Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang and Astor spent the day together, and when evening arrived, they split apart.

Shang went back to the academy and trained in his mastery over his Affinity, which was different from training in mastery over Mana.

Mastery over Mana was more of a general, all-encompassing mastery, while mastery over an Affinity referred to the specifics. When compared to Spells, one could say that mastery over Mana would increase one's ability in regards to all Spells, while mastery over an Affinity referred to one's ability in regards to only Spells of a specific category.

When dawn arrived, Shang left the academy and went to one of the walls on the eastern side of Warrior's Paradise. This was where the group was supposed to meet.

Shang could see a couple of hunters walking around in teams.

Everyone was getting ready for a day of hunting.

It took a couple of minutes, but eventually, Astor arrived with his team.

Surprisingly, Shang recognized all of them.

The team consisted of three people, with Astor being the leader.

The second person on the team was a smaller man with long green hair and two long rapiers. He wore one of the black sets of leather armor that the Hunting Guild sold.

Shang knew this guy.

Back when Shang had taken part in his first lesson in the Caterpillar Class, he had been the one that had insulted him several times. Later, it came to light that he was simply envious of Shang since he had assumed that Shang was some progeny of a rich family. He even apologized for his treatment of Shang later.

It was Elver.

Sadly, judging by his getup, Elver didn't manage to enter the General Stage grade in the Warrior's Academy.

Shang also knew the third person.

It was a tall woman with short, grey hair. She carried a huge hammer on her back and also wore the typical set of black leather armor that the Hunting Guild sold.

Shang remembered how they had made a deal. In exchange for helping her adapt to fighting beasts, she gave Shang information about different metals. Sadly, the deal hadn't been relevant for very long since Shang had managed to upgrade his sword very soon after their first meeting.

It was Sarah.

ago during class, but their power wasn't enough to rival the strongest

as their powers had diverged, they hadn't talked much anymore. Shang's

end, they had only

at Shang with a polite expression while Sarah looked at him with

him!" Astor said with a bright smile

Shang and performed a small, polite bow as a greeting. "Nice to meet you. My name's Elver, and I'm the runner of the team. Thank you for helping us today!" he

while Astor

didn't tell

me. Well, I can't fault him. I changed a lot over the last year. Even Sword

look at Astor, who acted like he didn't

Sarah stopped in

the flex,"

her hand to

been years since Shang had been on Earth, the reflex of shaking an offered hand was still ingrained in him. As a professional athlete, Shang had needed to shake so many hands of so many managers, promoters, clerks, fans, and

his own hand into Sarah's hand

felt Sarah tighten her grip with what

knew why Sarah was doing this, and it also explained why she had looked at Shang

my strength?" Shang

doubtful of your strength when I saw how young you were. You should understand that this concerns our

You always

while Elver looked at Shang with

with a

you?" Sarah asked with an annoyed

"I'm Shang," Shang said.

a second, Elver and Sarah didn't

had heard that name

they remembered that young kid that had become incredibly powerful in only

Elver

a second person in this world with such a weird name?"

that moment, Elver chuckled. "No, I guess not," he said. "Man, it's been forever since we saw each other. One year ago, we saw each

on a smile, which looked a bit awkward since he smiled so rarely. "I've been busy with one