"That's an easy choice, I choose the sword."

Vacker says "Are you sure? I cannot guarantee that your demon powers wouldn't be stronger in the long run."

"I am sure. Especially now that I have the mind blade, I will always have a sword."

Vacker says "Alright, then I will teach you everything I know."

"Okay, but once we are free the training doesn't have to be this intense right?"

Vacker says "It depends on how fast you want to learn."

"If everything goes as planned we should have at least three years before they invade."

Vacker says "If you want to master the sword, three years isn't much time. The training will have to stay pretty intense."

"I was afraid you were going to say that!"

Vacker says "A little training won't kill you!"

"It hasn't yet, but I feel like it has come close."

Vacker says "Oh, stop your whining! And get back to work!"

Before I can get back to work as instructed, there is a knock at the door. It is another servant, come to inform me that Lady Xinun wishes to speak with me. No reason to piss her off, so I head down to the great hall to see what she wants.

"You wished to see me?"

Lady Xinun says "Yes, I've received a response from Lord Shendaw. We now only have a few days until need you to leave."

"That's sooner than expected, but I think it will still work out."

Lady Xinun says "I have informed the other demon lords and they are speeding up their plans."

"Alright, I will continue training until it is time to depart."

Lady Xinun says "I have something that might help with that, but it is up to you of course."

"What might that be?"

Lady Xinun says "I ordered my men to capture some beasts, you can fight them for practice."

"Actually, that will help, especially if I can eat them after I kill them."

Lady Xinun says "By all means, I will have them cooked up for you. I just want this plan to succeed!"

"How dangerous are they?"

Lady Xinun says "Honestly, not very. Unlike Lord Shendaw I do not have people who specialize in capturing beasts."

"That is alright, they will still give me practice fighting with the manacles."

Lady Xinun says "That was my intention. I know you don't trust me and that is fine, but I will hold up my end of the deal."

"I know you will keep the deal, and set me free. I also know that from that moment on we will be enemies."

Lady Xinun says "A bit more than that, you are safe from us and our minions until you leave the mountains. I also have no intention of sending troops into the jungle after you."

"So we will not be enemies until you invade?"

Lady Xinun says "Exactly, but when that time comes, I will kill you."

"Not if I kill you first."

Lady Xinun says "Would you really kill a beauty like me?"

"Any enemy who stands before me, will die."

Lady Xinun says "Overconfident much? What if the enemy before you is so strong you can't beat it?"

"I will bravely run away! And come back to kill it once I am stronger."

Lady Xinun says "Well, you are not a complete fool at least."

"Depends on the situation, sometimes I am."

Lady Xinun says "At least you admit it, most men don't."

"Men are at their dumbest when trying to impress someone. Admitting that would defeat the purpose."

Lady Xinun says "True, true! You are honest, I like that about you, Ash. You know you could still join my forces once this is all over."

"If you weren't planning to invade, then I might consider it."

Lady Xinun says "Well, while I am positive you would be an amazing subordinate, one minion is not worth giving up on conquest."

"Then that's that. But since we are being honest I do have another question if you don't mind."

Lady Xinun says "As long as it isn't too personal, I will answer."

"In your soulscape I destroyed the manacles, since then they haven't suppressed my mind. But something else is still suppressing my mind, do you know what it is?"

Lady Xinun says "Ah, that would be me."

"Could you stop please?"

Lady Xinun says "I'm afraid not, it is an ability that I can't turn off."

"So, it's a demonic ability?"

Lady Xinun says "It is the first demon lord ability, it is what allows us to claim minions. Those we claim gain a boost when within our area, but those not claimed by us are suppressed within our area."

"Okay, that makes sense. But then how was Trezon able to suppress me when he captured me?"

Lady Xinun says "All demons can suppress those of a lower rank when in direct contact."

"Huh, I did not know that. This has been very informative, thank you."

Lady Xinun says "You are welcome, Ash. Simply speak to a guard when you are ready to fight one of the beasts."

"I will, and thank you again."

After leaving the great hall I return to my room, I am tempted to fight right away but that wouldn't be smart. Instead I tell Vacker what I learned and about the beasts for me to fight. He agrees that it is a good idea but tells me to eat and rest before fighting for real.

So for the rest of the day I continue my training in the new exercises under Vacker's direction. I am still making mistakes and can't manage to move at proper combat speed. But thanks to the increases I've gotten in strength I can move fairly well and go for hours before I am exhausted.

Unfortunately, because I am still learning the techniques and not pushing my muscles hard enough I don't gain anymore strength. After dinner Vacker gives me a break from training for once. Since tomorrow I plan to fight a beast he lets me get a full night's sleep.