel had spent enough time with Hestia to know. Had watched her maintain composure through sparring sessions where he’d embarrassed himself repeatedly. Had seen her process information with clinical precision while her face revealed nothing. Had learned to read the small signs that leaked through her careful control.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3CAz17F8M
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The conversation with the instructors concluded. Saren dismissed her with a gesture, already turning her attention toward the next arriving group. Calder moved to check equipment that students had set down near the village entrance.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wEH1LkslP
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Hestia stepped away from them. Her path led directly toward Cel, closing the distance with measured steps. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr6XkZXFDy
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Cel held her gaze for a moment, turning the question over before he let it out. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJFMb3EaI6
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“You’re not angry because of me, are you?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8tuRLgcKV
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The question emerged before Cel could reconsider it. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWAiZ1EAS3
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Hestia’s eyes widened fractionally. Surprise cracked through her composed expression for just a moment.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zsxG6JOuB
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Then she exhaled. The breath released slowly, tension draining from her shoulders with visible effort. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kPJMZyN7N
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“No.” The word came quiet. “Not because of you.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybYxNkZt2F
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Relief flickered through Cel’s chest, though he couldn’t entirely explain why her answer mattered. He watched her expression settle back into neutrality, the anger still present but less immediate now that someone had acknowledged its existence.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O4IQnnyxs
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“Why are you angry then?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjofqeFbsf5
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Hestia’s gaze cut away from his, tracking across the assembled students. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXvPTcL0Yf
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Then her hand closed around his arm.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8MKxStgiB
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Not rough. Not aggressive. Just firm enough to communicate intention as she started moving, pulling him with her toward the tree line. Away from the gathered students and instructors.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY13WbMRRM
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Surprise froze Cel’s thoughts for a heartbeat. Nobles didn’t initiate physical contact without warning, didn’t pull people away from groups for private conversations that could be misinterpreted.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEqKpLZ0lL
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But Hestia clearly didn't care what anyone made of it. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXmbDyWlqc
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They stopped perhaps thirty steps from the main gathering. Far enough that voices wouldn’t carry clearly. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6Rg4BuCQH
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Hestia released his arm. Her hand dropped back to her side, fingers curling into a loose fist.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkrsHYJMnS
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“How do you think the exam is going so far?” Her tone had shifted into something more serious.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XRPuzmlHj
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Cel considered the question. Organized his thoughts into honest assessment rather than polite deflection.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZORoyiZeQS
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“It’s working great,” he said finally. “Nobody’s gotten injured or died. To be honest, it’s been quite a pleasant journey so far.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4xXSFLkAU
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Something flickered across Hestia's expression. Not satisfaction. Something closer to resignation.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluRc8E9LO6
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“That’s exactly the problem.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PIvhxQIgw
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The words landed with unexpected weight. Cel’s brow furrowed, trying to understand what problem existed in a scenario where everyone remained alive and uninjured.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyld9IPB5ui
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“Why is that a problem?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToIwwmx7wJ
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Hestia’s crimson eyes fixed on his with uncomfortable intensity. “Do you remember the reason for this exam?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XtOQKZ5pM
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The question pulled at memory. Then understanding crashed through.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJQ56MeUfQ
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The exam existed to provide first real combat experience. To force students who’d spent months drilling technique in controlled environments to face actual creatures that wanted them dead. To build the instincts and emotional resilience that only came from genuine life-or-death encounters.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1PzP5Ao0M
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But they hadn’t done that at all.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl3nuVJu7S
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Every whistle brought Theron charging through the forest to eliminate threats before the students who’d called for help could engage. Every creature died at the hands of someone who’d already had more than enough experience. Every potential learning moment transformed into passive observation of overwhelming force.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgbwS4J2dT
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“It’s the worst kind of situation.” Hestia’s voice had dropped lower, carrying the particular frustration of someone who’d been holding these thoughts for days without outlet. “Everyone feels far too safe. Getting saved by Theron and his group every time a whistle sounds. Even though he doesn’t have to.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxZmXa0SiJ
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She gestured toward the village, though her attention stayed fixed on Cel.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lEeJFKFvF
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“The creatures in this territory are all of the lowest rank. Cursed blight, barely dangerous to trained Chosen. Injuries are to be expected - that’s part of learning. But any student here should be perfectly capable of handling them with proper coordination and tactics.” Her jaw set harder. “But what happens when they’re alone after the exam and encounter a stronger creature for the first time? When there’s no whistle to blow, no one to arrive and solve the problem?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvBfkPL54T
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The answer sat heavy and obvious between them.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4e8AuOH0h
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They’d die.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1IsrvLyVE
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They’d die believing someone would save them. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo5L7vCzYb
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“That’s why I said we would only assist groups and make plans together. Not fight for them.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3NtmCTL4N
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She took a breath, forcing control back over her tone.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIBJLTCF5h
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“Normally, it’s the nobles who take charge of groups. Those who already have combat experience, who’ve faced creatures with their families or during training expeditions. They’re supposed to guide the commoners through first encounters. Fulfill the responsibility that comes with their advantages.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIn9Q772Gn
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Her gaze cut back toward the nobles who meanwhile had arrived.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hbViG0XRO
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“But apparently everyone forgot their responsibilities.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu27FoCVNWU
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Understanding settled over Cel with uncomfortable clarity.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFvWaBM74t
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He'd wondered, distantly, why she'd taken on a weight no one asked her to carry. Why she'd spent her time developing a system for strangers instead of drifting toward her own kind, the way everyone else had. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnzIJugOfk
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It was because she saw it as her responsibility.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1XcbcasKT
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Because she was the heir to House Mortveil, future leader of the entire Death Clan. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUtkspcHDL
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And because nobody else had stepped forward to do it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSuxVX13bQ
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The other Great Clan heirs had gathered around Theron - Owen Peakscale, Sylvaine Grovethorn, Cordelia Tidecall and Percival Tempest. All clustering around the All-Blessed rather than taking responsibility for students who actually needed guidance.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VXt9rcODo
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Kyros and his sycophants had barely been seen the past days. Moving through the forest in their own bubble, contributing nothing to coordination or support.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfz78eLzTc
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Hestia had been left alone.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Kdrpns4o
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And now even Theron’s meddling - despite certainly coming from good intentions - had only made it worse. Students who should have been learning to fight had become spectators instead. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCXGuCxs7Z
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“Very frustrating indeed.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h3dA2EzvY
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Hestia’s expression shifted slightly. Not quite gratitude for understanding. More like relief that someone else recognized what she’d been carrying.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkww9Rt6CLM
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Footsteps approached from behind.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlaURQ0c0T
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Cel turned, finding Lior making his way toward them, steps a little too quick, shoulders set like he'd had to talk himself into it. His wheat-blond hair caught afternoon light, sky-blue eyes bright with something that looked like excitement despite the obvious nervousness in his posture.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RZoCBIJQO
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He stopped perhaps five steps away. His gaze cut between them, clearly aware he was interrupting something private. Then he straightened, forcing proper formality into his stance.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fJLbhiKjL
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“Lady Hestia.” The greeting emerged careful and respectful, accompanied by a slight bow. “May I speak with Celvian?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjJEEok6rY
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Hestia’s anger had already begun draining away, replaced by her usual composed neutrality. She studied Lior for a moment, crimson eyes assessing without judgment.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd22Dc1kCou
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He shrank slightly under the attention, shoulders curling inward. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sgJEk50hc
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“You may.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj7vKw0JS8
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Then she turned and walked away. Her black robes swirled around her legs with each step as she moved back toward the main gathering.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCq2qTOPCu
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Cel bowed slightly as she passed. He watched her go for another moment, then turned his full attention toward Lior.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tAJKU5I6d
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It wasn’t like him to interrupt a conversation - especially one with a noble. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY0Q9BESLv
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Something had changed. Something significant enough to override Lior’s usual anxiety about social hierarchies.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqZDDIqUOO
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“What’s up?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElafbdDGJH
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Lior’s face broke into a smile that transformed his entire expression. Genuine excitement replaced nervous energy, his hands moving restlessly like they needed occupation to contain whatever he was feeling.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEt6yrj3m4
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“It is true." The words tumbled out fast. “I’m sure of it now.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpfUly0phD
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Cel’s confusion deepened. “Sure about what?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOjnkov9et
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“This village.” Lior gestured toward the wooden walls, toward the open gate and the buildings visible beyond. His smile widened further, carrying joy that seemed disproportionate to the simple statement that followed. "It's my home."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uasWoQYlc
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