Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang didn't know what he should think about the dean's words, but for now, the dean's words made a lot of sense.

"And what do you mean with reaching the same level of power as the Mages?" Shang asked.

"Basis of power per Realm," the dean answered. "Do you know what a Mana Source is?"

"Yes," Shang said. "When I met Duke Whirlwind, he told me about them."

The dean nodded.

"Then tell me, why would Apprentices need something above their own level to reach said level? Are they unable to reach it themselves?" the dean asked.

Shang frowned. "Probably not. It's probably possible to also become an Adept without one."

"Correct, it is possible," the dean said. "However, if an Apprentice doesn't absorb a Mana Source, they will reach the Adept Realm without having an intrinsic connection to their Affinity. This makes casting spells harder, take longer, and waste more Mana."

"With a lot of practice, said Adept can overcome these limitations, but that will take at least three additional decades, and that's assuming that the Adept with the Mana Source doesn't practice at all. As long as the Adept with the Mana Source actually trains their abilities, the gap will only widen."

"As you know, the Mages are supreme in this world. Us warriors don't even count as second-class citizens in their eyes. Why?"

"Because any random Adept can beat over 90% of the warriors at their same level. A matchup between an Adept and a warrior in the General Stage will end with the Adept winning 19 out of 20 times. Only the most elite warriors can take on an average Mage."

When Shang heard that, he took a deep breath.

That was a terrifying statistic. Sure enough, the Mages reigned supreme.

"Even worse, the gap only widens in the Third Realm. In general, it needs a team of at least three elite warriors in the Commander Stage to kill an average Mage."

"This gigantic gap exists mainly due to the Mana Sources. Without the Mana Sources, we warriors could take on the Mages on an almost even playing field," the dean explained.

"And you're trying to create something similar for warriors, I assume?" Shang commented.

The dean nodded.

"Bloodline Injection," the dean said.

"Bloodline Injection?" Shang asked with a raised eyebrow. "Like a blood transfusion?"

"Similar but not entirely the same," the dean explained. "We don't only replace the blood but also the marrow."

Shang took a deep breath when he heard that.

"The marrow?" he asked, his voice shaking a bit.

The dean nodded again, and he looked at Shang. "Your resistance to pain is the most important aspect."

Shang felt a hole open up in his chest.

Replacing someone's marrow.

beyond painful, and Shang guessed that, since the resistance to pain was so important,

have a very low chance of success, even if it has succeeded before, but

fine as long as it increases your own

looked at Shang

knowledge, and revenge," the

managed to elevate the world of warriors. I'm just a human, and just like every other human, I want my name to never

because understanding more about the body of a

want the Mages to be

"You had

your concern," the dean said coldly. "What's of your concern

right?" the dean commented. "The God wouldn't have sent me

an evaluating expression at the dean. "I'm

killed you.

you. I'm helping myself, and you are simply an additional

how the

Shang felt something he hadn't expected

Respect.

towards the dean, but he

Why?

far as Shang could tell, the dean wasn't someone that lied. Additionally, he hadn't even been vague with

very direct, and instead of sneakily evading some questions, he had either fully answered them or directly told Shang that it was none

was something Shang

Shang still couldn't

just didn't

Clank.

heard something and looked at

sword had returned. The silent sound had been the sword touching the table a bit while slowly flying

hand and touched the

Then, his eyes widened.

feel feelings coming

in them," the dean said. "The more powerful they become, the smarter they become. I would suggest that you find any Rank Two metal to strengthen your sword. Having an intelligent weapon

heard the dean since

his

Curiosity.

Closeness.

the sword had met Shang for the first time, but for some reason, it felt very close to

child looking at its

procedure?" the dean asked, pulling Shang out

looked over, and his

cold feet?" the

not that,"

I don't have all day,"