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.

about a year ago during class, but their power wasn't enough to rival the

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

the end, they had only been classmates,

a polite expression while Sarah looked

him!" Astor said with a bright smile as

to meet you. My name's Elver, and I'm the runner of the team. Thank you for helping us today!" he said in a

an eyebrow while Astor tried to

didn't tell them,

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

a look at Astor, who acted like he didn't see Shang's

the way as Sarah stopped

the flex," she

her hand

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

put his own hand into Sarah's

Shang felt Sarah tighten her grip with what seemed to be

Sarah was doing this, and it also explained why she had looked at Shang with furrowed brows

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 should understand that this concerns

You always were very skeptical of

displeased expression while Elver looked at

don't you introduce yourself?" Astor asked with a bright smile as

I know you?" Sarah asked with an annoyed

"I'm Shang," Shang said.

Elver and Sarah didn't

had heard that name

had become incredibly powerful in only a

the academy?" Elver asked from

a second person in this world

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 other nearly every day in class, and then, bam, you were gone after the Day of Chaos. I thought

put on a smile, which looked a bit awkward since he smiled so rarely. "I've been busy with one mission after the other. I returned to the academy just yesterday, which was when I