[u][i][b]Yugaku/Toran Arena Challenge[/b][/i][/u]

	After a few hot meals and a long rest, Axel had wandered around Toran and taken in the sights. He had already benefited much from beginning his journey. On top of the Natrelmon he had encountered and captured, he also had two new spell schools to work with. One was gifted to him by Selim, the other he picked up from the local mage school: Stonewarding. Axel had avoided associating himself with it due to his fathers strong ties to it, but after struggling with the Albion and Mythari, he realized it could come in handy by allowing him to better defend himself as well as his partners. 

	Axel was warned of the complications of being a Windspeaker and Stonewarder. The difference in elements would slow his progression in both. The benefits outweighed this though, as he was sure he could overcome this restriction through training and expanding his knowledge of magic. It had been costly though, as 10kN was a great chunk of his remaining money. Immediately after the purchase, Axel spent some time practicing the motions and channeling his magic to the unfamiliar element. It had a very different feel to Windspeaking and Mishtshaping. 

	Suddenly a loud voice summoned all trainers beginning their rites. Axel followed the voices instructions, and came upon a gathering of official looking people and an imposing figure with a blindfold.

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	As Yugaku completed her speech, Axel turned and inspected the crowd of trainers who were also beginning their rites. Most were young, looking under or around 20 years old. Selim was also there, which was to be expected, and was accompanying a woman. They made an odd pair with Selim’s darker skin tone to the woman’s pale complexion. Her silvery-grey hair made her stand out even more amongst the crowd, and she appeared to be scowling at the world. The combination of features reminded him of someone from his youth, yet he couldn’t put his finger on it.


	The PDA handed to him was much appreciated as was the bank card. 500N a week along with free meals and lodging would allow him to not worry as much about earning money during his rites. Now he could focus on capturing the strongest natrelmon and defeating the Arena in each major town. A wave of adrenaline passed through him as he thought of all the battles ahead of him.

	“This will be fun” he thought with a smile, and makes his way towards the Toran Arena to make his first challenge.