The announcement fell across the classroom like a stone into still water.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXZ4yFGJEK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8PTEda4e
Every noble straightened instantly. Even Theron, who usually maintained a relaxed posture, sat with rigid attention. The commoners shifted nervously, uncertain how to react to such a presence.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUFIFxHasD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLX3vDx4HK
Cel's hands tightened on his desk.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPn5vv6e3W
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlBVc56eXH
'Esrin.'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmSQU8tuzH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98OWrlG9VQ
The woman who'd nearly killed him. Who'd dragged him from the Ashlands to the Reckoning. Who wielded power that could reshape battlefields with casual thought.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaSEO9gU19
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr8H15yZFZ
The door opened.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXy0l8LS8I
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PmE8CuMj1
She entered with the same quiet authority Cel remembered. She wore the Chosen Legion's dress uniform, ash-white hair pulled back in a practical style. Ruby eyes swept the classroom once - comprehensive, assessing - before settling into neutral observation.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJRO7ycm9T
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTe2HObQFw
Every student seemed to hold their breath.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Gi9UjCuv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0eV5Zcrxv
Instructor Saren bowed - deeper than required. "Lady Esrin. The students are honored by your presence."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWSjkwHFrL
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ukl5uEcK7
Esrin's gaze tracked across the tiered rows. When it passed over Cel, there was no flicker of recognition. No acknowledgment. Just the same clinical assessment she gave every other student.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyhl11GJ52
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahHQ6uG5tG
Good. He'd worried she might somehow reveal their connection.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSzGwsxaB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8r5LewC8b
"I'll leave them in your care," Saren said, already moving toward the exit.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOwA2QMw1d
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRYBLyaJqg
The door closed with soft finality.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWnowJ5IQP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvHvEdzPnZ
Silence pressed heavy across the classroom. Forty students watching the Hallowed with varying degrees of awe and terror.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJxDkwcpW8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qVSyJvdrr
Esrin walked to the podium with unhurried steps. She didn't consult notes. Didn't adjust her uniform. Simply stood there, perfectly composed, and spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRnuIIb4WH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt8VuXI0tq
"There are two purposes for my visit. First - to answer some of your questions. About being a Chosen. About the Chosen Legion. About what waits beyond these walls."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dwecFjhFI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLiTRDR67l
Her tone carried no warmth. No encouragement. Just statement of fact.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkb2m7fRIS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Q5miD2vF
"Second - this evening, the Academy is hosting a formal ball. To test your etiquette in a practical environment."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zOThuPS2I
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7aYJirZu
Murmurs erupted. A ball? The commoners looked nervous. The nobles appeared intrigued.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV7BQAqLBH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JvDeuR3FV
"Ask your questions," Esrin said.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotIeM0eQsA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85fcArRyHq
Silence held for several heartbeats. Finally, a few hesitant hands rose among the back rows.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dZYv77jPK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBvPGjwgcT
A commoner girl stood, voice trembling. "Lady Esrin, if it pleases you... what's the Chosen Legion like? How does it differ from serving a Great Clan?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjScGKYYFs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQs6uqAEBL
"The Legion accepts all Chosen regardless of patron deity or birth." Her answer came without hesitation. "Advancement depends solely on capability. No bloodlines. No affiliations. Just competence."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyCKpkt1dP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrnQZpTEaX
She met the girl's gaze directly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLP2YpzxgK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64tm3MDe36
"If you're weak, you'll be assigned simple tasks. If you're strong, you'll face greater threats. The Legion doesn't waste talent, but it doesn't shelter incompetence either."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iihHgxUCO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxO7kU6N5E
The girl sat down, clearly satisfied. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXQZjaTFMs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmPtNHhvwc
Another hand rose immediately. A boy near the back stood nervously. "Lady Esrin, our final examination is near - a patrol mission. Do you have any advice for us?” 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNiaGG0QCg
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOYSVmhjXV
Esrin's expression didn't soften, but something shifted in her tone. Practicality, perhaps. Or the closest thing to concern she would show. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTG11j8VQk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh3XujjDhF
"Don't be heroes. The examination tests judgment as much as strength. Know when to fight and when to retreat. Overconfidence kills more Chosen than any creature." She paused. "And never split your group unless absolutely necessary. You're students, not veterans. Act accordingly." 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqahLqpX1U
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMyw9gbJ6L
The boy nodded, sitting down with a sobered expression. Another voice called out from the middle rows. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8IacNqubh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nVllFqIaR
"Do you see the royals often? What about the princess?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlxExHCqn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiLQZmWvS7
Something that might have been amusement flickered across Esrin's features. "Occasionally. When duty requires it."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRQFFbzOIZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekC3N22RLw
"What about the Emperor?" The voice carried genuine interest. "Or the Empress?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kqeylva9V
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX98TBLsIO
"Less frequently." Esrin's tone suggested the topic held no particular interest to her. "Next question."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NDoc2EQjR
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc41MdmeRX
Another hand - a girl near the middle rows, barely able to meet her eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDJmcvxbB7
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa09uMbXqOx
"Lady Esrin... are you the strongest person in the Empire?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB05jtrMCLe
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCE6lez0ON
The question hung in the air. Several nobles shifted, as if the directness bordered on improper.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBodWyYgXkj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWpTU4wJIl
Esrin's expression didn't change, but Cel noticed the slight pause. The way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dVulcRufl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZCIh482Xp
"Yes."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDz92vM2xZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHAZRoofVd
The answer came flat. Final.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVj1W5BJDB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiArmu4JhB
But Cel understood why she'd hesitated.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2DxXlehaZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFnn29DJBT
'She may be the strongest in the Empire. But within the Reckoning, she's only second.'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMgfxd3jul
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfksfvS0Vj
Veyron held the rank of the First Reckoning. The hooded figure whose presence commanded even Esrin's respect. Whose power Cel couldn't begin to estimate.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C5WPiE9mA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTSRBVB7BO
But she couldn't reveal that. Couldn't acknowledge the organization's existence.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzrYWjCyTl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwJs4adaO2
So she simply claimed the title everyone expected her to hold.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdopWE3WpfY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCSWRRp545
"How does someone become Hallowed?" The same commoner girl asked, voice still trembling slightly. "If... if that's permitted to ask, my lady."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qeH2JZXVa
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrDWAgzOYY
Interest rippled through the classroom.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHZ6pkbUtF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMQFAQpPb4
Esrin's expression shifted slightly - not quite approval, but acknowledgment that this was the right question to ask.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hAJ0WeHse
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh6TXBOMZw
"There are four steps. First - being marked and chosen by a deity. You've all completed that."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQriPuJbsZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASqdOuqyxm
She lifted two finger.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStfS6FBETW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT8jSMtZEL
"Second - master your Divine Essence completely. Prove to your deity that choosing you was worthwhile. Show them you've mastered their gift."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQu0W8LhSX
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3OcX1DjTl
Cel's jaw tightened.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qya9u9JZ4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3BLuNBBuT
'What about me then?'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCeRuVYAwV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTM1o6bLiD
The question screamed through his mind. He had no Divine Essence pool. Nothing to expand. Nothing to grow.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDErC20oO9W
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kgm5XLRxo
How was he supposed to evolve when the fundamental requirement didn't exist?87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7psgLuOpu2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0U59c3NI6
"In accordance," Esrin continued, "your deity will expand your Divine Essence pool beyond its birth limits. As you all know, the pool you're born with cannot naturally grow. This expansion is an gift. Recognition that you've earned more."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLtO5oVbjk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHopggZc58Z
She raised a third finger.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U0i9BwjTV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZWFmgRLgv
"Third - achieve a World Creation.” 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeMiUwHcuw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKcsls1lny
Murmurs rippled through the students. Several looked confused. Others showed recognition.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VmTGeHSe6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmvPvFjXDg
“This requires not just mastery but understanding. You must comprehend the fundamental nature of your Divine Essence. Its truth."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepJw6cAZkg
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7saJMK2B
Her expression remained neutral, but her voice carried weight.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLd1DiT7n0
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotZFtCuy8S
"It is the most difficult step. Every Chosen's essence is fundamentally unique. There are no instruction manuals. No proven methods. No shortcuts."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2mRDTShsn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw3TEXaU4f
She paused, letting that sink in. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l8WCdplMw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUFdcCs4rk
"Most Chosen never achieve it.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF1J73qf70
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKTQsT7oSH
A fourth finger joined the others. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfCJkUCJbQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaUsakUa7F
"Fourth - raise your affinity with one paragon to the maximum. To reach perfect resonance with your deity's nature. To become one with their will.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYkYMdjASt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv2AyEgVx9
She lowered her hand.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeBIwraDhz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR5m3yqT4J
"Only a handful in history have reached this level."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpfww5DsDJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5JiFVZmeR
"Could you show us your abilities?" A reckless boy called out. "Like your World?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD69yctUIt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiBkpFcdQs
Several students still looked confused. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgznuUPYCp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0oF25zu8K
Lior leaned toward Cel, whispering. "What's a World?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS7TDXirTT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHsm2tccsW
Before Cel could answer, Esrin spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMOmUENmAh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVySuxrnaqm
"A World is the manifestation of your Divine Essence's true nature. An expression of power so complete it creates its own reality." Her tone carried the weight of someone explaining a fundamental truth. "It's not something to show off."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLDYje9ARH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAZeGIpOpj
Her ruby eyes swept the classroom.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvTUzZxY2d
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRZs6nH24c
"Besides - if I manifested my World here, the pressure alone would tear most of you apart."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WCx1RBNid
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrSDqKmRe4
The classroom went very still.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoomf2UakXQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5PjOObEbU
Several students paled. The excitement drained away, replaced by uncomfortable awareness of the gap between them and the woman standing at the podium.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1sxGGLUhf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDvogzPI95
Another hand rose.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcArNMtDPDP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFBtQKmldZ
A commoner boy Cel didn't know well. His voice came uncertain. "Lady Esrin, why were you announced without a family name? If you're a noble."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL92imE8MyE
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPsqXXsrug
The question was innocent. Curious.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM594SENgOX
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkzFQ65DDZ
But every noble in the front rows went rigid. Glaring at the boy who'd asked such an impertinent question.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeattF0RivL
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLoOKI6tXg
Cel watched their faces, noticing something else.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOKYMHsxeY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaH1qYnLce
Only Percival Tempest reacted differently.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdK4YSuaFi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7P9qWNpls
His emerald eyes narrowed not at the commoner who'd asked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaTglW4Bud
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA03Nc5tOsR
At Esrin.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW16lWl8Bj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkVg2xLEam
His gaze locked onto her with an intensity that bordered on hostile.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvXMzjscJz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmS9JTW33
'Did something happen between them?'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj2qpipnbM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2wnUWqVcv
Cel filed the observation away as Esrin answered. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUeNWcG9NQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzmFgzOjrD
"I forsook it."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNQgnZnDKr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQe6i1Qv1k
The answer was cold. Final. Brooking no further questions on the subject.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4EHT5zQbA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbKXy4PJdW
The commoner who'd asked paled, clearly realizing he'd touched something sensitive.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLprJ1G673a
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SVJdm6rKw
But Esrin's attention had already moved on.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRqKkrgsh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZPef56bwu
"Any other questions?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Qy8r9EqP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IF5jurKXl
More hands. More inquiries about the Legion, about missions, about what life looked like beyond the Academy walls.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0KU5vwWEp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGT9q8iQqQ
Esrin answered each with the same clinical precision.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N5njfJ5wF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidzRBBC4NW
Finally, she glanced toward the window. "That's sufficient. Prepare yourselves for this evening. The ball begins at sunset."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOzs7D9CWS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8s8iYKUgY
She walked toward the exit without ceremony.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsjhQsyb4o
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4lhPIRhwT
Her boots clicked against stone - steady, unhurried. Every student tracked her movement, watching the Hallowed leave with the same presence she'd arrived with.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKVQUQ2cKc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsbE75Zclp
The door closed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD7UQgO8oh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc3hcClWcQ
Breath rushed back into the room like a tide returning.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM959ZSCDpP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKUFaxOB0z
"Did you see her eyes?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXiyAkNQ89
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJbMVqAHeO
"The way she moved—"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm8pmrs4CI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDbCFCzqzn
"A Hallowed! An actual Hallowed!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmDRNndY6z
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum2YhtJsWW
Even the nobles couldn't fully contain their awe. They'd seen powerful Chosen regularly. But a Hallowed was something else entirely.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CLxzGcLRU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEMjueggXH
Cel sat quietly, processing.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM3NQYkxMP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z8WtDnTwM
His mind churned through everything Esrin had said. The four steps. The requirements. The impossibilities stacked against him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb75WPxUXCQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCCGQkSX0a
'How the hell am I supposed to become stronger?'87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKykZjofC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgu5UKHZMF
The question burned without answer.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVi0eBgeWB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzzMq6H68d
Instructor Saren returned, calling for attention and dismissing them to prepare for the evening. Students rose in clusters, still buzzing with energy. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmcSfuCqXK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOp4MxAQHQ
But Cel barely heard her, staring at the empty podium where the Empire's greatest defender had stood.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdgZ7g5ZDo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7FKfNS5lI
And wondering if he'd ever reach even a fraction of that strength.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKPOvztZDt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7LVl9ZfnS
His thoughts were interrupted by Lior's elbow nudging his ribs.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBjqLelxTS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP75OHwp5lh
"Can you believe we'll actually get to see a real ball?" Lior's voice carried nervous excitement.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6DeysZEGa
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2kzh8bIA8
Cel glanced at him. "You know you have to dance, right?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Y5RrbtJx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFhZoCL7fy
Lior's excitement evaporated instantly. "Oh no. I forgot about that. I'm—I'm going to make a fool of myself."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJwPspW9Sr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEamuNIJVn1
"All of us are," Cel said.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bciuOhGo5
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The truth settled between them. The commoners had learned basic steps in a few months. The nobles had been training since childhood.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6AnyEtnCC
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Tonight would make that gap painfully visible.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4MIkfvCCe
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But as the students filed toward their dormitories to prepare, Cel found himself thinking about something else entirely.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNvYMOPgEP
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Esrin would be there. Teaching. Demonstrating proper form and grace.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSerfL9VK
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And despite everything - despite nearly killing him, despite the cold brutality she'd shown - he couldn't deny one simple truth.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpzwZm2z8o
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She was the most elegant woman in the Empire.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvrg6Zp3iL
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The ideal every noble daughter aspired to become.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X4xG5Pr0D
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Tonight, he'd see that grace in its proper context.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3VKzz1OJM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bEiEorh3j
He was… curious to see.1234 copyright protection83ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt7MlCsXW5 尼

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