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| Chapter 81 | Book 6 • Chapter 82 | Chapter 83 |
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Sports Field
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Here I thought it had only been two days since you'd all been captured. Did seven or eight decades pass without my noticing? I knew humans were short-lived, but surely not to this extent... |
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Don't you dare jinx me. I'm not in the mood for fae humor right now... *sob* |
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Ah, I can surmise what happened. Vil, you stepped into the Underworld that's sealed within the Island of Woe, didn't you? When the living set foot in there, their vitality and magic is sapped within minutes before they ultimately perish. |
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Why yes, actually. You see, last evening the gate to the Underworld opened. We were on the brink of a worldwide Phantom invasion and blot outbreak. |
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My word! |
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Vil plunged into the Underworld to stop it, regardless of the danger to himself. |
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...It was an utterly boneheaded move. I strove so hard to get back to my old life, and look at me now. Talk about defeating the purpose. I was too preoccupied at the time, though... *sob* |
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Now I see. Well, I really must congratulate you on making it out alive. |
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So Schoenheit didn't age due to time passing... He did so because he was drained, both magically and in terms of life force. |
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Indeed. They couldn't treat him on the Island of Woe, which is why we rushed back here. |
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What a pitiful fate for a youth still fresh in bloom... You know, Malleus. Had the pandemonium within the Underworld been unleashed upon us... Our homeland of Briar Valley would not have escaped unscathed. As the heir apparent, wouldn't you consider it fitting to reward these people for their travails? |
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Heh. I see where you're going with this, Lilia. When I fixed the SDC stage, I told Schoenheit that he owed me... But his deeds on this occasion have returned the favor and left me in his debt instead. Very well. I shall bestow a reward upon you. |
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Huh? What reward...? |
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Not even I can turn back time. But sharing a bit of magic is certainly within my power. |
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What? |
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Schoenheit, I grant you my blessing. Now return to your rightful form! |
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Huh? What? Am I...? No way! I'm back to normal?! |
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Yes, you're back to your regular 18-year-old self! |
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Nice going, Vil! |
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EEEEEE HEE HEE! YEEESSS! |
| Vil?! |
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You fell backwards! Are you still feeling out of sorts? |
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No, I just collapsed with relief. Ahaha... Ahahahaha! |
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You really had me goin'! Don't scare me like that! |
| *snrk* Ahahahahahahahaha! |
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First he's bawlin' his eyes out, then he's squealin' with joy. Vil's got range, all right. |
| Well, that ties up that loose end. | Thanks for your help again, Hornton! |
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Ah, MC, you're back. ...Mm, yes, you're not looking drained at all. |
| MC! Griiim! |
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Heya, Ace! Deuce! |
| Hey guys, we're back! | Are you two okay? |
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Huh?! |
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When we woke up, everyone was freaking out about you, Rook, and Epel being gone. |
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We figured you were with them... But all anyone told us was that your phones were off, and that the teachers' tracking spells couldn't find you! |
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Do you have ANY IDEA what we've been through the past two days?! |
| I'm sorry I scared you. | Look, I had to do SOMETHING... |
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Maaan! Between this and what happened over winter vacation, you guys gotta cut us a break. |
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It doesn't look like either of you are too hurt at least. That's a relief. |
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Myahah... Myahahah! |
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What are you gigglin' about? This ain't funny! |
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I know what's goin' on. You guys MISSED me. |
| Bwha?! |
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You guys are just lost little lambs without your boss, eh? Well why didn't ya just say so? |
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I swear, every little thing goes to your head... Hm? |
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I... I'm really back... *sniff* *sob* I was so scared I'd never see you guys again, I... I just... WAAAH! |
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Whoa, geez! What's with the waterworks?! |
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Watch it, Grim! Don't get snot on my uniform! |
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Who missed who again? Sheesh. |
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Professor Crewel's gonna give you two the dressing-down of a lifetime, you know. |
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Khee hee hee. This is what being young's all about. |
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...Lilia. |
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Yes? |
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The way Schoenheit looked earlier... That happened because his magic and vitality were drained when he got close to the Underworld. Which is why I was able to restore him by simply sharing my magical energy. But all humans grow withered like that in less than a century, even when no harm befalls them. How frail they are... |
| It's true. Human lives are as ethereal as silk thread on a spinning wheel—and just as easily cut short. But their fragility can be a boon. Interweaving and layering those threads creates the strong, resilient tapestry of their history. |
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Such is the creature called man—neighbor to we creatures of the night. |
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...... |
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| Chapter 81 | Book 6 • Chapter 82 | Chapter 83 |
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