Kyros stood over Lior, fire-red outfit drenched and dripping. The expensive fabric clung to his chest, wine spreading across the embroidery in dark stains that would never come out.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXfS69WXH9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYnbxhHPH0
His amber eyes blazed with fury.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2EK8GeAuM
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwwS6kaRfa
"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHAUW1O2bl
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYhIMrP49g
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0rSdDBRKF
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VO89jtN3v
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Lf6LO9A9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbNNqS2dVM
The crowd pressed closer. Students formed a tightening circle - nobles in the front, commoners hanging back nervously. The music had stopped entirely. Even the servants had frozen mid-step.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMfGN23vdm
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYg3MIjFGS
Cel pushed forward through the ring of onlookers, Hestia just behind him. But there were too many bodies, too much space between him and where Lior knelt.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Wtj9HEaX
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkifdWy9lJ
"Please," Lior whispered. His sky-blue eyes were wide with terror, locked on shattered glass fragments. "I'll—I'll clean it. I'll find a way to fix it. Just please—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisrMsrfWqW
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlfZS49Oj
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9nOyYypCQ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHZuwsSwwQ
Lior flinched as if struck.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYQkAIKLEA
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KSzo46Ucv
Kyros took a step forward. The movement was deliberate, calculated to intimidate. "But I suppose that's fitting, isn't it? A worthless Moon Chosen destroying things of actual value. It's what your kind does."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3EhrLL0h0
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx8ZbVEJzF
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgbmDo5hyd
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3WGvjtjD3
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI3jIkE8CV
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRFGHvFbuZ
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBv69AWp21
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKXgLAzmcA
"That's not my problem." Kyros crossed his arms, heedless of the wet fabric. "Your clumsiness, your responsibility. Unless you're suggesting I should just accept the loss? That House Solgrand should simply absorb the cost of your incompetence?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJN99Rxx73
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xHGlkcw8r
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ZDIrJ3rM
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0riNsoKP4T
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaw63jH2oX
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8SV0X9Nl7
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawdgs9ZUVJ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthANzisOXh
"Can't what? Afford it?" Kyros's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Then perhaps they shouldn't have sent you here in the first place."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WMmsF9ksh
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gDX7ZZaqM
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hHiL3okj7
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkadteC6Fzk
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK01CbrD6M
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E0FlHPRer
Cel finally broke through the crowd. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides. The air around him had gone cold - frost beginning to form on his palm.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc4UUx5JGF
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb5UrFjiKA
But before he could speak—32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpCoiOjNFM
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbizNL0RHUm
"That's enough."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF4QkGYXN5
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw1L2aPHqX
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwASNVWZDhV
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVzQN9I7Ud
Theron stepped forward from the gathered nobles. His brown eyes were serious, the perpetual smile gone from his face. He moved with quiet confidence, positioning himself between Kyros and the kneeling Lior.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHuVEliPHC
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWnrjDNWhv
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH80MWnFDLj
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdokMTYDKp
The ballroom went absolutely still.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ebkzIqfL
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhSYmLnc4Q
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMURTaRMnG
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlVPswCnp4
"You gestured while speaking and stepped back without looking. Lior was already walking past with a glass. You moved into him, not the other way around."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW33fWIhlx
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxpSZ9DAQ0
Several students who'd been nearby shifted, exchanging glances. Their faces suggested Theron's account matched what they'd seen but been too afraid to say.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14RGyXprJc
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9iVpAQaIg
Kyros's hands twitched. His jaw worked as if chewing words he couldn't quite spit out. "That's—you're mistaken. Obviously you didn't see clearly—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9cGvrJHLu
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdXVxYKRlY
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGypeFc9NVf
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX5wzBa53N
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXGAdSoDrL
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0p7Fuyakh
He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JFikmmxEt
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGov5FsgXv
Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9zbfeSg8O
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQu4Dws96M
But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2cekmQ4Pg
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0PkbC8IIx
Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhWEjgGxRv
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEqdj1R1JQ
"Even if—" Kyros's voice had lost some of its certainty. "Even if I moved first, he should have been more careful. He should have—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz7jbEqiUP
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GhVoCaU12
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z6McQPPN0
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hYoW9UmcZ
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fvWf2XhIP
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3rXVaOrar
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3lIdiMFeS
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwViqegnX4
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLMmDXKBOq
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmkidP6cBa
"Lord Kyros."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ciOkTMbb
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MQQAq10sc
Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuofowH3GP
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFtLDF1CLx
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eEvFAu0vS
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTSS381dRQ
"Perhaps it would be best to let this go," she continued. "The evening has been lovely so far. It would be unfortunate to let one mishap sour the entire event."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7A9FPnA9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6AwqW4q2c
Kyros's jaw worked. Every line of his body screamed that he wanted to press the issue, to salvage something from this disaster. But Sylvaine's presence beside him, the weight of the watching crowd,  Esrin observing from near the wall—32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCrD5NwSFZ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlu12LOswH
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9fhIzJGbh
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAf4JzitEE
He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his wet clothing squelching with each step. Several of his usual followers hesitated, glanced at each other, then hurried after him.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sXtN0RWqQ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W5KVvaZUE
The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyoNrkmPcp
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBZxIHUkio
Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvWqPMBp43
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe99PYfMRp
"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvSIx756NI
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJXBQivyXs
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XWNxQ7xTn
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc99D9IS8DB
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNG6ZZQe0J
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uiU9ICoFX
After a long moment, Lior's shaking hand reached out and grasped Theron's. The All-Blessed pulled him to his feet with gentle strength, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder until Lior stopped swaying.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeKGorr8jY
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClpFoirbuc
"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItzgLxNCNi
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxhQbdON5B
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaOFxAgMHO
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69pDif8ZIH
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAyYanIxZF
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCslWbWbHF0
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpdJD4u5Aj
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOhBZETDkA
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDBdRBsSe8
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLMdyu17vY
"How about some fresh air?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTL20WDDSf
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk4n94sV4I
He guided Lior toward a side door, away from the watching eyes and whispered conversations. Behind them, the ball continued, but neither of them had any interest in returning.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7Rem0AujO
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuPZ1PcKpm
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjXI0rAwRT
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiq8Jh4rK2
Cel returned to his room and changed out of the formal attire with mechanical efficiency. The dark fabric whispered as he folded it, placing it carefully aside for the Academy to reclaim.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjMKoXhmC9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlYK79Xlxg
His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIjaZsdsZY
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKOqbZMRKu
He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUkVg7ME1F
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZNghCrUK5
The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX00e4OEVM0
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He started his training in silence.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3uaIRAowk
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqo9IQjMFf
Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hJad0ODXF
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPvL6sk3ot
Hestia emerged from the darkness in her usual training attire - black and practical, stripped of the evening's elegance. Her crimson eyes tracked his movements with clinical precision.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqDYjzjYOZ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYkymZaTib
"You're here," she observed.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1zelB9iCD
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg7FVCQhda
"So are you."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2zoYx6Ivn
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fnvha75dD
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUwD4i32iR
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE9nKP3wEC
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yy5gHdViX
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Dxg5Mg2V
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2XvvlM7p1
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAAk9wH8IV
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleFnjBh2mZ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9grnPrGh6
After a while, Cel broke the silence. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbYwVFDiU
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbizHdfk9BD
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGQlWZCvP4
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL4cmvZZse
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06vEtFEjru
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUHUvp9gSp
"Standing up to Kyros like that. In front of everyone." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new sequence.  "Most people would have looked away. Especially someone in his position."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxoJYmzgBR
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0f2w99q7R
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wF0lbnJmu
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuLKpwTMch
Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tfu6w05vc
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8UOwnTwpf
"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpFJ295WUu
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYLvlR2ZjL
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSphCQRs9SL
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SXdBmmdZS
"She gave Kyros an escape. Made it easy for him to back down without losing too much face." Hestia's tone carried something that might have been approval.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3yN32tlmb
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlzAV4p10x
She tilted her head slightly.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86EeN8bBxH
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCNrTnU1AJ
"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB64R1EiHKY
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto14L3vvNq
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrdlscY20D
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jR5eGw6Xv
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1js1fuXPs
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD8MdPkZ4w
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonZFSEXci9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhetwqEpj2h
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY3MzjpFV9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOda3Pi4kYj
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0ftWeLvU9
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SNdiI74DO
"You're curious about that?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE3io1WNOh
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYSsj3btmG
"Yes."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIkd09QGat
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMJ3PzPxqh
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAkomXaKUT
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjad95W4nEO
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8FxXKuMmP
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ408DxDYIhQ
A pause.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQdbqHp8FQ
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUVPDCxXzk
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtzr4wHCqn
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRpnfcH2n0
Her gaze held his.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMnWgR9vQj
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ93Vr446V
"You're different. The scent doesn't cling to you - it emanates from you. It's not something you've accumulated. It's something you are."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ946jzzim9q
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2uCdSKEQt
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSphGLdgoH
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2u13OxRfS
"What does that mean?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvn3CeFUpE
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKRCoEtXhy
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VL4y7Z94d
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU7WeI1BKR
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuxdyPdxqz
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTl6TZKEtW
Silence stretched between them.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSqJudJgXr
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7NFql2AUn
Unique. The word settled over him without the weight it should have carried. He'd died and come back changed - he'd accepted that fact long ago. He even found himself grateful for the power it brought. Either way, dwelling on it changed nothing. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dnJw4RU0Q
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kk3afsGuI
"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXihGzrnKk
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr1UC4LXGZ
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Then she shook her head.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Uf7e6fbd
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"No."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzKe6azMS6
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Cel blinked. "No?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh4lO883qs
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ621v6IVgQv
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Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzFS0nK1Gh
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Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMQ0VAsDv2
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"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWx9TIwc1D
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The word hit like a physical blow.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Msp756tU
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPxGBSNh3S
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Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNvMbysC3G
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"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCwNMgcVF
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"Then what—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmh39b5hW3
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"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi39FteS6e
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The night air suddenly felt colder.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6OSqexhSm
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTVVzbYfNX
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She shook her head slightly.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp3g1f1C5i
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1UkEB5njT
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Silence pressed heavy between them.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxj8MpzYr6
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgyyi6UBkG
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVX3iphSce
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In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiIhskMrJO
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3W6jmpUhY
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56bmdpnVjd
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeYfMlWomm
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyC6QiRH43
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ipQgbsGJz
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp58zRtzFP
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAs4GK3KU1
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVIRYov216
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Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTvR2uc0kT
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But he couldn't say that. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61asZOsUdp
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I6UONFoy8
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"I—"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Ziwao95b
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ419DEtu1UU
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---32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mKS3Xgt3
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1234 copyright protection28ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB8fiNU2Fq 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection28ＰＥＮＡＮＡlODket5lh6 尼

I wanted to apologize that the chapter on saturday was left out. I would recommend you to join the Discord to stay updated on those matters: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm1234 copyright protection28ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzNQWS3WNt 尼

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