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

the young man,

couldn't be older

boy, he felt a slight feeling

The slight feeling of threat he felt meant that the other side was capable of injuring

a

all, even a Pest Cat

at Shang

the

to prove his worth in front of

Soran explained. "You two will fight each other. Shang, this match won't decide if you can join our academy or

said as he

table's at the side,' Shang

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

sword focused on a mixture of speed and power. It wasn't as thin as a rapier, but it also wasn't

Clk!

sound of something metallic moving could be heard from Shang, but none of the present people could see what Shang was doing. His sword had been hidden beneath

Keeping one's weapon hidden made it harder for the opponent to prepare

start whenever you want. This fight is

BANG!

lot

ready for Shang to suddenly

know from which direction Shang would

was still hidden behind

approached, his opponent quickly changed his block to a chop. In the academy, he had learned that the only option was to attack when one couldn't

sword swing towards him, but he had

knew exactly that his opponent knew more about how to wield a sword than him. So, entering a sword battle with him would

swing down. Shang put all his power into his sword arm and directly targeted

BANG!

hit each other, creating sparks as they bounced

SHING!

sword immediately shot into the ground. Shang had blocked a chop coming from above, but instead of pulling his sword back into

opponent put all of his power

had let go of the source

maneuver took a lot of practice,

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

BANG!

rammed into his opponent's torso,

over and fell on top of him. Then, Shang moved around his

CRK!

"AAAHHH!"