Samael's training proceeded greatly. His progress grew exponentially after his enlightenment, and each and every action he took now had a purpose.

After realising the answer to his questions, Samael now strived to fully understand the concept of aggression. Although he did understand that what he lacked was the ability to dominate his opponent, putting it to play was a completely different thing.

Fortunately, Ishkar finally began teaching him what it meant, but not in a way that he was spoon-fed but rather giving him ideas and clues to utilise.

"People have auras; everyone has one," Ishkar said. "But Domineering aura is different."

"Domineering aura?" Samael asked.

"Yes, in my clan we call it domineering aura," Ishkar said.

"Domineering aura..." Samael muttered.

On cue, the codex flashed a screen before him, startling Samael.

New notification!

Right now? Samael wondered. Show me.

Defying the laws and rules of the universe, the host has made a great achievement!

What...?

You have gained an insignia!

Insignia?

Insignia's are similar to innate abilities, but they possess great power and potential. It is also a requirement to be considered a [REDACTED].

Another redacted? It doesn't matter; show me this insignia.

You have obtained an insignia!

[Indomitable will]

Indomitable will?

Indomitable will is similar to Ishkar's dominant aura. However, it is vastly better and stronger.

The indomitable will is also called another term. The indomitable fighting spirit.

How does it work?

[Indomitable Will] The indomitable will is an ability unique only to you. It is a trait formed for you and cannot be understood by anyone else. With this insignia, your spirit is enhanced and your fighting spirit strengthened. However, to fully unlock its utmost capabilities, the host must first grow stronger.

[Indomitable Will]

Current progress: chained.

Effects: Enhances the fighting spirit and will of the user.

How do I progress it?

The indomitable will can only be strengthened in two ways. The first is through harsh battles that will push you to your limits or through breaking the bonds of your soul.

A sigh escaped Samuel's lips. Both options were hard. He hoped too much. But that doesn't mean they're impossible to do; he just needs ample time.

"Samael?" Ishkar asked.

Samael blinked a few times. "Yeah?"

"Are you listening?" Ishkar asked.

"Yes," Samael said.

Clearing his throat, Ishkar resumed. "As I was saying, domineering aura is learnt through my clan. It's a skill we practice since birth."

Domineering aura paired with my new skill should work miracles if used right, Samael thought.

"How do you learn it?" Samael asked.

"There is no fast way," Ishkar said. "It is fostered from birth."

Samuel's brows furrowed. "Then what's the point of telling me?"

"Although it is not accepted by our elders, there is a forbidden way of doing so," Ishkar said.

"Why is it forbidden?" Samael asked.

"The domineering aura is the manifestation and use of your fighting spirit that is strengthened since birth. It is similar to astral pressure yet different in its own unique way," Ishkar explained. "In our clan, we believe that each person is born with a specific amount of fighting spirit. However, it is only the tip that we are able to use due to our inability to overcome it. So we train our offsprings through battles, conditioning, and mediations for their spirit tunings."

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"Spirit tuning?" Samael asked.

"Spirit tuning is where we conduct a ritual to send the individual inside their own spirit prison where their fighting spirits are bound. There they shall challenge it, and if they win, they awaken their Domineering will," Ishkar said. "Our elders described it as similar to waking a slumbering dragon, which can only be done if you're strong enough to withstand it."

"So what is this forbidden way?" Samael asked.

"The forbidden way is a ritual called Sanguinis Fortico," Ishkar said. "It is through this ritual that I will forcefully throw you inside your prison realm, and I shall wake up the fighting spirit inside you prematurely."

"What happens if you do?" Samael asked.

"Well, before I get to that, you must know that your fighting spirit is connected to your soul strength, which is defined by birth. So the stronger someone's soul is, the harder their battle can become. When we train our young, we can roughly measure their fighting spirit, but if I do this ritual, we'll be going in blind, and that is never good," Ishkar said. "You can die."

Samael fell silent. Death. It was a concept he wasn't that foreign to. He has witnessed many lay their lives in their line of duty to do what they must do. If so, why should he fear? He wouldn't have made it here if he hadn't taken risks.

"I will do what I must," Samael said as Ishkar smiled. This kid was truly something.

"I knew you were going to agree to it; that's why I already prepared the materials required beforehand," Ishkar said as he took out what seemed to be some form of incense jar and put down multiple runes around Samael, encircling him.

"Now, I will be with you in your battle; if I sense something is off, I will cut the connection. It will hurt, but it will save your life," Ishkar said. "Are you ready?"

Taking one final deep breath, Samael nodded. "I'm ready."

Ishkar nodded back as he touched Samael's forehead with his fingers, a wave of energy going through him as he instinctively closed his eyes. Soon, the runes around him glew bright as the ritual began.

For a moment, Samael felt as though he was floating in the vast expanse of the Void. A familiar feeling, but this time it was different. Way different.

Without his knowledge, he found himself standing in a large empty area where there was nothing but darkness as far as the eye can perceive. The sky was bleak, and the floor seemed as though it were made of black marble. But those things did not concern him. It was the figure in the middle of the spirit prison.

Sitting in the centre was a black being that was humanoid in form. He was riddled with chains and unmoving... until it noticed his presence.

Unbeknownst to Samael, his fighting spirit was different. He overlooked some crucial details; it is that he is born a Vagabond and that he is strengthened by his insignia: indomitable will. And that creature is its manifestation.

Turning around, a violent pressure befell Samael, the likes he had never experienced before. So much so that he immediately buckled under it. He was unable to breathe, move, or even blink under its authority. And yet it has only glanced at him.

Ishkar also felt this pressure, and he himself felt his spirit scream in fear. His very fighting spirit was afraid of what lay inside Samael.

Slowly standing to its feet, the being finally faced Samael as it began to walk towards him, overshadowing him. Slowly, it reached him.

Ishkar grated his teeth. He knew it was time to end it, but he couldn't. Samael's fighting spirit was suppressing him, an unheard phenomenon.

Due to the forces of his soul being blown out of proportions, Samael stood no chance as it inched closer by the second... That is if he fought alone.

Before the spirit could even reach him, another hand stemmed from the darkness of the depths, grabbing the wrist of the spirit and stopping it dead in its tracks.

The spirit jerked its head towards the culprit as its eyes widened.

Like a miracle, the pressure pinning Samael vanished into thin air as he regained the ability to move. Not wasting time, he too looked at his helper.

There it was, a creature composed of pure darkness. It was humanoid as well, but it held a warm gaze as it looked at Samael, and he himself knew what it was.

The Void.

Yes, they were one.

Or rather, all three of them are one.

Looking at the spirit, Samael steadily rose up. Why must he fight his spirit when it is his? Without it, he wouldn't be here. It is what helped shape him.

Ishkar said to defeat your own spirit, but was it really the right action?

Looking at the spirit, Samael could see a multitude of emotions hiding behind its gaze.

Pain.

Longing.

Anger.

But most importantly.

Longing.

Holding the hand of the Void, Samael nodded.

It was okay.

Understanding what he meant, it slowly removed its grasp as the spirit continued its journey, as though it were it's entire life's mission to reach him, to connect and reform.

As it's hand touched Samael, it too was engulfed in darkness. For it too was shaped by the Void.

Ishkar felt his bones rattle and his muscles spasm as he tried his best to break the link. However, all his attempts were futile. Whatever was stopping him was able to suppress him with its mere presence.

But his worries were for naught.

Like lightning, the sudden pressure vanished into thin air, as though it never happened in the first place. Everything became serene, and his connection with the boy was utterly crushed.

Opening his eyes, Ishkar looked at Samael with uncertainty. Just what was happening inside?

When the spirit inside Samael had finished morphing, he was again thrown into shambles as he felt himself catapulted again. When he opened his eyes, there was only him and the ever-ending darkness.

No.

They were there, inside him. Merged as one in perfect unity and harmony. They were whole again, as it should be.

Clutching his chest, Samael could feel an unexplainable warmth and security flowing in his veins.

This was their emotion.

All their rage, pain, longing, and wishes were now finally with him. Or rather, his own desires have finally been cleared.

This was the answer. Not to defeat, but to become one.

As the spirit prison began to crumble apart like dust being blown by the wind, a single panel erupted before Samael.

You have achieved another great achievement! You have achieved unity and learnt a new major skill!

Sweet Samael thought as his eyes blasted open.

"Are you okay, boy?" Ishkar asked.

Samael nodded as he got up. However, Ishkar's eyes widened as he looked at the boy.

"This..." Ishkar muttered.

Around Samael's body outline was a small purple glow that emanated strength.

"You've done it. No, you outclassed it," Ishkar said.

What Samael did was way beyond even his wildest imagination.

He has created a skill, a perfect version of their domineering will. Something far far more advanced.

He has done it.

[Sovereign's Will] (hard) (passive)

Current rank: Chained

Manifestation of the user's unyielding fighting spirit and will to dominate.

Effects

1. Increase agitation of opponents with weaker fighting spirit than the user.

2. Degrades the composure of enemies with weaker fighting spirit's than the user.

3. Hammers enemies decision-making and reaction time if they have a weaker fighting spirit than the user.

A small smile made its way to Samael's face. He had never felt so clear before.

"What did you do?" Ishkar asked in excitement as he held the boy's shoulders.

Looking at the man, Samael spoke. "I did not defeat my spirit, but rather I became one with it."

Ishkar's eyes glew bright as he stepped back, his mouth mumbling without stop. "This is... amazing! Such revelations! Such insights!"

Looking at Samael with flames burning in his eyes, he spoke. "Fight me!"

Unsheathing his axe, Samuel smiled.

Seeing this, Ishkar's maniacal smirk widened even further as he slammed both his fists to form a crimson gauntlet.

Time to see the results.