"What do you want from me?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU4wFkhbBe
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjL2HDno59
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcyCYrGyDP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kLmzF9eQR
Silence stretched.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsu0rWW7Rc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AeBlP4WSq
Then she rose in one fluid motion, brushing invisible dust from her uniform with careful hands.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRDXRy8o20
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk9vhPuI35
"I'm uncertain what you mean, Celvian." Her tone carried the practiced neutrality of noble deflection. "If my presence disturbs you—"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKoXUAbcg
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP9vIe6xBj
"That's not an answer."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiX1FZjY3Z
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSu1AnpvBh
Cel's voice came flat. Direct.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpD3jDDTGh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpTiFjYPCQ
Hestia's fingers stilled on her sleeve. Something flickered across her expression - too quick to name, but there.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQKqQUFT7u
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafw5NrQZCU
"You've been inching closer every night," Cel continued. "So I'm asking again. What do you want from me?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJos1ttw4N
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYaF6BWgyx
The silence that followed felt heavier than before. Hestia's crimson eyes studied him with renewed intensity, as if recalculating some internal assessment.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qb4wAzM72
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxg0pafNDt
Finally, she spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1fqQaWmXV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DqU7Ef99s
"Are you familiar with House Mortveil's position within the Death Clan?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77gVnbj5be
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3spO2Taqm
The question caught him off-guard. His brows furrowed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchE9srzdUd
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPp2sdAEVk
"House Mortveil leads the Death Clan. Everyone knows that."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gMioQPyXO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTDkh3Pkic
"Yes. But do you know why?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9jFK7ZcOl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd7m9Ln5ia
Cel's jaw tightened. "No."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBGj3xJNAP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybm4Jt1sRY
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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLWgVZV8iS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSmQXSF4UC
She paused.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrokiZc29x
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47K26kW3ok
"Yet House Mortveil has led the Death Clan since its founding. No other house has ever successfully challenged our position."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09tnbFPPiP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3KRSWzTmu
Cel's mind worked through the implications. "Why?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg3oxwi0G0
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu79XVGSrI
"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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCRP8OEFv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFdLgc8gLv
She lifted one hand, studying it as if seeing something beyond.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRjCiEFjEB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmBuJSQ9Xe
"We can smell death."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8wCpILJUw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZWsrKurHd
She paused.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZWvu9y2ax
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPuN7TyXTs
"And this gift ensures House Mortveil's eternal leadership. Because no one can challenge a mandate given directly by a god."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t08eWOn5R
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTHYThHhYN
Cel's pulse quickened. "What does that have to do with me?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrr3ehxYpJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jisg5vFZA
Hestia took a step closer. Then another. Until only a few paces separated them.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyHoiUqj0w
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg8fjqUwt8
"You reek of death."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO2Tqze1rn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKRHntGcuQ
The statement landed like a blade between his ribs.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVTNMjV25m
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfEsCFKpJO
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4iSZqnbwW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS21z1cdXRt
But death itself still clung to him. Invisible. Undetectable to everyone except those blessed to perceive it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfyCU8Ejwj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi3RAUgQxo
'Raven.'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXTnUFkZ4c
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0hShZJz3x
The pieces clicked together with cold certainty.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2na0wgE9B
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj56SkY9w59
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? 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOT1Qbaoi1
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlHbjt0Cti
Something cold settled in Cel's chest. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQRLdwuUrG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP7T1tKXNg
"Being near you helps me replenish my Divine Essence." Hestia's tone remained neutral.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWUtK6A03j
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGnr1wZnaw
"How does it smell?" The question escaped him before thought could stop it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp007d5DgXP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfKa2cdY31
Hestia's expression shifted - something that might have been surprise.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE4gC0WPwZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeczNnqpxON
"Pleasant," she said after a moment. "It's... comforting. In a way."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T6dsQHSQ2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0uoowcVTb
She'd been drawn to him not despite what marked him, but because of it. Because death was familiar. Comfortable, even.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnvkDToxoZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnbRkCHgcU
The irony was almost laughable.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCoyJ2woBN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOLQTybQIV
"So you've been using me." The words came flat. Accusatory. "Sitting close to replenish your essence."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcVOt2aKDL
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUsibBbTaT
She met his gaze directly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxNSJiLzma
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZSbiqlbmZ
"I didn't lie."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupydyX5kqj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYfO3GfzT3
"You didn't tell the truth either."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9hnlI3oRC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1XslIUM5i
Silence stretched taut as wire.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtIDZjbkvK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWF2MZu0M4
Then Cel made a decision.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUVgR5tAln
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7aLZPIgSW
"Fine. I'll help you."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl9RzRrfnJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPk0w9DcD1
Hestia blinked. "What?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx3ZZV9UiS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejGWUJ4ldL
"You want to be near me to replenish your essence. I'll let you. But I want something in exchange."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyRrTV7FT1
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVilAt4R7TF
Her eyes narrowed. "And what might that be?" 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oZeU5DhWu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd00MUF0fqs
"Spar with me." He summoned Silent Moon, the blade materializing in his grip. "Every night. Real fighting. No holding back."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIQqhPrEIC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XfIZV8iG4
"You want to fight me?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzaaXN8AZY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NAc7qj56U
"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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1qdriyWn6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwda0xIZBp
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY9t6rltiq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7FQxdSuqO
"That was extraordinarily rude."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSD9VtGR8C
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw36HfNCYq
"I know."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFEGOiwoJj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzUSbbLcuY
"Accusing me of using you. Making demands of a noble."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacsuz3A2LB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHIyO82Nih
"I know."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0IspEjXcj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dp2iPK926
Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqXpJI0ZiJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyBP35gWYL
"Very well. I accept."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV78AeE5H0d
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZJk3tfp49
She stepped back, hands moving to summon her artifact. "Though I suspect you'll regret this arrangement quickly enough."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5i4NrD524
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg75K6QFvzE
Darkness coalesced in her hands, solidifying into something that made Cel's breath catch.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95enqbZwAS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcckKkGWql
A longsword.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZeJsuRgm7
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dj7yxBkOv
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgpQpJeZLV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEimNxbznAH
It matched her perfectly. Elegant. Deadly. Precise.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WCiDTR03l
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSOnYJHLBW
Cel's grip tightened on Silent Moon.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9fuXg56qf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx92v8QiboL
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e4MqBDQlf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuInlXbxkMy
"Begin whenever you're ready," Hestia said softly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpZUdNH7tS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYihtl1MfwY
Cel moved first.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3FS4JSjnG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nzAG8Kobv
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZst31aYRI8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdQ2z9C3T4
Hestia's weapon intercepted.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVFV2IcXEP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTLCGCEXef
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilOYgGHKfq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdIgJ2SFRa
Cel stumbled, balance breaking.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZV56xl2Dh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnYuRoeOHM
The longsword's pommel drove into his stomach.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbSd1e4TMP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcO4JvAozH
Air exploded from his lungs. He bent double, gasping—87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxj3s7SvsV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxOBtRs69z
Her knee caught him under the chin.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Fj5kevOu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLncFBSAmL
His head snapped back. Stars burst across his vision. He tried to recover, to bring Silent Moon up—87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLnI0eYuyb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAobadnulwT
The flat of her blade slammed into his ribs.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQzcBEkNuc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dewd0cMsA
The impact launched him sideways. He hit the ground hard, rolled, came up on one knee with his weapon raised—87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lQt2yNd97
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4ohIwGEMi
Hestia's crimson blade pressed against his throat.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYflsff7NdZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAzdLBQlQC
"Yield?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EECUKtlck
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WtsSkJVnm
Cel stared up at her. At the perfect composure. The absolute control. The complete absence of mercy in those crimson eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiauYEFuod2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a40RNfFRy
"Yes."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHYIPhB8aH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcEbKhIvRh
The blade withdrew. She stepped back, weapon still raised and ready.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xpAp7YAsQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YLDhYQKZl
Cel pushed himself upright slowly, chest heaving. His ribs throbbed where she'd struck him. His jaw ached. His pride burned worse than both.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJlZpffmdN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd4yggmYEh
"Again?" Hestia asked. Her tone remained polite. Almost gentle.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtKJCFbE6D
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iEWZB77zb
Like she was offering tea instead of another beating.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmDzY4g6mz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabxiABSDSl
Cel raised Silent Moon again.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZiJagbyox
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1VsRqr2lF
They fought.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwKMyTH1ul
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwxaLKAXZ2
Or rather, Hestia dismantled him with clinical precision.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoVZd2SQo0
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc6LvpQ4TF
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t9Lc3NxL4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo75FfnJvM
She didn't just beat him. She punished him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklUB5AM1O3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgXKxw3z2A
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZpRpMVu5j
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW13eXkZlW
By the fifth match, understanding settled in his chest like ice.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SMONb73jX
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8SQDZf73p
"You're angry." He stayed on the ground this time, delaying the next beating.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q5f5GTsBn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVRJmY8MG1
"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." 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZtWPrKuYj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkICpLJI3i
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y8t5PZ5s6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat4OUY4Wel
"I apologize." The words came rough. "For being rude."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPEzl6Ts3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRPC01fDkJ
"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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLubdzM2PF4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vNVripkg6
She stepped back, leaving him on the ground. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo9nnepTNy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRp2m0mmnI
"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." 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY7O9MWqKi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6o1RdGcA1
Her lips curved into that cold smile again.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALJGDG3p8C
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgztxMMLqS3
"Tomorrow evening. I trust you'll maintain better manners."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbV6xNoFtQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbJCJBedWk
She turned and walked away, jet-black hair swaying with each step.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKAp5Lsya5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtlAwJ4Gcn
Cel watched her go, ribs aching and pride thoroughly trampled.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb8p4f7EoF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWS9oVaKQx
'I really do regret this.'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmQDvp6Qrg
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFea2GHEMu
Weeks blurred together in a rhythm of classes, training, and nightly defeats.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8yVKK5VMU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXiAmc6PlU
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tsui2VtjO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDuQq45J5x
The rankings reflected it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNpJeEWvhY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq39VnZqfOn
Rank 38: Lior87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ylZsLnLXw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtApWOFS1CG
Still near the bottom. Still struggling. But no longer dead last.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡporqqB45A4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdDJ7uuIgC
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT9jCHYQHn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Ykfy0ezm
Progress. Real progress.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuGZ0YStVb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoKpbYflhW
Meanwhile, Cel's own nightly training sessions continued with brutal consistency.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPNZ0asJyM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwV3eGSjqb
She was merciless. Every match ended the same way - him on the ground, her standing over him with that bloody longsword at his throat.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE3353iKJO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3CtjqoCuu
He tried different tactics. Defensive forms. Aggressive rushes. Feints and misdirection.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkppQooEsy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnZ7zU3f9h
None of it worked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToBS0pVrLp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0zfWyF1je
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2L9ZcMrxt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzpcv7sjyU
He still couldn't capitalize on the knowledge. But at least he could see it now.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RqRExQJdO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzccZQ7et3b
The losses piled up. His body adapted to the constant punishment, healing faster, growing resilient to impacts that should have left him stunned.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPeJDnX3gI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR5LRQMIDn
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6hOFv7J8T
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHmG3uqiEz
It was... helpful. Frustrating. But helpful.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YVuBuZFn3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOFQu9lTvM
And every night, she meditated nearby afterward. Close enough that the scent of death apparently served its purpose.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsKVTxYo4M
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoQY7uOV7n
They didn't speak much outside the sparring. Just existed in the same space, using each other for their respective needs.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3QjtVR7XH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHfvKnt69i
Mutual exploitation. Strangely honest.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFKLARBqTx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLJplYssDx
The routine held until one particular morning.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvEvf41Lki
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zrgP8DHzU
Light filtered through the classroom's tall windows, painting long rectangles across tiered benches.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhehLlNzi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI6E6cByNQ
Cel sat in his usual spot, Lior beside him. Hestia occupied the bench behind them.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTpQtKk12v
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi4G8akNQD
Students filled the remaining seats in their usual clusters. Nobles near the front. Commoners scattered through the middle and back rows.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy9OceLXGD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8B9o0pUaF
Instructor Saren stood at the podium, hands folded, waiting for complete silence.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7nOYGbj5t
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4aNPfCVK7
When the last conversation died, she spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UW6jeWXDq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaK6nqRbsM
"Today's lesson will be abbreviated." Her tone carried unusual formality. "We have a special guest."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS9GC1JiCO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31TEkzz26U
Murmurs rippled through the class. Special guests were rare. The Academy maintained strict protocols - even noble parents couldn't simply appear without advance notice.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8JtPm6Em3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw16il7sxUL
"She is humanity's greatest defender," Saren continued. "One of few in all of history to have reached the pinnacle of human capability." 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgSox1yQvv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDAf5XdZ4A
She paused.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje42ZHP7Xz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZ0UhGhAi
"Lady Esrin of the Chosen Legion, also known as the Hallowed."1234 copyright protection83ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9JFuXeRBg 尼

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