Sword God in a World of Magic

The Dean looked at Shang.

"What do you want in exchange? This book is worth far more than I have invested in you," the Dean said.

"Is it?" Shang asked in an uncertain voice. "Without your help, I wouldn't have gotten that many points regardless."

"Sure," the Dean said, "but without my help, you would have still made about eight or nine points, and these eight or nine points have nothing to do with me. By gaining about eleven points or so, you would have already repaid everything I invested in you."

"But you gained 22."

"So, what do you want?"

After hearing the Dean put it like that, Shang agreed.

Yes, the Dean had helped him a lot, but Shang would have also gotten a lot of points without his help.

"There is something I want, but I don't know if you can help me get it."

"Tell me," the Dean said.

"Do you know about the Old King's Trial in the Wild Forest?" Shang asked.

The Dean nodded. "It opens once a year for only the most talented Adepts. The quota for joining the trial is heavily contested by all manners of big families."

Shang also nodded. "I recently found the trial on accident, and Sword told me that the very ore I seek can be found in there. It seems to be one of the rewards."

The Dean frowned as he scratched his goatee.

"That is truly very difficult," he said. "The Old King's Trial is only reserved for Mages, and the Trials in there are also designed to be completed by Mages."

"Even if you were allowed to enter, I doubt you would gain many points. After all, it isn't only Battle-Strength that's important in there. The trial also tests the mastery the Adepts have over their Elements and Spells. As someone with a warrior's body, you wouldn't get far."

"And with that comes the problem. If I could guarantee that you would get something out of the trial, it wouldn't be so hard to convince the others to let you participate."

"But I can't. Because of that, everyone will automatically assume that giving you a spot would be like throwing it out of the window."

"Imagine a room with ten people and three valuable gems. Everyone wants the gems. After a long time of deliberation and negotiation, three people get the gems."

"And then, one of them just destroys it."

draw the ire of everyone

have full control over the Old King's Trial just because it's inside his territory. His estate manages the Old King's Trial, but,

Old King's Trial as long as there

was able

he might not agree. This is something that can endanger his life and family," the

Shang frowned.

the trial wasn't easy, but he hadn't expected it to

no chance?"

goatee for a bit

you into the Old King's

Dean looked at

need to enter to get

Shang lifted an eyebrow.

the ore for your sword? Did you harvest

head, and a moment later, he realized what the Dean

noticed that Shang had realized what he

Jerald," the Dean said. "If I am willing to support his heir, Mattheo, he could maybe

valuable, and they could very well be the difference

manages to get an amazing score,

if the ore is only worth one point since the ore probably has no use for a Mage, but Mattheo manages

Shang's brows furrowed.

This was difficult.

might endanger

the Dean said slowly, "there might also be a possibility that Mattheo could convince someone less talented than him to help him. Of course, Mattheo would

problems with that, but that is something Mattheo and Jerald are very good

Dean nodded. "Yes, I think we can

that all you want for now?"

to rely on my own, but I can use ore for my weapon

to Jerald. It shouldn't take more than a couple of

nodded. "Thank you,

a trade, not me helping you," the Dean said. "There are no thanks

the Dean left the room to talk

in the room and further theorized how to incorporate the ranged attacks into his

sure enough, two hours later,

Dean didn't look

a solemn expression