“I know how you feel, wanting things to go back to simpler times when you were living life without a care in the world.”

Lillia could sense the sadness in Abel’s words. “What happened?”

“Back when Alastor, Kimber, and I were still young, we would go hunting, spar with each other, or just go out and enjoy what the world had to offer. We lived without a care in the world until reality kicked in, and the three of us had to assume our roles.” Abel could still remember the countless lives lost during the conflict.

Lillia’s voice brought Abel back to the moment. “What roles?”

“That doesn’t matter anymore, but without that experience, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Things may seem hopeless right now, but it always gets better. We just have to embrace change and push forward with our lives. I know it won’t be easy, but that’s what friends are for.”

Lillia could feel some weight lifted off her shoulders, knowing Abel was right. She had friends she could rely on no matter what.

“Thank you, Abel,” Lillia said, flustered

“Now, It seems we have some training to do,” Abel said with his handed extended.

Lillia took his hand with a smile, and they made their way to the training yard. The training yard was located on the east side of the castle and was a giant stone circle with the pattern of a dragon fighting a hooded figure holding a scythe.

The two stood in the center of the circle with weapons in hand. Lillia had her bow in hand while Abel had his own living weapon, a jet black scythe with a green blade, and on the right side on the base of the blade was a green eye that looked to be alive.

“I heard what happened in sol. You need to remember the bond with your weapon is symbiotic. The way your using it is parasitic, which in turn will turn the weapon against you. It’ll be easier once you fully awaken it but for now try to ease up on overuse and treat it with respect.”

“I’ll try.”

“As long as you give it your all,” Abel said happily.

Lillia drew her bow and fired a shot at Abel, which was easily blocked. Lillia fired another shot, but before it could leave the bow Abel appeared in front of her and swung his scythe at her. Lillia barely managed to get her shield up. The force of the blow sent Lillia to the edge of the arena.

“Don’t forget that in a real battle if you miss, you are not going to get another shot unless you give yourself more space. Unlike my weapon, yours has more range of options.”

Lillia summoned her armor and switched her bow out for a sword. She appeared behind Abel and let out a flurry of attacks; Abel easily countered them and with a swift strike, he broke Lillia’s sword.

Lillia looked at her broken blade with a confused look. “Although our weapons can’t be broken, or in your case your ring, the constructs made by the ring can until you fully master it,” said Abel.

“I was wondering why my shield broke against Magnus.”

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Abel suddenly placed his hand on Lillia’s stomach, causing the armor to shatter and sending Lillia flying out of the ring. “Also never get take your eyes of the opponent. Have you forgotten?” Abel said playfully.

Abel knew how to manage his strength, so Lillia wasn’t in any pain, “I thought you were still teaching.”

Lillia got back into the ring then asked, “When are you going to train me to get stronger?”

“I want to teach you technique and discipline first because without those, strength is meaningless. Just look at how easily Alastor beat Dylan.”

“You know about that?”

“He was showing me and laughing.”

The two quickly got back to training, with Lillia progressing little by little with every match.

At the same time, Lillia and Abel weren’t the only ones training. Benjamin was practicing to harness his power with Alastor. The two were in the school gym where a bunch of onlookers were gathered.

Benjamin took his training very seriously, wanting to protect the team if something were to ever happen to Alastor. The two were trading blows, and their combat was beautiful in the eyes of the onlookers.

“Not bad Benjamin; your strength has really increased since Sol.”“I have to get stronger. Being unable to help Lillia or back you guys up was really shameful.”

“Being strong for power is one thing, but doing it for the people you love is where you will succeed where others won’t.”

The two continued displaying their power, while Lilith and Leon were busy training their power as well. Both of them focused on mastering their magical abilities. Leon’s magic was nature, allowing him to control and draw power from it, while Lilith’s was Soul Fauna, which allowed her to call on the souls of animals for help and use their power.

“You know, Lilith, It’s been a while since we spared.” The two were engaged in a magic golem battle. The battle relies on the users complete control of forming their magic into identical golems which fight each other in a typical duel. This helps control and focus while also helping combat skills.

“It has, but I’m not planning to lose.” Lilith’s golem summoned a wolf to restrain Leon’s golem, but roots suddenly burst out of the ground, restraining both the wolf and the golem. Leon’s golem swiftly finished Lilith’s ending the duel.

Leon let out a laugh. “I win.”

“Aww man,” Lilith said

“The reason you lost is because you’re trying to use only your magic to attack first and then you attack after; you’re also spiking your magic, making it harder to control your golem. You have to be working in tandem with your animals and control your magic, or else you will be put at a disadvantage,” said Alastor

“I thought you were training with Benjamin?” asked Lilith

“We finished, so I decided to come check out how you both were doing.”

“We were just wrapping up as well,” said Lilith.

“You guys want to go out to the city and eat after school? Benjamin, Lillia, her boyfriend, and I are going,” Alastor offered.

Both of them eagerly agreed, wanting to meet the man that captured Lillia’s heart.

After school rolled around, and the group met up at the city square in front of the marble fountain. “It’s always good to see you Alastor.”

Everyone was surprised; no one noticed the man that appeared in front of Alastor.

Alastor hugged Abel, “Same. Even though we talk every day, its good to hangout every once in a while.”

Lillia, who was holding Abel’s hand, greeted everyone, “Hi guys, I would like you to meet my…. Mentor, Abel.

Abel bowed. “Nice to meet all of you; I’m grateful to you all for being great friends to Lillia.”

The group was stunned by Abel’s elegance.

Lillia blushed, “That’s enough Abel.”

“So, where to?” Abel asked Alastor.

After all their hard training, Alastor treated everyone to food and drinks. The group spent the rest of the day dancing, playing games, and generally having fun with each other. After all day of fun Abel returned to the realm of the dead.

The group went to their dorms except for Lillia, who went with Alastor to the tree. The night sky was covered with cloudsm leaving the world below in a dark haze. The two reached the tree and looked out at the lake.

“So about these visions, do you think they’re real?” asked Lillia

Alastor remained stoic, “Probably.”

“You don’t sound worried.”

“Because I believe in our strength. Plus, The King of Hell hell isn’t who I’m really worried about.”

“Who are you worried about?” Lillia gulped.

The tree started swaying loudly in the air as a storm began passing by. Alastor stayed quiet for a bit before answering, “The Seven Princes of Hell.”