Imagination

"Why do you keep sending me in this jungle every time we escape?" Liam pointed out.

"Because it's safe here. No one can detect your presence. Plus it's a good environment, isn't it?"

Azrael was casually resting on a hammock. Two mini demons were fanning him, which he summoned earlier.

The mini demons showed no emotions. Their eyes don't contain the glint of the living.

"They're just the lowest class of summoned creatures. Treat them as objects. They aren't alive and possess no souls." Azrael explained noticing Liam's curious gaze.

He stared at the boy holding a knife.

Liam was training his skills although he was suffering from pain. He couldn't accept the fact that he was beaten. And realizing that there were a lot of powerful individuals in the world, he couldn't help but have the drive to become stronger, much much stronger.

His whole body was wrapped in bandages. Although Azrael healed his body, the injuries he received altered his brain to continue sending pain signals.

Instantaneous recovery isn't programmed in our minds. Making the brain think that Liam's body was still in a fragile state although he was already healed.

The bandage's purpose was to apply pressure around him. To keep the pain to a minimum.

Of course, Azrael could use a spell to remove the pain. But he insisted Liam not to wish for it.

"Why not?" Liam asked earlier.

"So you'll get used to the pain, silly. And even though I can also upgrade your pain receptors immediately, it's not recommended." Azrael stated.

"Care to elaborate?" Liam's interest was piqued.

"Hmmm. How can I explain this?" Azrael murmured.

After a minute of silence, he finally spoke.

"To experience and realize how weak you are from the beginning. Trust me, it will be useful for you." He seriously stared at Liam.

"Unlike me who was born with overwhelming strength, I don't know how the weak feel. This is a great disadvantage in my path. You'll understand it later on." He snapped his fingers and a cigar appeared in his hands.

One of the mini demons lit it up by spewing sparks of fire from its mouth.

"How convenient." Liam jealously exclaimed.

Then he continued training. Mimicking the moves he performed during the fight with Crimson.

Slowly he modified his movements to the most efficient ways possible. Then he changed his battle style bit by bit. The sole purpose of his training was to defeat Crimson again. He experimented for a while, honing a fighting style only made to defeat Crimson.

He closed his eyes. And when he opened it again, a silhouette of a nine-foot man appeared in his vision.

"Come!"

With just his imagination, he summoned Crimson in front of him. This Crimson headed straight to him and brandished its claw.

Liam went to a stance. He held the dagger in his left hand with the cutting edge down. With a forehand grip, he aimed it at Crimson. His right hand with an opened palm guarded him against unexpected situations.

This stance was a great combination of attack and defense. He could attack using his left hand holding the dagger and use his right hand for redirecting, suppressing, and disarming.

"A unique skill. What a prodigy."

Azrael was observing Liam while his eyes were closed. He was using his other senses to 'see' Liam's training.

Although he couldn't see what Liam was seeing. He could at least pinpoint it by looking at how Liam dodge the attack from no one.

He doesn't want Liam to know that he was peeking at him. That little sh*t might start teasing and spout unnecessary words. This demon has no time to argue with a blockhead.

***

Four hours later, Liam laid on the ground exhausted.

He was sparring with Imaginary Crimson non-stop. And thanks to his diligent work, his battle performance improved.

He was pretty confident if he faced Crimson again he could last longer. Liam couldn't claim defeating him because of the unexpected.

Crimson might start powering up, or maybe he has other abilities.

It was also feasible that he was holding back.

"It's already noon. Do you want to go back?"

Azrael stood up from his hammock. He stretched his bodies and the two mini demons slowly disappeared.

"I can still enter school and eat lunch in the cafeteria." Liam similarly stood up. Sweat and dirt covering his body. Also dirtying his bandages around him.

"Why do you keep insisting on going to class?" Azrael was confused.

"Because once I didn't attend a single class, the school will contact my mom. She'll probably think I'm cutting class." Liam sighed.

Azrael nodded his head. He then snapped his fingers and an ink-black portal appeared in front of them.

"Let's go."

"Next time, let's build a cottage here. So whenever we teleport here, there's a house we could rest and eat." Liam proposed.

"Good idea." Azrael smiled and snapped his fingers once more.

The two entered the portal and disappeared.

From the spot where they vanish, an exquisite cottage gradually appeared. A spell appeared around it. Protecting it from animals and insects while also keeping it invisible. Better be safe than sorry.

***

Inside the campus, two men emerged from a bathroom.

Liam and Azrael with a clean look headed to the cafeteria. It was lunchtime and Liam was hungry as a wolf.

They were wearing their uniform. And traces of the battle earlier vanished.

"F*ck!" Liam suddenly exclaimed out of nowhere.

Azrael raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"I forgot I was supposed to have a fever. Then why the f*ck am I in the school then?" Liam slapped his forehead.

'I'm an idiot!' He screamed in his mind.

However, a delicious smell assaulted his nose. They were finally in the cafeteria. He forgot his dilemma immediately and rushed toward the nearest food stall. He excitedly ordered food for three. Two for him and one for Azrael.

"Weirdo." Azrael rolled his eyes.

After ordering food, the two realized that almost all tables were occupied. Liam searched for a spot and didn't see a single open seat.

"I guess we'll have to share with someone." He scratched his head.

He found a lady occupying one table for herself on the corner. And she wasn't eating, she was sleeping! He shamelessly went straight to her. When he was about to touch her to wake her up, her annoyed voice resounded in his ears.

"What do you want?" She asked. Her head still burrowed in her arms.

"Ehem. Can we sit here to eat?" He asked respectfully.