Sword God in a World of Magic

"I didn't expect you two to be here," Shang said as he looked at Duke Whirlwind and Mattheo.

Mattheo only smiled politely. "I am the future Duke, and father involves me more and more in these kinds of things."

Duke Whirlwind smiled with pride as he put a hand on Mattheo's shoulder. "He hasn't had it easy, but there is already no more doubt in my mind that he will reach the High Mage Realm. He will probably become even more powerful than me in the future."

Mattheo's expression didn't change at his father's words.

Shang could feel a certain distance between Mattheo and his father.

"Anyway, Shang," Duke Whirlwind said with a smirk. "I bet you thought yourself quite clever after snatching Old Ice Octopus' Mana Source and successfully hiding it from me."

Shang felt a mix of nervousness and a bit of guilt. After all, he had essentially stolen something from Duke Whirlwind.

"But it's fine," Duke Whirlwind said. "Honestly, if I were in your place, I would have done the same thing."

"What would you have done if I had told you?" Shang asked.

"I'm not sure, honestly," Duke Whirlwind said. "But I think I would have asked you to demonstrate, and I would have very quickly noticed that your Affinity was very strange. I think I would have taken you with me to find out more about your Affinity."

"You mean experiment on me until I died?" Shang asked emotionlessly.

Duke Whirlwind snorted. "Now, Shang, something like that would be idiotic."

"Idiotic?" Shang asked with a raised eyebrow.

"There was obviously more to your Affinity, which means that there was more to be discovered. After a while, I would have probably delivered other Mana Sources to you to see what would happen."

"And then, I would be interested in what would come of your Affinity if you were to become more powerful."

"But since you have a warrior's body, you obviously can't become a Mage. That means you would have ended up in the Warrior's Academy either way. The Dean would have noticed your particular talents as well."

"So, in the end, we would still be here," Duke Whirlwind explained.

Shang wasn't certain if he should believe Duke Whirlwind.

On one hand, everything he said appeared logical, but on the other hand, it seemed too good to be true.

"What about the Mana Source?" Shang asked.

"You can

"But…"

Shang furrowed his brows.

you to tell me everything you know about your Affinity. Your Affinity is one of a kind,

experimental spells? Based on your Affinity, I can create a couple of them. They won't be anything

Whirlwind patted his son's

Mattheo will be with you when you try the spells. You two can work on the spells, and Mattheo will deliver the

do you say?" Duke

Trying out spells?

but he also felt

a High

knew what sort of spells he

made some spell that would destroy Shang's consciousness and

over at the silent

my survival is very important to the Dean. If I were to die suddenly, his procedure would look like a failure in the public's

definitely interested, but I doubt that he would throw the hard work of

I should be safe. If Duke Whirlwind were to try something, it wouldn't be in the next

to kill me? I am the source of his curiosity, and by

see no reason why

said. "I am also not sure about my Affinity, and I'm also

smile widened. "That's great to hear! I will prepare a couple of spells later for you to try out. Of course, if you are still uneasy about the effects of the spells, you can ask any Mage about them. Just knowing about the spells

you to be a bit more careful with the Spells involving the Light and Darkness Affinity. Some Mages might be suspicious

nodded. "Thank you,

together to a certain degree from now

looking forward to it," Shang

walking to one of the walls. "I believe it's time for the main

and I will be watching

and Mattheo waited at one wall, Vice-Dean Soran waited

Ranos was watching everything silently from the

in a lighthearted and relaxed

Vice-Deans were watching Shang with solemn eyes, and

with the bloodstained table and the unconscious thing in the corner, the entire room

had accepted to undergo the procedure willingly, but for some reason, he felt like he wasn't here of

the room, only Mattheo was slightly

weakest person was already at the Peak Commander

of them were even in

some random gathering in a dark

were the most powerful people in the surrounding