His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYbMTjOwGA
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"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbCyQCFZ1E
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyWsbYfcBw
Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV40wYymQx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJRHU9W6rq
His eyes snapped open.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CpAsrhZQY
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The ceiling of his room stared back. Wooden beams. Familiar cracks.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKOAqTsJcO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTCvMRBts2
Cel's breath came in short gasps. Sweat soaked through his shirt, making the fabric cling to his skin. He pushed himself upright, pressing his palms against his face.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJVNwXwCPR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecOhkv96EE
‘Just a dream.’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuB9U3qbwa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneKXAKk5zc
The same dream that came whenever exhaustion finally dragged him under. He didn't need sleep anymore - Eternal Witness had freed him from that necessity. But four months of relentless training had taught him that not needing sleep and not benefiting from it were different things entirely.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCNVV88cQX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSWmQfqQt9
His body could push indefinitely. His mind couldn't.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzXGOY24BB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OR4IHvh8P
So he slept. Not often. But sometimes.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtRRwG7u5E
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NK1hO68z
And the nightmares always waited.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsDO0pX0Mr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KGbiNQJSL
Cel swung his legs off the bed, feet finding cold floor. Dawn light filtered through his window - pale and gray, the sun not yet fully risen.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT00jUMQaL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNqNPFKat
An off day. Their weekly rest from training.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UPp04Y95A
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrMp8N0klf
One day before the nobles would arrive.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDYSjVW7cN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdeB0MFIu
He stood and moved to the basin in the corner, splashing water on his face. The cold helped ground him, washing away the lingering fragments of the dream.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgVPRa1jlr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtcxuR18jF
An hour later, Cel walked the capital's streets with his hood drawn up. His feet carried him without conscious direction through familiar routes. Past the market square. Through the craftsmen's quarter. Down the narrow street where the Moon Church waited.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUDYBMQHHL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPivmxfxEu7
The building rose ahead - simple stone, unmarked except for the crescent carved above its door. Cel's hand found the handle and pulled.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4crkAD4x3I
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMavIAPOoW
The door swung open.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRY8PGam3D
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj653MxwNx
He froze.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqfdAupVtX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h0PvTZJs6
Lyra knelt on the floor near the altar, her dress bunched around her knees as she scrubbed at stone with a wet cloth. Water dripped from the fabric, leaving dark trails across pale rock.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCtJKQCgi9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmASu64CMb
She looked up at the sound of the door. Surprise crossed her face - eyes widening, hands freezing mid-scrub - before recognition softened her expression into a warm smile.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW6PNdLEV0
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNgarFK1k
"Oh… Good Morning." She started to rise, then seemed to remember the cloth in her hands and settled back down. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone this early."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUyjNPiZM8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUoUlmMeS7
Cel stared at her. At the bucket filled with murky water. At her reddened hands.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz2F9lyiB3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUigRRYmFAy
"What are you doing?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYILn9CDIOx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIoDI3xdP1
"Cleaning." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj799ELzQk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsE1rPjkQ4
A sharp voice cut through from the shadows near the entrance. ”And that's exactly the problem, my lady.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuS3rD0yQI
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUhH29bs1D
A woman in servant's attire stepped forward - Lyra's personal maid, the same one who'd collected her after each visit. Her expression carried the particular exhaustion of someone fighting a losing battle.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFMcAH8z8b
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98jIymEDRS
"You shouldn't be doing this," the woman continued, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not proper."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWaa4RC4OK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmqghvxHxY
“It's perfectly proper when I want to do it, Margaret." Lyra's voice remained gentle but firm, as if they’d had that conversation countless times.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g8uwM98u7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmVoGHzNKP
Another figure emerged from a different corner - a younger servant Cel hadn't noticed before, carrying a second bucket. She bowed quickly when Cel's attention found her.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH0HoyXpyS
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aFItR78tK
Cel scanned the church interior. Empty benches. Dusty corners. Just Lyra and the two maids in the entire space.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Lu0NiMB5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH8AohwZXf
"Is there no one else maintaining this place?" he asked.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6X7OnuT9n
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAegLXe32D
Margaret sighed softly. "The Royal House owns this church, young master, but..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It is not maintained. Has not been for some time."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eEBjwhEdI
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6dDUefSVe
“That’s why I do it.” Lyra cut in proudly, as if announcing good news rather than confessing to doing a servant's work.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3znR1vc1j
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Zc1nmqcW
Margaret's hand rose to touch her temples. "And that's why we're helping. We can't let our young lady do all the work alone."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMQYM6G5mJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYatR47ntf
The younger servant nodded vigorously, her agreement silent but emphatic.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7z8ibMnlP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqRU2HUFbn
Cel looked at Lyra again. At her smile. At the way she knelt on cold stone.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3VKwTGTn9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99em0M4ICJ
Their father would have beaten her senseless for this.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyy393EyfX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnEHTK20Kz
The thought arrived with cold certainty. Lord Aldric would have seen his daughter scrubbing floors and lost whatever thin restraint he possessed. The shame of it. A noble child doing servant's work.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WDff0MkTV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAPX9sznlP
But Lyra simply smiled and went back to her scrubbing.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cMibJRl1f
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClTs1ddR9P
"I'll help." 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqt9NMFdVj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQknP1gK18A
The words left Cel's mouth before thought could catch up.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD3YkfCYxJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHNSUWM3VB
Margaret's eyes widened. "Young master, you don't need to—"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sWTS7NbGz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhMAZjZrAX
"I want to."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlySUtgqgHR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6XfrEAN7g
"Really?" Lyra’s face brightened, voice lifting with genuine warmth. "That would be wonderful."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrSBeRlMfN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKps1dHc4P4
Margaret and the younger servant exchanged glances, clearly uncertain how to refuse a Chosen who'd already made up his mind.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfDAmngz1m
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ydXKFMTV
"There's another cloth in my bucket," Lyra said, gesturing. "And we still need to clean the benches. And the windows. And—oh, the altar could use polishing too."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0viF6GBVh
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1jHN7CkG
The work began.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvPUi8j88U
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxE66WhmD7
Cel found himself on his knees beside Lyra, scrubbing at ancient stone that held dirt in every crack and crevice. The water in his bucket turned gray within minutes, then nearly black.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi0rgcotC6
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqiymsH1o0
"You don't have to press so hard," Lyra said, demonstrating with her own cloth. "Just steady circles. Like this."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5P6gk4a3a
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqcFJXmzoh
Margaret worked on the benches, her movements efficient and practiced. The younger servant cleaned the windows with careful strokes.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKjp5DfaSO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWktjLCde28
They fell into an easy rhythm. The silence broke occasionally with conversation - Lyra asking about Cel's studies at the Academy, Margaret offering tips on removing particularly stubborn stains, the younger servant making quiet observations about the dust patterns.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk7j3U3VnB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIzzR5rQhY
"I come here every week," Lyra said as they moved to a new section of floor. "Sometimes twice. It feels wrong to let it fall apart like this."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvLJ7R69kL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkukscUn9L
"The Moon Goddess deserves better," Margaret added from her position at the benches.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiSqoUTTUu
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CPbPh6nd8
"Exactly!" Lyra's enthusiasm bubbled over. "She's a goddess, same as the others. Just because she doesn't have a Great Clan doesn't mean her church should be forgotten."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieG1nriFGX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOt7HiudxB
Cel's hands stilled for just a moment. Then resumed their circular scrubbing.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVpgB8MwPh
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCtsfi97gq
The hours passed in comfortable work. The church slowly transformed around them - dust cleared from corners, grime lifted from stone, windows letting in more light than before.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WQzIe2WZK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnkMsElfD2
By the time they finished, afternoon had faded toward evening. The church looked... better. Not perfect, but cared for.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr1zqOodFK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGFZdx1Pe1
"Thank you," Margaret said, bowing deeply to Cel. "Your help made this go much faster."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqAlzV93q7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWGAK1KIh6
"Yes, thank you." Lyra glanced back inside. "It usually takes us hours longer. Having another person really makes a difference."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD1KEKw3HH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IM2dZLXsz
The other maid bowed as well, gathering the buckets.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlctcWhiDF
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP8dmEfEER
They parted at the church entrance. The two maids heading back toward whatever duties awaited them. Lyra promising to see Cel again soon, her smile warm and genuine.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy1gGARJNX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBBPjDbdmK
He pulled his hood back up and stepped into the evening streets, his feet turning toward familiar ground.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTVVdtHXO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxFf1wfrG4
The Golden Hart's door swung open beneath his hand.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wgT248rig
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLWsOkNxG5
Sound crashed over him like a physical wave.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLonxQ2wHV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2LubaqiGa
Music. Laughter. Voices raised in celebration, argument or both. The tavern was packed - every table full, people standing in clusters between them, the bar lined with patrons waving for drinks.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAuTCXDTOe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlacRvB922X
Cel paused in the doorway, momentarily overwhelmed.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWadUPrYh4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqkJzpIqvs
The bartender spotted him immediately. His weathered face split in a wide grin.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZrZqmzPLX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE0b2rqQ5q
"Ah, there you are!" He beckoned with one hand, the gesture exaggerated. A wink followed. "Come here, boy!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT8EedD6vq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDIZx2warD
Cel navigated through the crowd, confusion clear on his face.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYJLJeP4ML
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OnaKALs2E
‘What's going on her?’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4Me9HDghy
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUk2T7A8oz
Strong hands gripped his shoulders the moment he reached the bar. The bartender spun him around to face the room, one arm wrapping around his shoulders in a gesture that was half-embrace, half-presentation.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk7SC2599k
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEVUqv39YA
"This is Cel!" the bartender announced, his voice carrying over the din. "If someone beats him, everything goes on the house!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUegspJ5mj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrCfUGNfSh
The tavern erupted.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3zjy5kth5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v3LmEYLyw
Cel twisted his head, staring at the bartender. "What the hell are you talking about?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACPu16Zp5r
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zfsPNwIsv
"Drinking contest, of course!" The bartender's grin widened. "Been talking you up for an hour now. You wouldn't make a liar out of me, would you?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNb4tsHjKi
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRASqrytJi
"You think that boy can drink?" someone shouted from across the room, laughter following the words.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lalHvhR1P
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfwd5vYy0U
"He looks barely old enough to hold a tankard!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD89Ko6VjG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK9CqUCdbo
"You sure you want to lose all your money, old man?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21S6tVKYpa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fXVckA9pA
The bartender's arm tightened around Cel's shoulders. "This boy puts away more ale than any three of you combined! I've seen it myself!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJM5Lq0g48
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSlnoXxs1J
"Then I'll take first challenge!" A broad-shouldered man pushed through the crowd, already swaying slightly. "Easy coins!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rfac8c3cO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbuqi087pg
A table cleared instantly, patrons scrambling to make space. Chairs scraped. Bets started flying through the air - coins exchanged hands, odds called out and adjusted.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNujVXrzm43
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXRNiHbLuz
The man dropped into a chair with a heavy thud, gesturing at the seat across from him.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWJUfpHe2b
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGHyQltjsO
Cel looked at the bartender.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPjxRCveHa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyJXX8V37J
The bartender's eyes gleamed with anticipation.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRCCcC5BPj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtwc7pCG2N
Cel sat.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyiBKkJVig
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQTyfA9svW
Two massive tankards appeared on the table, filled to the brim. Foam spilled over the edges.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz7YaWYK4n
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ER578uWs
"First one to stop loses," the challenger announced, lifting his drink. "Simple enough for you, boy?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNSUuPrJtr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUXUnSmZaR
Cel lifted his own tankard.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkklVL906Wj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS6scKehfb
They drank.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDievpULOWa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5osPQljbZ
The man who challenged Cel went down after six rounds. His face had gone from red to a sickly pallor, and he stumbled away from the table muttering curses.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gWmSeqmPB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sKLMbUgJF
Cheers erupted from those who'd bet on Cel. Groans from those who hadn't.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZ4Q9ST4Q
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPvNWWZ8mo
"Next!" someone called.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkqFegmswo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WFgPazGc8
A woman took the seat. Confident, experienced. She matched him drink for drink through eight rounds before her eyes glazed and she had to concede.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTNmLuGov5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvbJ3zvOYt
Then another challenger. And another.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Tyrz5eBc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv8FHWHtdd
The crowd grew larger. People pressing in from all sides, abandoning their own tables to watch. Voices rose higher with each victory, disbelief mixing with growing enthusiasm.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82KI6r1eWV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrY5pKeExl
"How is he still standing?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb6Km0yu23
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG87y3BE5W
"That's his tenth opponent!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK4yMKfefq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtxdmhpi0l
"I've never seen anything like it!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUhfdyKGnT
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkj2LqL7gp
Cel felt... something shifting. A warmth spread through his chest that hadn't been there before. His thoughts moved a fraction slower. The edges of his vision had started to blur slightly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89edlLmnIo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR4IZJQ5vP
The alcohol was finally affecting him.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHw6irxnFZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u8lJUOJUG
Apparently, his divinely forged body wasn't immune - just extraordinarily resistant. But even the strongest resistance had limits. And he'd been drinking steadily for hours now.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLQb0hpqlj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr77Q6nImB
Strangely, he didn't care.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgB38bCXks
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvvIWwMwco
The warmth felt... good. Pleasant. Like the weight he carried had lightened just slightly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf45t2Uga5O
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkiBZvhk6E
A man collapsed face-first onto the table after round four. The crowd roared.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZehrk2pbC
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbSqutHzS5
Another challenger sat down. This one massive, his arms thick as tree trunks. He glared at Cel across the table.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F6gQ7iyrk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pgcwhkU6Z
They drank. One tankard. Two. Three.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSkfIadY4o
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbbWD7rkwD
The man's face grew redder with each round. Veins stood out on his temples. But he kept pace, determination written across his features.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2XGFq7oB4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9HFHDbDqn
Seven rounds passed.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD7i4hHDeM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvblq2Qu3YZ
The man slammed his empty drink on the table. "That's it. I'm done."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3hzxMaSXO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTabxY7o6Op
But his expression shifted immediately - anger replacing defeat.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YwNu0OYMB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXqp5hhHgc
"This isn't fair!" He pointed at Cel, his words slurring. "I'd beat you easily if this were an arm wrestling contest instead!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWljmvucMY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEgGwFOXqZ
The crowd turned on him immediately.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrioZixfxc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4xu89mmwV
"You lost! Accept it!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu0CwVsvnd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQiq4nEvJf
"Don't be a sore loser!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJaR6WBkxe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbYyWTjS0Y
"You want to arm wrestle a boy half your size? Have some shame!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKBNzA0r7T
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8FqmbzApZ
Cel's mouth moved before his mind caught up. The alcohol made everything feel distant, decisions easier.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Xot2DRmm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QnI67kToe
"Fine by me."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9rrmhOcsN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bEz6F1k0v
Silence crashed down.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL70ndnVKYP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4egEAPPNc
The crowd stared. The massive man blinked, clearly not expecting agreement.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkOj9qZY3M
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5474jAKlFY
"You... you sure, boy?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevkfnHsuzJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHYtfJfMHS
"Why not?" Cel answered without thinking. "Let's do it."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXtEnpMuPI
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiwoyiPDZw
The table cleared. They positioned themselves, elbows planted, hands clasped.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXdtyjCYUR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwheEBjQ5z5
"Three!" someone called. The crowd joined in. "Two! One!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hurl8Nnb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8E4SM1mn
The man's strength hit immediately - real force behind it. Enough to make Cel actually engage his muscles instead of relying purely on his divine body.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VYXRJ8Jip
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cfr9mm8dM
But only slightly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWSj2WAsWB
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNZ49MviA6
The man's hand slammed to the table within seconds.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKgjPYyCG7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDAxeh2bRz
The tavern exploded.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5cuYYspJE
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqqzPwJdUI
"Did you see that?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K9kbCH81u
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOdw6fvA8m
"The kid's a monster!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc208KdoA0
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdC5sK3QrE
"Who else wants to try?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpox2pknJgo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcNT2z8MCf
The drinking contest transformed. One by one, patrons lined up to test their arm against Cel's. Some lasted longer than others. But none won.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOLAhQcXGI
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocojhg2fUQ
Cel felt the warmth in his chest growing stronger. He found himself smiling. He laughed at jokes he normally wouldn't find funny. Responded to teasing with his own.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vXjMu3YO9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xVWj0i0Ua
The crowd loved it. They cheered for him. Clapped his shoulder. Treated him like he belonged.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UP5oviAWd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yHJgeN4hO
It felt... really good.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPdkkv9yM5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm5baEknLB
A new figure approached through the crowd. Hooded. Moving with confidence that suggested sobriety.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf4a3yYC87
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8UvVOgPKS
He sat across from Cel and pulled back his hood.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfavs4qrKat
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeuZq5WDyj
A face Cel's age looked back at him. Broad features. Stone-gray eyes, steady and direct.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRamA9KzZTA
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUCIfP4ZMy
They clasped hands.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmugjTfKRn
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDNHGwgq4x
The countdown began.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtidBNlurmH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2VhaJGWFj
The moment their match started, Cel felt the difference. Real strength. Not just muscle and determination - something more. Divine enhancement.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorFgB7a15o
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CquN5orwj
Another Chosen.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrTd1pwz3Z
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUIAm5DFnq
Cel had to actually push. Had to engage more of his strength than he'd used for any previous challenger.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzq04Pjaa7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoinLvu8r4
The wood beneath their elbows groaned.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d0eHBmqSW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrMK2I8X1b
Both of them pushed harder.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi6crjQ0tL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxXDoasRxm
The table exploded.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lNZblcrHx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp0BzXU8pC
Fragments flew outward. Their hands separated as the surface between them simply ceased to exist, reduced to splinters and broken planks. Cel fell forward, hitting the floor in a graceless heap.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhHMRhFd0Z
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDQHn48Pa6
Complete silence followed.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xTB5osxR6
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2uqkDuQi
Every eye in the tavern locked on the destruction. On the two young men who'd just shattered a solid table through arm strength alone.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHXL0ntJyw
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1UgKdbWh0
"AHHH, MY BEAUTIFUL TABLE!"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C9Uqo0w8M
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8PmGGMyWn
The bartender's wail broke through. He clutched his head, staring at the wreckage.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DeqrOu2iy
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5TpckfsvW
His opponent stood smoothly, brushing splinters from his clothes. A faint smile touched his face - genuine satisfaction. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a pouch, tossing it to the bartender without looking.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sKAtL5ySb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKGVrSA86A
It landed with a heavy clink.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuanHXqG3K7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3371qxBEwB
"Fair trade," he said. A brief nod toward Cel.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDa5iA7d2R
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9hu97UEmt
Then he turned and walked toward the door.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbWIYcXSAn
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVBtydDF5B
The crowd parted automatically, too stunned to speak.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOLfxsmFYb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYELnD1IR9
He vanished into the street.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejRUbOPxYR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OmWbvMVUd
The tavern remained frozen for another heartbeat. Then someone laughed. Then another. The party resumed as if nothing had happened, voices rising even higher than before.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEF6QH5NQk
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XP1ZGSpxu
Cel sat among the destruction, staring at the doorway where the stranger had disappeared.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuGqeYZCgH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4IFuh0lX0
His vision swam. The room tilted slightly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa1UBl4UdH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjKj9ju1xe
The bartender appeared beside him, still clutching the money pouch. "You alright, boy?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2EAIC3F3J
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoUpxqGbSG
"Sure," Cel said. The word came out slurred.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkqmNCKNge
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVh12OS3Sf
"Right. Well, enjoy your winnings. You certainly earned them."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4zJo2Cafn
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SMOTGOfM2
Cel blinked. ‘Winnings?’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DeILn6m7p
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHKToY0Ifd
He tried to ask, but the words wouldn't form properly. The warmth in his chest had spread to his limbs, making them heavy and distant.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxKILznX8T
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBE5V37sBe
The tavern spun.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF9VAvHBmj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKpdfixebY
Everything after became haze.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCQfB85gOz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCJv9uOSWj
Sensation returned slowly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwObYWiGLIH
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PpjKmxFgC
Cool ground beneath him. The scent of flowers.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1DU0tvsT5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7M0Zes8bg
Cel's eyes opened.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxwtnkiMzV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV3GrJVqpp
A face hovered above him. Silver mask catching light. Rose-colored lips curved in a gentle smile.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N9BCbidDL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi64BPu2aNK
Selina.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6vg7sq2DO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOQxIMUTr4
“Chosen One, I'm pleased you found joy. Though I wonder if you'll remember doing so.”69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtOW7H2DeY
1234 copyright protection65ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wNlRTsXKa 尼

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