Sword God in a World of Magic

"Just be more amongst people?" Shang asked.

Teacher Mervin nodded. "As long as you retain some kind of social life, it should be fine."

Shang looked at teacher Loran. "That sounds different from what he said."

Teacher Loran looked to the side.

"What did he say?" teacher Mervin asked.

"He said that he isn't willing to teach someone that doesn't care about their own life, and he also left a cryptic comment. He said that my life is not only my own," Shang answered.

"I do agree with that," teacher Mervin said calmly. "However, that is several steps in the future. It is essentially the end goal."

"Could you elaborate?" Shang asked.

"If you are more amongst people, you will learn to care for more people, and more people will care for you. At that point, you might not want to risk your life as much. If you die, your close ones will suffer as well. In that sense, your life is not only your own."

"However, it is understandable that this is only a hypothetical for you right now. First, you need to get more amongst people. Then, eventually, you won't want to risk your life as much since you don't want your close ones to feel pain."

"You also would want to see them again. If you died, you wouldn't be able to talk to them anymore. If you died, you would never feel love again."

"In short, your survival will take priority over your goal, which isn't counterproductive to achieving your goal. After all, a dead person can't become the most powerful being in existence."

Shang remained silent.

"But in the end, it is all up to you. Maybe you won't feel the desire to be close with others after trying it. Maybe your goal still far outweighs their happiness."

"However, without trying it, you can never be certain."

"So, even if you might be disappointed, at least you will have more clarity about your goals and what you want in life."

"In the end, it's all up to you. It's your decision. I only suggest that you try it, and I won't force you. Even if you decide to ignore everything I said today, our relationship won't change."

"You are one of my students."

"I am one of your teachers."

"And that will remain the same."

Shang only looked to the side as his mind tried to find out what his own thoughts were on that subject.

Should he?

Shouldn't he?

too bad on teacher Loran. He only wanted to help you, but he did it in a very clumsy way. I

of silence

as he looked at teacher Loran.

Loran only snorted and

enough to know that he felt embarrassed. His snort

that's over, let me help you with getting your beasts to the Academy. The legitimacy of your kills is not in question today, which means you can earn Contribution

Shang nodded.

grabbed the beast

"Teacher Mervin," Shang said.

"Yes?"

"You gave

calmly. "This is why I am a

Shang only nodded absentmindedly.

Shang would have needed to roll the Crag Lizard all the way to Warrior's Paradise, which would have taken

later, the

over them, teacher Mervin took hold of Shang's hand so that he wouldn't be flung into the distance. After all,

the journey, the two of them mostly remained silent, but Shang had still

Mervin, why are you so different from the first time I saw you?"

mean?" teacher Mervin

my exam, you laughed and joked a lot," Shang

a commander of the guards might be the strictest person one can imagine, but if you meet the same commander in a bar later, you

weren't part of my students, and it

"Now, it is important."

to the

it truly important what others think

For others? Yes," teacher

Shang a bit. "Could you elaborate?" he

thoughts can't impact my life. Even if the entire school believes me to be an old

if I am not perceived to be someone experienced, the others won't listen

it doesn't matter. However, if I want to

of

all about helping others?"

teacher Mervin said. "If I wouldn't want to help others, I would have become a high-ranking officer somewhere. My job would be less

most important. However, if I can positively influence several people's lives,

of them

his options as he traveled to the Warrior's Academy while teacher Mervin gave Shang the space to think for

as the clerk since the other clerks were still in the Farm Line due to the Day of

10,000 Contribution Points for

Shang to deliver his killed General Stage beasts to the academy. After all,

academy was filled with progeny from rich families, and this was all to

two of them split

to his room and sat on