Azrael woke early, determined to put into practice everything he had learned. The previous night, after finishing his meal, he read through the journal titled Secrets of the Angel Ring. The text described an extraordinary power, difficult to acquire and accessible only through a complicated process.


    According to the journal, every individual seeking to awaken the Angel Ring must choose one of three paths: Impurity, Purity, or Inner Peace. Each path shaped the user’s emotional and moral journey, influencing how quickly they could progress and the unique abilities they would unlock.


    Awakening the Angel Ring through the Path of Purity was no simple feat. It demanded more than just discipline or skill—it required a life rooted in selflessness, love, hope, and a genuine desire to protect others. From the moment of birth to the final awakening, one’s actions and intentions had to remain pure.


    The journal explained that for Purity, eternal energy must be cleansed of selfish desires. The user needed to let go of greed, pride, and personal ambition, focusing instead on the well-being of others. This made the path incredibly challenging and rare, but it also produced the most radiant Angel Rings, glowing with unmatched brilliance.


    In contrast, the Path of Impurity was reserved for those who embraced darkness. Some were born into evil, while others chose it along the way. The journal described these individuals as consumed by hatred, vengeance, greed, or despair.


    The energy they channeled came from their darkest emotions, fueling their power but tainting their aura. Their Angel Rings, though powerful, radiated a sinister and malevolent energy.


    The final option, Inner Peace, struck a balance between light and darkness. This path required the user to confront and accept both their virtues and flaws. It demanded deep introspection and an honest understanding of oneself. Those who succeeded often radiated an aura of calm, their Angel Rings glowing with a serene yet formidable energy.


    Azrael pondered over these choices. Purity aligned most with his principles, but he understood the weight of the responsibility it carried. The purity of his heart and intentions would be tested at every step, and failure was not an option.


    With a deep breath, he made his decision... Purity would be his path.


    Once the Angel Ring is awakened, it begins as a white ring and evolves through six stages, each represented by a distinct color. The progression reflects the user’s mastery of their aura and their alignment with their chosen path.


    Azrael decided on the Path of Purity, confident it aligned best with his inner values. To follow this path, he needed to complete three stages, collectively called the Awakening Path.


    The Angel Ring''s awakening is not for the faint-hearted; it demands a harmony of mind, body, and soul. The journey begins with cultivating Eternal Energy, the essence of life itself, drawn from moments of pure devotion or emotional intensity.


    This energy then transforms into an Aura—a luminous manifestation of one''s spirit, shaped by their victories and struggles.


    Finally, through discipline and self-discovery, the Angel Ring takes form, floating above like a crown of light, embodying the user''s resolve and mastery. Each step is a testament to the wielder’s strength, both inner and outer—a journey of growth that transcends the ordinary.


    “Hmm, this doesn’t seem like it’ll be too hard,” Azrael muttered to himself, gazing out at the snow-covered courtyard.


    Snow had been falling steadily since last night, blanketing the entire area in white. Despite the biting cold, Azrael chose to meditate outside in the courtyard. The two guardians stood by the doors, silently watching him with curiosity.


    Azrael sat cross-legged in the snow, his eyes closed in deep concentration. The freezing air didn’t seem to bother him as he focused on his breathing, steady and deliberate. According to the journal he read, achieving the first stage of the awakening path required unwavering discipline, intense meditation, and a razor-sharp focus—qualities he was determined to embody.


    Hours passed, but Azrael remained motionless. Morning turned to afternoon, and still, he didn’t stir. By the time the sun began to set, the guardians exchanged glances, unsure if they should intervene. Finally, as darkness descended, Azrael’s eyes fluttered open. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    “Ah! It’s freezing!” he yelped, quickly leaping to his feet and rushing back inside. Shaking off the chill, he muttered to himself, “I didn’t even realize it was night already. I’m starving—I’d better eat something before I collapse.”


    The following day came and went, and while Azrael remained focused on his training, Kyle and Jarred were still unconscious. A faint sense of worry flickered in his mind, but he pushed it aside, resolving to keep progressing in his own path for now.


    *


    The next morning, Azrael resumed his meditation in the snow-covered courtyard. Midway through his practice, he felt the door creak open behind him. Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned around, surprised by what he saw.


    "A-Azrael?"


    “Jarred! You’re awake!” Azrael exclaimed with relief, rushing toward him. “Don’t step outside yet—it’s too cold, and you’re still recovering.”


    He guided Jarred back inside and up to the second floor, where he prepared a warm meal for him.


    As Jarred sipped on the steaming soup, his expression grew somber. “Where are the others? Are they… are they gone?” he asked, his voice trembling.


    “Don’t worry, everyone’s alive,” Azrael reassured him with a smile. “Carl and Mika left to gather supplies from Aoyu Village.”


    A faint smile pulled at Jarred’s lips, but tears began streaming down his face. “That’s a relief,” he murmured.


    Azrael placed a comforting hand on Jarred’s shoulder. The gesture broke whatever composure Jarred had left, and he buried his face in his hands, sobbing.


    “I’m so glad everyone’s safe… I-I don’t know what I’d do if any of you…” His voice cracked. “If only I hadn’t been so reckless that day, none of this would’ve happened. And now… Kyle…”


    “Hey, enough of that,” Azrael interrupted gently. “What matters is that we’re still here. Don’t blame yourself, Jarred. And as for Kyle—he’s not gone. As long as someone’s still breathing, there’s always hope. He’ll wake up, and when he does, we’ll all be stronger together.”


    Jarred slowly lift his face and nodded, wiping his tears as he clung to Azrael’s words.


    *


    After eating, Azrael returned to the courtyard to meditate, while Jarred sat by the castle door, watching him in silence. His gaze eventually wandered to the horizon, his mind racing with thoughts of how he could become stronger to protect his friends.


    Determined, he wandered into the castle’s living room and noticed a stack of books and journals on the table. One title caught his eye: ''The Way of Ancient Swordsmanship.'' Intrigued, he opened the book and began reading. The more he read, the more absorbed he became, and he lost track of time.


    By the time Azrael finished his meditation and came back inside, he found Jarred deeply engrossed in the book.


    “Oh, so you’re into that, huh? Makes sense—you do use a sword,” Azrael remarked, grinning as he approached.


    Jarred jumped, startled. “You scared me! When did you get back?”


    “Well, maybe you wouldn’t be so startled if you weren’t burying your face in that book,” Azrael teased, sitting beside him. “So, are you planning to try it out?”


    Jarred hesitated, closing the book slightly. “It’s... fascinating. Where did you find this?”


    “In the castle library,” Azrael replied. “It was tucked away in a corner. Guess it caught my eye, just like it did yours.”


    “Interesting,” Jarred mused.


    “So, wanna give it a shot tomorrow?” Azrael offered.


    “H-huh? I mean, it’s not that I don’t want to, but… do you really think this stuff works?”


    Azrael grabbed the book from him and flipped through the pages. “Why wouldn’t it? It’s just sword techniques, right? You already know how to handle a sword, so—huh?”


    His words faltered as he scanned the text more closely.


    “Wait a second. Are you telling me swordsmen can unleash sword slashes like this?!”


    Jarred facepalmed. “What kind of nonsense is that?”


    “How was I supposed to know? I thought sword fights were just clashing blades and that’s it!” Azrael exclaimed.


    Shaking his head, Jarred muttered, “I thought you were amazed because the techniques in this book are ancient—lost for thousands of years.”


    “Oh! That’s what you meant,” Azrael said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.


    Frustrated, Jarred gave him a light smack on the head. “Idiot! Why would I be impressed by something as basic as sword slashes? Even beginners can do that these days.”


    Azrael groaned, rubbing his head as he rolled on the floor in exaggerated pain. Meanwhile, Jarred crossed his arms, his tone growing serious. “This book teaches the ancient double-edged sword technique. It was said to be created by the first-ever user of a double-edged sword in this world.”


    Still clutching his head, Azrael asked, “But how do you know that person even existed? It’s been thousands of years.”


    Jarred adjusted his glasses, a hint of pride in his voice. “Because knowledge like this has been passed down for generations. And more importantly, this technique is linked to one of the Seven Deadly Sins.”


    Azrael froze, curiosity replacing his playful demeanor. “The Seven Deadly Sins, huh? Now you’ve got my attention.”