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.

during class, but their power wasn't enough to rival the strongest students in the class, which was why Shang hadn't fought them

powers had diverged, they hadn't talked much anymore. Shang's refusal to

end, they had only been classmates, and that

Shang with a polite expression while Sarah looked at him

him!" Astor said with a bright smile as he

name's Elver, and I'm the runner of the

eyebrow while Astor

didn't tell them,

'I guess he didn't recognize me. Well, I can't fault him. I changed a lot over the last

at Astor, who acted like he didn't

of the way as Sarah stopped in front of Shang, looking deeply into his eyes

I'm the

she offered her hand to

had 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,

own hand into

that moment, Shang felt Sarah tighten her grip with what seemed to be

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

my strength?" Shang asked

Sarah pulled her hand back. "Not anymore," she said. "I apologize for my rude behavior, but I became doubtful of your strength when I saw how young you were. You

nodded. "Understandable. You always were very skeptical of

furrowed her brows in a displeased expression while Elver looked

asked with a bright smile

I know you?" Sarah asked with an annoyed

"I'm Shang," Shang said.

Elver

had heard that

then, they remembered that young kid that had become incredibly powerful in only a bit more

from the academy?" Elver

world with such

said. "Man, it's been forever since we saw each other. One year ago, we saw each other nearly every day in class, and then, bam, you were gone

been busy with one mission after the other. I returned to the academy just yesterday, which was when I ran