His father's fist connected with his jaw. Blood sprayed across marble floors. His mother stood frozen, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JP0vm375Y
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"Weak!" Another blow. "Pathetic!" The voice thundered through the dining hall.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ntAi2Icw8
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Cel tried to speak, to beg, but his father's hands were already at his back, nails digging into divine flesh, tearing away the Moon Goddess's mark—85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxJLqAH55h
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His eyes snapped open.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsGBmdxi6F
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The ceiling of his room stared back. Wooden beams. Familiar cracks.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yTN3YEvwk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtV2cXhDbp
Cel's breath came in short gasps. Sweat soaked through his shirt, making the fabric cling to his skin. He pushed himself upright, pressing his palms against his face.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIClVz5yVEd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwJ0LgcqGD
‘Just a dream.’85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJbTNjOno2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkF3kRNukg
The same dream that came whenever exhaustion finally dragged him under. He didn't need sleep anymore - Eternal Witness had freed him from that necessity. But four months of relentless training had taught him that not needing sleep and not benefiting from it were different things entirely.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryT9bdz2sD
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoTlOpH0hv
His body could push indefinitely. His mind couldn't.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHsVCk8sca
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjMG2h8aCC
So he slept. Not often. But sometimes.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9MSM2Jhhg
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And the nightmares always waited.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCBSCpYwu4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiaxgreXbP
Cel swung his legs off the bed, feet finding cold floor. Dawn light filtered through his window - pale and gray, the sun not yet fully risen.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqrk8g5ZF1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHmMpc2z9U
An off day. Their weekly rest from training.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDlTgHdRwm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAwgov7mlx
One day before the nobles would arrive.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDajjQvlci9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDvVS1Kfd
He stood and moved to the basin in the corner, splashing water on his face. The cold helped ground him, washing away the lingering fragments of the dream.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTo8jkjyHt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFDrZfimBV
An hour later, Cel walked the capital's streets with his hood drawn up. His feet carried him without conscious direction through familiar routes. Past the market square. Through the craftsmen's quarter. Down the narrow street where the Moon Church waited.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy1f8G9Ec3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SNq6qIK4O
The building rose ahead - simple stone, unmarked except for the crescent carved above its door. Cel's hand found the handle and pulled.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2JCOfF9B9
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The door swung open.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnSTYwm2Ty
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He froze.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIeLqWbQ44
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Lyra knelt on the floor near the altar, her dress bunched around her knees as she scrubbed at stone with a wet cloth. Water dripped from the fabric, leaving dark trails across pale rock.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AGwCrbUxT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7VaFwWeb7
She looked up at the sound of the door. Surprise crossed her face - eyes widening, hands freezing mid-scrub - before recognition softened her expression into a warm smile.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3bnmEcvRK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz5KczG0nU
"Oh… Good Morning." She started to rise, then seemed to remember the cloth in her hands and settled back down. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone this early."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUrcIg7ne9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECdjVGzmCh
Cel stared at her. At the bucket filled with murky water. At her reddened hands.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6la7d1nDRb
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtWPSvrSSq
"What are you doing?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvk22qyElq
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMBjkLetXB
"Cleaning." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX4XeZYkb1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsXekuyeAs
A sharp voice cut through from the shadows near the entrance. ”And that's exactly the problem, my lady.”85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGCu50aQLf
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITIWbDyLL7
A woman in servant's attire stepped forward - Lyra's personal maid, the same one who'd collected her after each visit. Her expression carried the particular exhaustion of someone fighting a losing battle.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO1iLbMFwK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC0vTM8p3C
"You shouldn't be doing this," the woman continued, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not proper."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Gs77nlIF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K6a98OU8Y
“It's perfectly proper when I want to do it, Margaret." Lyra's voice remained gentle but firm, as if they’d had that conversation countless times.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPvByJRDr4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDwezra7OU
Another figure emerged from a different corner - a younger servant Cel hadn't noticed before, carrying a second bucket. She bowed quickly when Cel's attention found her.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGngfXS51N
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugt4qc7EIE
Cel scanned the church interior. Empty benches. Dusty corners. Just Lyra and the two maids in the entire space.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0RROiUXul
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"Is there no one else maintaining this place?" he asked.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEZFnNiJk8
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Margaret sighed softly. "The Royal House owns this church, young master, but..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It is not maintained. Has not been for some time."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaZcIleOhk
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“That’s why I do it.” Lyra cut in proudly, as if announcing good news rather than confessing to doing a servant's work.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahTsolCazH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRHHKPyKFT
Margaret's hand rose to touch her temples. "And that's why we're helping. We can't let our young lady do all the work alone."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Wmt7XMTR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBHALyPVuh
The younger servant nodded vigorously, her agreement silent but emphatic.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnIfKt8UVl
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Cel looked at Lyra again. At her smile. At the way she knelt on cold stone.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiX9hPh9qO
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Their father would have beaten her senseless for this.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWc8vzk54
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The thought arrived with cold certainty. Lord Aldric would have seen his daughter scrubbing floors and lost whatever thin restraint he possessed. The shame of it. A noble child doing servant's work.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFcCnGkSnQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwun36xKaC
But Lyra simply smiled and went back to her scrubbing.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxWsjjlypT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyltilNv7yg
"I'll help." 85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdpnUV9bBL
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The words left Cel's mouth before thought could catch up.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWPI7m3ZrQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39eXtRKjql
Margaret's eyes widened. "Young master, you don't need to—"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFbXINrvKr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD1YqzGycr
"I want to."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Qf57pn13
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BkjxiOlua
"Really?" Lyra’s face brightened, voice lifting with genuine warmth. "That would be wonderful."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N8ClOliv4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM4TmZyzjs
Margaret and the younger servant exchanged glances, clearly uncertain how to refuse a Chosen who'd already made up his mind.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3zTe5ERa5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUnTlSmnp0
"There's another cloth in my bucket," Lyra said, gesturing. "And we still need to clean the benches. And the windows. And—oh, the altar could use polishing too."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjtccrOcb3
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The work began.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJQ0DM70aX
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Cel found himself on his knees beside Lyra, scrubbing at ancient stone that held dirt in every crack and crevice. The water in his bucket turned gray within minutes, then nearly black.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83T0NurEue
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYrxpAWZAM
"You don't have to press so hard," Lyra said, demonstrating with her own cloth. "Just steady circles. Like this."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wPwwuZ6eg
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EdWIfXQdw
Margaret worked on the benches, her movements efficient and practiced. The younger servant cleaned the windows with careful strokes.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSm6QXIrQA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN7Bx9ry4z
They fell into an easy rhythm. The silence broke occasionally with conversation - Lyra asking about Cel's studies at the Academy, Margaret offering tips on removing particularly stubborn stains, the younger servant making quiet observations about the dust patterns.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEKEGbQuAM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkziuKyCWg
"I come here every week," Lyra said as they moved to a new section of floor. "Sometimes twice. It feels wrong to let it fall apart like this."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mc6aYRDGl
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5UkwdgeRW
"The Moon Goddess deserves better," Margaret added from her position at the benches.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8Nw4wVbJW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HwkIcpCJ1
"Exactly!" Lyra's enthusiasm bubbled over. "She's a goddess, same as the others. Just because she doesn't have a Great Clan doesn't mean her church should be forgotten."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlCfxLSrcP
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmp2xtd379
Cel's hands stilled for just a moment. Then resumed their circular scrubbing.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkzV37tRsY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbrOlhWfmu
The hours passed in comfortable work. The church slowly transformed around them - dust cleared from corners, grime lifted from stone, windows letting in more light than before.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61SsdVuFwo
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOl53HSVbo
By the time they finished, afternoon had faded toward evening. The church looked... better. Not perfect, but cared for.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklHCQhlNhX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqxyP4NfRF
"Thank you," Margaret said, bowing deeply to Cel. "Your help made this go much faster."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XotQIc17V
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ul4P2fMSP
"Yes, thank you." Lyra glanced back inside. "It usually takes us hours longer. Having another person really makes a difference."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TDsyhpuSs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakHgvXVJJ4
The other maid bowed as well, gathering the buckets.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzETqrioGM
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They parted at the church entrance. The two maids heading back toward whatever duties awaited them. Lyra promising to see Cel again soon, her smile warm and genuine.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YfrrS2H1B
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He pulled his hood back up and stepped into the evening streets, his feet turning toward familiar ground.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL46T9rrnl
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The Golden Hart's door swung open beneath his hand.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXgDNbyjBM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQdF4iuukZ
Sound crashed over him like a physical wave.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7MO2LrKoD
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Music. Laughter. Voices raised in celebration, argument or both. The tavern was packed - every table full, people standing in clusters between them, the bar lined with patrons waving for drinks.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u5GUAahvV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlu2Q9wOGE
Cel paused in the doorway, momentarily overwhelmed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmzmdH4e9F
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The bartender spotted him immediately. His weathered face split in a wide grin.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtnx2GOSXr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxNYPAsGyX
"Ah, there you are!" He beckoned with one hand, the gesture exaggerated. A wink followed. "Come here, boy!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDFjtQCJVd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHChOtnFU8A
Cel navigated through the crowd, confusion clear on his face.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QOTg2sAF0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtsjrfZkn
‘What's going on her?’85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesT0eTOxtB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4jtaYqnIR
Strong hands gripped his shoulders the moment he reached the bar. The bartender spun him around to face the room, one arm wrapping around his shoulders in a gesture that was half-embrace, half-presentation.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMUyl5YIbm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsia80v5NI
"This is Cel!" the bartender announced, his voice carrying over the din. "If someone beats him, everything goes on the house!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvBIUddwko
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KzCBLSiYE
The tavern erupted.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ETlqNe50
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X617nHHzV
Cel twisted his head, staring at the bartender. "What the hell are you talking about?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3SwLC9mQx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb8YqZwVAj
"Drinking contest, of course!" The bartender's grin widened. "Been talking you up for an hour now. You wouldn't make a liar out of me, would you?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZhJnCRKys
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK4WI0nIVT
"You think that boy can drink?" someone shouted from across the room, laughter following the words.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5o1Sh6Tbo
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS5H9t3Nnz
"He looks barely old enough to hold a tankard!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmMCAveVXt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ712sPGX1VQ
"You sure you want to lose all your money, old man?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBScnzliJ2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3djhhBEF5x
The bartender's arm tightened around Cel's shoulders. "This boy puts away more ale than any three of you combined! I've seen it myself!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt50YRMLthP
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbDdC1JqVi
"Then I'll take first challenge!" A broad-shouldered man pushed through the crowd, already swaying slightly. "Easy coins!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWFZ10Wqu2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ4AzKxZoO
A table cleared instantly, patrons scrambling to make space. Chairs scraped. Bets started flying through the air - coins exchanged hands, odds called out and adjusted.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkjpOPJCKh
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMvnRl15nS
The man dropped into a chair with a heavy thud, gesturing at the seat across from him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DSCqmRQ5i
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXf3AO9lI5
Cel looked at the bartender.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmQbSN2xfv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I6GlcoOj8
The bartender's eyes gleamed with anticipation.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKN8Z0Qgeu
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Cel sat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTSYS9yLBQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUOIMbN2ZL
Two massive tankards appeared on the table, filled to the brim. Foam spilled over the edges.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHxKmZHW29
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXOD7C371b
"First one to stop loses," the challenger announced, lifting his drink. "Simple enough for you, boy?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYciQZbIZ8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMloRVF1pE
Cel lifted his own tankard.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3PDLEPNDE
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They drank.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmg1dcohYG
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The man who challenged Cel went down after six rounds. His face had gone from red to a sickly pallor, and he stumbled away from the table muttering curses.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah7Lijmssa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh7GOKBAGT
Cheers erupted from those who'd bet on Cel. Groans from those who hadn't.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06EaY6A4CS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb52ohYCHQ
"Next!" someone called.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3qv6Sb3hs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrvtxnZ5J5
A woman took the seat. Confident, experienced. She matched him drink for drink through eight rounds before her eyes glazed and she had to concede.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvg0yeARGD
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4vVw18mDS
Then another challenger. And another.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoKUXmnXzY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSOcjU2LAm
The crowd grew larger. People pressing in from all sides, abandoning their own tables to watch. Voices rose higher with each victory, disbelief mixing with growing enthusiasm.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrcaDrRj85
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKghhpohQyx
"How is he still standing?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAwR33mmiG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS5m3v95tr
"That's his tenth opponent!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1hrw7uex2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimtUs7seQW
"I've never seen anything like it!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCYOBNnuye
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4oXC2rxQJ
Cel felt... something shifting. A warmth spread through his chest that hadn't been there before. His thoughts moved a fraction slower. The edges of his vision had started to blur slightly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmQzWUVnVh
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlImVi7PzyZ
The alcohol was finally affecting him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzHiVr9Ngd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts5Ldb87Db
Apparently, his divinely forged body wasn't immune - just extraordinarily resistant. But even the strongest resistance had limits. And he'd been drinking steadily for hours now.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLCKVREAfk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7QVpsIgGM
Strangely, he didn't care.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs6OFTbivT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZVH862TAR
The warmth felt... good. Pleasant. Like the weight he carried had lightened just slightly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTc5rjCRJG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktiMJ1Tl66
A man collapsed face-first onto the table after round four. The crowd roared.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHdvUGsHWm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hv9PbiBFx
Another challenger sat down. This one massive, his arms thick as tree trunks. He glared at Cel across the table.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflopCbtqmS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQu0hgzo7N
They drank. One tankard. Two. Three.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XGmugiJHl
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEVeydmS5
The man's face grew redder with each round. Veins stood out on his temples. But he kept pace, determination written across his features.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPo4rrRjCL
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl06m5LiSVt
Seven rounds passed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ4WHvXbMU
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The man slammed his empty drink on the table. "That's it. I'm done."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4usoe7KSS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TvmZW3qNj
But his expression shifted immediately - anger replacing defeat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6DRMB6BbC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdyaQgt5dV
"This isn't fair!" He pointed at Cel, his words slurring. "I'd beat you easily if this were an arm wrestling contest instead!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAftEW2owFN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlkhc1uuTS
The crowd turned on him immediately.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhTddgb5PZ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm6SBMx6tS
"You lost! Accept it!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoFwpsS2ki
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bs9idCGbh
"Don't be a sore loser!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyEvFQZBU5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A6gfAEdcG
"You want to arm wrestle a boy half your size? Have some shame!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KSgzocNMJ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLxTqlTtB2
Cel's mouth moved before his mind caught up. The alcohol made everything feel distant, decisions easier.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MbfAJ0QvY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGhscX89cm
"Fine by me."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qaZLMzCqB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5WrYx5t1Z
Silence crashed down.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvQVorsIXu
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The crowd stared. The massive man blinked, clearly not expecting agreement.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzjBywwNOb
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzo30hxljI
"You... you sure, boy?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ263KjAJnYu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDI5XwnMYQ
"Why not?" Cel answered without thinking. "Let's do it."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvmOAVzBPp
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YCVZcYLL8
The table cleared. They positioned themselves, elbows planted, hands clasped.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT01bplaVR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XOT03G84r
"Three!" someone called. The crowd joined in. "Two! One!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIuB421FfX
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94kgp1aS0M
The man's strength hit immediately - real force behind it. Enough to make Cel actually engage his muscles instead of relying purely on his divine body.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18QMVEzdgy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMxacOZar
But only slightly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuZUntqBOp
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The man's hand slammed to the table within seconds.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3OkFRIP9U
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpCgPhMFbS
The tavern exploded.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb5CirxJZy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK18ojFHmc
"Did you see that?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IIJN7sqWP
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ5stJT5mM
"The kid's a monster!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfGtD9feuN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b80lnGLhY
"Who else wants to try?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66ZoZNPLeU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeic72HXxE
The drinking contest transformed. One by one, patrons lined up to test their arm against Cel's. Some lasted longer than others. But none won.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh18FoU8ECt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooT3oHHXxj
Cel felt the warmth in his chest growing stronger. He found himself smiling. He laughed at jokes he normally wouldn't find funny. Responded to teasing with his own.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj7jZCd33Q
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqEKADG70N
The crowd loved it. They cheered for him. Clapped his shoulder. Treated him like he belonged.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rMFSFKDF8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmKlV0BjOE
It felt... really good.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrQFJJ1ghV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMEwTe14pz
A new figure approached through the crowd. Hooded. Moving with confidence that suggested sobriety.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJaqlTSsxQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6M5Snyqhc
He sat across from Cel and pulled back his hood.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ922qNPm01W
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7urFMXotO
A face Cel's age looked back at him. Broad features. Stone-gray eyes, steady and direct.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWKkwyLbxx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTONqwZ7UZ1
They clasped hands.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzPU7EhqGM
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The countdown began.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnovpCFGdMB
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The moment their match started, Cel felt the difference. Real strength. Not just muscle and determination - something more. Divine enhancement.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIuW5O7ToA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ1ocC9OSq
Another Chosen.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28w6Poj5wv
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMbYgCt4qO
Cel had to actually push. Had to engage more of his strength than he'd used for any previous challenger.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih1JlkgfDk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ed7fnK6bx
The wood beneath their elbows groaned.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZswf6g6iF
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Both of them pushed harder.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYhKKl8kxM
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The table exploded.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnN8ltnupr
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Fragments flew outward. Their hands separated as the surface between them simply ceased to exist, reduced to splinters and broken planks. Cel fell forward, hitting the floor in a graceless heap.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo21BcCwF4l
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Complete silence followed.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lbagKHqCx
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Every eye in the tavern locked on the destruction. On the two young men who'd just shattered a solid table through arm strength alone.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45rOvGP1RQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDLG8mzY6K
"AHHH, MY BEAUTIFUL TABLE!"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTGcnvy65
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MkZeLtz1h
The bartender's wail broke through. He clutched his head, staring at the wreckage.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDeErhRLqr
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His opponent stood smoothly, brushing splinters from his clothes. A faint smile touched his face - genuine satisfaction. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a pouch, tossing it to the bartender without looking.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU8q2hT3BO
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It landed with a heavy clink.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rb5RJR9np
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ186R5qKLlf
"Fair trade," he said. A brief nod toward Cel.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBepXcsPjC
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Then he turned and walked toward the door.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzYpnrMgHo
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The crowd parted automatically, too stunned to speak.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMfYHEXp3v
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He vanished into the street.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w5u0Tu2Pt
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65zqTm0tiQ
The tavern remained frozen for another heartbeat. Then someone laughed. Then another. The party resumed as if nothing had happened, voices rising even higher than before.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IHu1uEW8e
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAXfVCHWIP
Cel sat among the destruction, staring at the doorway where the stranger had disappeared.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MkNfg1xd8
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His vision swam. The room tilted slightly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kx4GNCIEy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwZsKnP9Tr
The bartender appeared beside him, still clutching the money pouch. "You alright, boy?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavV4U2kzbE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCWqNEMZvp
"Sure," Cel said. The word came out slurred.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUiRziExfW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHrAxyLO5n
"Right. Well, enjoy your winnings. You certainly earned them."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivVaf7vtNd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGUcTZ3tNH
Cel blinked. ‘Winnings?’85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRyjTco1ql
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD7kbggWk4
He tried to ask, but the words wouldn't form properly. The warmth in his chest had spread to his limbs, making them heavy and distant.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjewAy5lZmV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdrxZvyotV
The tavern spun.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8wWJ1H5vA
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Everything after became haze.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMemySItoE
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Sensation returned slowly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYy3Qv8pRm
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Cool ground beneath him. The scent of flowers.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9eOJu2yME
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDAeK642ax
Cel's eyes opened.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUcyfeLNM1
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxOOot3rf0
A face hovered above him. Silver mask catching light. Rose-colored lips curved in a gentle smile.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QVhwuIbbe
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRMNoXmq9K
Selina.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXagX4neNeD
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG5mJNAHnI
“Chosen One, I'm pleased you found joy. Though I wonder if you'll remember doing so.”85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGfVpJXTVK
1234 copyright protection81ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIoJ3kv0zN 尼

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