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."

never have issues with

closed his right eye in

was more than

fact, it was

impossible in this world, and Shang couldn't

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

of armor, he would never have to

attack that hit Shang would

get at least two additional lives per battle. Maybe even

get further in future trials, assuming

Shang was definitely tempted.

the next

to listen to

more than Shang had expected, and he

jester's hand as the book grew and

every kind of weapon and Element," the jester said. "You can use it as a baseline for all

take another deep

how terrifying

principles inside it that could be filled

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

technique might even give Shang the inspiration he needed to theorize a way to

him decades of time in his

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

that Shang wouldn't even reach the

already taken several incorrect steps before that moment,

might even

future, the second reward would increase Shang's

was useful forever, while the technique might lose its effects later

Shang enough inspiration to create something even better,

were terrifyingly useful for Shang's

either of

third?" Shang

to the jester's hand, and the question

you what

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

"I'm offering it because

raised an eyebrow.

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

thing would find

and that this thing would eventually find

jester. "Does

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

did they influence your will?"

said with a laugh. "There is no one that can influence my will. This thing is in my hands, and I may do

silent for a while. "Am I the

said with a

know me?" Shang

"No."

be useful for

enjoy joking around, but I

question is, is it more useful than the other two

back to the jester's

because I like to tempt fate, which is essentially my