"Good, it seems you are finally getting the hang of this." Xavier, Nick's demonic control trainer, said.
"Yeah, It just took a really long time..." In the human world it was Thursday. When he wakes up it will be Friday, January 4th 2019.
"Eh, it is about what I expected. On the bright side I would say your training is about done."
"Really?" Nick asked, leaning against one of the stone columns in the room. His body was aching and he had a head ache. This demonic control training had a lot more fighting than he had expected. Though, they were more like beatings.
During the first week and a half on his training he learned how to bring it out and keep it out for up to a couple hours. It was pretty simple stuff, and then Xavier added a new element to the training. He would start to beat on Nick and force him to fight back using his demonic power but not give in to it. Currently he was able to keep his demonic energy out for four hours even if he is fighting. He also hasn't had an incident where he gave in to his energy and lost control in a full week.
His demonic energy would tug on his mind whenever he was in danger, trying to take control and do whatever it takes to get him out of a situation. Sometimes Nick just wasn't able to tell it no. However, he finally got the hang of suppressing that feeling to manageable degree. The only time he knew he would still lose control would be like when he was at the bandit prison. If his life was ever in true danger and his body was bloody and beaten then he knew that his inner demon would take control.
It was an oddly comforting feeling for him to know that he has what is essentially super adrenaline running through his veins. The demonic energy seemed to be much like adrenaline but you could control it and use it at your leisure with enough training. This demonic energy, when it takes over, overrides your brains natural response to pain and exhaustion. You become like, well, a demon. When it takes over you do whatever it takes to make sure you survive or at least take out the threat to your life.
"Yeah, you have a reasonable control over your demonic energy now. You aren't a danger to anyone. Though, you never really were in the first place. But as far as controlling demonic energy goes you should be able to control or suppress it unless you are in a dire life-or-death situation."
"Alright, cool. When should I be able to leave the castle again?"
"Oh, you already can, you were cleared for that a couple of days ago. Though, I was told not to tell you for a couple of days just to get an extra bit of training in. I will be leaving the city tomorrow. Knowing what I know about you, I imagine you will go to that adventurers guild to try to find that girl. Alyssa, was it?"
"Yeah." Nick had learned that Alyssa had carried on questing ever since he was put into a coma. It was a favor he asked of the prince a few weeks ago, he wanted to know how Alyssa was doing and what she was doing. He realized it was a creepy request, but he was a bit worried. He learned that she has been doing small C-rank quests near the city on her own.
"Well, I suppose I might see you around in the future. After all, I am a member of the guild too."
"Wait, what?" This was news to him, he had no idea that Xavier was a member of the adventurers guild.
"Yeah, did I not tell you? I'm a S-rank in the guild. It is hard for a guy like me to make money doing anything other than hunting beasts and criminals. I contacted the guild a couple days back, had them update your info."
"Update my info? How?" Nick's face contorted in confusion, having no idea what could have changed in his info. He was mostly human, so he doubted that would have been updated.
"Congratulations, you are now a B-rank." Xavier's voice was monotone, it was obviously a sarcastic congratulation.
"A B-rank? Why? I'm not strong enough to take on B-rank missions alone at my level so I'm not deserving of the rank."
Xavier raised an eyebrow and gave Nick a surprised glance. "You underestimate yourself, you have grown a lot in the past month. Without even summoning your demonic power you are a low B-rank, with your demonic power you might even be able to take on a couple of A-rank missions."
It was Nick's turn to give Xavier a surprised look. Xavier sighed. "I realize it is probably hard to tell how much you have grown by just fighting against me, but trust me. Your power is easily worthy of a B-rank. Demonic energy or not."
"I find that hard to believe." Xavier slowly shook his head in response, reaching to his back pocket and pulling out a black rectangle. He then threw it to Nick who caught it and began to look over it.
He recognized it, it was a guild card holder. When he flipped it open he saw his updated card, it did indeed say that he was a B-rank now. "If you are going to thank me, don't. It would just be an insult to me to have one of my students be anything below a B-rank."
"Thank-" Xavier shot Nick a glare before he could finish what he was saying. "I-I mean, uh, right... Very well, then."
"See you around, kid." Xavier grabbed his coat and left through a back door, leaving Nick to look at his card in stunned silence. His blank face slowly turned into a smile as he began to chuckle. He was finally free, he could leave the castle. He realize how odd it was that he was so eager to leave a life of luxury for one of danger and adventure though.
Nick put away his card holder and left the room, his usual escort had already left. It seemed this was all talked about in advance. He was no longer treated like a threat, he was treated just like he was before, like an honored guest. Though, he did get a few unpleasant glances from the royal guards. He was free to do what he wanted, and what he wanted to do was pack and get the hell out of here as soon as possible.
When he got back to his room the first thing he did was summon Azara and turn her into a glove before packing and heading out. However there was one issue, he was completely broke. He knew he might have to do a solo mission, but it would be a good chance to test out how strong he has actually become. He left the castle and made it to the adventurers guild with almost no issue. It was nice to see the guild again.
When he entered he looked around with a slight hope he would see Alyssa, no such luck. Guess I am doing a solo quest... Alright, I can do this. No problem. Nick walked over to the quest board and began to look over the B-rank quests. Small bandit group, bounty, bounty, bounty, small bandit group, bounty... Well, guess I am doing a bounty quest.
He grabbed one of the bounty posters, it was worth ten gold. His name was Billy, his face was a hard one to forget. The drawing of him on the wanted poster depicted him as a crazed-looking man with wild hair. He was known for kidnapping rich teenagers and young adults to torture them until their parent's pay a hefty ransom. It seems like they know where he operates from, but they put an 'only dead' bounty on him at the guild instead of notifying the guard.
Whoever set up this bounty obviously wants this man dead, and once Nick read about what he did he decided he would be happy to be the executioner. He slammed the poster along with his card on the reception desk. "I'll be taking this quest."
"Alright." The man behind the desk sighed, writing a few things down. "Anything else?"
"Ah, yes, I was also wondering if you knew what a person named Alyssa Blackwood is currently doing?"
"Let's see here, Alyssa Blackwood..." He began to scan a piece of paper with his eyes. "Ah, she is on a C-rank bandit extermination quest. We got word not long ago that she has completed the quest and is currently returning to the guild. She should be here in a couple of days."
"Alright, when you see her can you tell her I was looking for her?" His target was a two days walk away judging from a map that he permanently borrowed from the castle. He could return to the castle and just wait for her return, but there is no way he is going to let this monster of a man live any longer.
"Sure thing."
"Thank you." Nick grabbed the wanted poster and put it in his bag, he then put his card holder in his bag as well. He was pumped up, he could feel his actual adrenaline pumping through his veins at the thought of killing this guy. He wanted this man to feel true fear before he died, before he killed him. It was too bad that Nick had to wait such a long time to actually do it.
Nick set off on his journey, his legs being driven by his anger and desire to hurt this man. He was making great time, he was nearing a village before his alarm clock woke him up. There was no reliable way to tell the time when in between towns in that world. Note to self: Research pocket watches.
If there was one thing he thought that world truly needed, it would be a portable way to tell time. For the whole morning while he was not doing anything else he would be reading and researching pocket watches, he was determined to memorize this stuff so he could transfer the knowledge to paper in the other world. "Why are you suddenly so interested in old watches?" Mark asked, looking over Nick's shoulder at this phone. They were currently in line for lunch.
"Ah, I was thinking about buying one, I think it would be a cool thing to have. I have been reading up on them a little bit lately, it is kind of interesting to learn how they actually work." A complete lie, but that is what he was going with.
"Huh, I'm pretty sure my dad has one. I'm not sure why, he has a smart watch but likes to carry around that large pocket watch. Maybe he thinks it makes him look classy? Though I would say his five thousand dollar suit does that well enough." Mark chuckled to himself as they both grabbed their food trays and began to get them filled up with whatever was being served.
"I don't know, I just think they are kind of cool and how they work is interesting to learn."
"Whatever bro, you do you." They both paid for their food and made their way to their usual table. "By the way, how did you like the party? You never replied to my text."
"Oh, shit, sorry. I think I looked at it but I was so hung over that I forgot to reply."
"Fair enough. Well, what did you think?"
"Well, I guess it was the best party I have ever been to. It was also the first party I have ever been to." Mark chuckled. "But seriously, I thought it was fun. I mean, what isn't to like about loud music, video games, pizza, and alcohol?"
"Right? That is why everyone loves my parties. I go big but I don't go overboard.
"Using your staff as designated taxi drivers was a pretty nice touch. I made it home in time for Christmas even though I was so hung over that I felt like I was going to die at any moment."
"Hey, a horrible hangover in the morning is just a sign that you had an amazing night." Mark raised his milk carton in a mock toast, laughing. Nick laughed too until someone approached him and slipped a piece of paper into his hand. He recognized the voice instantly.
"Look at it when you get home and then burn it. Don't show anyone else, if they ask what it is just tell them that it's a secret." It was the voice of the man who invited him to the fight club. After the brief exchange he walked away like nothing had happened.
"What was that about? What did he give you?" Mark had a curious but cautious look on his face.
"Ah, it's a secret, don't worry about it. I met him at your party, he's a pretty cool guy."
"Yeah, sure, alright. So, what did you think of my game room?"
The rest of the day went by as it usually did, Nick going to bed at his usual time, a renewed determination to deliver vigilante justice against his target.