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

that I also can't

of this world, you should know best what kind of attitude would work

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

that moment, Shang looked at

wouldn't it be very entertaining to watch me hear about the correct path without

in the trial after having already become too old to

The jester only smiled.

isn't

that I feel a bit bad for circumventing the rules of my Affinity. Of course, feeling a bit bad won't stop me from

with my power but by cheating. I don't want to get something handed

course, as I've said, I'm still willing to do it, but this reason also played a small role in my

are

jester asked with a smile. "You really

with my impression of you,"

of me?" the jester

a deep

mad,

no reason to keep Shang's thoughts a secret. The

the God didn't

What you want is entertainment," Shang said. "For someone of your power, this is probably the only thing

the jester's smile

The entire atmosphere changed.

plaything, but now, he felt

he had hit the nail

probably a sore spot for

jester spoke with a deadpan

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

that's the thing," Shang said. "You

would choose 22 at the beginning, and

entertaining and

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

the jester laughed for quite

no idea how long it has been that I have

this choice, but you were actually thinking

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

with a nod. "I don't want to serve. I don't want to

The jester didn't react.

front of you, it isn't important what I

took note of the word "yet",

begrudgingly comply while

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