Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang continued down the street absentmindedly.

Alex had died.

In fact, Alex had long been dead.

It had always been Shang that had existed in this world, and Shang realized that now.

Earth didn't matter.

Earth might as well not exist.

Earth might as well be a fantasy.

They were memories of a time that had never happened.

It was nothing.

Shang wasn't sure what he was thinking about while he was pulling the sled wagon for several hours.

He only knew that he was thinking but not what.

Shang continued pulling the sled wagon, and it felt easier than before.

It was like a conflict inside him had vanished.

Going forward had become easier.

Shang's mind went back to the events from last night a couple times, but the emotions associated with the event became duller and more distant.

These things had only happened last night, but Shang felt like they had happened an eternity ago.

More merchants passed by Shang, and they all praised him for his actions. However, they didn't throw money at Shang like the first merchant.

They were only happy that there were fewer bandits now.

Shang only looked at the merchants with a distracted expression and only muttered a quiet thanks for their words.

Some of the merchants wanted to start a conversation, but Shang always only gave one-word answers, which essentially made it impossible for a proper conversation to occur.

After a day of pulling, Shang arrived at his destination.

Blizzard's Edge.

town was on top of a sizable hill, and it took up

was definitely bigger than the Southern

guessed that it was probably several kilometers

the weather had also

across the land. It wasn't freezing, but only a

in the surroundings had severely dipped in

between the Ice Wyvern Zone and the Storm Eagle

something else

middle of the town. It was still several kilometers away from Shang, but he could still see

several floating crystals of different colors.

but he believed he had

'Mages, huh?' Shang thought.

seen many up to now. He had only seen Duke Whirlwind, the elder from the village, and a couple

That was it.

the

around the tower. Sadly, Shang wasn't

"Your first time, huh?"

one of the guards, who looked at

Shang nodded.

Mana Austerum when they first come here," the guard

looked at the tower again.

distills Elemental Mana," the guard explained. "That Elemental Mana is then used for research purposes. I'm not sure what they're researching, but a lot of actual Mages come and go from the Mana Austerum. By

a Mage that reached the third Realm can truly be

looked at the distant Mana

you telling me these things?"

was a bit taken

"You will come here several times in the future. I only want to make it easier for you

Shang furrowed his brows.

you mean with that I will come here several times

confused the guard, and he raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you the new Ice Wood delivery guy?"

I'm on my way to Warrior's Paradise. All of this Ice Wood is for paying for my entrance exam

but then, his expression

all this Ice Wood

with you?" Shang asked back with an

the guard said as he put his

Knock, knock, knock.

a certain rhythm, and a couple of other guards appeared