Sword God in a World of Magic

After around 20 minutes, Duke Whirlwind appeared in front of the academy. During the day, there were no guards in front of the gates since there were plenty of powerful teachers walking around. They would notice if someone entered that shouldn't have entered.

Shang looked out of a window of George's office and looked at the packed training grounds. Shang couldn't help remembering the time when he had been one of those students.

Duke Whirlwind walked alongside the road towards the main building, being greeted by several students and teachers.

He greeted them back with a smile and entered the building. Duke Whirlwind didn't need to ask where George and Shang were currently. After all, he had a Spirit Sense.

After getting to the fifth floor, Duke Whirlwind entered the office without knocking. Why would he? The two occupants already knew that he was there.

When he entered, he looked at Shang, and a bright smile appeared on his face. "Shang, so good to see you after so many years."

"He knows," Shang said.

This took Duke Whirlwind by surprise, and he looked at George.

George only nodded. "I know that he's been back for a while."

At that point, Duke Whirlwind's smile became a bit awkward, but Shang and George could feel the hidden frustration and anger inside it.

Duke Whirlwind had trusted Shang and had treated him as one of his closest people, but he had told someone else about their collaboration without asking him first.

This might not be a betrayal, but it was a sign of untrustworthiness.

"Don't immediately assume bad things, Jerald," George said. "He told me that he couldn't tell me anything because I took on a politically neutral stance."

Duke Whirlwind raised an eyebrow as he sat down in one of the chairs.

"And that means?" he asked.

George only sighed. "It means that I have stayed neutral for long enough."

Duke Whirlwind's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Yes, Jerald," George continued. "I'm willing to be part of your camp. However, I can only speak for myself, not the academy."

Duke Whirlwind was quite surprised when he heard that, and he looked at Shang for confirmation.

Shang nodded. "Yes, George is willing to help us against the Council and the other Dukes."

almost couldn't

true ally for several decades, but after only a single conversation with Shang,

you sure?" Duke Whirlwind asked. "You were

because I have become complacent without realizing it. I valued my

power in

If I want to progress further on the path to power, I need to be willing to risk

the longest, and he felt

never

didn't want to hurt George's

it easier for me. To be frank, I really don't enjoy lying to you,

tell me everything, I will inevitably be drawn into the conflict. You were only respecting

you know,"

looked at Shang. "So, what have you already

know,"

at

told him everything about what had happened to him, but that was normal.

it openly was weird and a bit hurtful. It was like talking to a friend and telling them that

without the atmosphere becoming awkward.

Duke Whirlwind noticed that the atmosphere

will be telling you

at the two of them. "Okay, and

your

of the easy and

your life,"

Whirlwind's eyes narrowed

he knew George. If George phrased

to join me? To

I realize now

looked at George closely to make sure that he wasn't lying or obfuscating

is this

Whirlwind asked, George pushed over

"Read it," he said.

Whirlwind looked at the book with furrowed

it and read

to his powerful mind, Duke Whirlwind

read

This was ridiculous!

refuse to believe that such a technique existed if he wasn't reading and