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.

step forward," the Mage said to a

chest and stepped into the Magic

to remain on your feet,"

spot around the Magic Circle while the barbarians watched with

all the Mages began to cast Spells, but

Spells, but that already gave him an inkling as to

so that's why they need a powerful barbarian. I think I get it. Quite clever, actually,' Shang thought.

the barbarian began to

places, and blood

and he gritted

minute, the barbarian fell to the ground, blood coming out

and looked with

the grey-robed

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

what was waiting for him,

could deal with

done with his turn, the

seven remained after this round from the

that didn't pass were sent back to wherever they had come

dealing with stress," the Mage

and another two were sorted out,

"Next test, flexibility…"

"Next test, agility…"

"Next test, accuracy…"

the next 20 hours, Shang went

Mages decided to go with Shang since he didn't show any weaknesses in any of

several tests, but he also only barely passed two of them, while Shang was very comfortable in the upper middle

barbarian left, leaving Shang alone with

he looked at

Shang didn't answer.

you

…

Dark skies.

years since the Plague

Rat was a Zone Beast with a Darkness Affinity, and the Plague Rat

this Zone, and if one saw one of the plants, one could be sure that the

was a nearly lifeless wasteland full

could see no fighting

all, nearly all the beasts

There were no fights.

was only one-sided, quick

the southern part of the Plague Rat Zone stood an army

a line with their