Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang hesitated for a moment.

"What is your goal, and what approach are you using to get closer to it?" Shang asked.

Duke Whirlwind's eyes shone for a short moment.

This was a very personal question, and Shang had directly asked Duke Whirlwind about his personal philosophy when it came to becoming more powerful.

One could say that Shang had asked for the secret of becoming as powerful as a Duke. After all, Duke Whirlwind's approach had obviously worked out very well, and knowing how he operated could very likely pay off in a big way.

"Those are two questions," Duke Whirlwind commented.

"There is only one question mark at the end," Shang answered.

Duke Whirlwind remained silent for a bit.

"Alright, I'll answer your question, and the reason why I am answering this question has to do with the answer," Duke Whirlwind said.

Shang nodded and listened to the Duke.

"As for the first question, my goal is to become an Archmage and to have my own Kingdom," Duke Whirlwind said.

Shang wasn't surprised by the answer.

"And as to how I'm trying to achieve it, investment and efficiency," Duke Whirlwind said.

"I can spend 24 hours per day working on my Magic, but that would only be the effort of one High Mage at a time. I can continually grow more powerful by working on my Magic, but without resources, I might not have enough time to become an Archmage."

"However, if I have access to rare and powerful materials, advanced studies, esoteric concepts, and plenty of teachers, I can grow many times faster than if I were on my own."

"But all of these things require wealth. Without wealth, I can't access these things. That's where the investment aspect comes into play."

"I don't have many hours in the day to myself, but the few hours I have are more profitable than several days of working on myself without pause."

"And how did I gain the wealth necessary to become this efficient?"

"Other people."

"I burn through millions of gold each day just to accelerate my growth. If I were on my own, I would never be able to pay such a large sum of money."

"So, I invest, not into corporations or resources, but into people."

"Every person has something they are good at, but many of those people never get the chance to realize their potential."

"Poverty, suppression, enemies, there are many things that will kill talent in its infancy."

invest a big chunk of my money into the futures of people

a powerful family isn't costing me much, but I am essentially saving that person's life. At the

time, and resources to fully realize their potential, their help and loyalty will pay far more

all my lands with

am not burning them into nothingness like coal. Taking advantage of a True Mage might bring immense profits in the short-term, but

is happy working for me, they will be

looked

I am a kind person that gives to the weak and gives them the opportunity to become stronger than they could have

cynical person can say that I am exploiting poor and naïve people,

the end, it's up to

that helps the defenseless, or

matter the answer, two things will

force anyone, and everyone working for me

second, they are generating the resources I need to work towards my

that answer

thoughts went

becoming more powerful very objectively without trying to sound like some kind

always been a bit skeptical

of nice managers in his past

when there was profit to be made, Shang

even worse, the managers continued smiling and asked Shang not to

Whirlwind might

logical and objective

Earth that described the cause and

Karma.

as a religious thing. They thought that Karma was some rule the Gods had made to

term to describe how

was in a tight spot and needed a place to live, person B might

would most likely happen if person B got into trouble in

A would be more inclined to

Why?

A in the past, and they would want to repay

away because they thought that associating with person A was of no more value to them since person A had

into trouble later, person A would very likely

should they? Person B hadn't

course, this was all about likelihood,

them before, and there were also

in general, this was how things

This was Karma.

was just cause and effect when it

Whirlwind was helping weaker people so that they would one day help

enough, one could refer to this mindset with