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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslPfrRlkCe
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3GbJqFO9o
His amber eyes blazed with fury.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohM6aCOOSw
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ2WoUzzj8
"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsNQLeYx08
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmOJOpnZdf
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEGoCKQmPc
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsVQfQjYVF
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOptP8sNRA
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6qxH9rFmg
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4RMHZlX0q
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1sh7h6sYq
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1KKNZPmDh
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ5xdi8aPN
"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—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7miStDgay
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynZEzia8nT
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZZGGbW16w
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKKjPrlRuu
Lior flinched as if struck.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOqrCEYF3V
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Ly738mBV
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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle42hphmyM
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA1HZYKe14
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0rhrbsWFk
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ZJjo7j9H
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tSsxLoBlL
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFdFaTesrG
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgUZZs9RsM
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP26sEZ5u8A
"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?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPxrkFiqPz
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63BnLWnGrg
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lJbx4cpA0
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6VLFApMLS
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh836VbSjAw
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UnMkBjwHz
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFovrjnoyt
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W2b7ffN40
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNVRiUn8je
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRysaEuaiQ6
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yEK7ciwd0
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AXT5nTR67
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xUnU6DnLu
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYf23CVpYw
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyoOCQxSiv
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ3jsTEQ1u
But before he could speak—80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8OYCIbk0l
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlpCz88gHh
"That's enough."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNicxvVBXZ
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsK9yNMvlj
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4gLW18Bt3
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGazEbXF08f
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB6S3TWIqx
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ6XCPNMjr
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTTYzQxDgc
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWQ7l98osX
The ballroom went absolutely still.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCm57D2q7B
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsmdGvAtxq
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGRbOyyjr4
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuffaJlA9sa
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8RakrtgZ6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaOFZCksxi
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmzGjhjDA
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopYaADZLRO
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—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdURrAu9dmY
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeI62sBw00
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe1xkWYcxN
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SLHDqIBiM
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHuY1uSItX
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XH0N3yMAK
He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVa1iQ94G1
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXjc9c8nLw
Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7FEbi4B09
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpb5GerQUg
But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHlgpqpzva
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNnp7e9ZmV
Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiGNxvP1IC
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKRgnVXkGH
"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—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVtwHwlQCK
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEiTVgCTE0
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxrwEFDYQz
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHMtIIj7Hq
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5L9wVBhW1
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek6BN1T4xk
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBKVpqDDGc
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPj3nDcpQz
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPgzTG0QEE
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RfE7nj2OJ
"Lord Kyros."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJxeisHZk
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3fa2hSfS5
Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoziLrXmv1
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqt0SdbL06
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVDduJqUyk
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMX2DkCHR8
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg58DDmLlu
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyHMJgEBiA
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—80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTKVz0gb7J
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nd4smU65z
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14oEPvek0Y
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW7JlPGOIc
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNRUEe681v
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M5PNiRDrc
The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmohgOmGULK
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr9JzZkRTQ
Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1wnsc3y0G
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlatbmqneBI
"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNu2vgG5ZA
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXVDsFyk7G
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7RuvjMFDy
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb00x7l1v7H
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU8iFnSMCF
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTvVibNl5e
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMFdDoEiBa
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UzjpHvwOD
"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEGgzMEGWl
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD6y6VFb5e
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHdQG4wpcR
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4epjCgim6M
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQdMs3U6wF
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGMQJKUCUf
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZtTZU1dyW
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpRb431iUf
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyktHMoCfg
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLfO0Id9gi
"How about some fresh air?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpjSj7yqp0
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWM5AsDUNd
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNZFe7H0N
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ7snEceFW
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5xUsZppt6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqe8j11ylY
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPGbiHbKQh
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SM8RPIdL5
His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ja2N7jPcC
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb52APKu4Kw
He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3UTqLxdp6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxYvMIfCUf
The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUkWDNxu9Y
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fzntt5Xv6
He started his training in silence.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMdIF9cM8J
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDabgHo62GY
Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsj45rSBkj
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX3uKdRXza
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQopocCTnI
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SDcMh9xNq
"You're here," she observed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFo5yaepoc
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4MuT1V88j
"So are you."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41cmMl8tux
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeU5Q7ub1D
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLzEwLCe2B
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxhCwxvVmb
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWusqr8vPGj
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IPZa2Bzy9
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3PIVUtVaG
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dAcewltJi
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EtYyCaxWD
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96L1b1AoZp
After a while, Cel broke the silence. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI0RqZkhsC
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME0am34w8V
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9rQeuI5Ul
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglu75DZnwg
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AA3C62FNw
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jHv9Sh25u
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjCgANWvJQ
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwxPJG9O6P
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjWMSZIV8u
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I1C6j84Dy
Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK2S2xIKMJ
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiLR44ZXSR
"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4rzyOkHVK
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wM9kXzjar
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xFrueVt1W
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNjdvIYrPH
"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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGuWhEHKGr
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY5OaJNzBW
She tilted her head slightly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBF1syUk9F
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdcNlZtHg0
"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKIpNqLhyB
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6I15I4fz1
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuEaB7N4Eg
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vNCxXn3Xi
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69WfLqiXSO
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vnobpm90r
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmEu7NTTNA
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMHGhOUOZN
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmutDUv1zWY
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ27XYraNl
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhb4Y4lIKV
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu6dfzspwz
"You're curious about that?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchMHOxOdfX
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0WCNzO12P
"Yes."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lzk7k9uh6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVVA3ql1Rx
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS1O78GK9u
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNjCwpXZBR
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xWKNENHMN
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gLvbOt9mQ
A pause.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TGWRIDxqk
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAuL8R5zru
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTHkA1QkXE
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmjBgzJmgL
Her gaze held his.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm2sHJkyNz
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWVPvGCon3
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFm54ERnRB
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzF7s5o40O
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJGu4YRdmK
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHlyuxl50I
"What does that mean?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpYS1OU2a6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwev4cyIpt1
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDosJZ0s7z6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgRdfKyqq0
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7c09Y53dy
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7vJ9XmdC2
Silence stretched between them.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTYehZ9NKL
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioPglUbFvi
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. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPo9t7Je7m
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABieXmtGBl
"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9K0Qn3m35
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZt8TwEiR
Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHikvg98k
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrABmEcAlZ
Then she shook her head.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMkYoEl2Wb
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp2JywrYgO
"No."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T0g3AcwG1
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUZAU1LChc
Cel blinked. "No?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo9wIfRQ5D
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTn7BSj0Sb
"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0kv74vo73
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtylhOIa5r
Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbuH8h3Nwe
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorO6U6Jy75
Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlqJ3TaMSW
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZriqhKIs8v
"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH62sQDunr
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr5hxIZ1hI
The word hit like a physical blow.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUxNrrdhzC
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dj9DYybzI
"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJok16w9ook
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBotoCnljf
Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1iBzfa8yT
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hI21F2RgG
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaPVl6Lx3y
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqZSkeOxCw
"Then what—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nCnzWpmp0
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHQhPUzDti
"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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0hn0OCKRw
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs0sdDHlBU
The night air suddenly felt colder.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejLxDm927N
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFcSD9NGEm
"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?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6WnxWugOm
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CTBmLiXvb
She shook her head slightly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4QHHbOQBi
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxmWJxZmFv
"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOxDKNFEII
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ5hzbJftU
Silence pressed heavy between them.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1ancXbaA
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRIl2RVLWJ
Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmbjfzt8Ic
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU7ZBZDvak
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. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTy6pj6sH6
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOGgO5XPEG
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. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxKm4MjtgP
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVXUD6BEQA
But eventually, he would hit a wall. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K77gPkTpe
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPcdXrAwDR
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. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DN1MYF8op
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpijuQW6N8
The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3uRN098q4
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9kZQ1zyTC
"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHjJpGwXNv
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5HP0tXZfi
She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HUVnGobdQ
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLz9adEgdD
"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." 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSvUmB9KL1
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe972xIgEDU
'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EVi8VwaXj
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1NTglnJ7
"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml6xAsdt4j
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSxxJpOVgk
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. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1aL3j7NYj
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHlK48krPW
But he couldn't say that. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9i9s0x5vB
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OwOPZZBAr
His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gGEvmpE4Y
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QWZDYpUMq
"I—"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzmcnf5c2F
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MNttMyC2O
"Does it have to do with your noble status?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6VjFEYnNd
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcgY4AISdQ
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWIRGicHqU
---80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpCij5seza
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDEd4iVo64
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGNGznQ1d
​​​​​​​80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYca4XWTlSt
1234 copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19yS45DzwI 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtQiQWVNC7 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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡh65rp47BRA 尼

216.73.217.9