"What do you want from me?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5aD3UqaEG
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvAxCIN9Oo
The question hung in the night air between them. Hestia remained perfectly still in her meditation pose, crimson eyes fixed on him with that same intense assessment she'd worn since the first day.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6CK3JNwzf
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblYeHYDhwv
Silence stretched.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1kU48MEej
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUQW2oGvM4
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdhfvfRcN4
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuLk6m6hbW
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfMC2vwOyl
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeu5Limb3y
"That's not an answer."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxlqFF8rrX
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RncC9ZqqD
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvluOUp49F
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51zkFerJN1
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ5k69ITOx
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBKEarFNX5
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS0RyanStv
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQV3bEQk74
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFJaunoniW
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcFK0hyxzD
Finally, she spoke.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeahF4JVWJE
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH4iICP9Tr
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcoADwGmTp
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MVrlP8qzJ
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCw3kxSXEs
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92TQQLPaoh
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqiPNEHvph
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCfXZfGnkw
"Yes. But do you know why?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6WgO0guGy
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcrEuCt13o
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKuooFbtt9
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmtT62Jiaa
Hestia moved closer - just a few steps, maintaining careful distance. "In the other Great Clans, leading houses rise and fall. The Mountain Clan, the Ocean Clan - their leadership changes when stronger houses emerge. Political maneuvering. Martial superiority. Strategic marriages."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTwTGhaNW0
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndF4fKjFbM
She paused.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FpkEt6t9j
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMnPSQo3lT
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz4erOmpuQ
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CUGIPojle
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CsiYMAs1w
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAteLlJ98Dg
"Because we bear a gift." Her voice softened slightly. "A blessing granted directly by the Death God himself. Every member of House Mortveil possesses it - from the moment we're born until the moment we die."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF7cHBQk1I
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvKTbbpqNr
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklRP5rJP99
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv25Wmv6Dtl
"We can smell death."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo8Tfwuh6M
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUUPXjr5MS
She paused.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5l1K2Cigj
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nh5vVyh8E
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra2i59oN0S
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jxhsMSXWE
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI38vWzWIA
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ1z8yeL4n
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEjMb2rauA
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaphFjcjCn
"You reek of death."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlgHjJLUHp
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyrlTTkJaQ
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQhZdvjyT2
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxXW1LX1WX
His resurrection. The new body the Moon Goddess had forged. He'd assumed it wiped away all traces of his death - made him fresh and unmarked.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhRIwZxn2A
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmTz9CnMWs
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SzxzVvlf5
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCg2yozA1k
'Raven.'41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXwy6RGQiv
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvR2ARDH8T
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJawC4WHE5B
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPoYjRhBww
Their encounter in the Ashlands. He'd assumed it was chance. But what if it had never been coincidence at all? What if Raven had tracked the scent of death clinging to him like a beacon, drawn to it the same way Hestia was now? 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA39l4F64Oh
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgswMzvpVf
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUzpE9mX5X
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbztADzGte
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEJmW88Q5z
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGdVkNFvUD
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DVd7Mrmga
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzS7pIFI0P
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gbQI7LsMN
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA2jijL4ID
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrzARjVFEb
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejLVTMtkN4
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTFidft5dE
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0mFLS0WBf
The irony was almost laughable.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i7Jr6ppf7
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s2dmytYok
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv98uEjgeR
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPCjm1eg7R
She met his gaze directly.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq7L9RMajF
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbAPgj5TF6
"I didn't lie."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgmC5fF31K
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoX3PzH6Sc
"You didn't tell the truth either."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE0BfR8Dkd
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50ucSrH9sM
Silence stretched taut as wire.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti4pmBZz3k
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgT5pE6H8Y
Then Cel made a decision.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtXCxlDRkW
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeCCp4vpu9
"Fine. I'll help you."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBJOVI37gA
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMrXMLL2mB
Hestia blinked. "What?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjZOWZU7Cv
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH4eSZpKyn
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbnnlA7Prc
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk8i5snnVF
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10zGkGzach
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMQH6OzFc9
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGwQIZwvAw
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScfrTFWy1J
"You want to fight me?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNA1CbjJ9
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZmmFe4ZPU
"I want experience against someone skilled." Cel's grip tightened on the hilt. "Instructor Calder's lessons are useful, but there's nothing better than actual combat. And you're ranked third in the entire academy."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeaWuQGasA
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXleZqKnlV2
For a long moment, Hestia simply watched him, utterly still. Then something shifted in her expression - calculation giving way to something that might have been respect.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu1Q7heK95
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oA4XWtVQP
"That was extraordinarily rude."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CJnJI6frB
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyqTC4gFjd
"I know."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6vkQfkEjM
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEqPba0m8c
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE1akyE43r
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97nGSH66Rq
"I know."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzaxdah7pJ
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmeOgSpzMs
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGWnzGHORE
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTFMpnmBLq
"Very well. I accept."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCP8apsoL6
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jo2S0Q3E4
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xDCK7nL9K
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymXWkI6LoQ
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixFpSmBnj9
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeq1EoxEXj
A longsword.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ST02RBeo
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtBsZ8aOal
It was beautiful and terrible in equal measure. The handle, wrapped in black leather, led to a golden crossguard with a crimson gem embedded at its center - the exact shade of her eyes. The blade itself glowed with deep red light, looking less like steel and more like congealed blood given solid form.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K6MO6HONY
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlbSzyW8zW
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5xYYjP4Kq
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQoUcAc1b4
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD5RcMVTR2
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqMCdpUQxG
They moved to the center of the training grounds, taking positions across from each other. The moon hung overhead, flooding the space with silver radiance that made the crimson blade glow even brighter in contrast.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGJh5aJGzS
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZXosImSSh
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINFkHdOrQh
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10iBdTa7Im
Cel moved first.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIUfZFu7mN
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsfA7Qlpt0
He closed the distance in three quick steps, Silent Moon rising for a diagonal slash aimed at her shoulder. Fast. Controlled. Using only a fraction of his actual strength.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPANlfUrllU
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvJXcE7O2f
Hestia's weapon intercepted.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGbBw213sA
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0LjUSHUz1
The impact rang across the training grounds. But she didn't just block - her blade redirected his momentum, sliding along Silent Moon's length before the crossguard caught his guard and forced it aside.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZXYsgXeWN
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oUiIO77Dc
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1mJpUzyDO
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqT5YYRIAv
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKVebqOOyc
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY542q4kBq
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CCF9NY0zC
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ2VnsngnF
Her knee caught him under the chin.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDw83WMnaX
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR92upuD0xi
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSknxZdwlkn
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT05V6ImfKT
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZAju39Qdq
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYAZfJnleM
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouhn4oNF7V
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT5Vbp2dhI
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCL7JAcWsz
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm1grjSzMa
"Yield?"41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl18QqwJAM9
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIXLIZo2TG
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewEca2F03J
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQikMQz0exo
"Yes."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6A4RCZjZo
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwXiaKU7jC
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehlvnqrXDu
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriEozXqRqv
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T8egeFjG4
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7JQfYzIr8
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCu5zFLk2m
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOztcid1rE
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMCgGKsKu0
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4tuuPQehv
Cel raised Silent Moon again.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCp7eUr2pS
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC9aeIBy5I
They fought.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOXfa5I4iq
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc1r0dWIug
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9QHaw5eZJ
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlHs1ZVND0
Every strike he made, she countered. Every opening he tried to exploit, she closed. Her artifact moved like an extension of her body - not just weapon but partner, flowing through forms that suggested decades of practice compressed into sixteen years of life.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO7xgkF3Fy
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2UCiYgpyG
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwGM9Mze7U
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhZeIq8fSH
Each victory came with unnecessary force. Each strike landed harder than required. When he tried to yield early, she pressed the attack until he had no choice but to acknowledge complete defeat.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3lQxAMYWx
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUcfdiBX1W
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolRixV9Oao
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWTO7Cbndo
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCebQQWPcFT
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriCDV4VujR
"I'm uncertain what you mean." Hestia's blade remained pointed at him. Crimson light reflected in her eyes. “You asked me not to hold back. I merely honored that request." 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nXUsVE8pm
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQrEGMlJFY
But the slight tightness around her mouth said otherwise. The extra force behind her strikes. The way she'd targeted ribs he'd already bruised.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqaheRLC5V
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBn8ZvYOj5
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg6Vmjl1eN
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOXLHJZQDb
"Your apology is noted but unnecessary." She dismissed her artifact, the deadly weapon dissolving into a cloud of darkness. "I did use you. You were correct to call it what it was."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pbcWIDSOc
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHl8WlJJB2
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQyFfUcZcp
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSn3eWbMTJ
"However," she continued, adjusting the sleeves of her uniform, "rudeness carries consequences. Consider tonight's spars a reminder that courtesy serves practical purposes beyond mere tradition." 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBneLpV8KM
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZJ5tuPh3q
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bumv34irP
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EajbcP6hR
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfFQu8eJiT
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8ASuHHNsj
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBFRoneNQ9
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnPFXVqNfV
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNYnqFdQnF
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxh2Gdx2wV
'I really do regret this.'41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEFyLWKcNj
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyQiHss983
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xjjCMexse
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8SWBcspIF
Lior had found something in himself after that conversation. His posture straightened. His voice grew steadier. During combat drills, he stopped apologizing for every mistake and simply corrected them.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ez4OJ488i
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHWK1xCmW0
The rankings reflected it.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BH7dO5bPd
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yk9Ax1hkk
Rank 38: Lior41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwfYBDwhGR
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYWyWqpypm
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXazgN59CPf
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6LRB21kTG
The change was small enough that most wouldn't notice. But Cel saw it in the way Lior held his practice knife, the determination that replaced hesitation.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMAujSG26p
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUJSjPL3ZN
Progress. Real progress.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhI6ZEW7Bx
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaViMljH2EO
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyYHx0uxkk
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgurw9HO9V
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV3EA0bNZN
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He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgT83I2JMT
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None of it worked.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuItfyx5qv
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By the fourth week, Cel had started to recognize patterns in her fighting style. The way she favored her left side slightly. How she created distance before committing to heavy strikes.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHk1UiMWXn
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He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU74UDk3FCU
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p4WcwspLV
The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SkkcTjZAM
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktffR78cUJ
Sometimes, during their matches, Hestia would pause and correct his stance. Adjust his grip. Point out openings in his defense with the same clinical precision she used to exploit them.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLNu1EWRZK
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9hZbX88lJ
It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vvc1gOHaP
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXHZGgPCeO
And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03QZ5ZhMvN
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCSY0bNdQ
They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu72D7I4os
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Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmJg001ers
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUWywhC23E
The routine held until one particular morning.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGlRzKd5As
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi2zWbvVO2
Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVZUUoGESo
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTSWtMYnLh
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDFX9MIuwp
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7TjDRE6x5
Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HtoPStI9t
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PTXxBlK6D
Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOdqISH3xu
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When the last conversation died, she spoke.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7zC8ncEP4
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"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2xhD48KS7
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t5ZlNqyoh
Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l5YsFSCJZ
41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cwrbrXBwZ
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96glc5QtGG
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She paused.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmIvxYf8Ym
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"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JUsZdshB3 尼

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