"What do you want from me?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ588Q38HZod
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOPSb7vOAG
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF4eD6DJeu
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkbxIjX9jW
Silence stretched.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1FMyTuGXQ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLhFiQUzQX
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT7bgfzw3R
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYk6XY7ETT
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojHhPJIueV
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFk23KbsFc
"That's not an answer."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeLxFRRCyN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFaUD8wqmn
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm72N7JO2F2
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwipybW0P58
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjXvFqvQ2L
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBptIT1ZaV
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QX6QAsW6R
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLarQHCIAuA
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjBa6p4Drp
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkVaH6ohtc
Finally, she spoke.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl9UD0TAY8
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonFVrjV35l
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvIxGMKhJb
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZlyVEec7E
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt58JN1bnfN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChY5dDXrPx
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwqS4ogm0R
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFqhRXEeBL
"Yes. But do you know why?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1X8DKs601
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VF47Vql7
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PhlJ93Bc9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEAsfjpRBV
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."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGrPfwTiUh
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9KlcdqJZ
She paused.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MYUl62Utq
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotOGGfqOsp
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNSGdJE5U9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEPon6bsGT
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGU3R33NdN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneBIxGocjK
"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."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8hJ3LkKh0
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgfEzaUhTv
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eEhOCecJv
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7k2fEEjSB
"We can smell death."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsytidYvwX
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN4dptQHvt
She paused.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYf5HCvt8Z
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB9znCfhF9
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ741E7haTdq
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gE1cXdtL2
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDzJuaJeb2
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDz6gjrpjb
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8QIIAfJGN
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI0jtfDNTP
"You reek of death."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfSGAdmBCA
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2jQcKpCBT
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcuhfIJ6xS
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM6MFUU8IE
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK5HxR8rv6
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIXjuQz2N4
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHrsy2tLsB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4eetj1Ggf
'Raven.'39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVNOLMrA4n
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VdNH3hiMQ
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmADfkXD5ru
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92hV69f96J
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? 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ7QQvusFl
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6C5tTk04l
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgidiAq2sel
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GXqMV6Sja
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZp6tQeqQO
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSOAFZUWle
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5GWzRNEFj
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoYtbawfZ5
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2UXION1DW
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5rm2chPFK
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop49XGNcTv
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CcYdSjO1Z
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhtLs4UE7b
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvePkZoqWm
The irony was almost laughable.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkW7EZuugI
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIf9ZUCqa
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILkvcnrFHA
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr5d92BEx7
She met his gaze directly.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39IN7GBBM6
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s6Doc3mr3
"I didn't lie."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFVUgf69ZQ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11gDLHaPWA
"You didn't tell the truth either."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9nuSsqRUy
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDs0Q82G2V
Silence stretched taut as wire.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBM6vNAPe4
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz59F9Sj6a9
Then Cel made a decision.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M0gwFfWGG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThHMKPJU3D
"Fine. I'll help you."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ5b5a4B3f
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl4QQni7lW
Hestia blinked. "What?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Nw6UGdii
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjDYdjcpfy
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3p33YXWyK
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTDHLxa5Yy
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjQf9QQoJL
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4KPzCO8O2
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUXceuRGR3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxToV57EQQf
"You want to fight me?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4fljbzUXQ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqj7E9FWfa
"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."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpCOWklKNb
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntgYaS1KZo
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHdhNS7NLu
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCOoHoanDC
"That was extraordinarily rude."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7YzurOfbn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU64KpQy3h
"I know."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMuD5p92Md
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zh4IwxGS9
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvvKnKmHhY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQZI6PAEWq
"I know."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXaosFis04
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZAC8Nq4nE
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2QQpPhcbL
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxdiTqfFYh
"Very well. I accept."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZnTIkDfuB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0gVQyIaNB
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nfE2YLc7Q
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VDhg1nzKm
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nDgZUbZSo
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSOl6IbYop
A longsword.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwzfrVhlRj
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGdrwjug5h
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOTuOx1mrm
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzla6sVJCw
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqvGWDnQZj
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8gFMV2ttf
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpk0rNfbjj
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVRx0hOhr5
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH14nJU1U3u
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru30DEkEfe
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uTd9KFwa6
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Yuww9s4D
Cel moved first.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoy0lEZ4Ag
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkUsszjqvJ
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouyjMLZRW2
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyROl0dFy6M
Hestia's weapon intercepted.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP7vlct6LT
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr5R7Apv50
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LIcItvJZX
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3wJUMscjS
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcwRrZSuiJ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQxEFaSvQ
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlpiM4JgBp
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Csn3mBZu
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjc8dZfX9a
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RtJ7gm5Aw
Her knee caught him under the chin.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhBfYrcixZ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGlpgtuXZC
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mgs5YcBeH
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItjs5nib5f
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3pwyVx3C3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvTHzCSnPD
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigPT6A8ZMv
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFe4995bZc
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqg11ItnFS
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBSHtPypKE
"Yield?"39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGNC3IyyNZ
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTAQEe6WVs
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWL8NjwOYG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIpOYOc9cR
"Yes."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7pD7zQqbn
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tjgeP23t
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Bghc3Oes
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4gWXAq8DJ
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvGsPyPReP
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ZTMrCNCG
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSfi4Iw3qm
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW1ROBJ7cu
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabqZQYsmBq
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGl5uFIfN2
Cel raised Silent Moon again.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtMakcGw0W
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4mSf1Dk6G
They fought.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TbU4131BH
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnxuZW6oQH
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJWElDYHOy
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLm8nG7Gge
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cigfhf2MC
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAR6kHw0pq
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOCFzKqiQD
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NzpFMseLB
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bidB3I0bc
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Sd0M5sv3
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZpygSc5Pw
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2grm1lKiiG
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDT4Re3VNy
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R4cS0IMIg
"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." 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4jiS2UNEk
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfn35EprjR
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeA2TIOT3O
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnekQLvgDnG
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcHRTw3Lra
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuTy42CFSJ
"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."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0S0uLsZzm
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1AF45G5e0
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg0kPlhX5d
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47WQXLBd0V
"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." 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlq3fCSIcq
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmAf5Z5Oqc
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruohY13mES
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhFusYTNUo
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsz1OGRlAO
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1CbSKuAnZ
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVhsWvm64z
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt45sjr77M
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfuZkiKXIp
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gUkaVdF08
'I really do regret this.'39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF3HguVfYC
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueKrlApMVx
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwuwrkePcY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln6UA6JmJ6
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUafvuCskC
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nq5expzUq
The rankings reflected it.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXDAYkf3en
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W6vY3zFPd
Rank 38: Lior39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SXSjvSzLG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruCuv2rLQw
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyCPxcvKRs
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE8HShWOuQ
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKI8X9gDtB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotwkjjG3Sv
Progress. Real progress.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKNff8jyJY
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6hozUph65
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWJL9ewdeG
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0T90bv9JK
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KJwwr6D0T
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nvjxv6z4z
He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcBX4OMd3K
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZahr3gXqSO
None of it worked.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpgbyhBV6r
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaOU58q913
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4pGWIbHxa
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoxZ6cKhyp
He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXADAPldnlT
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkVHpP0zU2
The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSqNfI1BS3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KfYg43R9s
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPvae0dltI
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4ugNfpDlI
It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphu7W2NDV9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9iDfa073F
And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUiFOsETlw
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x039MQCsx
They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0V5kX6mSW
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡResvdFRld8
Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI5od10Foi
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugcZ2vbdUg
The routine held until one particular morning.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmQeNM36VD
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDrmPguFoO
Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T91zh2Ru2
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbdHYQVZON
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl4tO0QgR9
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacLoJqCnBh
Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7KrBLgKvB
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoolflhnzK
Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolqsKAH7zt
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUtOVT3ZXL
When the last conversation died, she spoke.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupDADQjIFP
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDYySDjEpD
"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1vZ0KOdq7
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6evziTItVV
Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnlqdOKM6A
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMz7qn6Ctm
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDM8qAEtn3
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEiP4EwMeH
She paused.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPs6ePGPHH
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYI3S2oynx
"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection35ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcy4b9G2F4 尼

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