Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang nodded. He had waited for this examination for way too long.

Soran answered with a nod of his own and turned towards Mervin. "Mervin, you're the sword instructor. Could you get us a fitting opponent for Shang? You know how examinations work."

Mervin nodded and wanted to stand up but stopped. "Shang? That's his name?" he asked.

"That's at least what he wrote onto the form," Soran said as he waved one of the forms around.

Mervin shot a weird glance at Shang.

"Weird name, kid," he said before leaving.

Viera only snorted, showing that she didn't like what Mervin had just said.

Soran only awkwardly looked at Shang. "You have to excuse Mervin. He's an old but very capable teacher. As you might have noticed, he always speaks his mind."

"No, he's right," Shang said. "Shang is a weird name."

Soran's face transformed into a representation of confusion.

That was not the answer he had expected.

"Well, alright then. As long as you don't take what Mervin said personally," Soran said.

"How is it not personal?" Shang asked. "He literally commented on my name. It doesn't really get any more personal."

Soran moved his hands forward like he wanted to stop an expensive vase from falling to the ground. "That's not what I meant."

"I know what you meant," Shang said.

Soran pulled back again as he looked at Shang with a slightly frustrated expression. "Then why didn't you say so?" he asked with forced politeness.

"Why didn't you word it correctly?" Shang answered.

"You," Soran said as his hands very lightly indicated that he wanted to strangle Shang. Then, he took a deep breath to calm down. "Fine. It's fine. The situation's resolved," he said.

Shang didn't answer anymore.

On the side, Viera shot a strange look at Shang.

This kid wasn't like most other kids.

Was something wrong with him?

passed, Mervin returned with

the young man, or more precisely,

be

saw the boy, he felt a slight feeling

Shang was very good at judging his opponent. The slight feeling of threat he felt

wasn't a

all, even a Pest Cat had the capabilities to injure

looked at Shang

the

prove his

will be an exhibition match," Soran explained. "You two will fight each other. Shang, this match won't decide if you can

can fight over there," Soran said as he

that's why the table's at the side,'

walked over to one end of the hall as he looked at

It was a one-handed sword focused on a mixture of speed and power. It wasn't

Clk!

silent sound of something metallic moving could be heard from Shang, but none of the present people could see what Shang

they saw that. Keeping one's weapon hidden made

whenever you want.

BANG!

Shang jumping forward with a lot of power reverberated throughout the hall, interrupting Soran's

ready for Shang to suddenly attack, and he quickly lifted

know from which direction Shang would

still

block to a chop. In the academy, he

him, but

how to wield

power into his sword arm and

BANG!

each other, creating sparks as

SHING!

ground. Shang had blocked a chop coming from above, but instead of pulling his sword back into a combat-stance, Shang let go of

opponent put all of his power into recovering his sword, leaving him

back since he had let go

off such a maneuver took a lot of practice,

Shang's opponent was out of balance as he tried to pull his sword

BANG!

torso, taking the air

over and fell on top of him. Then, Shang moved around his opponent's body

CRK!

"AAAHHH!"