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

coins," the guard

doesn't

coins are a gold coin. One average apple costs one copper

the math, and he

gold coins were

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

that Alex would have to pay around 10,000 dollars to enter

was a lot

it so expensive?"

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.

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 smart

the fact that he had to get so much money just to

should I go about earning money?" Alex

doesn't 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

some of that Ice Wood and sell

a ton of Ice Wood. Transport it to Warrior's Paradise and sell it to a woodworker. That should be enough

supposed to get my hand on a

services for resources. Coldew Village is in the wilderness, and there are plenty of beasts that make issues. Ask the mayor for any troublesome beasts and kill them. Say you want to be paid in Ice Wood, and everything will be fine," the guard

chin in thought and nodded. "That should work. Thanks!"

answered, but then, he extended his right index

in mind," he said. "There are a lot of bandits around. It's okay to kill a bandit. In

because you feel pity for someone that just tried to take

took a deep

on Earth flashed through his

before, and he

nervous when he thought about killing a human, but he knew that it

ruled on strength alone, and such a world

kill someone