Sword God in a World of Magic

The lesson was over faster than Shang had anticipated. He had felt like only a couple of minutes had passed, but, apparently, Shang had fought Astor for nearly three hours.

After the first two fights, Shang hadn't won another one. Astor had perfectly countered all of Shang's attacks after knowing what he could do.

Surprisingly, nearly every fight, Shang felt like he had Astor on the ropes. Astor was always so close to losing every single time.

Yet, for some reason, Astor managed to somehow wiggle out of his disadvantaged state.

At that point, Shang had already committed too much, making it harder for him to resist Astor's offensive.

The closest Shang had gotten was when he had loaded his sword with an Ice Blast. He had struck upwards against Astor's sword, completely destroying the attack.

However, Astor managed to block Shang's killing blow by, ironically, jumping into the attack with his chest. The defenses of his uniform activated, and Shang's attack was stopped.

Sure, that only worked once, but it had stopped Shang's most dangerous attack.

Teacher Loran gave his feedback to all the students, including Shang. This time, teacher Loran had actually seen Shang's swordsmanship, which meant that he could give actual feedback.

Surprisingly, teacher Loran didn't criticize Shang's swordsmanship much.

He said that he could already see an initial fighting style forming, which was a good thing.

He said that Shang obviously preferred a very fast and explosive fighting style and that he should focus on that.

One sentence in particular rang true in Shang's mind.

"Don't focus on your weaknesses. Focus on your strengths and make them even stronger."

Shang's weakness was obviously defense. He had no shield or great weapon that could act as a shield. Because of that, Shang had to parry or evade attacks, which wasn't easy.

Shang could work on his defense, but that might take too much work, and it might even ruin his already established fighting style.

Working on his defenses would essentially count as a plan B. If his opponent managed to get through Shang's speed and dodges, Shang would need to defend himself.

That sounded like a good idea, but there was another way forward.

so that the "if" will always stay an

fighting style until it was so destructive that the opponent wouldn't even be able to unleash

was what teacher Loran meant by working on his strengths

ever managed to hit Shang, his

giving Shang lots of feedback, teacher Loran

since we know each other's moves perfectly. I'm glad you finally managed to reach a level in Battle-Strength that makes you

Shang nodded. "Thanks."

still a long way to go. After all, I am a full level

Astor said. "We students of the Caterpillar Class can't learn real techniques, which

in comparison to other students?"

me at above-average for normal students. I'm still a bit short when it comes to talented students, and I'm a long way away from rivaling the

average, huh?"

Astor nodded.

comparison to

In comparison to students in general, you are on the lower side. If

a

so weak when it came to fighting

I don't get why you seem so troubled," Astor said with a raised eyebrow. "You just came here like one or two weeks ago. The other students had years of training against humans. You barely had

"Give it time."

looked to the

been here for two weeks, but he still felt a bit ashamed of his power when it came

that he was

humans? Not

Mages

point, Shang

form of practical exam or something like that for

be

had gathered some experience in fighting warriors, but

the same time, Shang remembered something

said. "What are these quotas the teachers have for the Day

quota while referencing the

popular. Everyone basically