"Well, I was imagining a sword just like you told me to when practicing, and then I cut the floor."

Vacker says "I can't believe it! It takes years to train a sword will!"

"I'm sorry?"

Vacker says "No, no. It is a good thing since it increases your chances."

"I will need to practice with it more before using it in combat."

Vacker says "That is fine, you can use it while practicing the basics."

"Only for a short time, it leaves me mentally exhausted."

Vacker says "You just learned it, with practice you should be able to last longer."

"I hope so, either way it will be useful in the arena."

Vacker says "True, but you shouldn't depend on it. You should get back to training!"

"Right, right."

Under Vacker's prodding I go through the basics again, my mind blade only lasts halfway through. But even once I am mentally exhausted, Vacker makes me continue practicing. He only lets me rest when I collapse from complete exhaustion.

Vacker says "Alright, now you can rest until lunch."

As soon as he finishes speaking I close my eyes and let the darkness take me. I get woken up to eat and then comes more training. All he lets me do is eat, rest, train, and exercise.

Due to intense exercise Str +1!

The days all blur together as Vacker drives me to the brink again and again. I swear he enjoys it!

Due to intense exercise Str +1!

This must be what hell is like, Vacker seems more like a demon every day. It wouldn't be as bad if he would switch things up from time to time, but it is always the basics over and over.

Due to intense exercise Str +1!

I wish we could do this in the soulscape so I could play some 80's music.

Due to intense exercise Str +1!

Every time I gain strength it gets easier to move and I am able to last longer. This should allow me to take it easier but Vacker somehow knows and pushes me even harder. It is as if he can feel when my level of suffering drops or something.

Due to intense exercise Str +1 End +1!

It quickly gets to the point that I am looking forward to being sent to Lord Shendaw just so the training will end. I now suspect that Vacker is also a summoned one and he was a drill sergeant before being summoned. I actually feel worse now than when I was being tortured twice a day.

He never lets me have more than a couple of hours of rest unless he is sleeping. I now realize it was a mistake to tell him about him getting his freedom if I survive. Although, if I survive all this training then I think the arena will be the easy part.

As if my thoughts summoned it there is a knock at the door and a servant enters to inform me I am summoned. Since Vacker is asleep I leave him there and walk down to see Lady Xinun under my own power for the first time. Lady Xinun looks surprised when I walk in instead of being carried in.

There is a gagged demon wrapped in chains on his knees next to her throne. I wonder if it upset her and is being punished or if it is the reason I have been summoned. I am just glad I am not the one chained up this time.

Lady Xinun says "This is the contribution from Lord Zzenth, he sent it here for you to eat."

With one arm she casually tosses the demon the length of the great hall to land at my feet. She threw him almost eighty feet with one arm and he doesn't look all that light, she is stronger than I thought she would be. The demon tries to struggle but the chains binding him are secure and all he can do is thrash around a little.

Lady Xinun says "When you are done with it please call the servants to clean up."

"Of course, and thank you."

I reach down and grab the demon by one of the horns growing out of his head. Then I drag him out of the great hall and wait for the doors to close behind me.

'Create Soulscape!'

As soon as we appear in the soulscape I attack the demon and rip him into pieces before he can fight back. Then I start eating him, I don't want to take any chances since I am not sure of his rank. I don't even take the time to enjoy the taste, I just eat him as fast as I can.

'End Soulscape!'

Core Upgrade Progress: 100% +100 DP

*DING*

Core Upgrade Complete! You have reached Rank Six!

Rank Six: Str +50 Hellfire Resist +10

New Ability: Greater Lightning Immunity!

Core Upgrade Progress: 10% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 20% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 30% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 40% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 45%

'That strength boost is exactly what I needed! Greater immunity? If it is like it is in D&D that should mean lightning will heal me now!'

Thanks to the strength boost I have no problems dragging the demon's body up the stairs and back to my room. Vacker looks surprised when I come in dragging the body but doesn't say anything. He just watches as I cut out the core and absorb it.

Core Upgrade Progress: 50% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 60% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 65%

'Huh, over halfway to rank seven, that must have been a rank five demon at least.'

The demon's meat and bones don't seem to be worth keeping, but when I check his horns I find them to be exceptional. After removing the horns and putting them in my pouch I summon the servants to clean up the mess. After the servants leave I explain things to Vacker, his only response is to put me back to training.