Sword God in a World of Magic

Yes, the teacher in front of Shang was Astor. Right now, he was at the Early Commander Stage, and his Battle-Strength felt about average to Shang.

"So, you're a teacher now, huh?" Shang asked with a friendly smile.

Astor looked around and saw that everyone was looking at them.

"Greetings, Count Sword," Astor said, taking a step back and bowing politely.

Shang raised an eyebrow. "Is this really necessary, Astor? We're friends."

When Astor heard these words, a surprised expression appeared on his face. But then, his expression transformed into an uncomfortable one.

"I'm sorry, Count Sword, but I have to get back to teaching."

When Shang heard that, a small tinge of sadness appeared inside his chest, but he quickly got used to it.

'Yes, what have I even been expecting?'

"I understand," Shang said. Then, he turned to the students of Astor's class. "Your teacher taught me many things when I was young. He is very knowledgeable and very experienced. You can count yourself lucky for having such a teacher."

The eyes with which the students looked at their teacher became more respectful, and there was even a bit of wonder and shock in their eyes.

Shang nodded once more at Astor and turned around.

'What did I even think when I said that?' Shang thought as he walked towards the main building.

'Astor has probably heard that I returned 20 years ago. Maybe he even searched for me or waited for me to look for him.'

'Yet, instead of doing that, I completely vanished. I never looked for him to talk or anything like that.'

'I've been in the same class as Astor for two years, but 30 years have passed since then.'

'Friends? At most, we are old acquaintances.'

Shang released a silent sigh.

not much time has passed for me, but that's due to the long isolation of training. When there is no external stimulus, time passes at

their entire life. Obviously, they wouldn't view me as someone close

differently. She would probably just greet me respectfully but with a cold voice, and Elver and I

that's because Jerald is raising him to become a

when Shang thought about Mattheo, he felt

youngster than someone of Shang's age, even though Mattheo was

he looked at the

and the colossal giants I've looked up to have transformed into

that moment, Shang remembered his last

himself in the trial, Shang realized what his future would turn

had no connection with

isolation as they slowly

was

already begun learning

longer the same people, and to the

Mervin left. I can count those three as my friends, but that's because we are all of similar power and follow a

these friendships will probably also deteriorate. After all, I'm

walked into a hallway to his

many talented people in this world, and I'm certain that there are

A moment later, the

to become the most powerful person in the

it because they didn't

everyone else

'Of course not.'

the stairs

keep up with them and even surpass them, I have to sacrifice more than

my time with friendships, outings,

I must

moment, an image appeared in Shang's

was a scene where Shang and George were much older,

was a sad and heavy

pain I have to bear if

walked through the basement

a long and