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

out his chest

remain on your feet," the Mage

the last Mage stepped on a free spot around the Magic Circle

moment later, all the Mages began to cast

the Spells, but that already gave him an inkling as

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

cast more Spells, the barbarian began to sweat,

violently bulged in some places, and blood flowed out of

face whitened, and he

ground, blood coming out of

Spells and looked

enough," the grey-robed Mage

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

was waiting for him,

could deal with

his turn, the Mages tested the

remained after this round from the

sent back to

dealing with

and another two were sorted out,

"Next test, flexibility…"

"Next test, agility…"

"Next test, accuracy…"

went through nine different tests in

only two barbarians were left, but the Mages decided to go with Shang since he didn't show any weaknesses in

only barely passed two of them, while Shang was very comfortable in the

barbarian left, leaving Shang alone with the

at Shang. "Congratulations. You will

Shang didn't answer.

will tell you what you have to

…

Dark skies.

been years since the Plague Rat Zone

Affinity,

Zone, and if one saw one of the plants,

was a nearly

could see no

the beasts in this Zone

There were no fights.

only

Zone stood an army comprised of over

in a line with their gigantic weapons, ready to