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."

have issues with your armor again,

his right eye in

reward was

fact, it was

impossible in

required decades of research, and Shang couldn't spare any time for

he would never have to worry

hit

armor, he would get at least

also allow Shang to get further in future trials,

Shang was definitely tempted.

the next reward?" Shang

he wanted to listen to all the

far more than Shang had expected, and he wanted to know if the other two rewards were

the jester's hand as the

for all your future techniques. You don't need to study Magic anymore, and its power is greater in nearly all aspects than

to take another deep

terrifying something like

had certain principles inside it that could be filled with all kinds of

completely transform Shang's fighting style again and elevate it to new

give Shang the inspiration he needed to theorize a way to reach the

decades of

the fifth Stage was a monumental task. Shang had to create a path forward without knowing where he had to

was very possible that Shang wouldn't even reach the

but he had already taken

even be

in the future, the second reward would increase

forever, while the technique might lose its effects

something even better, which he wouldn't have been able to create without

terrifyingly useful for Shang's

either of them since both

the third?"

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

not telling you what it is," the

make a decision?" Shang asked. "Why are you even offering it? You know

grinned. "I'm offering it

an

jester looked at the question mark. "Long ago, someone created this thing. Then, they sacrificed a lot of Mana

thing would find its way to

that they have succeeded and that this

at the jester. "Does fate

a way, it does," he said as he looked at Shang.

influence your will?"

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

a while.

said

person know

"No."

be useful for

enjoy joking around, but I still

the question is, is it more useful than the other

floated back to

I like to tempt fate, which is essentially my