Lior pushed himself to his feet slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin lying on its side, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHnDCkM6Zl
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He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him. Didn't say anything. Just picked up the basin with careful hands and walked back toward the well, joining the end of the line that had grown longer.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSl04cCUYF
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHS8TRrYo7
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1iPLNzo4l
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju4pnBDlnR
The line shifted forward slowly. Students ahead drew water, their conversations a low murmur that didn't quite mask the occasional laugh directed at Lior's back.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFyVbxEfNA
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdyKzkcOv3
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4YNgyiSl8
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB390v2AcSM
"Morning."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KvV6dp74g
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMPEE0nypE
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMaihNclGD
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimGK8jVYKk
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ6YeKz2Oh
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtGYGPNHTT
Lior's expression brightened slightly. "Hard. Really hard. But..." He paused, searching for words. "It's a blessing, being able to learn this. Reading and writing, I mean. My parents never had the chance."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9YLOOgBS6
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCpz7hBF6T
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkWAr50RAt
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8nuqdYwoZ
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ryIMd6Jb
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjylffZ2mF
"It will."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFZxNqMcUL
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmbopplUAz
They reached the well. Lior hauled up the bucket with both hands, the rope groaning under the weight. Water sloshed as he tilted it carefully, filling his basin to the brim.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw0a2UA4Q9
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWqxGV4xzk
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZTTVYSGTp
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP9JdOV4JA
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNQNDEFN10
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmiVmA8N4p
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEps20Dmen
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Zsv443DM
"Ready?"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEMOW6Ijtj
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm210e46OHb
Cel nodded.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4elqZ06jJ
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlQGWdyHu9
He turned toward the area where students washed - and kept walking past the closer, emptier spaces. His path led directly toward where the boy sat, pulling his academy uniform over damp shoulders.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriCoCpkXPn
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO51JwUFu4
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHEcZlnwM0
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqbpryHLzE
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBTpTONIl1
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK96k71Eki1
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzhIrEuyON
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhchk5CUfer
Cel's foot caught on nothing.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewX8gu7TWO
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i2XtXStt9
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWPZnb388k
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmjyU0ihRx
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBAeCrVViG
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaA5DlQjcm
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCmRNypkpM
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNmznSFP5X
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTuqpbj280
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡritZVdRoQ3
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtbbXfofNt
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFny0KNAZBM
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs1sFPDFhU
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q9f2QoQJo
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWSxDgrqpF
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTZFMTF0f3
"Are you kid—"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFYJZs8qRJ
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHpu4xhhaP
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRybrTXbu4v
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCwIPY9zbq
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqom3ouMuO8
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8z3fNpl4w
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDJNoOOrvF
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf2NxjQzrP
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqMkeg8BTW
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Then he released his grip and stepped back.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk4GOwl00y
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEg4jBt1VF
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfauMfwvnou
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eZmx7yVxx
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFeBTaNqfO
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIztqtzv84
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW3j5opELm
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jWhNHjYCk
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53v3n41QdX
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYmFv2dlk1
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX83AN5KgQ
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"Thanks."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsCh6HhHID
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGb65TSoqw
They moved to an empty corner. Lior set the basin down with careful hands, his gaze darting back toward where the boy still sat paralyzed.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvSSlscjLF
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i9dSPl6rQ
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkrKFIJzRk
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MYj5UE2M6
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOl9pmjAHw
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlBdY4n78T
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvcCwVTgqp
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPayBymsiDv
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9lNqX94Vl
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscfVjUK0rH
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIaI2Io0wF
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2eiKY01Bh
"You have a nice body."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q015KvhAo
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Pj20IFeE
Cel glanced at Lior.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgWrRa0fBO
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54tYBJxQQE
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkYujnqvyl
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSG7CqnS6
Lior's face went red the moment he realized. "I mean—that came out wrong—" He gestured helplessly. "It's just... you're really built."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1iXbebiJI
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6holfWLKDA
A pause.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGYOhEEEry
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"How did you get it?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlUGlmB4At
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJT2Fbge78
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzOgVzjyq7
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3GpGnj3oT
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O8Xa28DOt
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2R73u0VuA
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfQP5UFP2n
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xeg7rb9Qu
Morning assembly.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4xaLV1TrU
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Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6Q3rAAcMA
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMxR9G1B4C
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLCTbC2rIb
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By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyUMtUNjmJ
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddjeEt4o9q
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PnixIDIcX
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh9aJvB4ES
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hT4zVUWJq
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2aLqABxoX
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOmNC1re8P
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnSVqJ9gAB
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NcNqihwpV
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xh1YcJTDA
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vQclGDWLJ
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Then combat training.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGe86PCGyy
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Instructor Calder stood in the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. Weapon racks lined the wall behind him - swords, spears, axes, all designed to kill.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gwih7LA3W
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00duR2d3E7
"You don't choose your artifact," he said without preamble. "The gods decide. Some of you will receive swords. Others axes, spears, bows, staves. A few might get something stranger."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWTgTA7K9w
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhBQhU8j6O
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA0vgMJnHg
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwfCRKinkj
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kUPGI1J5k
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDqW29UC2u
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uiY25sGuc
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcDKdoA0GO
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTjpSfA3gq
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vOymTpqI7
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg36US8kX1X
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9aQECDp67
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb6qhGEQ7Z
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEdejbstq5
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWY7Y0o0d4
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The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM3Wxe6Hla
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GCAvAUUG8
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3NfbbL96z
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsCiSuhyaU
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06E9QrIPhd
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His blade rose overhead in one smooth motion, held steady at the apex, then descended in a controlled arc that ended with the point aimed at the ground.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YmqrzEtcW
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"Again."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PwN1r451E
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The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai0fyOYUWO
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"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr0JZagL6d
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He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcjcH40UAz
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The training began.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9j7IhXkcl
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Cel's body moved through the motions with muscle memory he'd thought buried. These weren't the techniques of House Solmar - no blazing offensive sequences, no emphasis on overwhelming aggression.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiRRT9bnN7
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rSqwHB2hL
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGohYudg1B
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF4R0tJ8nD
He'd studied them once, years ago. His weapons instructor had insisted on broad knowledge despite his father's preference for the Solar Blade technique.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKA2QKshT5
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDKCuIOu99
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vjkCusSSn
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡermFXjVqvh
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSiroS6zVn
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMM6U68uQq
Cel forced his third swing to drift slightly left. Let the fourth end too high. Made deliberate mistakes that would mark him as learning rather than trained.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YCwBw9PgN
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB1Iv69UAC
But the Solar Blade technique... he'd need to forget that entirely. The forms were too distinctive. Any observer familiar with Sun Clan methods would recognize them instantly.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKureUwuv5
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOadhA0eKG
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNnjsjroAj
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZLxXx6U5G
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsyK2hOnxE
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlgk84cSnt
Days bled into weeks.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H0gQfmp0J
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpX0q159md
Morning conditioning pushed bodies past limits. Theoretical classes filled minds with knowledge. Combat training taught weapon forms that repeated until they became reflex, leaving calluses on every palm.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJ3QP5pV9
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqTF6EROvp
Cel attended everything like the others. Made mistakes during combat drills - mistimed swings, overextended lunges. Pretended confusion when Instructor Saren covered topics he'd learned years ago.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH67VvDZzc
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs448EeQHU
But physical conditioning betrayed him.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzwWistl6W
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zDDlscC8G
No matter how much he feigned exhaustion - letting his breathing grow ragged, allowing his movements to slow - his body wouldn't tire enough. While others collapsed after the final sprint, he remained standing. 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEZhws2xfu
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs91mR51Gze
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ8SzOhX6h
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlncPxLD6xu
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UmkcVgCvX
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlO27zAAb7
Combat training told a different story.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j0bw4ziGa
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0K3Fc4Sqx
His strength worked against him there. A basic parry became a disarming strike when his opponent's blade went flying. A controlled thrust nearly impaled the practice dummy. His two-handed grip shattered a sword's crossguard.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzACDEZZb0
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97sdeGXmsP
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrpq8S2kp8
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw34CprFd2
The lie held. Barely.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgucosWfAV
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nM03tMX7
His Divine Energy problem was a simpler. When asked to demonstrate his control during theoretical lessons, Cel simply said he possessed a trait that suppressed his signature.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡingqPV7kqt
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8QfYNHDLY
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKhn8A504T
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvBlHyjWFd
The nights belonged to training.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOdliKRAS8
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1EV3tENDe
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIUNapuOa8
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTahfoFw7T4
Free days took him into the city.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk1NO8vJkw
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKgjM0eXBh
The Moon Church welcomed him with empty silence. Most visits, Lyra wasn't there. But sometimes she was, arranging flowers or simply praying. They would talk about small things. Safe things. He never stayed long enough to risk deeper questions.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoP0gRadVX
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZzyd7SuJL
Lyra mentioned their mother occasionally. How she'd joined the Chosen Legion after the divorce. How she was leading missions in the name of the royal house now. Cel absorbed every detail without comment, tracking his mother's movements through his sister's casual updates.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ak035eDZ
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The Golden Hart offered different comfort. The bartender knew him now, poured without asking. Cel drank and listened to conversations around him - politics, gossip, complaints about work. He absorbed it all without participating.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oBQKiTQbt
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Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6KMg1Qr2T
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It was... peaceful. In its own way.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMceOJf1Nuq
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Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoLolNonXO
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Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQylNpSrcK
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"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6XJ7ekh2l
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Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMZDrtRrxN
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"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMTOMMuBlF
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"It's fine."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEsXT6IO4j
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And it was.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt64ULsgI23
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No one approached Cel or Lior.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbRx9bc4cw
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The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mKoBjBssP
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They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSCdqLSo9b
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Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzNrtjpc3u
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Cel didn't care either way.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K9AawMR52
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Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpmsZkdU2t
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The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrmCylq9cV
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Cel's strength improved despite his best efforts to hide it. His sword forms remained clumsy - from the lack of talent and from his overflowing strength.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVldTDJq3Ww
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On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxnJh6cjQt
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"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcrUy1ewCa
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Silence answered her.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxf4yQyOED
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"You've had four months to prepare. To learn your place. To understand what's expected." Her gaze swept the assembled commoners. "When they walk through those doors, you will show proper deference. You will not embarrass yourselves or this Academy."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5l89d6kI5
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She paused.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpngC5z1A9n
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"And you will remember - they've trained since childhood for this. Everything you've struggled to learn in four months, they've mastered over years."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBGcp8B9q2
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The weight of that truth settled over the room.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jfi4nozrn
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"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofT9EoRJMN
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----76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SVI53DK7N
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​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokD5htz52E
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I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjpGhgoRBz
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HaoarRjra
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDWA5JQxSt
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlX7PUNnYw
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