Sword God in a World of Magic

The two of them traveled to the western border of the Deepcore Turtle Zone.

There, Shang saw a hundred-meter-tall tower, which meant that many Mages were stationed there. This was probably the central headquarters for the actual offense.

However, the commander brought Shang to a field quite a bit north of the tower, behind one of the mountains.

When the two of them arrived at their destinations, Shang could see five Mages with differently colored robes and hair talking to each other.

In front of them were around ten barbarians, and nine of them were at the Commander Stage, or Champion Stage, as it was called here.

There was one younger man at the Peak General Stage amongst the group of older Commander Stage barbarians.

Yes, the Commander Stage barbarians were nearly all, at least, middle-aged. Some of them even looked to be in their sixties.

'I guess there aren't many young Commander Stage barbarians,' Shang thought.

Shang joined the other barbarians, who looked with surprise at Shang.

Warriors would be impressed that someone at the Peak General Stage could pass the exam, but barbarians were different.

These barbarians were more powerful than Shang, which meant that they didn't need to respect Shang.

They didn't take his potential and talent into account.

What use did talent and potential have? They could still beat him up.

The Commander spoke with the Mages for a bit, and the Mages threw interested glances at Shang from time to time.

They hadn't expected any Fighter Stage barbarian to pass the test, but now there were two.

After a while, the commander saluted, handed one of the copies of Shang's Magic Contract to them, and left the area.

Now, only the five Mages remained.

The Mages talked amongst each other for a bit more as the barbarians waited.

About ten minutes later, the Mages stopped talking, and one of them stepped forward.

It was an older man with long grey hair and grey robes.

"Over the next day, you all will undergo several tests. We will test you in different aspects to gauge the limit of your coordination, flexibility, endurance, will, and many other categories."

Not every barbarian understood what the Mage was saying. They only knew that they had to undergo some tests.

"First, we need to test how much stress your body can handle," the Mage explained as he gestured to a big Magic Circle on the ground beside him.

The other four Mages stepped around the Magic Circle and waited.

forward," the Mage said

out his chest and stepped into the Magic

to remain on your feet," the Mage said

on a free spot around the Magic Circle while

to cast Spells, but they

already gave him an inkling as to what they

why they need a powerful barbarian. I think I get it. Quite clever, actually,' Shang thought. 'The Blackshadow

barbarian began to

some places, and blood flowed out of his

barbarian's face whitened, and he gritted his

barbarian fell to the ground, blood coming

stopped casting their Spells and looked

the grey-robed

turned to Shang. "You, step forward," he said as the other barbarian was pushed

knew what was waiting for him,

deal

with his turn, the Mages tested

remained after this round

pass were sent back to wherever

dealing with

and another two were

"Next test, flexibility…"

"Next test, agility…"

"Next test, accuracy…"

hours, Shang went through nine different tests

but the Mages decided to go

marks on several tests, but he also only barely passed two of them, while

barbarian left, leaving Shang alone with

at Shang. "Congratulations. You will be

Shang didn't answer.

I will tell you what

…

Dark skies.

since the Plague Rat

Affinity, and the Plague Rat Zone reflected that

any vegetation in this Zone, and if one saw one

Plague Rat Zone was a nearly lifeless wasteland

could see

the beasts in this

There were no fights.

was only one-sided, quick

Zone stood an army comprised of

all stood in a line with their gigantic weapons, ready