After what felt like an eternity, Samael finally regained his powers and summoned every member of "Dead End" to convene.

  As they approached the hall, Adriel noticed Gabriele.

  “He called you too? He must know about our duel.”

  “Of course he does, he is Lord Samael after all,” Gabriele replied.

  The two angels met Uriel and Samael, waiting in the hall, and stood in line.

  "This is the new member of 'Dead End'... Fafniel," Samael announced, his voice sharp and commanding.

  "New member?" Adriel blurted out, his face twisted in disbelief. "What did he do to deserve that?"

  Samael’s eyes narrowed. "He completed a harder trial than both of you—in less time."

  The room fell silent. Adriel, Gabriele, and Uriel stood frozen, processing the impossible.

  "That can't be," Adriel insisted, his pride wounded.

  "It's quite impressive," Samael said flatly. He turned his gaze to Uriel. "How did you overlook him?"

  Uriel flinched. "I... I assumed he was weak."

  "Do better next time," Samael snapped, his patience worn thin. "Now, let's lay down the rules. First, whoever remains will become the next archangel. No further selection is required. Second, if you lose to an outsider, you lose your spot. Third, if you're ranked last for multiple sessions, you lose your spot. Fourth—" he paused, a sinister smile tugging at his lips, "—don’t worry about that one. You’ll know when it’s time."

  "My Lord, that’s unfair," Uriel protested, the others nodding in agreement.

  "Fairness doesn’t concern me," Samael said coldly. "But you have a point. Lastly, if you lose your spot, you can never become an archangel. Ever. So, think carefully before continuing."

  "Never?" Gabriele’s voice barely concealed her unease.

  "Never," Samael confirmed. "We reconvene tomorrow. Attend if you wish to stay."

  "Tomorrow? By Earth’s time?" Uriel asked.

  "No," Samael replied. "We adopt a new measure. Seconds, minutes, hours. Twenty-four hours make a day." He demonstrated the pace with a deliberate count. "Learn it. Live by it."

  "A practical system—we'll finally have a way to track time," Uriel said with a nod.

  "Tomorrow, anyone willing to remain will gather here," Samael commanded, turning on his heel and leaving the room.

  Each angel retreated to their chambers, the weight of Samael's ultimatum pressing upon them. Through the long, silent hours, they wrestled with their ambitions and the cost of failure.

  When the next day arrived, they all returned—none willing to abandon their pursuit of power.

  Samael wasted no time, placing his hand on each of them—Gabriele, Adriel, and Fafniel—blessing them. Their souls glowed, power coursing through them as their appearances shifted. Gabriele’s silver-white hair turned gold, and her eyes shimmered green. Adriel’s silver-white hair remained, but his eyes blazed gold. Fafniel’s hair burned gold, his gaze a piercing blue.

  Samael followed up by ranking the members of 'Dead End.' Gabriele ranked lowest, followed by Adriel, then Fafniel. Uriel stood at the top.

  "Truthfully, Fafniel should outrank you, Uriel," Samael remarked, his tone edged with indifference. "But as an archangel, you hold the first position—for now."

  "Absurd!" Uriel hissed. "You rank that weakling above me?"

  "Big words from someone whose rank is only saved by his title," Fafniel shot back.

  Uriel’s aura flared in rage, flames licking the air around him.

  Samael chuckled, stoking the fire. "If you’re so confident, prove it. Fight him."

  Uriel’s eyes burned with fury, but he kept his composure. "Why should I lower myself to his level? He should prove himself to me."

  Samael tilted his head toward Fafniel. "And you?"

  Fafniel scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips. "What’s the rush? Soon, you’ll be begging to fight me."

  "Keep dreaming," Uriel snapped.

  Samael exhaled, his disappointment barely concealed. "No fight, then. Fine. Today’s lesson: strategy. Knowing your opponent’s strengths is vital. You will share your talents."

  The room shifted uncomfortably.

  "Lord Samael, that’s giving our enemies an advantage," Uriel protested.

  "Enemies?" Samael scoffed. "You’re allies. Knowing each other’s limits prevents foolish deaths. Share—or leave."

  Uriel relented first. "My talent is fire—and immunity to it."

  "I have an advanced understanding and manipulation of mana," Adriel said, hesitating.

  "I master the use of chapters," Gabriele added quietly.

  "I use less mana than anyone else for my spells," Fafniel stated

  Seriously? This guy is actually worth fighting, Uriel thought to himself.

  "Good. Now that you know each other's talents, devise a plan to exploit their weaknesses," Samael commanded. "Pick your opponents."

  "I pick you, number one," Gabriele said, her confidence unwavering.

  "Your funeral," Uriel smirked.

  "That leaves you, Fafniel," Adriel said, masking his apprehension.

  Samael conjured a ring. "Begin."

  As the fight began, Gabriele formulated her plan. If he’s immune to fire, I’ll use light and finish this quickly. Without hesitation, she unleashed her attack.

  "[Genesis and Exodus: Absolute Light of Heaven!]" A massive beam of pure light surged toward Uriel, engulfing him in its brilliance.

  Adriel’s jaw dropped in awe. "She… she beat an archangel with a single strike. That’s insane!"

  "Look again," Fafniel said coolly.

  When Adriel refocused on the arena, his expression twisted in disbelief—Uriel stood there, completely unharmed.

  "Him surviving the blast is one thing," Adriel stammered, "but without a scratch? That’s impossible!"

  "There’s only one explanation," Fafniel said, eyes narrowing. "He didn’t tell us the full extent of his talent. No one should be able to tank that under these conditions."

  Samael’s voice cut through their conversation. "Very impressive, Fafniel—you noticed it already?"

  "Noticed what?" Adriel asked, still baffled.

  Fafniel rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Pathetic. If you can’t see something this obvious, how do you expect to beat me?"

  "Fafniel," Samael warned, "no need to be cruel. Help him—we’re all allies here."

  "Fine, Master," Fafniel sighed before turning to Adriel. "This ring equalises our power—only skill matters here."

  "So, how did he withstand a light-based attack?" Adriel asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

  Fafniel smirked. "If you bothered to translate his name, you’d know. 'Uriel' means 'Fire and Light of God.' In other words, he’s immune to both elements."

  Adriel’s eyes widened in horror. "W-what? But… that’s most of an angel’s offensive magic! How are we supposed to fight him?"

  Fafniel’s gaze returned to the battle, sharp and calculating. "I don’t know. I’m hoping she gives me an idea."

  Gabriele clenched her fists, forcing a smirk. "So, fire and light don’t work on you? That’s a pretty broken ability."

  Uriel’s confidence burned brighter than ever. "Does that mean you’re ready to give up?"

  “You know I can’t back down. If I did, Lord Samael would kick me out—and I can’t have that.”

  Gabriele quickly shifted her strategy, switching from light-based attacks to frost and air. She invoked [Genesis: Creation], summoning dozens of ice lances that tore through the air toward Uriel. He darted around the battlefield, effortlessly weaving between the projectiles.

  Maybe this will work—ice should counter his immunity to fire. Fafniel thought, his mind racing for a solution.

  Uriel scoffed. “Predictable. You’re not the first to try that.” He lunged forward, his flames surging beneath his feet to boost his speed.

  Damn—it’s not enough. Fafniel clenched his fists, noticing Samael’s subtle shake of the head—a sign of disappointment. What is she missing?

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  Gabriele shifted tactics again, creating condensed shockwaves to halt Uriel’s advance. But he twisted mid-air, using his flames to alter his trajectory and strike her flank with a burst of searing heat.

  “Damn it—” she hissed, clutching her side as pain flared across her burnt skin. Uriel pressed the attack, raising his hands and unleashing a devastating combination:

  [Genesis, Romans, and Acts: Absolute Heavenly Fiery Bomb].

  The battlefield erupted in a cataclysm of divine flames. Gabriele barely had time to react, summoning [Psalms and Genesis: Absolute Garden of Protection]—a shimmering barrier that absorbed most of the impact before shattering under the assault.

  She collapsed to one knee, her breath ragged, the left side of her soul burned and useless. Is this it? After everything I’ve trained for… Am I really going to lose? Her vision blurred with pain. How can I become like Jophiel—the youngest archangel—if I fail here?

  But just as despair threatened to consume her, a new resolve ignited within her heart. She lifted her head, her panic replaced by an icy calm—a look of certainty.

  Uriel’s confidence wavered as a chill ran down his spine. For the first time in the battle, he felt fear.

  What the hell? I broke her will—why is she still standing? His fists tightened. I need to end this. Now.

  Gabriele’s power surged. She invoked a devastating new technique:

  [Genesis, Isaiah, Romans, and Acts: Exploding Flash Freeze Icicle Storm].

  Blades of super-cooled ice formed around Uriel and detonated in rapid succession, flooding the battlefield with endless waves of freezing explosions.

  Uriel raised his defences, conjuring [Genesis, Acts, and Psalms: Flaming Shield Garden]—a cascade of blazing shields that encircled him. But the relentless barrage strained his defences. His body trembled under the pressure.

  She’s overwhelming me—

  Desperation flickered in Uriel’s eyes. He retaliated, heating the ground beneath him in preparation for an eruption of fire. But Gabriele saw through his plan. With precise control, she manipulated the explosions into spikes, which pierced the weakened gaps in his shield, one coming dangerously close to taking his head off.

  Uriel’s instincts flared. His soul combusted, igniting his body and boosting his speed just in time to dodge, though a long, deep scratch marred his face.

  I was winning. What changed?! Uriel’s heart pounded in disbelief.

  Gabriele gave a cold smirk. “What’s wrong, loser? Is that all you’ve got?”

  From the sidelines, Fafniel’s sharp mind pieced it together. She’s attained flow, the state where instinct and skill merge, pushing power beyond its limits.

  Uriel realised it too. If I don’t reach flow—or find a way to counter hers—I’m finished.

  Uriel stands to his feet. “I won’t lose to a weakling like you!” Uriel snarled. He reinforced his shields, layering them with Numbers to cascade and block further strikes.

  Gabriele’s response was merciless. She conjured ultra-condensed ice bombs that shredded through his reinforced defence like paper. Both Adriel and Fafniel stared in disbelief.

  “Impossible!” Uriel spat blood as spikes rained down on him.

  Panic surged through his mind. He imagined Samael’s disappointment—the mockery from his peers—Gabriele taking his position. He was slipping toward defeat, and the weight of failure crushed him for the first time in his life.

  But Samael? He only smiled. Yes… feel despair. Only by facing certain defeat—and rejecting it—can you evolve.

  At the last moment, everything slowed. The spikes froze in his vision. And then—he dodged them all.

  Samael’s grin widened. “Took you long enough.”

  Uriel had attained flow.

  Wait, did Uriel just attain flow? Fafniel's eyes narrowed, his focus locked on the fight unfolding before him. The surge in Uriel's power was undeniable—a shift no ordinary skill could explain.

  Damn it, I have to end this now, or else—

  Before Gabriele could finish the thought, Uriel closed the distance in a blink. His fist, wreathed in flame, smashed into her face with brutal force, sending her hurtling backwards.

  Reacting on instinct, she summoned an ice shield mid-flight. The barrier absorbed some of the impact, fracturing under the sheer power of his blow, but it slowed the punch enough to prevent a knockout.

  Gabriele skidded across the battlefield, ice crystals trailing behind her as she dug her heels into the ground to stop herself. Pain flared through her being, but her mind remained sharp. She couldn't afford a single mistake—Uriel was now on a new level of power.

  Yes… He’s done it, Fafniel realised, a grin creeping across his face. So that’s the key—by rejecting certain defeat, your spirit pushes beyond its limits. That’s how you attain flow- the power to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Good to know.

  The revelation sent a thrill through him. This wasn't just raw strength—this was evolution in real time.

  His sudden, almost predatory smile didn’t go unnoticed. Adriel, standing nearby, felt a chill crawl down his spine. "Why is he smiling like that…?" he muttered under his breath, unease gnawing at him.

  Fafniel’s gaze remained fixed on the battlefield, but his mind raced. If Uriel can do it, so can I.

  “Not bad. That blow should have ended it.” Uriel said with a scowl.

  "Damn it! I won’t lose!" Gabriele snarled, summoning a ring of super-condensed bombs around Uriel. The sheer volume and speed of the attacks should have made dodging impossible—even with flow, everyone watching knew it.

  And yet, Uriel weaved through the spikes, slipping past the deadly blasts with fluid precision. He blocked the final explosion, emerging unscathed, leaving Gabriele frozen in disbelief.

  What is he doing…? Her sharp eyes narrowed, analysing every movement. Then it clicked—just before detonation, the speed of her attacks dropped ever so slightly. Her breath caught in her throat. So that’s your trick… I never stood a chance.

  Despite knowing her defeat was inevitable, a soft smile crossed her lips. The next instant, Uriel’s fist crashed into her sternum, the impact knocking her unconscious. As she crumpled to the ground, Uriel dropped to one knee, raising his right hand in quiet victory.

  Without acknowledging his triumph, Samael announced the next fight, igniting Uriel’s frustration as he stormed out of the ring.

  The arena shifted focus as Adriel lunged at Fafniel the moment their match began. Fafniel barely flinched, his counterattack blasting Adriel backwards. Dazed and confused, Adriel hurtled across the ring, his thoughts scrambling to make sense of what just hit him—until a loud thud rang out as he crashed headfirst into the wall.

  "What the hell just happened?" Uriel muttered, his face twisted in shock. Gabriele, still recovering, shared his disbelief.

  As Adriel’s soul slumped to the ground, Fafniel smirked, turning to walk away—until Adriel surged back to his feet, lunging again. Fafniel narrowly dodged, whipping a counterstrike that missed by a hair. Adriel’s brutal uppercut connected, forcing Fafniel to flip midair to lessen the damage.

  Touching down, Fafniel retaliated, conjuring jagged spikes from the ground. Adriel evaded, countering with [Genesis: Creation]—freezing the ground to halt the spikes while trapping Fafniel’s hand. Fueled by momentum, Adriel charged again, his fist glowing with light, only to be met with Fafniel’s thunderous shockwave. This time, Adriel blocked the strike, though the force damaged his hand and sent him skidding back.

  "Not bad, number two," Adriel grinned through the pain. "But I’ll get you next time."

  "No." Fafniel yanked his hand free from the ice, his voice deadly calm. "You won’t be that lucky again."

  Adriel’s smile faded slightly. I can’t let him hit me with that shockwave again… if he does, I’m done for.

  This time, Fafniel seized the initiative, throwing a flurry of blows. Adriel parried each strike, responding with precise counters. As Fafniel ducked under a punch and swept Adriel’s legs, Adriel narrowly escaped another shockwave, blasting a beam of light at Fafniel’s face. Fafniel deflected it with ease.

  He’s figuring out my timing. I’ll need to switch things up. A wide grin spread across Fafniel’s bloodied face.

  Uriel, watching intently, mused to himself. His power is terrifying, but his patterns are predictable. I could beat him if we fought.

  The clash intensified. Adriel soared over a slashing wave, aiming a flying kick that Fafniel deflected. Their battle turned into a ruthless exchange of blows until Adriel, using a feint, pulled Fafniel close and threw a jab.

  Fafniel smirked. In a flash, his palm slammed into Adriel’s chest. Blood splattered as the shockwave sent Adriel sprawling, leaving Uriel and Gabriele speechless.

  Victory seemed assured—until Adriel’s hand shot out, seizing Fafniel’s leg. "Do you think you’ve won?" he growled, detonating a hidden blast.

  Fafniel leapt back, teeth gritted as pain surged through him. "How…? That attack should’ve knocked you out!"

  "It would have," Adriel admitted, rising to his feet. "But I condensed all my mana into my chest. It softened the blow."

  Fafniel chuckled darkly, standing tall despite his injuries. "Not bad… but playtime is over."

  Both fighters surged with power, their mana condensed to the limit. Fafniel struck first, but as their duel raged on, Adriel gradually gained the upper hand. Though Fafniel’s amplified strength kept him competitive, his stamina dwindled.

  Feigning a retreat, Fafniel aimed to recover—until Adriel, blazing forward with fire-enhanced speed, lunged again. Chains materialised, snaring Adriel’s arms in mid-air.

  "What the—?" Adriel’s protest was cut short as Fafniel’s fist crashed into his face, followed by a brutal barrage. Blood sprayed across the arena.

  Just before Fafniel could land the final blow, the blood on the ground flared with light and detonated. The explosion shattered the chains and hurled Fafniel across the ring.

  Groaning, he pounded the ground in frustration. "How the hell are you still conscious? I hit your pressure points—you should be out cold!"

  Adriel wiped blood from his mouth, meeting Fafniel’s murderous gaze. "Frustrated? Tired? Give up, then. Stop throwing a tantrum."

  Enraged, Fafniel unleashed a volley of super-condensed shockwaves. Yet, Adriel deflected them effortlessly, crumbling the arena wall.

  Uriel and Gabriele were left stunned by Adriel’s ability to deflect Fafniel’s devastating shockwave attacks. Despite their shock, Fafniel remains calm, realising Adriel has achieved flow.

  Although attacking someone in flow without achieving it himself seems reckless, Fafniel has a plan—to force himself into the flow state through combat. However, despite knowing the theory behind entering flow, the reality proves harder than he expected. Adriel seamlessly counters his every move, landing powerful blows that push Fafniel to his limits.

  Damn it, I thought since I knew how to attain flow it would be easy, but I’m getting pummelled, am I going to lose? Never, I will not accept it. Fafniel dodged a punch from Adriel and attacked his chest with his shockwave ability, sending him flying.

  Blood dripped from Fafniel’s mouth, but his grin only widened.

  “Fear—that’s the key to achieving flow. Good to know.” His voice was low, dangerous. He wiped the blood off his chin and levelled a glare at Adriel. “Your luck’s run out. I’m done playing—this is a contest of strength now, not skill.” Aura bursts from his eyes as he declares this, symbolising his flow state.

  Without warning, Fafniel lunged forward, unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks. His fists blurred with speed and power, but no matter how precisely he struck, Adriel shifted just enough to avoid a clean hit.

  Damn it… He’s moving his soul mid-battle—he’s making my pressure-point strikes miss. Fafniel’s frustration burned as he pressed harder. I can’t let this drag on. I have to end it.

  Yet, the longer the fight continued, the worse it became. Adriel wasn’t just keeping up—he was getting stronger.

  Why? Fafniel’s mind raced. We’re equals in this ring—how is he still rising?

  Blow by blow, the tide began to turn. Fafniel, once in control, found himself slipping—reacting instead of attacking. Desperation crept in as he struggled to keep pace. Then, just as Adriel’s fist crashed into his ribs and sent him skidding backwards, the answer struck him.

  His lips curled into a sharp smirk. I see it now…

  “It’s flow, isn’t it?” Fafniel straightened, the sting of battle drowned out by the thrill of discovery. “You’ve somehow unlocked a second level of flow—one that pushes your abilities beyond their limits. But now that I know…” His aura flared around him. “I can do it too.”

  Adriel’s eyes narrowed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Enough talk—let’s finish this.” He dropped into his stance, his soul radiating power.

  He doesn’t even realise it…? Fafniel’s mind spun as he pieced it together. He entered flow after I hit him the first time, and now he has upgraded it. His instincts must be on another level. His magic control is just an extension of that talent.

  It was still a theory—but one Fafniel was eager to test. With a deep breath, he grounded himself and pushed his magic further.

  He pushed his flow to its second level from pure desire and emotion.

  Power surged through his veins. This advanced form of flow had no upper limit—his speed, strength, and reflexes could climb infinitely. But there was a catch.

  If I push too far, my spirit will break. My soul will crumble. The thought gnawed at the edge of his mind. One mistake, and I die.

  He glanced across the arena at Adriel. Yet, he’s using it—like it’s nothing.

  Samael watched from outside the ring, his eyes gleaming with fascination. Two fighters unlocking the second version of flow… at the same time? He chuckled under his breath. What are the odds?

  Neither combatant showed signs of backing down. Both knew the risks. Neither cared.

  They clashed again—harder, faster, each strike causing shockwaves that shook the arena. For every advantage one gained, the other simply pushed their power higher. It became a battle of escalation, both fighters burning through their limits without hesitation.

  Their movements blurred into flashes of light and shadow, fists colliding with bone-crushing force. No technique, no strategy—just pure, unyielding willpower.

  Samael’s grin widened as he leaned forward. “They’ve figured it out… very impressive.”

  Gabriele and Uriel could only stare, stunned into silence. The sheer power on display, the razor-thin margin between victory and defeat—it was beyond anything they had ever witnessed.

  And the fight was far from over.