Sword God in a World of Magic

After a full minute, Shang finally made his choice.

It wasn't an easy one, but Shang believed that it was correct.

"I choose…"

"19."

The jester's smile widened as he looked at Shang.

"Now, that is interesting," he said as he appeared directly in front of Shang, looking him deeply in the eyes.

For just a moment, Shang felt fear arise in his heart.

"Even though I blocked your thoughts from my perception, I was still very certain in being able to foresee your choice since I know everything about you."

"Yet, who would have guessed that I would be wrong?" the jester mused as he looked into Shang's eyes with a mad grin.

"I was sure you would choose 22."

"Tell me, why did you choose 19?" the jester asked without moving away.

Shang felt very uncomfortable with the jester so close to his face.

Shang took a deep breath to organize his thoughts.

"There are several reasons for my decision."

"Originally, I wanted to choose 22. After all, it is an increase in power for a sacrifice. This is exactly what I have been telling myself. I told myself that this is how I want to live my life."

The jester waited for the reasons.

"But, for now," Shang slowly said. "I don't want to commit to a path."

"Commit?" the jester asked with interest.

"Yes," Shang said. "You told me that I have already asked the question I want to ask before and that I should wait for the Commander Stage. This means that I will get the answer to my question."

"The answer to the question: What kind of attitude would be most effective on my journey?"

"Well," the jester said, "you phrased the question a bit differently, but it's essentially the same."

Shang nodded. "I have been stuck between two paths for the last two years. Do I help others, or do I hurt others?"

"However, it isn't that easy. If I help others, I will also receive their help, but at some point, the help others can provide me is worth less than what I give them, which will hamper my growth."

"This means that I can't fully commit to this path."

on the other hand, I will also be under constant danger, and that danger might cost me my life. Danger is good for growth, but too much danger

means that I also can't fully commit to that

know best what kind of attitude would work best for me,

I chose 22, I might have done something that could force me down one of the two

moment, Shang looked

me hear

deaths in the trial after having already become too

The jester only smiled.

isn't my

the rules of my Affinity. Of course, feeling a bit bad won't stop me from doing what I have to do to become

with my power but by cheating. I

it, but this

there are

a smile. "You really thought a

with my

your impression of me?" the

took a deep

often illogical, mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

was no reason to keep Shang's thoughts a secret. The God already knew what

enough, the

is probably the

that moment, the jester's

The entire atmosphere changed.

but now, he felt

that he had hit the nail

sore spot for the

you're entertaining," the jester spoke with a deadpan

Shang heard the God speak in such a tone, and it sent chills

that's the thing," Shang said.

at the beginning, and I thought that

entertaining

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

jester laughed

has been that I have been surprised

you to think of yourself while making this choice, but you were actually

the jester said with a mad grin. "By thinking of me, you suspect that you are automatically thinking of yourself by proxy,

Shang said with a nod. "I don't want

The jester didn't react.

of you, it isn't important what I want. I don't

the word "yet", but he didn't

comply while feeling resentment

for the time being, I have to. Defying you will only send me to an early