The following days within Hallstone were the same. The students were up early and training the moment the golden hue of the sun greeted the horizon.

It started with the weaker Nightwalkers in their run and ended with everyone exhausted beyond belief by night. However, to make things harder, they were in charge of cleaning not only the house but their clothes as well. They were also to provide for themselves by cooking their own meals and catching their own prey.

Samael watched Raegan and the rest sweat profusely as they all stood in a formation, carefully circling around Michael with their blades ready.

"Good, coordination is a good key to beating abominations," he said.

The students secretly glanced at each other as Desmond swiftly deployed a veil of darkness. Taking advantage of this, Lilith willed forth chaos energy to close in the distance towards Michael.

Michael's brows furrowed as he felt the darkness shift. Pivoting with his foot, he jerked his arm back, striking the position of the decoy, only to realize it was a fluke.

Behind him, a plethora of flaming stabs burst forward, forcing Michael to dodge and gain distance. But the students were not letting him do that as Elise blasted forward with a series of water slashes that formed steam in correlation with Edgar's element.

Michael smirked as he added a bit more speed in an attempt to exit the darkness veil, but Desmond kept on chasing after him and redeploying the spell, caging him.

"Then I'll just aim for you!" Michael roared as he jetted towards Desmond.

However, Desmond swiftly merged with the darkness; in his stead came out Raegan, who sent a heavy steel-infused punch forward.

Michael raised his hand as the two collided, creating a large explosion.

Raegan took offense as he punched, kicked, and elbowed the man. Unfortunately, it did not go through, as Michael was simply too strong.

But this time, Lilith sent a surge of chaos matter towards the man, forcing him to take defensive countermeasures against two opponents.

"It seems it's time to go even further!" Michael said as he tripled his strength, surprising Raegan as he was pushed back.

Desmond swiftly charged in from the shadows, slashing at random before diving back into the depths of the darkness.

Edgar, on the other hand, kept Michael at bay, not letting him go any further. Elise did the same, cornering their instructor.

Michael smiled as he brought his hands close.

"It seems you guys have grown stronger. Unfortunately, it's not enough!" He said.

"Scatter."

In between his palms, a small sphere of blood gathered, hovering in the air as he threw it on the ground.

Before the students could do anything, the blood sphere splattered everywhere, forming spikes that hovered inches from their necks.

"This battle is over," Michael said.

The students slumped down as they caught their breath, their sweat drenching their clothes.

They have been fighting for days now. Each time ending in their loss. It was like, no matter what they did, Michael would find ways to overcome them.

But they couldn't stop the smile from leaving their lips. For the first time, they managed to force him to use his element.

"Your tactics are improving. It seems you guys have been doing some evaluation," Michael said.

"Using your numbers and taking advantage of the confusion was a clever move. It would work most of the time against less sentient abominations," he followed.

"That being said, the aggression was a good way to overcome me, but don't exhaust yourself too fast. You don't know if there will be more than you can handle," he said.

"Nonetheless, you forced me to use my element. That's a job well done. Go, rest," he said before looking at Samael.

"Your turn again," he beckoned as he drew his blade.

Samael nodded as he rose up and stretched his body.

Reaching outwards, Samael grabbed Crimson Raven's hilt as he unsheathed the axe, a river of red miasma spreading in the field.

"Quite annoying, as always," Michael said as he immediately coated his blade with blood before igniting it.

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This week alone was enough for Samael to improve to great heights. It was like he was a sponge, just absorbing everything Michael taught him.

To make things even more fascinating, he only needed one or two tries to fully incorporate the teachings. Although it wasn't perfect from the start, it was a huge improvement.

Now, he cannot take him lightly and must use at least 80% of his power to keep him in check. But the same comment cannot be made if the boy uses everything.

"Come, show me what you have," Michael said.

Samael cracked his neck as his figure blasted forward, shattering the arena as he closed the distance quickly.

Michael smirked as he used the same technique as earlier to deploy spikes toward Samael. However, the boy simply nimbly made his way around them.

Reaching the appropriate distance, Samael slashed a dozen times, his hand leaving a few afterimages.

Michael blocked the attacks in return; some he deflected, causing further destruction.

But instead of backing away, Michael slammed his foot on the ground, shattering it and making it harder to move on.

"Now what will you do?" Michael taunted.

Samael frowned when an idea came to mind.

Raising his finger, Samael chanted.

"Void fire."

A plethora of black bullets billowed forward, making Michael cuss as he deployed a blood barrier.

Multiple ear-shattering explosions shook the entirety of the stadium as the ground was pulverized, flattening it.

Having the path laid before him, Samael dived forward as he launched a series of Void Claws.

"Damn boy!" Michael roared as he laughed.

Multiple blood waves followed closely as the two elements collided, causing shockwaves to course through the earth. But Michael knew well enough that he was in a losing position as Samael's cleave was far too potent and fast.

This time, he charged forward, forcing Samael on the defensive.

"Dance!" Michael said as he slashed multiple times in a second.

Samael clenched his jaw as he spoke.

"Hover blades."

Samael swiftly jumped up, landing on Michael's blade and surprising him as he used it to propel himself before rotating mid-air and sending the Void blades forward.

Michael hastily bought his sword as he deflected the three daggers away. But this was enough time for Samael to distance himself.

As he landed, he wasted no time and fell right on his stance, using his entire body to launch himself towards the man at speed that even Michael found mind boggling.

Michael bent his body sideways as Samael's blade went right past his face. But like a spring, the boy was not done yet as he recoiled back.

Michael slammed his blade into the ground as a wall of blood rose from beneath, blocking his advance and shattering it in the process.

However, Samael smirked as he spoke.

"Abyss spikes."

Michael's eyes widened as the ground beneath him gave up, along with the myriad of onyx black spikes stemming from within.

Slamming his foot down, he launched himself into the air when four Void cleaves barreled towards him.

"Shit!" Michael said as he chanted.

"Blood whip!"

Michael whipped his arm as a red chain shot forward, crashing against all the Void cleaves and changing their trajectories.

Whipping it back, he hauled it towards Samael.

Samael's eyes narrowed as he nimbly weaved around the whip before exploding into a flock of ravens.

"You can do that?!" Michael roared as he spattered blood in the air.

"Let's see you dodge this!"

"Blood rain."

The wave of blood swiftly dispersed in the air, forming small needle-like crimson spikes that rained down.

Samael hastily merged back as he spoke.

"Void Aegis!"

A circular, dark shield formed from Samael's hand, shielding him from the rain of blood. However, he's also lost his momentum and is now free-falling.

Landing on the ground, a smoke screen was stirred, hiding him from sight.

"You're not the only one with such skills," Samael said.

"Needle rain."

Similar to Michael's ability, Samael summoned a rain of Void needles, making the latter cuss as he deployed a shield wall.

Taking the opportunity, Samael dashed forward, as he said.

"Void bind."

From the depths, a series of black chains extended up, latching onto Michael's body.

Samael swiftly closed the range as he swung downward. But before he could do anything, Michael chanted.

"Explosive blood."

The blood in his blade glew bright as he stared at Samael with a smirk.

"Gotcha."

A loud explosion shook the box as Samael was thrown back, his body landing on the hard floor and caving it.

When the dust settled, Samael sat up as he brushed the dust off his clothes, his Void skin shattered along with a couple shallow wounds.

"Sorry for that," Michael said as he helped him get up.

"You're becoming stronger by the day," he praised.

"Although you are lacking in some areas of human combat, I believe you'll get around it. Just continue as you are now, and you'll eventually get through," he said.

"A piece of advice: never ever think your opponent is defeated unless you have them by the throat," Michael said before leaving.

***

Samael sighed as he made his way back to Hallstone, where he saw Lilith walking in the hall.

Following the girl, Samael jumped at her.

"Hey," Samael said.

Lilith recoiled back as she released a soft scream.

"It's me! It's me!" Samael said as he chuckled.

Lilith's brows furrowed as her lips pursed forward.

Samael came closer as he reached out, only for Lilith to back away defensively.

This time, Samael frowned.

"Hey, I didn't mean it," he said.

"It's not that," Lilith said.

"Then...?" Samael's brows arched.

"Well... I'm sweaty," she murmured.

Samael chuckled as he continued to advance, forcing Lilith into the corner as she raised her hand to create space.

However, Samael grabbed them gently as he raised them beside her, leaving her no escape.

Without shame, he brought his face closer to hers. Lilith jerked her head away, avoiding eye contact as her cheeks flushed crimson.

Teasing her further, Samael rested his head on her neck as he exhaled, causing her to tremble in his grasp.

"You smell sweet," he said.

Samael could feel Lilith's body become even hotter as her entire face and even ears glew red.

He found fun in teasing her like this. But now? He felt the urge to claim her lips.

Bringing his face to hers, Samael made Lilith look in his eyes, where the girl melted.

Gently, he laid his lips on hers, conquering what was his.

Their kiss lasted for nearly a minute before Samael broke apart. Staring into each other's eyes, they hungered for air and for more.

However, Samael heard footsteps coming their way.

"I'll see you later at dinner," Samael said. Lilith gave a quiet nod in return.

With that, Samael left with haste.

Looking at her hand, Lilith could still feel Samael's warm grip. However, she also felt scared, as she could feel her body want more.

That man was simply driving her insane.