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After the recent events with the demon, Ramiel took Samuel to a special dimension designed for angelic training. As they entered the Temporal Rift, Samuel immediately felt a shift in the air. The environment pressed against him in a way he couldn't quite explain, as if the very laws of nature were malleable.
"This," Ramiel explained, "is the Temporal Rift, a dimension where time and space are bent to accelerate our training. One day here equals months outside this realm."
Samuel nodded, understanding the importance of this place. The Temporal Rift was an intense environment, designed specifically for angels in their early stages of development. Here, they could train without worrying about time passing too quickly in the real world.
Ramiel instructed him to start with basic Holy Light Manipulation, a skill every angel must master early on. Samuel found himself struggling at first. The light he summoned flickered and was unstable, never quite forming the shape he wanted.
"Focus," Ramiel instructed, her voice calm but firm. "Your light is a reflection of your soul. If it's unstable, then your soul is still uncertain."
Samuel took a deep breath and closed his eyes, concentrating. His body, already accustomed to the sensation of light flowing through him, began to steady as his focus sharpened. Slowly, the radiance around him solidified, no longer flickering but glowing in a soft, warm hue.
"That's better," Ramiel remarked. "Now, onto the next step."
The next challenge was Flight Mastery, a crucial skill for angels. Samuel had already felt the growing sensation in his back as his wings started to take shape. Two pairs were now fully visible—one set still growing, and the other already powerful enough to carry him.
He spread his wings, feeling the lightness of the air around him. Ramiel smiled and motioned for him to take off. Samuel hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his newfound power, but then he flapped his wings and was immediately lifted off the ground.
The sensation was surreal, but with Ramiel's guidance, he began to soar. Up and down, he practiced controlling the wings, adjusting to the movement and flow of the air. However, the more he practiced, the more he realized how difficult it was to control the gravitational forces in this realm.
Despite his progress, Samuel's exhaustion began to show. His body was growing tired, but his wings were pushing him further than he had ever gone before. Ramiel observed quietly, her expression softening as she watched Samuel push through his limits.
"You're progressing far faster than I expected," she noted. "But remember, your wings and power are tied to your control. Learn to master your light, and your flight will come naturally."
Samuel nodded, acknowledging the importance of both control and mastery. However, he struggled to maintain the flow of energy within his body. The balance between his light and dark forces was becoming more complicated, and he could feel the tug of something else within him, something unfamiliar.
"Next," Ramiel said, her voice breaking through his thoughts. "Let's work on your Angelic Blade."
Samuel felt the shift in the air as Ramiel demonstrated the technique, her ethereal blade summoning itself in an instant, glowing with power. "You must learn to call upon this weapon when you need it most. It is your most powerful form of defense."
Samuel focused, trying to summon the blade. The power surged through him, but the blade flickered, unstable, before disappearing entirely. He tried again, but it still wouldn't materialize.
"Don't rush," Ramiel reminded him. "The Angelic Blade is an extension of you. Let it form naturally, when the time is right."
Samuel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating on his inner self, allowing the power to flow naturally. After several attempts, the blade began to materialize, its form shimmering with brilliance.
He felt the blade settle in his hands, and for the first time, he could sense the connection between the weapon and himself. It was as if the light had become a part of his soul.
"Well done," Ramiel said, her voice a soft praise. "You're almost ready to move to the next stage. But remember, Samuel, strength is not the only measure of an angel's worth. You must learn wisdom and patience. The journey ahead will test more than just your power."
---
Back in the Demon Realm, Belial paced angrily in his throne room, his hands clenched and unclenched as he stood before his subordinates. The demon who had failed to secure the origin energy cowered in front of him, shaking from the sheer weight of Belial's fury.
"You failed!" Belial's voice reverberated through the chamber, echoing in every corner of the room. "You were given the perfect opportunity, and you let an angel take the origin. How dare you?!"
The lowly demon, on its knees, trembled in fear, but dared not speak.
Belial took a step forward, his towering presence casting a shadow over the demon. His six eyes glowed ominously, and his claws twitched in agitation. "You should have stolen the origin from the demoness! She was weak, and you let her slip up, allowing an angel to claim the power that should have been ours!"
He gritted his teeth. "Do you understand the consequences of your failure?"
The demon could only bow its head lower, unable to answer.
Belial, finally calming himself, looked down at the demon with a cold smirk. "No matter. There are still ways to handle this."
He gestured to his highest-ranking generals in the room. "Prepare for war. That boy with the origin energy may be an angel now, but he'll be a problem for us if we let him grow any stronger."
The generals nodded in agreement, their faces grim.
"But he's just an angel," one of them ventured, unsure.
Belial shot a glare at him. "You're mistaken. That boy has something we don't fully understand yet. We must act now, before he becomes a threat."
He turned to the group. "I'll be launching an assault on his location soon. Prepare your forces. If we can't control him, we will have to destroy him. It's the only way."
As the generals filed out to carry out his orders, Belial remained in the room, his eyes narrowing.
"This is far from over."
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