"Would you mind giving me your seat?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jylWldp7r
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB7jcVUaD5
The girl Hestia had addressed went pale. Her hands scrambled to gather her belongings - quill, parchment, the small bag she'd brought - all of it swept up in graceless haste.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXMEb87pPK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pyqNnxyEC
"Of course, my lady. My apologies—I didn't mean—"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1aKVL8skz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBZqacDaGe
She fled up the stairs toward the higher rows, nearly tripping in her haste. The boy who'd been sitting beside her followed without being asked, abandoning the bench entirely.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Rv0ZeWux
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY91mHAqT01
Hestia settled into the vacated seat without acknowledgment. As if it belonged to her from the beginning.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJGgAA0NsP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeKLCcbyGW
Cel glanced back over his shoulder.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw3yNxBeT1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr0z67ZrDk
She sat with perfect posture, hands folded in her lap, crimson eyes fixed straight ahead at nothing in particular.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyig8vkMoxQ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4bofLhYPz
He turned back around.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ygWgO4sjZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTieKpzsuV
Instructor Saren had gone rigid at the podium, her jaw tight. For a moment, she seemed to struggle with whether to address what had just happened.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuX6HQoQ2J
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UrYp1thZg
Then she cleared her throat and consulted her scroll again.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvuzIE1Ii7
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hus4J74i0
"Lady Cordelia Tidecall of House Tidecall, Ocean Clan. Chosen of the Ocean Goddess and Heir to House Tidecall."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCoOlwV57C
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0X1tAq0em
The name settled in Cel's chest with familiar weight.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGTITRspnn
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXLxGIyCeB
Tidecall. His mother's birth house. The leading family of the Ocean Clan.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXdIdbEo4e
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin9DtCUeak
His cousin.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0J0D2XLxY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfxSw08wH
The door opened.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWte5N2wvrt
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZPBfo2iB5
A girl entered with the kind of grace that came from a lifetime of formal training. Light blue hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her gray-blue eyes swept the room with calm assessment. The Ocean Goddess's mark adorned her uniform: three rising blades flanked by wave-like curves.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEU0jc2H58
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDDYS1lJKt
She moved to the podium, offered a brief bow that managed to be both respectful and composed, then descended to claim her seat in the front row.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaiceAFDOO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElffcvezj7
Cel watched her settle into position, his expression carefully neutral.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnBZA41rbg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0bsht1znb
Even though they were related, he'd never met Cordelia. His father had kept him isolated from most gatherings. Why parade a disappointment when you had a prodigy like Darian to show off?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNqg5YmW15
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED48ZyQDLp
Still. She was family. Someone who might connect dots if he revealed too much.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0r4h1Rvtr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87G2NQMS9I
‘I'll need to avoid her.’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJKEohIiVA
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRMnQrUQKz
"Lord Percival Tempest of House Tempest, Storm Clan. Chosen of the Storm Goddess and Heir to House Tempest."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduVnYeEZlV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFEfBOwfsn
Another heir. House Tempest had claimed leadership after two rival houses destroyed each other in a brutal conflict for control. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctP165CDUQ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoq5tWTfGj
The boy who entered carried himself with the particular wariness of someone who'd learned early that power was never secure. Silver-white hair. Emerald eyes that scanned the room like he was calculating threats.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihEiJunMnD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwutLUKPz9V
Percival descended to his seat without ceremony.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsUjIhbx3o
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPlAGD9sIm
The introductions continued. More nobles. More uniforms that cost more than most commoners earned in a year. Some carried themselves with arrogance. Others with carefully neutral politeness. All of them claimed the front three rows without question.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWFI2Z7RKA
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl1EdWj4r8
"Kyros Solgrand of House Solgrand, Sun Clan. Chosen of the Sun God."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTcYt0pTvN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpDjMFf9eA
Cel's hands curled into fists beneath the desk, knuckles going white.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw2dSZmqTo
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYMnVQeiqL
Solgrand. The house carried weight within the Sun Clan, and Kyros had never hesitated to throw it around.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFZ5SveqPs
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebsjVVmfVt
The memory surfaced sharp and clear - being shoved into the ground while Kyros laughed. "Careful, Celvian. Wouldn't want you to embarrass House Solmar more than you already do."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL92ppcNvP
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGI31xjHIf
Every petty cruelty had been delivered with that same casual amusement. As if tormenting the untalented son of a Noble House was just another form of entertainment.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtM9zQWhPN
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxmcKVA0Y8
Cel's jaw clenched so hard his teeth ached.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvaFH1WtKJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W9AoDHgxM
The boy who entered looked exactly as Cel remembered. Fire-red hair. Amber eyes that held casual cruelty. The Sun God's mark blazed across his uniform - a radiant sun with pointed rays.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdWn6CAFKJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81tGwBH3Fs
Everything in Cel screamed to move. To stand. To cross the room and drive his fist through that smug face until the bones shattered.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs2tpJesvc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmIBySgrPw
But he stayed frozen in his seat, breath coming careful and controlled.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ZFjee7y1
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7DWY56fWg
Kyros's gaze swept the tiered rows as he walked to the podium. For just a moment, it passed over Cel without recognition.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ruFXBwqM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3iRxgYueJ
The urge to violence drained away, replaced by something colder. Sharper.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWBGbfyjaq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSuoXxD2wo
‘You don't know me anymore.’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGONQgM0bwn
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanoJoc8mAA
The thought carried savage satisfaction.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP3JGHV7uK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3awzOI7jOz
‘You never will. Not until it's too late.’69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG14ek8ou3
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLRI1QCaMh
Then Kyros claimed his seat, and Instructor Saren closed her scroll.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXBj9kGKNu
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkkgWPykfo
"All of you now represent this Academy together. I expect cooperation. Respect. And adherence to the standards we've established."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpOgvnIE9V
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWNKEkn5MM
Her tone suggested she expected none of those things.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZqkUqhUmD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMXnrhc4q3
"Today's lesson focuses on proper introduction etiquette. You've all studied this - commoners in your evening classes, nobles through your private tutors. Now you'll practice."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlcpbMwyPO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OH2UySkrP
She gestured broadly at the assembled students.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxp6rV5Ij5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL0KSwXwdY
"Form pairs. One will play the role of a noble, the other a commoner."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH0PA34zzg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1uOjMizoJ
Movement erupted immediately - students rising, searching for partners. The nobles remained seated, waiting to be approached.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02LMCJ8f4e
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5sJCnzVN8
Lior turned to Cel. "Should we—"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1UCVdSEeb
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfFZFUrqDG
A shadow fell across their desk.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYzjZLKsmc
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUmoCmG5Nt
Hestia stood in the aisle beside them, crimson eyes fixed on Cel.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP4UeCMl51
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfOJdtRhIp
"Shall we pair together?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbYbw63uyd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRi406gN4h
The request landed with the weight of a command dressed in courtesy. Every nearby student went still, conversations dying mid-word.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj8HtM0Zfz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2duIbeNweM
Cel's mind raced.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX8cYueKAD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wp3ienMX5
A commoner had no right to refuse a noble's request. Not with so many eyes watching. Doing so would be an insult - grounds for punishment, possibly expulsion.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e4ID4knfm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXrb9LvvND
And she knew that.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vjP673XOF
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSeKMURIQG
"It would be a pleasure, lady Hestia."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3KUHFvuOa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcjH6ArzsV
The words tasted like ash, but he stood and gestured for her to lead.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVPbmASlo9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISRouMOK7M
Lior watched them go with wide eyes, uncertain what to do.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr33bpBR5AY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyaaxoXRdB
Hestia moved to an empty corner of the classroom, away from the clusters of practicing students. Cel followed, acutely aware of the attention tracking them.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZCMZjDhEp
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3msxfyaOt
When they stopped, she turned to face him fully.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4R3uA6TGm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoHFyvijDA
"I'll play the commoner first," she said. "You'll be the noble."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFeAPgboJ4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4QlrkdmuC
Cel blinked. That was... backwards. Nobles practiced being nobles, commoners practiced deference. Reversing it served no obvious purpose.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIvnVkDb7o
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbplC5Fa8W2
But he nodded. "Understood."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3upLfgVmsM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaygQXhsO4v
They positioned themselves - standing at the proper distance, postures straight.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoZzpZSuRj
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v40NG7GrN
Hestia's expression shifted subtly. The perfect composure cracked just enough to show uncertainty. Nervousness. Her shoulders drew inward slightly, her gaze lowered.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8j4hTDOgM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeURbp9XqO
A perfect imitation of a commoner meeting nobility.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuXeIPGBRD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk1mAuDgQ9
She bowed - deeper than necessary, holding the position a beat too long.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi5iA7ZZxu
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hmsga2UfU
"My lord," she said, her voice carrying just the right tremor of anxiety. "It is an honor to meet you. I am Hestia, a humble servant of the Death God."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZxHIV1DBe
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zlnqrxZqy
The performance was flawless. Too flawless.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptA3H63zi6
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2i8Vd7yD6
Cel played along, falling back on old training.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyiPttJdVf
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiO4kbhIkk
"Rise. Your devotion is noted."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh9LfzsyEV
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQVsxU4fUw
She straightened, maintaining that false uncertainty with perfect discipline.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Xjc0OGHx
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs2VYUriuX
They went through the full ritual - questions about lineage, polite acknowledgment, the careful dance of social hierarchy. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GfuhxdbnL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gsBRlZYec
"We'll reverse positions," she said when they finished.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9hVwYbupF
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFVfdI5XEd
Now Cel bowed - commoner to noble. The motions came automatically, drilled into him during the etiquette classes.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGwipU7bU5
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XsRk1ql14
"My lady," he said. "It is an honor. I am Celvian, a humble servant of the Moon Goddess."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AI1mUpVvd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3hA1ZaDRC
Hestia's crimson eyes studied him throughout the introduction. Not his words or his posture - she watched his eyes. As if searching for something beneath the surface.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tMnnWRcOd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW85UMgXKC
"You may rise."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EAUKhOwCq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaObIAwcTQ
He straightened.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKYET5YdNp
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtgK89WQ4C
"Your goddess is... uncommon." Her tone carried no judgment. Just observation. "Do you find difficulty in that?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxU5rZ4Db8
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrW2CuY2ri
"The Moon Goddess chose me," Cel said carefully. "I serve her will."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNxe0wEQ2J
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRz8oLbyY0
"A diplomatic answer." Something that might have been approval flickered across her features. "Tell me, Celvian - are you devoted to her?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHros0Mx30C
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPBfcfH3qE
The question landed with unexpected weight.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlE3orx93c
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2VJLO7nZd
"Yes, my lady," Cel said. "Completely."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD2z1UV8uR
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoJtmw4pgV
It wasn't a lie. The Moon Goddess had given him everything when he had nothing. A second chance. Power. Purpose.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZUKwUaZ4X
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpujdxs2aw0
"I see." Hestia's crimson eyes held his for a long moment, as if measuring the truth of his words.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjYpI5uLUq
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ARVZADXs
Silence stretched between them. 69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSpTLW1BoX
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqIkw0wFaW
"You may return to your seat," Hestia said finally.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfnnZ6DABp
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhsMl3WGnJ
Cel bowed once more and turned away.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V3wJvi2oK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdGl8CMPY4
As he climbed back to where Lior waited, he felt those crimson eyes tracking his movement. Watching. Assessing.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr1b106blv
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf3fA1oY4A
What did she want?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ51zIY4zKY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBSQj0wEjh
He didn't have an answer by the time afternoon training began. The sun beat down on the training grounds as students assembled in loose formation. Instructor Calder stood at the center, arms crossed, his scarred face unreadable.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s6jPLUbPL
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sv2E2WacT
Cel had barely settled into position when the instructor's gaze found him.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem2WSNJ8xm
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF4khV7qa6
"Celvian."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAOg7bYIqE
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM3s06iDbT
The name carried across the yard like a blade. Every head turned.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KBDdwsHvG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMcPdXNa6v
"You missed morning conditioning."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4ZWguipVE
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZIJlm7fUs
"Yes, Instructor." No excuse. No explanation.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5kK1w8dOs
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ0BoIMygN
Calder's jaw tightened. "We'll address that in a moment. But first—I have an announcement."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwTuILkmXa
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKUwsC0B1w
He gestured broadly at the assembled students.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6gwLszqM
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBr9iOe3VS
"Starting today, we're implementing a ranking system for combat training. Any student may challenge another to a sparring match. Winners climb the ladder. Losers fall."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzhyNFTXp2
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5REvoYhRO
Murmurs rippled through the group. Noble students straightened, interest sparking in their eyes.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDo0pwkctC
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Z2gefFcp
"Your final rank affects recruitment opportunities after graduation," Calder continued. "The Chosen Legion scouts these rankings. So do the Mercenary Guild and even the Great Clans. A high rank opens doors. A low rank..." He let the implication hang.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhtCUQalAD
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ903WIw7i1T
Cel's thoughts churned.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg68JDicf9
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNov4xzqgvC
After graduation. Where would he go?69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK6cJlqloK
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPsHHPB0r6
The Chosen Legion was the obvious choice. His mother served there now - which made it perfect. She'd be within reach when the time came.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHQTqPD1Hz
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg2mjcuzz8
Or the Sun Clan. Return to the place that had cast him out. Find Darian. Find his father. Make them pay.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05gg63YkEi
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9bS6O3KfZ
The thought burned cold and sharp.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtUtGJDGqZ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNeTG8F563
But walking back into Sun Clan territory carried risks. His white hair and resurrected body had transformed him beyond recognition. Still, someone might eventually form the connection.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCobvGKcgnG
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiFihGDhtS
Unless he went elsewhere first. Built strength in another clan. Disappear into obscurity while he grew strong enough to return and destroy them all properly.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL37vxuockO
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq0UPQdbuj
"Celvian."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGeQfYJDBr
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx8nbX7X9P
Calder's voice snapped him back to attention.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapQryCV9ed
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f1Wb13JVF
Heat crawled up his neck as every eye fixed on him. He'd been caught not paying attention. Again.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkgn0eSy5i
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zzRjYQPPU
"Since you missed this morning's session and seem determined to waste my time this afternoon as well," Calder's tone could have frozen water, "you'll demonstrate our new system. First match. Right now."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL1r3UspXg
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfXWwnn0CZ
The words landed like stones. Around him, students shifted - commoners looking nervous, nobles carefully neutral.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHfutkg6b4
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrBjUsryyP
Cel's jaw tightened, but he stepped forward.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYixbilguW
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp8IvAmCjn
"Who wants to face him?"69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhoEHPHrL6
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8sWlGsfJW
Silence answered.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhisUSJoxoJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBVbKH8xfX
The commoner students avoided eye contact, clearly unwilling to risk injury against someone who'd demonstrated unusual strength during training. The nobles simply looked bored, as if fighting a commoner wasn't worth their time.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO0mcFNvyJ
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEtK7XvXO1
Seconds stretched.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHLFM9T3Bd
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWEyLZRNwr
Then movement from the noble group.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOHX1UZ1Q
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeBHSo2cAK
A hand rose.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvrbhMHqju
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImUlkkZKhf
Owen Peakscale stepped forward, that same grin splitting his face.69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr0M7SdQUY
69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yXNUqJSVS
"I'll fight him."69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlTBzIUv2N
1234 copyright protection65ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKFZJuGEms 尼

216.73.217.22