As the carriage trundled along the winding forest path, conversations flowed easily between Gareth and Luke. The morning sun cast long shadows through the dense canopy above, creating a tranquil atmosphere that was occasionally punctuated by Tora's rhythmic strides. Luke found himself increasingly at ease with Gareth, their discussions ranging from mundane topics to the more profound mysteries of this strange world.
Their dialogue eventually drifted towards the subject of magic. Luke, still oblivious to the full extent of Gareth's suspicions about his origins, casually asked.
"So, what kind of things can mages, saints, and witches do? What makes them so special?"
Gareth raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
"Shouldn't you be more familiar with that topic?" he asked, but seeing Luke's earnest curiosity, he continued. "When I was younger, Mayor Kingsley, the mayor of the City of Purewood and like an uncle to me, always provided me with storybooks about magic. Mayor Kingsley is quite fond of the idea and topic of magic, which is one reason why the City of Purewood follows the Noirist belief."
Gareth smiled as he recalled those childhood memories.
"From the books I read, these special people could do incredible things. Simple stuff like conjuring water or lighting a fire. But there were also stories of them using their abilities for more sinister purposes—killing, waging wars, casting harmful spells. That's why the Antinoirist belief emerged, to oppose the potential danger these powers could bring."
Gareth paused, looking thoughtful.
"When we were attacked by the Aerdeich, you summoned light. That light scared the creature away. Light from nowhere. That's why I believe you're one of these special people."
Luke felt a tug of regret at Gareth's words. He knew he needed to clarify the misunderstanding before it grew any worse.
"Gareth, I didn't conjure that light. I literally can't do that."
"But I saw it with my own eyes. You created light. Your hands were empty. No flame torch, and the same bright as the moon," Gareth looked puzzled.
Luke took a deep breath and reached for his briefcase. He pulled out his smartphone and showed it to Gareth. The knight recoiled slightly, his body tensing at the unfamiliar object.
"This is a smartphone," Luke explained. "Watch."
Luke demonstrated by turning on the flashlight feature, the small but bright beam cutting through the ambient light. Gareth instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes, wary of the mysterious light. Luke then showed how the phone could display pictures, play videos, and perform various other functions. Gareth listened, trying to understand, but most of what Luke described sounded utterly alien to him.
"So, one of the things that this item can do is like talking to someone far away?" Gareth asked, clinging to the one concept he could grasp.
"Yes, exactly. And everything else I told you as well," Luke replied.
"A magical item," when Luke finished, Gareth muttered under his breath.
"No, no. Not magic. Just technology. Like I told you, my place is filled with advanced technology. And this is very common, or even a bit outdated," Luke shook his head.
Gareth stared at the smartphone, his mind racing to reconcile what he knew with what he was seeing. The device seemed magical in its capabilities, yet Luke insisted it was merely a product of advanced technology. The distinction was lost on Gareth, but he couldn't deny the wonder it inspired.
"So, this is what you call 'technology'," Gareth said slowly, still turning the smartphone over in his hands. "I have to say, Luke. My mind is unable to understand your explanation. So I rather, and we would call this a magical item. From the stories I read, magical items are rare and powerful, often used by mages, saints, and witches to enhance their abilities or perform feats that would otherwise be impossible."
Luke listened intently, sensing the depth of Gareth's conviction.
"Can you tell me more about these magical items?" he asked, curious to understand Gareth's perspective.
Gareth nodded.
"There was a section in one of the storybooks that talked particularly about magical items. These items aren't just found lying around. They are usually created by the special people, imbued with their power. For example, Saint Cynthia, whom I've seen during my knight training in the Empire of Virencia, carries a sceptre. They say this sceptre is a magical item that can heal people when she uses it."
He continued.
"Magical items are feared and revered. If someone were to find one, they would often destroy it out of fear and for safety. But now, if any magical item is discovered, it must be brought to the Empire of Virencia for Saint Cynthia to keep safe. Those who bring back such items are rewarded graciously. However, the Antinoirists would still destroy any magical item they find, adhering to their belief."
Luke absorbed this information, fascinated by the parallels and divergences between their worlds.
"So, are there levels of power for these magical items?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.
Gareth's eyes lit up at the question.
"Yes, there are levels. But only the special people can determine them. If I were to guess, your 'smartphone' is the most powerful magical item I've ever heard of. The fact that it can do so many things—shine light, communicate over distances, display moving images—it's beyond anything we have here. Even Saint Cynthia's sceptre, powerful as it is, can only heal. It does nothing else."
Luke marvelled at the notion of his everyday device being seen as an ultimate artefact of power. He realized how alien his world must seem to Gareth.
"It's strange," Luke said. "To think of something so common where I'm from being considered so extraordinary here."
Gareth nodded, the wheels of the carriage creaking beneath them.
"It makes me wonder," he said. "Are you truly not from this world, Luke?"
Luke sighed, the question resonating deeply with both his and Gareth's understanding of reality.
"It's hard to say," he began. "I suppose I should explain more about my life."
Luke took a deep breath and started his story.
"I was born to parents who never really cared about me. My childhood was miserable. I had to be independent from a very young age. My peers, my teachers, no one seemed to care. One day, my parents got into a dispute, and my father killed my mother. Then he hanged himself. That was the point I became an orphan."
Gareth's eyes widened, but he remained silent, letting Luke continue.
"My life didn't get any easier after that," Luke said. "But then, a kind soul entered my life—Mrs. Williams. She wanted to help me, but I was afraid to trust anyone again. My last memory before waking up here was being hit by a lorry."
He paused, realizing Gareth might not understand the term.
"A lorry is like a very large carriage, much bigger than the one we're riding now. I thought I was dead, but here I am, still alive, in a world both similar and different from my own."
Gareth took a moment to process Luke's story.
"I don't understand most of it," he admitted. "But I can sympathize with your struggle. I, too, am an orphan. I never knew my parents. They abandoned me at the cathedral in the City of Purewood, where I was raised by Father Wingate. That's how I got my full name, Gareth Wingate. Father Wingate was a close friend of Mayor Kingsley, which is why I have a connection with the mayor."
Gareth continued.
"My life started rough, but I chose to trust the help given to me, unlike you who ran away from Mrs. Williams. No offence, maybe that's why our paths have crossed now. We both have a chance to change our lives and help others. It's probably why you stood between me and the Aerdeich back then."
A contemplative silence fell between the two men. Luke felt a newfound resolve, a desire to embrace the help offered and to make a difference in this new world. Gareth, on the other hand, felt a deep sympathy for Luke and a determination to guide him.
The ride continued in silence, each man lost in his thoughts. The bond between them grew stronger, forged by shared hardships and a mutual understanding. As the carriage rolled on, they both knew that their journey together was only just beginning, with many challenges and revelations still ahead.
The conversation lulled into a comfortable silence as they pondered the implications of their discussion. The forest around them began to thin, signalling their approach to more open terrain. Gareth kept the smartphone, studying it with renewed fascination, while Luke watched the changing landscape, his thoughts a whirl of possibilities and unanswered questions.
As they continued their journey, the forest began to thin, signalling the approach of open terrain. The mystery of Luke's origin hung in the air, a puzzle yet to be solved, but one thing was clear: their journey together had only just begun, and with it, the promise of many more discoveries and challenges ahead.