key to a solution; first step toward a solution; thread to unravel a mystery
to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
putting one's life on the line; staking one's life (on); risking one's life; life and death situation
to succeed (someone); to take over from; to pick up the torch
to put one's life on the line; to risk one's life; to put everything one has into it
at any rate; anyhow; anyway; in any case; because
although I say; although one might say; although called
to cancel; to withdraw; to retract; to take back (words, etc.); to revoke
tunnel; to tunnel (through a potential barrier); letting a grounder go through one's legs
to cherish; to treasure; to prize; to take good care of; to look after
belief; faith; conviction
to swing; to wield (physically); to exercise (e.g. power, ability); to exhibit; to flourish; to prosper
required subject; compulsory course
eve (esp. Christmas Eve); the night before
staying at home during the New Year's holiday
year-end and New Year holidays (e.g. from December 29 to January 3)
collection; recovery; withdrawal; retrieval
just like that; quite so; I agree; that street
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
difficult to ... (physically or emotionally); hard to ...
blue; sad; down (in the dumps)
trouble; troubles; worry; distress; sorrows; anguish
at a stroke; with a single swoop
to take back; to get back; to regain; to recover; to restore; to recoup
restlessly; hurriedly; agitatedly; fidgeting
third year of high school; third-year high-school student
upskilling; improving one's skills
academic background; academic credentials; academic record
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
to re-enter; to rejoin; to re-enrol
highest peak; highest mountain; greatest authority; most prominent person; pinnacle (e.g. of art)
to assume the posture of praying; to press the palms and fingers of both hands together; to beg; to make a supplication; to see (something or someone of high status)
average; ordinary; normal
occupation; profession; job; vocation; career; trade
location (of something); whereabouts; hiding place
diligence in studying (e.g. continuing to study even in such poor light as offered by a firefly or that reflected by snow); diligent study
being attached (to); being affiliated (to); belonging (to); attached school; affiliated school
hard-to-get-into school; elite school; highly-selective school
to be granted (e.g. a title); to be awarded (e.g. a prize); to be gifted with (a talent); to be taught (e.g. a secret technique); to be instructed; to be initiated
in a daze; absent-mindedly; dimly; hazily; with a roar (of flames); with a whoosh
to rage; to storm (at); to be furious; to enthuse; to speak enthusiastically; to speak with vigour
I, myself; one-self; by one-self; even I; even one