Sword God in a World of Magic

'Duke?' Alex thought in surprise. 'That means that this world, or this country at least, operates on an aristocratic basis probably. As far as I remember, a duke was pretty high up in the chain of command.'

'Additionally, he said he was a High Mage. He said Mana Sources are important for Apprentices to become Adepts. I can guess with quite some certainty that Apprentices probably reflect Mages in the First Realm, while Adepts are Mages in the Second Realm. The Third Realm should logically be a Mage, which would make the Fourth Realm a High Mage, probably.'

'According to what he said, the hedgehog and the octopus are creatures of the Third Realm. The fact that he is in the Fourth Realm also explains how he could take care of them.'

'This is probably a real big-shot! Fuck, I can't believe I greeted him with a yo!' Alex thought.

"I'm sorry for my earlier disrespect, Duke Whirlwind," Alex said with a respectful tone.

Duke Whirlwind smirked a bit. "You know, it's customary to refer to a duke as your grace," he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, your grace," Alex said. "I haven't talked to any nobles before. Please, excuse me for my negligence."

Surprisingly, the duke chuckled for a bit.

"You really don't get under people much, do you?" Duke Whirlwind asked.

"No, I don't, ehm, your grace," Alex said.

The duke chuckled again.

"You know, the your grace thing is antiquated. No one talks like that anymore. Referring to me with my title or simply by sir is already enough," the duke said with a slight smile.

The duke had been rather cold towards Alex at the beginning, but after he saw how innocent, gullible, and naïve Alex was, his mood brightened a bit.

It was rare to see a youngster that didn't try to lick his boots to get into his good graces.

"Oh, okay," Alex said, uncertain of how he should proceed.

"What's your name, young man?" Duke Whirlwind asked.

"I'm aargh!" Alex tried to say, but before he could even think about his name, a pain came from his mind. Alex grabbed the side of his head in pain.

Duke Whirlwind was surprised when he saw Alex's actions. The young man was genuinely in pain. Even his veins were seemingly popping out of the side of his head. This was a sign of pain and stress, and something like that couldn't be faked.

"Are you injured?" Duke Whirlwind asked neutrally. The young man obviously wasn't critically injured, which was why he wasn't very worried about him.

"No, it's just something that happens from time to time," Alex said as he took a deep breath.

"My name is Shang," Alex said.

"Shang?" Duke Whirlwind repeated with interest. "I've never heard of such a name. What about your last name, or is that your last name?"

"That's just my name," Alex said with a defeated voice.

He really didn't want to abandon his old name, but there was really nothing he could do.

How long could he even remember his old name?

now, Alex hadn't thought of his actual name in forever. Whenever he thought of it, the

he, had spoken out or thought about Alex's name

part in his mind

was like a closed door, suffused

behind the door, but whenever

to forget what was

it take until the door seemingly

but he actually didn't truly

feeling was difficult

name. I don't have a first

only one name. Are you from a

Alex sighed.

have a family," Alex said. "Ever since arriving in this world, I have been

very different to

body couldn't have a family. He also hadn't met a human

words would be interpreted by different people

that Shang had had a clash with

that Shang's family

might think that

that Shang was simply a weak-willed child drowned in

Whirlwind interpret Alex's

sure, but he guessed that Shang had

you don't have a last name. Who gave you

was no other

was known in his

was not very

someone knew the God and tried to experiment on Alex to find out more about the

want to talk about

were simply too many unknown

"That's quite an unbelievable story, but I can't sense

reason for me to lie

Duke Whirlwind nodded.

you in

of this world is this wilderness. It's like this was where I started existing. I don't know anything

know the reason

think I'm supposed to train in this wilderness and become

decided to go with a mixture of

answers were vague enough that a lawyer could interpret Alex's word in many different ways, allowing him

one of his eyebrows as

spoke more confusing

was casting

became more nervous since he didn't know what that spell

Duke finished his spell, Alex felt some Mana

hadn't taken more

the Mana