Lior pushed himself to his feet slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin lying on its side, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmvqOCkNo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLbeqVj77
He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him. Didn't say anything. Just picked up the basin with careful hands and walked back toward the well, joining the end of the line that had grown longer.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5hwe0NWe7
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmTW944Or2
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaWz9tEVR0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlDzklROfn
The line shifted forward slowly. Students ahead drew water, their conversations a low murmur that didn't quite mask the occasional laugh directed at Lior's back.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifPJXHSVFQ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T00Jp6Cf3
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7HOiQ111f
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AXjsifF5T
"Morning."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOrMluJxck
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIV2Z5hgFm
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfhgQiaCRP
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFSa42g65H
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldc59gJOlc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV6CxVASjh
Lior's expression brightened slightly. "Hard. Really hard. But..." He paused, searching for words. "It's a blessing, being able to learn this. Reading and writing, I mean. My parents never had the chance."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbeRIk75tQ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHF6fjEDgg
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoG4rHDNgR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNs4NFqN12
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5UABokpdf
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzMayzrckA
"It will."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqjfbZq7nh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnPNoOAsBw
They reached the well. Lior hauled up the bucket with both hands, the rope groaning under the weight. Water sloshed as he tilted it carefully, filling his basin to the brim.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c7jJVhsiy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5tmM9V1pg
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cbDv9cecv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4gLhBzxtf
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WIAIyQKls
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps2685SNnU
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabKA0xGRcC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn3eNRdB7A
"Ready?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI1XlkzGfL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBlgdrObth
Cel nodded.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEdIkxOlpS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEsJY3WYO6
He turned toward the area where students washed - and kept walking past the closer, emptier spaces. His path led directly toward where the boy sat, pulling his academy uniform over damp shoulders.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFbGBSt0EI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwv6V9RLhj
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iuOsieXAN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyxd4F7bE8
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzHMCXT5F0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyOXJvbKM9
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa7fmhlrps
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hQKSXabbq
Cel's foot caught on nothing.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jkJ6nx8Kb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypoSzKtNru
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1nbJ0xYe1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDVAsLKnGm
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xlk7syJ1I
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uy2GCkPLa
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxA9UuNOfa
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxT1AsPMOL
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdstPgYVjm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVbQtX4d4b
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn3hMmVNf0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBhZ1rXkNL
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmUqgtbJJF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP00iyGHZv
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9POHKJJFmW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbdQ9ZkGCn
"Are you kid—"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiNY9x93da
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX1bqKJouF
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXVWUWNv79
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07CNmIbVjY
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Khv8lvses
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPW0qtuFGV
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDFqfhuSl4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP4jwMKXQ3
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmNjaVg6UL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVyMNaCS63
Then he released his grip and stepped back.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cZiph1vq8
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkcYK204Sv
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnATckN6fhp
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJl1SKT4SW
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAU5zXunGE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhQJTcUASB
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCs2il1xun
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlorPbsal3L
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSl6i3vJc
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln4JsUvqTD
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5ugmv1aTY
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4rtLhnfWM
"Thanks."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo554yy3noe
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ1Aa8D2KX
They moved to an empty corner. Lior set the basin down with careful hands, his gaze darting back toward where the boy still sat paralyzed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxevkCXSPH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfId6gNuxxh
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGVC7Bj1v3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphgbel7DdP
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjyZUK6oGS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvguAek42z
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnprP2FSDL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIVyPO6KaK
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmoA3PjDZ9
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnzscyJCN2
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ5eb5P85i
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhRLWFX0pp
"You have a nice body."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU85lrqTeer
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzt23ItHEy
Cel glanced at Lior.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkTEEsYWel
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NxGfXOHkw
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6dW0FCSu5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0mzQA2OA4
Lior's face went red the moment he realized. "I mean—that came out wrong—" He gestured helplessly. "It's just... you're really built."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGavj2XvEiU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EEm7ux7wD
A pause.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV79xwDDgA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pnuT5xHxE
"How did you get it?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcFJmINCRN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AIjnnrZx6
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs1NOq8VKg
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvtyE6JGWU
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05xIKF2ZF9
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwnrL7fV4p
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtSP3r3GaS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OU9XZkK53
Morning assembly.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgMBGl7dMq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMev3d9Ygn
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEZ0uNjlY6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA7A059MgN
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89K8dHFXr1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrqaVqHZRY
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZdTIAmptd
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDcbw8wpkO
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYBb2X6i6V
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCtbFjhbqD
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx6vhS5uYg
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUaRTeCuJK
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIQ00gw63q
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG1dMl3CoT
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZM2cS15Dw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK82TbRMKl
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBNSIb7UNP
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTFPvkuY6Q
Then combat training.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pvRoz3OPa
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkbWu6la1a
Instructor Calder stood in the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. Weapon racks lined the wall behind him - swords, spears, axes, all designed to kill.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsrmkPWgUq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMv0UnXsiP
"You don't choose your artifact," he said without preamble. "The gods decide. Some of you will receive swords. Others axes, spears, bows, staves. A few might get something stranger."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGXAbrw2TB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4UXjkCGis
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTuic4Hyi3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfj8H9MaUz
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPMim12rZk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGgMcUJV5q
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMs5XKd9KG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64kkK8Aou8
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWOSeRCZLB
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbp1SQ7mhO
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXu6FlVKNN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQjfdkHKy2
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RCMtdGpGv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jYDroTZrw
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aMcwjDBKo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39aiolwm99
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAEm4GdpHL
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqC6lFHEc
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMoI91WLUC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjztan4ERTw
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9sjDBvMjb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGwg29NQt2
His blade rose overhead in one smooth motion, held steady at the apex, then descended in a controlled arc that ended with the point aimed at the ground.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvolMhPvTpt
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskmCovEXJD
"Again."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdVO8EU9pZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUkkptMSlM
The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQnJB1bRSR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWhSkEGJee
"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF4ogqTvff
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHses942d3
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKhiH0PiRF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkINf2QatDM
The training began.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWs4W1zjiI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLtNgLkfyA
Cel's body moved through the motions with muscle memory he'd thought buried. These weren't the techniques of House Solmar - no blazing offensive sequences, no emphasis on overwhelming aggression.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT6XvT0Rug
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenR6zoWvpP
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgNhNZaay4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsPW7xW8oI
He'd studied them once, years ago. His weapons instructor had insisted on broad knowledge despite his father's preference for the Solar Blade technique.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOlIkalhYm
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMAYKdih2O
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pwpr6bWAF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NbFd7SWg
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ye6XMzgf
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiXK34Gc4s
Cel forced his third swing to drift slightly left. Let the fourth end too high. Made deliberate mistakes that would mark him as learning rather than trained.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQQXsuPR7g
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPO8Bc3v97
But the Solar Blade technique... he'd need to forget that entirely. The forms were too distinctive. Any observer familiar with Sun Clan methods would recognize them instantly.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u6f4K2Xiv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJw5we4qKL
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurxKyJsC2d
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53iv7LbZK2
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWdWOvQkEo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NiwSeppJm
Days bled into weeks.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8CUgLXvwj
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXYXJleQig
Morning conditioning pushed bodies past limits. Theoretical classes filled minds with knowledge. Combat training taught weapon forms that repeated until they became reflex, leaving calluses on every palm.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvyphme6kw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE8vECo1Wn
Cel attended everything like the others. Made mistakes during combat drills - mistimed swings, overextended lunges. Pretended confusion when Instructor Saren covered topics he'd learned years ago.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ3fUO3XwX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPFSSAPxzf
But physical conditioning betrayed him.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLTHS9ymAH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpRw1BO91z
No matter how much he feigned exhaustion - letting his breathing grow ragged, allowing his movements to slow - his body wouldn't tire enough. While others collapsed after the final sprint, he remained standing. 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkwVu5WZiZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqWlsTBaxB
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgTkr9UUxR
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG3Zs6WwG0
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUrZP6sfys
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QAWFTdWwL
Combat training told a different story.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJfNDO3x8a
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Vf8POOwB
His strength worked against him there. A basic parry became a disarming strike when his opponent's blade went flying. A controlled thrust nearly impaled the practice dummy. His two-handed grip shattered a sword's crossguard.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KjMuacOnE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvYsidJYJU
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7yw3DTy4x
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUIzcXV0Fg
The lie held. Barely.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaGisuP4FS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrTLOMQaUj
His Divine Energy problem was a simpler. When asked to demonstrate his control during theoretical lessons, Cel simply said he possessed a trait that suppressed his signature.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCQkNDiXfe
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMX4QZl4mZ
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lBADYl74j
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9sjBWC1pU
The nights belonged to training.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUJbC2A8tU
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS7pHTbGvo
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutxUMkc9bi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07FTkI7w9v
Free days took him into the city.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bG94Lh9I3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zBbrf0xWM
The Moon Church welcomed him with empty silence. Most visits, Lyra wasn't there. But sometimes she was, arranging flowers or simply praying. They would talk about small things. Safe things. He never stayed long enough to risk deeper questions.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1oDui7z7h
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAIbhcYqe
Lyra mentioned their mother occasionally. How she'd joined the Chosen Legion after the divorce. How she was leading missions in the name of the royal house now. Cel absorbed every detail without comment, tracking his mother's movements through his sister's casual updates.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgLkGMT7iG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazh1XKTuhx
The Golden Hart offered different comfort. The bartender knew him now, poured without asking. Cel drank and listened to conversations around him - politics, gossip, complaints about work. He absorbed it all without participating.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvygvQdCo36
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd0mxwT9no
Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUu9jvkXps
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym63K8SrcG
It was... peaceful. In its own way.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvGjqzKOVf
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUOR12Xd2D
Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbtskUHGii
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX46ioFrgz
Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOJr1ipDri
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjspCm3j2s
"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeIblk93zS
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaOT2yHQZ9
Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14RJn6dzDy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52grdz9dTr
"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCPiK3xPH
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ZSCXRZBY
"It's fine."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNXw5JOVGE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DpJwktmhf
And it was.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZErKxvErb5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5jqF3wbGe
No one approached Cel or Lior.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRiGQFBjeF
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXJxut0wZ4
The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uyGvdjbdI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF7I79OXt4
They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDmMZiItij
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rkiTdnbsk
Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJJFjJzPgC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz2lPWNtNQ
Cel didn't care either way.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPuloJn3oX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKU6EIOFXB
Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnBd8Dcriz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWzmf59A2f
The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDqaggY4sl
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKSWolzDi4
Cel's strength improved despite his best efforts to hide it. His sword forms remained clumsy - from the lack of talent and from his overflowing strength.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BuG47oiSJ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPqSFWLQcm
On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tB8lIjZZe
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqlDMacI2c
"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu12FBsQD78
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRz9IRWuo2
Silence answered her.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyWOqwIYrC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXB4oDWfJw
"You've had four months to prepare. To learn your place. To understand what's expected." Her gaze swept the assembled commoners. "When they walk through those doors, you will show proper deference. You will not embarrass yourselves or this Academy."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ZyKtdhbA
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRbNNfsrCx
She paused.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu3TnS0WcN
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQGQp5o0x2
"And you will remember - they've trained since childhood for this. Everything you've struggled to learn in four months, they've mastered over years."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pkRhYCdh4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN5ZCf1QIO
The weight of that truth settled over the room.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdRCrwXv5s
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bRko6zdfP
"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx4NjeuqZJ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMUmMmiwR4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXUp6hroFW
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPL4LNx7xN
----78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpEXxbJbK0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKycrEjuI2
​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL6L3Q15nv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV4ZvVbNvJ
I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtUZoVAQr
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqKsMdXAXb
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqiHgPuAC0
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGYy7Fby1k
1234 copyright protection74ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLdCi9PXzi 尼

216.73.217.22