The silence in his room pressed down on him, suddenly oppressive. The evening light filtering through his window felt wrong somehow - too dim, too uncertain.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECRtBSKh83
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA4OI6eYB3
Cel closed the Ledger with deliberate care. The moment his grip loosened, it dissolved into faint motes of light that faded into nothingness.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJztRRFrKC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN195sfldBA
He needed answers.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDd6ZqFCBw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlh0YmfGPr
He closed his eyes and reached inward.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx2xBQD157
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvxNBG0dt9
The cracked earth materialized beneath his feet. Mist curled around his ankles in familiar patterns. Small flowers with bluish-white petals swayed despite the absence of wind, their blooms catching moonlight.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcYteIo4VL
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13chxKYKUu
Footsteps approached through the haze.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODK1puTH0q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G1NCg7Fct
Selina emerged, her white robes drifting through the mist. Her silver mask caught the moon's radiance, and below it, her lips curved in a serene smile.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rUPEqUPyM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hPNYI8OIZ
"Welcome back, Chosen One."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl37PtvixO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg1j1ET2m7
Cel didn't waste time on pleasantries. "The trial. Was it real?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDof8WwmB9b
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXf3TkZj0D
Her expression didn't change, but something in her posture suggested she'd been expecting the question.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc5HeJEnYI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtDZXx0QaK
"Yes and no," she said simply.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6KN5xI0sk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7Um1PSXlD
The answer settled over him like fog - present but impossible to grasp.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuHDiCvrVu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfL4kkiZz0
"What does that mean?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r0vTZ42EF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAP4Lw0bD2
Selina's hands folded at her waist. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft rustle of flowers swaying in the mist.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllMSrVzJZQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOqdlSVxvZ
When she finally spoke, her tone carried quiet finality. "I am sorry, Chosen One. That does not lie within my authority."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWvytMLe9G
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADQWO464f3
Cel's jaw tightened. The same answer she always gave when questions pressed too close to divine truth.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLkwPUSJ49
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE6iC0He5Y
He tried another approach. "The Crystal Monarch. Was that a real drake?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoImdSHeLz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9uJb0t7iW
"It was."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kHks0nNWQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaG8CLHepq
"And the Moon Goddess killed it?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4FmP8aXMx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGErqtHoVcT
"She did."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkVVs39Cqf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TMSZEB8P0
Something shifted in Selina's expression as she spoke - subtle, almost imperceptible. But it was there. Her shoulders straightened slightly. Her chin lifted. The serene smile deepened into something warmer, more genuine.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNkClrgTr6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2SUARX5gs
Pride.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrncaoDlt5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkWl4zHSSs
Not the cold satisfaction of victory, but something fiercer. More personal. The kind of pride that came from absolute faith in someone you served.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p9ZpOPp17
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsueSRphz4E
It was the first time Cel had seen that particular emotion from her. Selina, who maintained perfect composure through every conversation, who guided him with patient certainty - she was proud of her goddess in a way that went beyond duty or devotion.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rSys48UDl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkwgvnlnlI
The realization settled in his chest with unexpected weight.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbrrBLqAxc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDTCWbvIaU
The simple confirmations felt inadequate. But when Selina said nothing more, Cel realized he wouldn't get detailed explanations. Not about why the goddess had intervened personally, not about what the drake's final creation had been, not about any of the mysteries the legacy had raised.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QDyAnQ1G6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpl8Byizmh
He forced himself to move past it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNdc4Ucuf5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIqvgftQIt
"What do I do now?" The words came out rougher than intended. “Now that the ten days are over."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsJ6xKdpZq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePoMEMxd2J
Selina's expression softened, the pride fading back into gentle patience. "Did you find something you enjoy? Something that brings you peace?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wu0wUkzYV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFu0mVNr30
The question pulled at memories from the past ten days. Wandering the city. The church. The tavern.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErtHXjUBA2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMZ5BlAkZM
His sister's face surfaced first - the way she'd smiled when he'd told her about the Moon Goddess. The genuine warmth in her voice when she'd said she hoped to see him again. Those brief conversations where he could pretend, just for a few minutes, that they were simply two believers sharing faith rather than siblings separated by death and resurrection.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGMXGXWBYD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiXul5o0uk
"I like talking to my sister," he said quietly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaVbXFnRCz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6AIAQAafb
"And the tavern." Cel continued. "It's... comfortable there.."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4sMA52cKN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7tp5VkZSb
He left out the third thing. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOdWVesPwO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9moIXw6YE
Talking to Selina herself. The way she listened without judgment, offered guidance without condescension, existed as a point of certainty in a world that made no sense.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuEM53HvhN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLtpbo23Ni
"I'm sorry," he added after a moment. "That's all I found. Just two things."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwKzcoLK73
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN4sAmy4b8
Selina's smile deepened - genuine warmth transforming her serene expression into something radiant.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fAi2re7dG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK53PRhVcha
"Even one thing would be more than enough, Chosen One."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdmQWP7Jva
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k2zD6Zi9i
Her voice carried absolute sincerity.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXW6QxKXf1
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoCvLCN0Qt
"The goal is not to accumulate pleasures like coins in a purse. It's simply to experience joy at all. To allow yourself moments of peace without guilt or justification."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4GA6WIwWr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQXJPQxtmt
The words settled in his chest with unexpected weight. He'd been bracing for disappointment - for her to tell him he should have tried harder, found more, done better. Instead, she seemed pleased.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFgndDlQ5O
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9VE7eYxRY
"What's next, then?" Cel asked. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZV8cGtU1z
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLtHAoQNlc
Selina was quiet for a moment, as if considering her response carefully.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGhfEAbh5s
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAaITzKTZ1
"The next step is to find out who you are."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE01jqacv3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NOSJWKkLS
Cel blinked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvQaLUJrV6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3YKAX0eFD
"I..." He started, then stopped. The answer seemed obvious. Almost insultingly simple. "I'm an abandoned noble child. A Moon Chosen. That's—"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY07ccWynUv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wkZDNhOH6
"Chosen One." Selina's voice remained gentle, but carried enough weight to stop him mid-sentence. She stepped closer, moonlight seeming to gather around her. "You don't need to give me an answer."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJGVIGjBH3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrV85lM48R
His mouth closed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW35Dhvy6f
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNLW9XLUro
"The task is not to deliver a satisfying response that I can acknowledge and approve." Her masked gaze held his. "The task is to find an answer for yourself."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILrYs7Wsnd
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM0ss0A7S8
Silence stretched between them. Cel's hands curled at his sides.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnbu211qgn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsAsuWqE9U
"I don't understand."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7o3tpHxGF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLRjtFI0vm
"You will." Selina's tone carried certainty that felt almost tangible. "Take your time. Let the question settle. See what surfaces when you're not searching for it."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkPI0mWPOf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeY6rxY6wX
The mist curled around their feet, patterns shifting without reason.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQORjlwBh0f
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI40DaR4Htv
"Is there anything else, Chosen One?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwX4D52d8k
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXTUAsa5cW
Cel shook his head slowly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Kl0mkG7C
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHkH03gq2d
"Then rest well." Her smile brightened once more. "May the Moon Goddess light your path."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQMdQzYQUe
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUsjqCOG1u
The familiar blessing wrapped around him as he closed his eyes and reached for the boundary.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNTvT9hI73
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvFArV6W6v
The room materialized around him with jarring immediacy. Narrow bed. Empty desk. Walls that pressed in from all sides.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruJu9tQomh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHo8IkQCWO
Cel sat on the bed's edge, staring at nothing in particular.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoypucWhZm
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecgnxjXtdn
‘Who am I?’87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWLhspFBzz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKFgY2UefX
The question circled through his thoughts like a persistent insect. Simple. Direct. And he had answers.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn6d3JWyDL
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJWht7y8aH
He was an abandoned noble child. Lord Aldric of House Solmar had thrown him away the moment the wrong deity claimed him. That was just fact.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2snDrCF3Vy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRfcKEim9Y
He was a Moon Chosen. The mark sat between his shoulder blades, whole and unmarred. Undeniable.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG8pLv2dte
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcDzjejwSJ
He was the Heir to the Moon Goddess. The paragon's name said it clearly enough.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd0tT0uo5L
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq7SrEEw3J
He was a Chosen guided by a Divine Oracle. Selina stood in his soul, the highest authority beneath the gods themself.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEhvPtMvJi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydC4C8Fxiy
He was one of few Chosen who'd survived a journey through the Hollow Realms. Most who entered either died or went mad. He'd done both and come back anyway.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs96t8gqY9c
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJGzgA56rG
He was a member of the Reckoning. Ninth rank. White Death. An assassin in an organization that hunted corrupt Chosen.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemDKxNAi8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXcphJu16u
He was an Academy student. Enrolled. Expected at morning assembly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLRTeGGF2D
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsQCMdMASu
The list felt complete. Accurate. These were the things that defined him - the truths of his existence laid out in neat categories.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGF6ueoDRT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsemwu9cPII
So why did the question still felt unanswered?87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCi2dbUwvV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSgfyMMtoq
His fingers drummed against his thigh, restless.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9EBs9jGqY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyHbAgNtot
Cel pushed himself off the bed and moved to the window.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns2qiI1y8z
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL9ym8BRtW
Night had fallen completely while he'd been in his soul. The Academy grounds lay quiet beneath moonlight, paths empty and still. Beyond the walls, the capital glowed with scattered lamplight - windows bright against darkness, signs of life continuing without him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vyhHYaSq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF7NAP4QzT
The waning moon hung overhead, bright and clear.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMQde80R7L
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytY1pniylz
Energy flooded through him immediately - Lunar Vigor filling his veins with effortless power. His muscles responded, tension draining away as strength settled into bone and sinew.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRZutblJ7u
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkGkEUG7bn
Thanks to Eternal Witness, he had the whole night.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFyJZWT93q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63w2a1uG0w
Cel's gaze tracked toward where he knew the training grounds waited, dark and empty.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tWwA9pnR0
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIBdnmb4Xg
He moved to the door.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIvHx3EW8Z
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrcNmU25Ql
The training grounds stood silent beneath moonlight. Empty weapon racks lined one wall. Archery targets at the far end. The packed earth center stretched wide and unmarked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5jpvFZrMd
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbJnJt7Rw1
Cel crossed the threshold, boots crunching softly against dirt.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX64pLzuGH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN19WOJepL
No one would notice. The Academy slept. Guards patrolled the outer walls, not internal courtyards. And even if someone saw him…87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BhXW1dloz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt9V8nXPzb
He was a Chosen. Training at odd hours wouldn't raise questions.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt22zwjoZpG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0CngmTkRg
Moonlight poured down across the open space, silver and clear. Lunar Vigor surged stronger here - no walls to block the light, no ceiling to filter its strength. Power hummed beneath his skin like a second heartbeat.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIznuG8LjV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9QuK6jERk
His hand moved instinctively toward the bond with Silent Moon—87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX5sm7W5dZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukfXGw3Rew
Then stopped.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnVBVtIeDb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoExaLAYFlQ
Instructor Calder's words surfaced in his memory - about base strength, about how enhancements multiplied what was already there. How doubling nothing still left you with nothing.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOmQky8cZo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7dwMjYLPv
The foundation. Everything started there.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmxQKNj0hO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kygGi0Ukk
And beneath Calder's recent lesson lay older memories - fragments from childhood training. His weapons instructor drilling the basics into him before he'd ever been allowed near a real blade.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhby2ESJa0m
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5M9P6BYH1
The Moon Goddess had forged him a new body. But that didn't mean the foundation was complete. Didn't mean it couldn't be strengthened further.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxVbVOuiJ4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXZH6HMOq
His hand dropped.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6P03CMzQ7
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg0GwyzQm9
Basic training first.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn5g6FXOkN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh5Ofb6s1r
His hands moved to the Academy uniform's collar. The fabric separated easily, buttons coming undone with soft clicks. He shrugged the top off and set it aside on a nearby bench.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rSyRhfJ55
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mwEdGD88C
Cool night air touched bare skin. The divine mark between his shoulder blades caught moonlight.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidJy4NvWUP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctqFLX5te3
Cel looked down at himself.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qQy6T9ZEx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRoT7gQb3q
Lean muscle defined his arms and chest - nothing excessive, but present. Real.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivNsfVHYMh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRafqGBUDnj
He'd seen his reflection in mirrors and windows, but he'd never actually looked. Never examined what the Moon Goddess had given him when she forged this new body.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaH3zKSbLy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dfIV8B4rH
His fingers traced along his forearm, feeling the subtle shift of muscle. No scars. No marks of torture. Just... smooth skin.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOTDz03uq5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf3GTVYFcK
It still felt strange. Like wearing someone else's skin.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSjxL22w7B
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMguLqVJTph
Cel moved to the center of the training ground and began.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN1AURmelr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4VqVHSWWE
Hours blurred together.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXoxcoax11
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSpofb9nKE
Push-ups until his arms trembled. Squats until his legs burned. Planks that tested endurance. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCmskExfxj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72CFkJA7e1
The moon tracked overhead, marking time in silver light.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cpvbi9Wne
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8MDeRpXGn
Sweat coated his skin. His breathing came hard and fast. The pleasant ache of exertion settled deep into muscle and bone.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bN3MWhGvT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNW2Ol2xpz
He worked through the exercises methodically, the same way he'd been taught as a child. No wasted movement. No shortcuts. Just pure, fundamental training that built strength from the ground up.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOUgWhEIuX
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDO0W3gJQq
Eventually, the sky began to lighten at the edges - darkness bleeding to gray, then pale gold as dawn approached.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23GruB66r3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0P1WKnQH9
Cel straightened from his final set, chest heaving. Sweat dripped from his chin onto packed earth.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HSjAjkWMG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z9jUOjd3S
He felt... something. Barely noticeable. A faint satisfaction that came from work completed rather than exhaustion overcome.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsooSHM0kH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1sivOKry3
His divinely forged body had taken everything he'd thrown at it through the night and emerged with only the mildest acknowledgment that effort had been expended.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjSBazVPnn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb3ymvKDFq
Strong, then. The foundation was strong.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzcn2LCu22
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYmG1FYRwG
But not complete. Never complete.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeiblUClLb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdi8Mjy02l
A bell rang across the Academy grounds. Clear. Sharp. Unmistakable.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdizJcC1Kg9
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TLY5bVDW8
Morning assembly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxPhwRglE7
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwGWZNr0RX
Cel grabbed his uniform and pulled it on, fingers working buttons with practiced speed. The fabric stuck to his damp skin uncomfortably.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KdlrAtMOO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Vrmsb53n
The well. Students would gather there before heading to morning conditioning.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tgIGADxJi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAOPSsmCQs
He left the training ground at a quick walk, cutting through paths between buildings. His breathing had mostly settled, though his muscles carried the pleasant warmth of sustained exertion.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKbvgzbuXw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBtZfSFmdA
The well came into view ahead - a simple stone construction with a wooden bucket suspended over dark water. A few early students had already gathered, forming a line. They held basins in their hands, waiting their turn to draw water.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvJqocU8vj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4F6lXroBr
Cel slowed as he approached, keeping to the periphery.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2eNMaScnd
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtbHPrrkEv
Lior stood at the well, hauling up the wooden bucket. Water sloshed as he carefully poured it into his basin, filling it to the brim. He set the bucket back and turned away, heading toward the outer edge where other students had already drawn their water and were washing themselves.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzWPlcH1je
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmfw129Dit
More students filtered in from different directions. Most looked half-awake, their movements sluggish with sleep. The line at the well grew longer as they queued up.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFWxaWqeOQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bdc6Eg6m3
A boy sat on the ground near Lior's path, already washing. His basin rested beside him, water dripping from his cupped hands as he scrubbed at his face.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbPTXZKAZ1
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4wZz2rfvw
Lior walked past him, careful to keep his basin steady.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRDoI2Pffc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK3YgjSjzY
The boy's foot extended - casual, deliberate. Placed directly in Lior's path.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnRQx8GICe
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW50UJ2pf0
Lior's foot caught the obstruction. His balance broke instantly. The basin flew from his hands as he stumbled forward, trying to catch himself.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVzlnIIYmS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphVbMBVmEp
Water arced through the air and crashed against packed earth.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tp3sMvpAD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAEDVpLoQy
Lior hit the ground hard. The basin clattered beside him, empty.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojnD63KIZw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeaQ23YZP4
The boy who'd tripped him continued washing his face, unbothered.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZSxd8bwmo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OabT1npl2
A few nearby students glanced over. Some chuckled. Most simply ignored it and went back to their own business.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfRhAulteu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wDvOgXcoK
Lior pushed himself up slowly, dirt clinging to his damp palms. His gaze tracked to the empty basin, then to the dark wet patch soaking into the ground.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1k5vMvwiD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH9K1E3x0j
He didn't look at the boy who'd tripped him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLRy42PWLT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZallqzS4fc
Cel watched from the periphery.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9X15MqpA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXmrQcjF5n
His expression shifted.1234 copyright protection83ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXbkFVE8qL 尼

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