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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjTe7X6pLX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjo6uUQOHb
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbosc9k0wX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFUpLwUyjL
Cel grabbed a basin from the stack near the well and followed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1FcTL651L
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuUpcblWYO
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn95UQHf6Om
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAt9lrW5Pr
"Good morning," Lior said when Cel stopped behind him. His tone was light, normal. As if nothing just happened.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljW13i3JEy
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwb1Nz80dP
"Morning."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjAiMI5kyj
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WYQW3tCpq
They shuffled forward with the line. The well's wooden mechanism creaked as someone hauled up the bucket.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvaOs1YSAO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dRgCYk6k5
"How were the classes yesterday?" Cel asked.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHpp1p0hVL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18svvldie9
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3nNPQJXot
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu8LoKUlbI
His fingers worked at the basin's edge - that familiar nervous gesture.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ASZsae4A
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkU8fQ7RgP
"The letters don't make sense yet. And my hand cramps trying to copy them. But Instructor Saren says it will get easier."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwGrH57Eo7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDTtwWB5XC
"It will."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJx1BDLzT1
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbeWWN4fYF
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fv3nouU0b
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0abX774jjJ
He stepped aside, but didn't leave.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHjPiVpUWP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCwctKE8hP
Cel filled his own basin. The water was cold enough to sting.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS3UMAKbBd
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXirueUFhAC
When he lifted the full basin, Lior still stood there.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnh0YHT03G
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQSY5GjkTh
"Ready?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXeWfvVRRv
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5IgPfVt0F
Cel nodded.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FXaB0WKr8
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0xc0yuTAq
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1usw04ZEm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kgQQoMDbp
"Maybe we should—" Lior's voice came quiet, uncertain. "There's space over there. More room."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvwWE1KVwe
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv0ofIRXbs
Cel didn't respond. Just kept walking.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATsXWuskAP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBLYXcVgIZ
The boy ahead remained focused on straightening his collar.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaAXCjgeFh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZxs6MZF6d
Cel's foot caught on nothing.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gK8Vjgonp
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT6dc22Ypd
His balance broke instantly, body lurching forward. The basin swung down in a perfect arc.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cliJ9hpmP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yv6uSvv2k
It crashed directly onto the boy's head.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgrK5AK41n
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc402L2nAx
The sound was sharp - wood shattering against skull, water exploding outward in a spray that drenched the boy's freshly donned uniform. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJt2sycbZZ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2ksfPXg41
"What the—" The boy shouted, hands flying to his head. "You bastard!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzo1iQ3q5B
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz21GVK3vy
Conversations died. Heads turned. The entire gathering area went silent.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuXlFOZpFH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3WVttvDEq
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, dirt clinging to his palms.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYaxw4kY5H
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsWbRHPvxh
"Sorry." Cel's voice carried across the sudden silence. "Seems like I tripped.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bPiVu6tRQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm7dospiHo
"Are you kid—"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDYGpoxW5f
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gygoV1hix
Cel's hand shot out and closed on the boy's collar. One sharp pull brought them forehead to forehead. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7thSRXkuh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA2DpI1bnu
Their eyes locked - glacial blue meeting dark brown. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB34imbIeO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nKIgcN1pl
"Next time," Cel whispered, "it won't be the basin that breaks."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTUXzU5FCU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf7f9CvHuv
He held the contact for three heartbeats, letting the message sink in.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkWn8RNsHf
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3F3Gk3JqJ
Then he released his grip and stepped back.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeITdKMVLVM
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yx5DDXdwv
"I'm happy nothing serious happened."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzPoU2qvg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Swwl0tLX
The boy stared up at him, hand still pressed to his head. His mouth worked soundlessly, bewildered by what just happened.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjX0lqRbtg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAkiwmb22y
Around them, students remained frozen. No one spoke. No one moved. The sudden violence had caught them all mid-breath.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut71lbAugy
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURsxHPsFEk
Cel turned and walked back to where Lior stood, his expression unchanged.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1fFLtfGD6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCq74rZj3M
Lior blinked rapidly, his basin trembling slightly in his hands. "I—you can share mine. If you want."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus9uD4jGdx
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK16ZWTRGAs
"Thanks."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeNOa3sp8q
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKKgHrmwsC
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth9HZlb5zB
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5xTRoW9ww
"Was that... I mean..." Lior's voice dropped lower. "Was that okay?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcXch4x9in
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBxXLARegy
Cel dipped his hands in the water, washing dirt from his palms. "What do you mean?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoluY9EgGes
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk9v1iH97G
Lior opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8P4KuH3Ag
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzCGSJzstc
"Nothing," he said finally. "Never mind."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5dBRcMHni
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8vBhUkPo5
They washed in silence, the rhythmic splash of water the only sound between them.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxbd6efwMZ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjOqzv9fHA
"You have a nice body."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCLZ1bGiMD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgmZbHmK1n
Cel glanced at Lior.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG21EPn9IHj
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nWPK31Fk9
He was staring at Cel's bare torso with genuine admiration.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuuFXgkf9F
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j70eHkPub
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnwrbODR4l
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ0pRkX5oV
A pause.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlj1TzJq4j
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqhu44AJWv
"How did you get it?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXwrVzn9jK
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBpCgduNRd
"My parents were strict," Cel said. Not quite a lie. "They wanted me to be strong."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPIQkdQWS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0rCMQJcrp
Lior nodded slowly, as if that explained everything.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW19xZ2O3uC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WcnNEtZqX
They finished washing and pulled on their uniforms. The bell rang across the Academy grounds once more - sharp and clear.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGfrZz2fFH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1xZ0tEbY3
Morning assembly.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVA8f6xX6e
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3JGToKnbT
Students moved as one toward the training grounds. Cel and Lior joined the flow, their basins left behind with dozens of others.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JlfJq5oWS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwNe6biIeO
The sun climbed overhead while Instructor Calder shouted commands that drove muscles past exhaustion. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWeSskIkWX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85LqdcsJbx
By the end, most students lay sprawled across packed earth, chests heaving.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhHL75bSVU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSIErXeAbW
Cel stood upright, breathing steady. Sweat coated his skin, but his legs didn't shake. His arms didn't tremble.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGjd6jFwuX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXubF9nm3b
Breakfast came next. Food that Cel ate without tasting, surrounded by conversations he didn't join.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZTWJZTKHQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedBf65WECf
Then theoretical classes. Instructor Saren's voice washing over them in steady waves - creature classifications, blessing mechanics, imperial history.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykG5JNdJMk
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8syiWFiHG
Cel listened with half his attention. Most of it he already knew. The rest didn't matter enough to focus on completely.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EmFinTsXg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBws1aLWQvA
Lunch. More food. More tasteless fuel.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXM6wwYqK7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVpQ8NKGSA
Then combat training.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKnswRCf0e
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhOUdCO8hH
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW89nBHmAq7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Zz1Ti8do
"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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhltoWbxBEO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbSXpTbvAT
His scarred hands gestured toward the racks.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpEUO1maz
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8LGE4rW0B
"Which means you learn everything. Master nothing initially, but become competent with all of it."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ZmvRF4wN
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImxnItmEGd
He moved to the weapon rack and pulled out a longsword. The blade caught afternoon light as he held it up.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEcPTrNpYM
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlUw2LAuVH
"We start with this. Two-handed sword. Most common artifact weapon type. Basic, versatile, effective."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd54vBxbQV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5AQ5X86fQ
The blade was real steel. Not practice wood.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAFUKRxD90
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fKlJ6eMW6
"Take one. Form lines. We begin with the fundamental strikes."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP5c8wVFya
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i2rW3H6Zw
Students moved to the racks. Cel took a blade from the middle.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlhZ43KyZE
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfqCNXAIxl
The weight settled in his hands. Familiar. Wrong.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxxX3POUfF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RwYV5X6Dr
He joined the forming lines, Lior settling beside him with a sword he could barely hold steady.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpQIJSRQjW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb4Q1fQEG4
"Basic vertical slash," Calder called out. "Watch."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdshdyZ4ZLP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqplzSeeXX
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVXOb6ljEV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR8gaVTN8P
"Again."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjOX63LHco
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcTRdJM7vv
The motion repeated. Slower this time, each phase distinct.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadXoQUouUQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWT1Y35ATE
"That's the first form. You'll practice it until your arms fall off. Then you'll practice it more."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2leubcAnh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vJC2qieHf
He demonstrated the remaining basic forms, each one sharp and purposeful.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg9GgWQP8a
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKr0UkeMLa
The training began.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tbfJvxQwx
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4DxiJhlqt
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvwIQ73Q91
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW9DjQkpqt
These were the Chosen Legion forms. Practical. Efficient. Built for soldiers who fought rifts creatures in coordinated units rather than nobles dueling for honor.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5OiNVm5xN
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaFLzfESQx
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNk0CoWzf4
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLyB2D2eaf
His hands adjusted their grip. The sword rose overhead. Descended. Rose again.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bCjkxeitg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQS0TaVAwN
Around him, students fumbled and struggled. Lior nearly dropped his blade twice in the first minute. Others overcorrected, their swings wild and uncontrolled.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ff9jfm6V
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2MEiwkdlk
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mtROYLW8U
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hrjxzutpN
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz4OEEZAzI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6STB1zZJI
That heritage had to die here. Buried beneath new patterns, new muscle memory.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHlCG0567j
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDVGZbcf4O
The Chosen Legion's style would become his foundation instead.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQUejbKeoC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRK0jo4no7
Days bled into weeks.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlmiaQmDuE
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfRmSLW5jt
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36jykzNqZM
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZCnVXEgZW
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieT14vVBqc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a45tnIGUn
But physical conditioning betrayed him.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOVwXdsRFe
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gLAXQ6YzY
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. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSRdTaUxBq
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Ab9X2Qut
The instructors noticed. Students noticed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qCxBRGMiw
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglBwsjpJKk
By the second week, no one questioned when Cel finished first.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM7wK4C9wF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdYpBgIwr3
Combat training told a different story.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSkgJGBnI8
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vVNEYTt0m
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn5fccJPCr
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlc2vSfrBt
"Authority," he told Instructor Calder when questioned. "Strength enhancement. I'm still learning to control it."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3pUbGWCqD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHoPz9WjU
The lie held. Barely.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWxGGqF9a6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDftkRC0D9
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxakBff99k
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrg6oMOH72
Instructor Calder's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the explanation without pressing.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhHazHN7j6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wfxbl1USH
The nights belonged to training.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnos2WIKlK
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIgwXaOLA3
When the Academy slept, Cel claimed the empty grounds. Basic exercises until dawn approached. Building the foundation that everything else multiplied.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPyHttbQ6o
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuIsPkT3Kf
Free days took him into the city.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrO07Hdc8n
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQTRSEJZg1
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatNMnN5ReJ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqzQudW0Fb
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBREDRchHrW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yRJzhCTqX
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgyA0WBE0J
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM6O5hYgwM
Humanity's normal rhythm. Lives untouched by divine blessings or rift-creatures.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9gEZMlqqV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxWv7ZbHGd
It was... peaceful. In its own way.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hfq3DcWVv
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5LsLDVUS6
Some evenings, Lior joined him in his room.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqBf89FwdW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx356PvigU
Letters sprawled across parchment in shaky lines. Lior's frustration mounted with each attempt, his quill scratching and bleeding ink.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEMjVd9elA
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTCYc3hSGA
"Like this," Cel said, guiding his hand through the proper motion.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXg4U25hTC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qyG7sUBiR
Lior's writing improved slowly. His reading faster. By the third week, he could parse simple sentences without help.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydRG9zWEul
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jJBmaDtZJ
"Thank you," Lior said one evening, his voice quiet. “I know I'm slow at learning.” 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08QGYOIWHo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUcss9sdg2
"It's fine."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7dolMH2nW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UjD7WlCpo
And it was.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgny7EVSc2
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn9L7ebM63
No one approached Cel or Lior.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6VEKSFDMO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IBwzzavsv
The incident at the well had marked them both - Lior as weak, Cel as dangerous. Neither was appealing company.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2oflYxATD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLQAbFtVqm
They sat alone at meals. Trained in isolated corners of the grounds. Existed apart from everyone else.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy2oeGe9wt
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufooOS2ran
Lior seemed unbothered. Or perhaps he'd simply accepted it.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl17qTSWvc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKb3FZHFlx
Cel didn't care either way.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXiXHVb7Ne
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4rRBGjrbQ
Weeks became a month. Then two. Then three.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQuEdt9ihP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQYODHaLRO
The physical conditioning grew harder. Combat forms more complex. Theoretical lessons deeper.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOqMvP1C01
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwo0eHtQ1c
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g1WfdZ6x4
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBlecmkmmm
On the morning of the fourth month's final day, Instructor Saren stood before them in the main classroom.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2kcEA73AP
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ab3l7wdon
"In two days," she said, her voice carrying across the tiered seats, "the noble students arrive."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNtLLpxzpN
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nZQapawGc
Silence answered her.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQUnxejaA0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcf6izCuwP
"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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8u7r31GNH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ISt2k1qq
She paused.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmXl7hssqf
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYVtuqZTzS
"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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMNV3Qw9wf
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUYOoWctC1
The weight of that truth settled over the room.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXyExbFM6p
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogey1QTIuJ
"Tomorrow is your rest day. Use it wisely. Dismissed."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG90JMD8cpx
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhbTyBXDc6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ck3Vr0poS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnojXt2cQky
----108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk3NXH4iiq
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3VMxJpUw3
​​​​​​​Heyho, Author here!108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRdgNkZB21
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y0HmqbMHA
I just wanted to inform you that I will launch a new special-chapter format on monday.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtvcrAsyGK
You can keep track of it on my website or discord^^108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSoistZcHO
Website: https://celastos-shop.fourthwall.com108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNqRYzNKea
Discord: https://discord.gg/Uduxc48wfm108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQjkCxajik
1234 copyright protection104ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuwMD8FRIV 尼

216.73.217.9