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."

armor, you will never have issues with your armor

closed his right

was more than

fact, it was

God had already confirmed that getting better armor was basically impossible in this

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

would never have to worry about such things

hit

he would get at least two

also allow Shang to get further in future trials, assuming he managed

Shang was definitely tempted.

the next reward?"

to listen to all

Shang had expected, and he wanted to know if the other two rewards were just

shrunk and returned to the jester's hand as the book grew

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

take

how terrifying something like

was essentially only a blueprint. It had certain principles inside it that could be filled with all

could 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 Fifth

save him decades of time

the fifth Stage was a monumental task. Shang had to create a path forward

wouldn't even reach the Fifth

had already taken several incorrect steps before that moment, forever

the technique might even be

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

useful forever, while the technique might lose its effects later

might have given Shang enough inspiration to create something even better, which he wouldn't have been able to create without

were terrifyingly useful for Shang's

of them

third?" Shang

hand, and the question mark

telling you what it

I able to make a decision?" Shang asked. "Why are you even offering it? You know me. I would much rather take something that will certainly benefit me than

"I'm offering

an

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

this thing would find

certain that they have succeeded and that this

jester. "Does

way, it does," he said

they influence your will?"

no one that can influence my will. This thing is in my

for a while. "Am I

the jester said with

person know

"No."

be useful for

"I may enjoy joking around, but I still

more useful than the

floated back to the

like to tempt