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."

big chunk of my money into the futures of

much, but I am

the opportunity, time, and resources to fully realize their potential, their help and loyalty will pay far more than I have invested in

my lands

them into nothingness like coal. Taking advantage of a True Mage might bring immense profits in the short-term,

everyone is happy working for

Whirlwind looked

am a kind person that gives to the weak and gives them

say that I am exploiting poor and naïve people, giving them something

end, it's up to

or am I a greedy businessman that

the answer, two things will remain the

force anyone, and everyone working for me is doing so

the resources I

answer

several thoughts went through

powerful

always been a bit

his past life. They were

to be

worse, the managers continued smiling and asked Shang not to take it

had feared that Duke Whirlwind might be one of these

logical and objective

that described the

Karma.

thought of Karma as a religious thing. They thought that Karma was some rule the

simply the term to describe

tight spot and needed a place to live, person B

likely happen

would be more

Why?

in the past, and they would want

person A was of no more

trouble later, person A

Person B hadn't

all about likelihood, and it wasn't a

had no problems with throwing someone away that had helped them before, and there were also saints that were willing to help people that had scorned

general, this

This was Karma.

and effect when it came to

people so that they would one day help him in

enough, one could refer to this