Buckets of sweat trickled down Samael's body as he breathed heavily. He has been training without stop for the last three days. He hasn't left the box and has survived off of the rations in his remnant.

This has gathered some attention from the other Nightwalkers, and now some of them are quite concerned for him. But Samael has assured them multiple times that he's okay.

The others were also doing their best in their own respective trainings. Samael has constantly witnessed a few members sneaking out at night to do some extra work. A very commendable display of determination.

That being said, Samael was rather surprised at the fact that they have never really returned to the academy. Not to mention, there were no events or tournaments he heard so much about. It seems they mostly keep to themselves.

Inhaling deeply, Samael focused his gaze on a bull-like abomination preparing to charge at him. It had large steel horns with saliva dripping off its mouth.

Raising its head high, it released a loud roar before charging ahead with utter ferocity.

Samael's gaze narrowed as he dashed forward, meeting the beast head-on as he sharply took a turn, prompting the creature to miss completely.

Taking advantage of its confusion, Samael circled back and threw a downward swing, leaving a deep gash in its back. However, it wasn't over yet as a black spike erupted from the ground, impaling the creature.

Amidst the blue light of the codex, Samael shot a gaze at the spike. He is now able to use elemental invocation to a certain extent. Although he is still fairly limited, after all, it is hard to focus on two things at once.

Nonetheless, he can now use all three skills he was focused on and the majority of his other abilities. The only problem he often comes across is the fact that some of his timing can be a little off.

Sitting down, Samael shifted his gaze towards the gate. Soon, Michael came in, noticing Samael quickly as he waved.

Rising to his feet, Samael greeted the man with a simple nod.

"I'm ready," he said.

Michael's brows rose up. "Already?"

"Yes," Samael said.

Michael's brows furrowed. Samael's speed was definitely unexpected. He believed it would take him at least a week. But three days? That's off the charts... But thinking about the way he trains, it was completely possible.

"Don't you want to rest first? You've been up for the last three days," Michael said.

"I don't need it," Samael insisted.

A soft sigh escaped Michael's lips. Kids these days were just going too quick.

Taking a stance and drawing his blade, Michael beckoned. "Then show me what you've accomplished."

In return, Samael unsheathed Crimson Raven, his hand morphing black as the blade released a bath of red miasma that enveloped the box along with the swift change in its appearance.

"Same rules?" Samael asked.

"Same rules," Michael replied.

For a few seconds, the two went on a standoff as they stared each other down, their killing intent slowly encasing the entire arena.

Like lightning, Samael swiftly fell into stance as he exploded forward, shattering the floor and sending large chunks of projectile back.

Michael's eyes widened as he withdrew his blade, blocking Samael's initial attack before he disengaged and threw a counter.

Reacting fast, Samael nimbly weaved around the sword as he swung multiple times.

Sparks flew around like fireworks as the sound of steel clashing against steel thundered in the box. Both Michael and Samael's figure was so fast that even the newly arriving Nightwalkers who were there for their training found it impossible to follow the two. To them, they were like blurs appearing at random, leaving destruction in their wake.

"What is going on?!" Raegan roared, his voice nearly muffled by the shockwaves.

"I don't know!" Lilith said.

Michael gritted his teeth as he casted.

"Blood hammer!"

Large amounts of blood erupted from his hands as he launched himself high in the air, smashing towards Samael.

Seeing this, Samael did not budge until the hammer was nearly in his face. Only then did he weave to the side and throw a swing upward.

Michael took a sharp turn, avoiding the axe—multiple Void spikes shot from below, launching towards him like arrows.

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"Shit!" Michael said as he slammed his blade down, giving him a bit more mobility as he barely avoided the attack.

Distancing himself from Samael, he spoke. "You almost got me there."

"There won't be a next time," Samael said as he launched himself forward.

Michael smiled wryly as he too advanced ahead, clashing with the boy once more as their attacks caused shockwaves coursing through the box.

But this time, Samael became extra aggressive as he spoke.

"Void claw."

Michael's eyes widened as he stepped back, his speed doubling as Samael's left hand morphed into a claw.

Using both hands proved too much, even for Michael, as he was continuously pushed back. The use of both claw and axe was a deadly combination.

To add even more pressure, Samael swiftly cast multiple Abyss spikes, forcing Michael to dash back and try to gain some distance. However, Samael wasn't letting him do that.

Pushing ahead, Samael cast Hover blades that fired off at random as he vehemently slashed without stop, some even leaving gashes on the man's face.

"Then so be it!" Michael roared.

"Blood pool."

Slamming his foot, a burst of blood erupted from his soles, spreading outwards rapidly, slowing Samael's advance.

"My turn!" Michael roared.

"Solidify!"

Before Samael's eyes, the blood sea started to crystallise, trapping everything in its path.

Reacting fast, Samael propelled himself up when Michael lunged at him, forcing him down.

Seeing the crystallisation close by, Samael's eyes glew bright as an idea emerged in his head.

"Void palm!"

Raising his hand, Michael was forced back as a large palm of dark matter stemmed from Samael's fist, striking the ground and shattering it in the process. As it broke, the sea of blood passed through its cracks, draining it and stopping the crystallisation.

But he wasn't done yet.

"Needle rain."

A rain of Void needles painted the sky dark as Michael laughed wryly. "Shit kid, are you trying to kill me?"

Raising his hands, a large blood shield ejected from his hand, tanking the attack at once as the needles turned the field into a wasteland of spikes.

Taking advantage of the shield blocking Michael's view, Samael launched himself forward, slamming his fist into the shield's surface.

"Null thrust!"

Concentrating the Void matter in one fine area, Samael ejected the attack forward, piercing the attack and shattering it into pieces.

Michael hastily raised his hand, blocking the needles with his forearms.

Leaving the man defenceless, Samael swept his foot, forcing him to buckle under his weight while he brought Crimson Raven near the man's throat.

"Congratulations, kid," Michael said as he breathed roughly.

Samael sighed as he straightened his posture and helped the man up.

"You would have won if you could use all your abilities. I've seen saints's fights," Samael said.

"Don't downplay yourself too much," Michael said as he dusted himself.

"You did great. Even if I used my ability, it would have pushed me beyond my limits. Besides, I feel that you're also still hiding a few tricks up your sleeves," Michael said as he laughed.

Seeing their mentor laugh, Raegan and the rest approached the two. "Is everything done now?" they asked.

"Yes, we were just having a small brawl," Michael said.

"Small brawl...?" Desmond asked, his gaze sweeping around the shattered arena.

"Anyways, seeing as I'm already this roughed up, I reckon I probably won't be able to train you all to the best of my abilities. That being said, I was intending to get you all to rest for the next two days," Michael said.

"Why's that?" Elise asked.

"Well, for starters, I need you all in top shape in two days. The reason? We're finally going to start fighting abominations," Michael explained.

The Nightwalkers fell into silence before erupting into murmurs and whispers. Tension was high in the air, and everyone could feel their hearts beat out of their chests.

"Is our training truly enough?" Lilith asked.

"We'll find out in two days," Michael said before he left.

As he did, the group exploded into chatter.

"Is he serious?"

"This is nuts..."

"Have you seen what those things can do?"

"I know!"

"Everybody calm down," Lilith said.

"I'm sure instructor Michael will handle everything. Just stay calm and do as he says," Lilith resumed.

Samael simply remained silent. This was a crucial part of understanding how this wretched world works. They have to understand that there will never be enough preparations to fight a monster. There was simply kill or be killed.

After some discussion, the group eventually calmed down, or at least as much as they could, before returning to prepare.

"I didn't know you were leader material," Samael said.

"I didn't know either," Lilith replied, her brows furrowed.

"You bothered about what Michael said?" Samael asked.

"I'm lying if I said no," Lilith said as she looked at Samael.

"Will we really be okay?" She asked.

A small smile made its way to Samael's lips as he held Lilith's hands, enveloping them in his warmth.

"Out there, we can't make promises. Everything can happen. But I can say this much: I'll kill whatever threatens us," Samael said.

Lilith smiled as she squeezed Samael's hands.

"Thank you," she said as she walked forward.

"Tell me, you've been fighting monsters since our separation, right?" she asked.

"Yes," Samael replied. "Why?" he asked.

"Was it hard?" She asked.

Samael fell silent.

"It's that hard, huh?" Lilith said as she looked down. All her life, she was stuck in a manor full of traps and spells, surrounded by powerful people and assassins ready to throw their lives for hers. The only threat she really experienced were the ministry executioners sent for her.

Was she ready?

Samael squeezed the girl's hand as he looked over the distance. Memories of his hardship and the people he lost along the way flashed through his pupils.

"It was hard. Fighting every day just to see the next day. But never harder than knowing your weakness will cause more deaths," Samael said.

"You're strong, Lilith. I know that much. I've seen you fight, and I know you're capable of great things. Don't be scared. I'll always be there when you need it. Always," Samael said.

A small smile formed on Lilith's lips as she rested her head on Samael's chest. The sound of his beating heart soothed her turbulent emotions.

"Any tips, oh general?" Lilith asked as she looked up to Samael.

A small chuckle escaped Samael's lips. "Why not?"

"First, keep moving. No matter how scared you are, move," Samael said.

"Second, never believe what you see. Things can always go south," Samael resumed.

"And thirdly, don't hesitate to kill," he said.

"Out there, nothing is your friend. The only person you can trust is yourself and yourself alone. No matter how scared or anxious you are, no one will help you. It's you or them, and always choose yourself."

"These things have no conscience. All they do is feed on things. What's left is destruction and chaos," Samael said as he remembered the trial.

"I've seen what they can do—the horrors they can bring and the lives they can take without batting an eye."

"These things... They have no souls. They're just empty creatures with the will to shed blood," Samael said.

"But the most important advice I can give," Samael said as he recalled every moment out there.

"Be alert. Keep your senses to yourself, and be sharp always."