Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang released a long sigh.

Going through the trial was always filled with stress. Even though his life wasn't technically on the line here, the continuous fights against stronger and stronger opponents sapped his strength by a lot.

"You got thirteen points in the beast category and ten points in the Mage category," the jester said. "That's a total of 23 points without a warrior category."

"It was definitely the right decision to promote you."

Shang didn't answer.

He knew that his power had grown tremendously, but that didn't just occur naturally.

Shang was 85 years old, and he had spent over 50 years in complete isolation.

About 70% of his life had been nothing but training day in and day out in isolation.

Was it easy to do something like that?

Of course not!

Shang also wanted to take breaks.

He also wanted to do something else.

However, he couldn't allow himself to relax.

His goal was too important to him, and any moment that wasn't spent on getting him to his goal was a waste of time.

"What are the rewards?" Shang asked.

The jester smirked.

SHING!

Three small things appeared above his right hand, and Shang looked at them.

One was a small set of armor.

One was a small book.

One was a big question mark.

"I have three things to choose from. You may only take one," the jester said.

At that moment, the little armor floated forward and grew to its normal size.

It looked just like Shang's previous armor.

"The first option: An armor just like your weapon."

Shang took a deep breath as he heard that.

An armor just like Sword?

"So, it regenerates, adapts to my needs, and it grows stronger by giving it ore?" Shang asked.

The jester nodded. "Exactly."

this armor, you will never have issues with your armor again, just like

his right

reward was more than

fact, it was

that getting better armor was basically impossible

and Shang couldn't spare

set of armor, he would never have to worry about

attack that hit Shang would

armor, he would get at least two additional lives per battle. Maybe even

Shang to get further in future trials, assuming he managed

Shang was definitely tempted.

next reward?" Shang

to listen to all

first reward was already far more than Shang had expected, and he wanted to know if the other two

the jester's hand as the book grew and

all your future techniques. You don't need to study Magic anymore, and its power

take another deep

terrifying

was essentially only a blueprint. It had certain principles inside it

Shang's fighting style

technique might even give Shang the inspiration he needed

would save him decades of

was a monumental task. Shang had to create

reach the Fifth Realm in

find a way, but he had already taken several incorrect steps before that moment, forever making it impossible

the technique might even be

several-fold in the future, the second reward would increase Shang's

useful forever, while the technique might lose its

might have given Shang enough inspiration to create something even

terrifyingly useful for

give up either of them since both were

third?"

returned to the jester's hand, and the question mark moved

you what

am I able to make a decision?" Shang asked. "Why are you even offering it? You know me. I would much

grinned. "I'm offering it

raised an

at the question mark. "Long ago, someone created this thing. Then, they sacrificed

used everything so that, one day, this thing would find its way to

that this

glanced at the jester.

chuckled. "In a way, it does," he said as

influence

that can influence my will. This thing is in my hands, and

a while.

jester said

that person know me?" Shang

"No."

be useful for

the jester said. "I may enjoy joking around, but I still believe in fair rewards. It will definitely be

is it more useful than the

back

it because I like to tempt fate, which is