Sword God in a World of Magic

The outside world didn't look much different from the basin. It basically only had fewer trees.

There was still a lot of snow everywhere, and the majority of trees were conifers.

One difference of note was the general changes of elevation. The basin had only had mountains around it, and the inside of the basin had been rather even.

In contrast, the outside had far more mountainous terrain. Hills stretched across the landscape, and Alex could see some mountains.

Alex hadn't been to Alaska on Earth, but he assumed that Alaska would look a bit like that.

In the distance, Alex saw a small village.

The village was built on the side of a hill, and he could see around 100 houses made of stone.

Obviously, it was a rather small village.

"That's Coldew Village. You can ask for directions to Warrior's Paradise there," the guard said.

"How did you know that I want to go to Warrior's Paradise?" Alex asked.

"The Duke wrote in his letter that you wanted to join his academy. By the way," the guard said as he remembered something. "You might want to stay at Coldew Village for a while and earn some money."

"Money? Why?" Alex asked.

"The yearly exams for the academy have only recently finished. You either need to wait about eleven months or get some money for a special exam."

Alex didn't like what he had just heard.

This really was bad timing.

"Money, huh?" Alex said.

The guard laughed. "Yep, money is always a problem. It doesn't matter how powerful you become or what job you have. You always need money," the guard said.

much do I need?" Alex

gold coins,"

a bit surprised. "That doesn't sound like a lot," Alex

coins are a silver coin. 100 silver coins are a gold coin.

math, and

coins were equivalent

average, had cost around 20 cents on earth. So, five apples were the

have to pay around 10,000

a lot

is it so expensive?" Alex

reasons," the guard answered. "First, the academy also needs money. Second, if you want the academy to hold a test for only one person, you better not be a weakling.

means more money, and the more money you have, the less it's worth in your eyes. A weak warrior that can't earn any money

Alex nodded.

actually quite a

that he had

about earning money?" Alex

have much money," the guard said. "However, Coldew Village is famous for its Ice Wood. Ice Wood comes from a tree called the Dripping Cold Tree. The Dripping Cold Tree absorbs a lot of Mana and converts it to Ice Mana, which is then stored in

said, "you say I should get some of that Ice Wood and sell it

"Get a sled and a ton of Ice Wood. Transport it to Warrior's

supposed to get my hand on a ton of Ice

for any troublesome beasts and kill them. Say you want to be paid in Ice Wood, and

in thought and nodded. "That should

extended his right index finger to show that he

"There are a lot of bandits around. It's okay to kill

death because you feel pity for someone that

took a

Earth

had already killed a human before,

killing a human, but he knew that it was

strength alone, and such a

someone for more