The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZOj3GS2Vd
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1efQje30c
Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvbAfkphZm
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYPUo0l5P8
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5mJSpgbAz
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaGHYPnNzi
'Esrin.'50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQaqcNMMdE
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0EUZlnboL
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYubeuNDBtd
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfQDBAqQK0
The door opened.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7wANOjEvP
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9llXPylIu
She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Q3iHQxzq
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZltPUZTC97
Every student seemed to hold their breath.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA1a4qLT7N
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazXnNlsbQY
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jMImEMAdQ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNUStc9UPN
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgLG2n5k7S
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1SbP7U297
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D6faj8pkT
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrurcQgwfZ
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbWv8LUI0W
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W4ajWxWWW
The door closed with soft finality.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlmlnFoFbN
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBswndFPHQI
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPleXs9AHX
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYzTu4xpuw
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ673u2QX8dx
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3GXW9xGCm
"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC5P8Nfp1V
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN5jd7yBSp
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrROurdBqab
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5847C9jxmQ
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXru4kq6dXZ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxB4hWFPIn
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQss0jtckZF
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iPrUvBFGu
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjiNikQHXi
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYJTW6RZlr
Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gZVA3fRPq
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczcoCEtXCz
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGtcYv3hQJ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93n9XnReKL
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtHU0l6wG
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikhY5QoBFh
She met the girl's gaze directly.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgg9kv0QVp
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsi5kzJHiS
"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8odkeufNK
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RHvw8l7ZH
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpy6sXpZjO
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8X0y0rMG
Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceynH5M23w
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP31TK1PDQO
Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpEtgpUsNi
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICg8kNfne4
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeJgwMApiM
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The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxjI5HIsc5
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4cv3BHx1k
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCLtdzqkVZ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ueJVD3BoF
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3AbQkHdu
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyf9uO5ivZ
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc15APYusmE
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh0ojYpabg
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CboepGl1x
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y085QURSz
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuQJuE4OEt
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA20uw8VLk
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIB3z1QrDs
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmtVp2nGwx
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd5DH2lzEm
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd6c3TO3cV
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsIhvXoNyP
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwzcrk7jQY
"Yes."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWxP8suLOh
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58aP2vsxMC
The answer came flat. Final.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSkljGIJFQ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DjBlrGHuM
But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL65TynZVhr
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa9MeU4683
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqId7dxMp9
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozCBmHjuer
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e0pKz6o4N
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O1Eaa0J66
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimXxTHkobX
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN34kp4DkB
So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8jJo8Ddj2
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6sinmXS73
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsqFnKgM2f
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwTJ6axNXq
Interest rippled through the classroom.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TRAukPRDS
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryKjBJibn4
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirbMJwwRp6
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxEaVamXuI
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVz6K4V0Je
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She lifted two finger.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlB45EJCC5
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlNpTENrvy
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHrC91BlNB
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkelPoJVV1P
Cel's jaw tightened.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6XBOFrHMQ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2nkSgmBwO
'What about me then?'50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8jdu6i03y
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN0HbYBdwk
The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH9zRDztcI
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZbuTQE28D
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl74W03LQ9i
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYguEZDzzw
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiQ8erxFsG
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She raised a third finger.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLreuJehtf
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaWj7EpFHy
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4h4Ci6mQm
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSZijFGaIN
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfSIRmN19h
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10gZAiIhlA
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3G1UAeQVy
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSx20UoXo6
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x35vbxEvj
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc5e55BFZO
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnhQOUrLvZ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeDZuvZ9AX
She paused, letting that sink in. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxn4JO2RGd
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz5VK693LL
"Most Chosen never achieve it.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouSGiMRQG2
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGqSInEkBn
A fourth finger joined the others. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6vluDWUhr
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWArTZTTQEs
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwS6T9LIVn
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wm1jkvjQM
She lowered her hand.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Cz1smjvr
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF43PztFv3
"Only a handful in history have reached this level."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YftjzRuN7
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FGBSvMgIQ
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Z972KxFp
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNHM3fRV5g
Several students still looked confused. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9Qfb99cz
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXBBCRlCVR
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ7Rn6GnBx
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDhgh4iERq
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhO9oitAIP
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCnTO1LnFA
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuwaXFWNMF
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Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNMQlxnLUd
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZsVF8j8X9
"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzwc2m6Fkl
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jrCgogkQR
The classroom went very still.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNwgmGhSW6
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Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptNlPz5ZeD
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ILJh3l58M
Another hand rose.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27C7fhCQhf
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyoL2TO3zW
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9I8ZKFzRq
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVqtVyFa8f
The question was innocent. Curious.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ954iLOyDo1
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But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMB400rAHS
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUINUzcnzG
Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ7Z5lO3zK
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwiLGRHcjx
Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0SrzN4Esy
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyczKzHBbwW
His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUGnQnGFDY
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wnpe3JYCL
At Esrin.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aPxLWKiVo
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wHVajRZF7
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOYDdPJlZB
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZMMhnS7m
'Did something happen between them?'50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Ieatx6AR
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUXraWx8Ws
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG8Lrajrih
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NrhWUU2g6
"I forsook it."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4wR3dhjoT
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPmQOKsplz
The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHW5EgylIk
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdBh62FSTx
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYT02fElzf
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvQ5VSwual
But Esrin's attention had already moved on.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62q5AYNMxa
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9GmmYrGmE
"Any other questions?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VeDkHpbOA
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqjkOXuF9H
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvknGoJvBvC
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fp8KaK4yj
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYauKW6kyWR
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGet6Qm9Trz
Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOzyOllIl4
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUsdJkaRDN
She walked toward the exit without ceremony.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6f6i79Jkm
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwV43MGgac
Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeN1GYLkrt
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JZbKY6AJf
The door closed.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruu8imVSXY
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMxSnGJIDK
Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqtU1GsEtz
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeemeeN9Lm
"Did you see her eyes?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDWUU2E7GF
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvAVkcVh90
"The way she moved—"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpylE8az2JY
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVLMDVgFwG
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wymeQp1XI
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTheJh4g0yX
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJibwdIxSnf
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RySPSyUBS
Cel sat quietly, processing.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrz0iQTlYL
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ITO6mGG0r
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBJAxIBAUh
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxltAjqMli
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtL4hbtOWq
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6x3DhZ2gQ
The question burned without answer.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uGheR45d0
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUuIFnZZYe
Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F1xFcQOxp
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW3lacOVn7
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdoAE6i1oS
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ88AX4Bwje
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRUQiomyPC
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His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAADf9yC9z
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAaRCLEXKo
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2GiURS1bQ
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8voFMkRd8
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJSnNbtreK
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOzPwbibLd
Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDj1mcLGzA
50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfpkVJmhvL
"All of us are," Cel said.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kdrmCDsmc
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJiVqjfog
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7QArXcjAm
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlrVfFIRZ0
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25PIkZUQaE
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKyeLHoxM1
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxvidFPiuz
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJO4SCcLr
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXZzmd8fsi
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He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection46ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXzPEM9F6F 尼

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