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Chapter 22 – Return

Regal ascends the stairs and exits Theore Substructure, emerging from the clocktower at the center of Grand Theore with a dazed expression. It is still early in the morning so the two city guards stationed outside are surprised to see a student leaving the dungeon so early. They take a moment before noticing that Regal’s uniform is actually different from the students who entered the dungeon this morning and move to apprehend him.

“Hey, you don’t belong with Mountain Gate Academy, what were you doing in the dungeon?” The taller of the two guards grabs Regal’s elbow to prevent him from escaping.

“I was just leaving, sir. I was trapped within the dungeon and only managed to escape now.”

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Chapter 21 – Monster

As Regal slides off the pipe spanning the shaft, fear and confusion fill his mind. He isn’t afraid of dying, but falling into what appears to be an endless void has a terrifying aspect to it.

The pipe Regal and his squad were crossing grows further away as he falls. After only a few breaths worth of time, it is gone. Regal is enveloped by the endless darkness of the chasm, and it almost appears to stick to and envelop him.

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Chapter 20 – Fall

During the first week of back at Bluemist Academy, the class 4 teacher, Mr. River, takes all the students to the gym. Regal’s first thought is that they are going to be dueling with class 1, as Mr. Razor and all his students arrive there as well. This is the common thought of many of the students from both classes, but most change their mind after seeing there is a long table covered by various sized stacks of countless different skill books.

Mr. Razor clears his throat and explains to the students, “Class 1 and Class 4, welcome back to the academy for your second year. When you began studying last year, you were initially given four skill books to go along with your studies. As second years, you are entitled to another one.”

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Chapter 19 – Academy Break

After the inter academy tournament, the yearly break from study begins. There is a full month until Regal will need to return to Bluemist Academy for his second year. With no transmission plates, he and his friends have no way of contacting each other either. Not wanting to be apart from Veronica for so long, he takes her home on the last evening to show her where he lives.

“The break lasts for an entire month. If you want to practice together, you can come find me here anytime,” Regal says awkwardly, too nervous to say that he just wants to see her more.

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Chapter 18 – Tournament

Miss Yatta quickly moves toward a different location in the colosseum while carrying Regal and Hazel. She arrives where Mr. Razor is waiting with the third participating student from his class – Lawe.

The room is an armory, containing weapons and armors of all kinds. It isn’t just the three participants from Regal’s academy that are there either. Fifty or more students are there with their teachers, choosing weapons and armor for the tournament.

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Chapter 17 – Excitement

The students become incredibly lively after the announcement of the upcoming interschool tournament. All of them share their opinions with each other as they walk, though their discussions fade away as they enter the school building and head toward their classrooms.

Regal, Hazel and Lawe stay behind while the teachers explain the rules of the tournament so that they are prepared.

“Why didn’t you choose Piora instead of me? She is stronger than I am,” Regal asks the teachers, confused at being chosen.

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Chapter 16 – Mastery

Regal and the rest of his squad easily pass through the first floor of Theore Substructure. Any rats they come across are taken care of with high efficiency. They have improved their combat skill and teamwork considerably since fighting the Frostbite Wolves and the Mutant Rats have become less intimidating. Regal feels like they have gotten slower too, but that is only something he sees from his new perspective.

They come across two other squads while following Regal’s map toward the exit, but they are equally exhausted and intend no violence against the Soulless so their encounters are peaceful ones.

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Also, I have been having a terrible time with my google chrome(only chrome). For some reason it doesn’t like my mouse scrolling and scrolls at random speeds, often jumping down or up a page, or scrolling backwards. It is a nightmare when trying to scroll through the edits!

Chapter 15 – Level Up

Regal’s experience at Atelier Gun & Bullet was a turning point for him. He now knows where his talents lie and how best to train. His decision is to be a crafter, someone who supports others and makes them stronger. If his other squad members can increase their strength, that will be a great benefit to him as well as them.

During the week, he trains his martial and alchemy skills after school. Two times a week, Regal practices ‘Cartography’ with Veronica and Piora and earns four silver coins from that. With the three silver coins on the weekend, Regal’s money problems have been completely solved.

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