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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEFMYS5nMb
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstfeu2Lo4d
His amber eyes blazed with fury.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa52xXrcD4T
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05iQ3osRyh
"You clumsy bastard," he hissed.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1yKwvKbA2
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqdWzGfIOB
Lior's entire body shook. "It was an accident, I swear, I just—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy4zRxnE4M
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqpRfc8cQb
"An accident?" Kyros's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "You bumped into me."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpWfAohmNT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1I1rRWm8W
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ9EB18FZ2
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBRhKNhWOb
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40V2B7UgL
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLKDAJwWW0
"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—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8xvfPSJNS
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wrtwdNJWm
"Fix it?" Kyros's voice rose, carrying across the ballroom with perfect clarity. "An outfit of that quality? You think you can fix it?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpikcsgr3a
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiiY0iVEQ2
Lior flinched as if struck.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9UPsbFO0i
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzjIGwO0Ge
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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuhZeEfHmf
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A4CEiYJtZ
Several students shifted uncomfortably. A few commoners looked like they wanted to speak up but couldn't quite find the courage.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpmhiXbk6Y
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnPVdeWDPs
"You'll pay for this." Kyros's amber eyes gleamed.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExsVNcw2qV
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJIGJoci5J
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment before words finally came. "I... I don't have—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKHULFMhJ4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa35BEGECQ
"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?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRPBLUvV30
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nFoMNU9Lx
He tilted his head slightly, voice turning thoughtful in a way that made it worse. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQu7YzAIeG
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB1g47QSJ5
"Maybe I should send the bill to your family. Let your parents understand exactly what kind of burden you've become."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI9KvnMS6Y
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZiMG8pQRa
The blood drained from Lior's face. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Please—my family—they can't—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cvk8Gonnm
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u8MUYKoT9
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4h9JyhWgz
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0250N6Afm
The words hit like physical blows. Lior swayed on his knees, face going gray. His breath came in short, desperate gasps.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Pqbl0UgN
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73OkS6zLxQ
The world tilted. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8KTsxKGJN
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9wFf59pYL
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s9dFF82Yl
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvKxSv3eGz
But before he could speak—47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw0wbL3EXT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFSILUcpHJ
"That's enough."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYeY6SVjpZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TyqXqKEZo
The voice cut through the tension like a blade through silk. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmApcXAYaN6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFByh6EE1NB
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd3iyGdO9j
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh2sUaSRNQ
"Lior didn't bump into you," Theron said simply. "You stepped backward into his path. I saw it."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8qUsMfvPV
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA1wlMSjQq
The ballroom went absolutely still.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWSlPpXG9V
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDD4NHiXIH
Kyros's face went through several expressions in rapid succession - surprise, confusion, then anger. "What?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk9UPqIpIU
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDNSqVNn7Y
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLkCdMuv17
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADPHwXBQDl
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yTSOviaAn
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPHOtXe6op
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—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0BMYhtQMU
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMtHBH4iSS
"I saw perfectly well." Theron's tone didn't waver. "It was your movement that caused the collision. Not his."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhSWcWPV7j
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57DDRtpBYW
Color flooded Kyros's face. Not embarrassment - rage. His entire posture had gone rigid. "How dare you—do you even know who—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT0PdjaejB
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp1YxDG04L
He cut himself off, jaw snapping shut. His amber eyes darted between Theron and the watching crowd, clearly trying to calculate his next move.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIrBiJnW1x
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenFWZ8ik2K
Everyone knew who Theron was. The All-Blessed. Possibly - probably - the emperor's unacknowledged bastard. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIvXRlGBqZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYKPbA9wfX
But Theron was still technically a commoner. No family name. No official noble status. And yet—47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM0MVPmEpf
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6l0iAtGGz
Kyros's hand moved unconsciously to touch the Sun mark at his chest. The gesture was brief, almost invisible.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHG59DY53o
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjMGtrTTPX
"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—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL7QMNtqU3
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDl5wK8pBo
"Anticipated that you might step backward without warning?" Theron's expression remained wilful. "I don't think that's reasonable."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwDkfLkbQD
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzenY6CIjAH
The crowd was completely silent now. Every eye tracked between Kyros and Theron, waiting to see who would break first.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZRxd9m2k
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjxrlZzFDv
Kyros opened his mouth. Closed it. The hand at his collar clenched and unclenched rhythmically.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnsuzlHyJ4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcDs8nkhXo
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and controlled.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA4ix1yNmZ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrVfAlKT33
"Lord Kyros."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulPonxVbxc
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFp5WbTWcT
Sylvaine's voice carried across the silence, gentle but unmistakable in its authority.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWLMUY5wB0
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yrqLLgBNl
She moved to stand beside Theron, light green eyes calm and assessing.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFYzQGGRQv
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKTRxfYI0V
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK4TdAlxBT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pFBRluLxQ
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—47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbLwyDesV5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP52u8yXXU
"You may be right." The word came out tight. Forced. "Accidents do happen. But do try to be more careful in the future." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZQVVmx8Lu
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9AE1DKHx9
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoUCbLaMGQ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6WKk4LrnG
The tension didn't immediately break. Students remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if afraid moving might somehow restart the confrontation.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIM9k5SMmQ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDekJwbjSJ
Then Theron knelt beside Lior, who was still on the floor, trembling.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVAS9qPefV
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIKMKEBNoK
"Hey." His voice had lost the stern edge, becoming warm and genuine. "Are you alright?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCxkJB5TJo
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzM7wsnsP4
Lior stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Tears had gathered but not yet fallen. His breathing remained rapid and shallow.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUPgeM9ebH
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrRCDt7z7W
"Come on." Theron extended his hand. "Let's get you up."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6tZVCbkK5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkEVMoDUul
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvsa7mrcLC
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRPctliFEf
"It's over. You're okay." Theron's voice stayed reassuring. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAswwiHAhxG
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieE3hE0OjF
"Try to enjoy the rest of the evening, alright? You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxXDGOLUaF
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMPHDQPiz3
Then he turned and walked back toward the gathered nobles, leaving Lior standing there with tears finally spilling down his cheeks.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgy57EW72I
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujsep63kb3
The crowd began to disperse. Conversations resumed in hushed tones. The music started again, tentative at first, then building back to its previous volume.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKPhKbBprI
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz17a8A9lM
Cel reached Lior's side. His friend was still trembling, still crying silently.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzdLDH4sm8
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWIiPGS0pL
"How about some fresh air?”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyfkHUMBw6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FywHwZKJv
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRw742K3Y5
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ArxnSZDY
The evening ended with hollow formality. Students filtered out in clusters, nobles departing first with practiced grace while commoners lingered uncertainly before following.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr4NNN797u
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPuBXG0zVC
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUe3MupUtz
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7GZ8Hlo3e
His regular clothes felt like armor in comparison. Simple. Unremarkable. Safe.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NOB43egJr
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYlhHXj0gg
He left the dormitory and crossed the grounds toward the training area.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtq8LIQv8D
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWYyynKveJ
The training grounds waited in near-darkness, lit only by the pale crescent moon hanging overhead. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BICRzrEmT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aZTbejiEs
He started his training in silence.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu2UECSzqd
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeWSv03QET
Eventually, footsteps approached from behind. Light, measured. He didn't need to turn to know who they belonged to.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJwx3ZsKku
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoyJ80EzC1
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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU74TpAZAX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEOrl70skA
"You're here," she observed.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8bu0u7nJX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolRAktkeJc
"So are you."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHFeU6pQ1F
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYcOcIwzlF
She settled into her familiar meditation spot. "How is your friend?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqc464AfbT
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23A0IXLFCD
The question carried genuine concern despite its neutral delivery.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRLGmUxfzk
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhB4QKKRy0
"Shaken." Cel shifted his stance, beginning a new form. "But alive."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VQE0qLeIa
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFWsRsqxNd
They fell into their usual rhythm - Cel working through forms while Hestia meditated nearby, replenishing her Divine Essence through proximity to his death-scent. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYVXiFcCXm
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO4QOBkEw6
After a while, Cel broke the silence. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXG9KzpkoQ
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKFjTof11l
"That was unexpected. What Theron did." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkGXQACoi2
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHpyXRFzC4
Hestia's eyes opened. "Was it?" 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCqv6Hehe6
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ayFYGAGR
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK13D4DZ6b
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WGWqzc6iI
"His position makes it easier, not harder." Hestia resumed her forms. "Kyros couldn't risk offending someone who might end up as emperor."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNduRn8OYSs
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L1kgiYgG0
Cel considered that as he raised his blade. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzIHudO52
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58kXn1T7aC
"And Sylvaine supports him and ensures that he stays loyal to the Life Clan, I suppose." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt5STpnqd9
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbvrpFkJrf
“That’s right." A pause. "She's good at her role. Tonight proved that."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWgKAF7j7p
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmI4osd9b3
"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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyoAvcJCqU
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW27V9snhnb
She tilted her head slightly.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAwQJKWYwX
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuOJHXTU2m
"Though I suspect Kyros will remember. The Sun Clan doesn't forget humiliation easily."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxO780Rl2m
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53eFMhNy45
Cel dismissed Silent Moon, the blade dissolving into moonlight threads. He studied his hands for a moment.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GRheSrqPk
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h7AfWOFnm
"May I ask you something?" He looked up. "About what you said before. About death."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj6HCHQsmS
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnXaWnj5VS
Hestia's expression shifted slightly. "You may."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA4kCaWTFW
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMVPkL8QGk
"Esrin. She must have killed thousands of creatures by now. How does she compare to me? The scent I mean."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXD3ZauVe8
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JPNPPWTj4
Hestia's expression shifted - surprise flickering across her features before settling back into neutrality.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iXjNm0RJz
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYy4pEXvXj
"You're curious about that?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDOuGkysOf
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegXHKoEKcF
"Yes."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW2BJdIK4I
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xbMybRNb0
She considered for a moment, crimson eyes studying him with renewed intensity.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQafhr7miK
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMFO2NOVsB
"There's a difference," she said finally. "Esrin does carry death's scent. Faint but present. The accumulation of countless killed creatures."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWIiT1jKfl
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonOC7n3nfZ
A pause.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF80ZYOZbA
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCUSQYB6Tc
"It clings to her. Like smoke clinging to cloth after passing through fire.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcubSRHKyL
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ay5z8vPPZ
Her gaze held his.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8waihMqyX3
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjBRXRCpu2
"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."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9ojHAvVjs
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKnau42gxn
The words landed with uncomfortable weight.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHaHfAFVZs
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdD63A2vs9
"What does that mean?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYeDS3WdW4
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTmbHHiUxV
"I don't know. I've never encountered something like that before."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dB6kwgHUC
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplzYAVMBrJ
"But whatever you are..." Her voice dropped lower. "It's unique." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mt0dEqBv0
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qHpEhKocI
Silence stretched between them.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMZY4KX5JL
47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ4oyeTEjw
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. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0ezM0DTyr
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"Shall we spar?" The question came casually - routine reasserting itself.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLGgHnyPEo
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Hestia didn't respond immediately, crimson eyes studying him with that same clinical assessment he'd grown familiar with.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd9fZ9YlIH
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Then she shook her head.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Iun3lPZIQ
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"No."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQpkI8YAjb
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Cel blinked. "No?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1hPURVvKo
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"Not tonight." She rose from her meditation, movements deliberate. "Actually, not anymore. Not like this." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvocHfwPE15
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Something in her tone made him go still. "Why?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCtM8VP2DJ
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Hestia turned to face him fully. Her expression was serious, carrying none of the neutral composure she usually maintained.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMKfqss9fC
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"I need to be honest with you." She paused, as if weighing her words. "These sparring sessions - they're useless."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwg0ZqkuvQ
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The word hit like a physical blow.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriKLJj8lZw
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"You're not improving," she continued, voice steady. "Not beyond the basics. Not in any way that matters."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PEQhVlPAJ
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Cel's jaw tightened. "I know my technique needs work—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKDnLiFUwU
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"It's not about technique." Hestia's crimson eyes held his without flinching. "You understand everything I've taught you. Every principle, every adjustment I suggest - you comprehend it immediately. You know exactly what needs to change."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkFOCzgvPq
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"Then what—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6X8267YL1
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"But you can't execute it. Not consistently." She crossed her arms. "It's not a problem of understanding. It's a problem of talent."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMHvQpi6pP
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The night air suddenly felt colder.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEnFoPp5XO
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"The only things keeping you functional in combat are your instincts and your physique," Hestia continued. "Your body is extraordinary. Your reactions are good. But actual skill? Technique? Understanding how to read an opponent and adapt?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWAffXniez
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She shook her head slightly.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidp59KdDWu
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"You don't have it. And I don't think you ever will."47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDayItGKAVO
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Silence pressed heavy between them.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjkJ6s91kv
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Cel wanted to argue. To deny. To prove her wrong.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr3jBu9vgw
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He'd always known it. Even as a child in the Sun Clan, failing again and again while others excelled. The disappointment in his father's eyes. The whispered comparisons. The undeniable truth that no amount of effort could bridge the gap between him and those born with real talent. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdanuoKKH0M
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In the Ashlands, it hadn't mattered. Survival required only stubbornness and a body resilient enough to endure. The Tremorborne didn't care about technique. The Ashlurker couldn't exploit poor form. Raw strength and divine resilience had been enough. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qe29t64NM
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But eventually, he would hit a wall. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpIRAHjyxo
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The moment he faced an opponent as strong as himself - someone he couldn't simply overpower with divine strength or outlast through endurance - he would die. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieNqIBfACL
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The divine body masked the truth but couldn't erase it - Cel had never possessed talent, and resurrection hadn't changed that fact. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMqrfdH9nR
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"I know you're not a fool," Hestia said, her voice gentler now. "You must have realized this yourself. So I don't understand—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPM4QSNukL
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She stopped, clearly debating whether to continue.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jf6u2WujK
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"I don't understand why you try so hard. You're the only student who comes here every single night to train." She hesitated, then added quietly, "And that with me. I’m not the gentlest sparring partner after all." 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMGX4ZLVbT
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'That's an understatement,' Cel thought, remembering bruised ribs and blood in his mouth. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSRjTiiv3c
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"What is it you’re trying to achieve, Celvian?" The question came quiet but weighted. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXKbgm91wr
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Cel knew exactly what his goal was. Becoming strong enough to destroy everyone who'd wronged him. Strong enough that his father, the cultists, everyone who'd watched him suffer - none of them would ever touch him again. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKfcUq6o6e
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But he couldn't say that. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRw5FHZ6l
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His mind scrambled for something believable. Something that wouldn't raise questions. 47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyonBOtaEHr
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"I—"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWwhDjKJL7
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"Does it have to do with your noble status?"47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPhSM92aQD
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---47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLS8ys2zPk
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1234 copyright protection43ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBQ7nT9hXm 尼

Heyho, Author here!1234 copyright protection43ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SbgCSnrNK 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 protection43ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMTgx8ydPq 尼

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