The town was alive with a vibrant energy that pulsed through the air as we stepped out of the carriage in disguise. Mother's illusion magic had transformed our appearances into those of ordinary townsfolk, making us blend seamlessly into the crowd. Even Captain Ronald, disguised as a simple guard, followed close behind, always vigilant despite the calm atmosphere.
I was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the bustling market. This was my first time experiencing the world outside the estate, and it was nothing short of magical. The narrow, cobblestone streets were lined with colorful stalls selling everything from food to hand-crafted trinkets. Vendors shouted to passersby, their voices blending with the hum of chatter and the occasional laughter of children playing in the alleys. It felt surreal—a world both familiar and fantastical at the same time.
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the subtle ways magic was woven into daily life here. A vendor at a nearby fruit stall conjured a stream of water out of thin air, washing his produce with a casual flick of his wrist. Nearby, a woman used wind magic to sweep dust from her doorstep, her gestures graceful as the breeze obeyed her every command. A man walked past, his luggage floating beside him, trailing after him like an obedient pet. I stared wide-eyed, completely captivated by the effortless display of magic all around me.
"Look, Mother!" I exclaimed, pointing at the man with the floating luggage. "He's not even carrying it!"
Mother smiled gently, her hand resting on my shoulder. "That's simple levitation magic, Noah. It's very common here. Many civilians use basic spells for convenience in their everyday lives."
I watched in awe as another vendor casually manipulated fire to roast vegetables for his customers. "And they can just… do this?" I asked, my excitement growing. "Even though they're not mages like you?"
"Yes, but their magic is very limited," Mother explained. "They can only perform simple spells like these. True magicians, like me, have far greater abilities. But even small spells can make life easier for many."
I nodded, soaking in every word. Seeing the practical uses of magic up close made my fascination with it grow tenfold. I couldn't wait for the day I would be able to wield it myself.
We continued walking through the streets, my fascination growing with every step. The world was so much bigger and more magical than I had ever imagined. Every corner we turned brought something new to my attention—musicians performing real magic as part of their street shows, causing instruments to play themselves, fire to dance in intricate patterns, and illusions to entertain the crowd. It wasn't just sleight of hand or trickery, but genuine, breathtaking magic.
While I marveled at the performances, I noticed Ronald and Bella exchanging a few glances, the kind that weren't just friendly. They lingered near each other as we walked, and there was a certain tension between them, though subtle. I caught them sharing a quiet conversation when they thought no one was watching.
"You seem more relaxed today, Bella," Ronald said softly, his voice just low enough that I had to strain to hear.
Bella smiled, her eyes briefly meeting his. "It's nice to be out like this, isn't it? Away from all the formalities of the estate."
Ronald nodded, his usual stoic expression softening. "I prefer seeing you like this. It suits you."
Bella blushed, quickly turning her attention back to me before I could fully process their interaction. I smirked to myself—there was definitely something between them, though neither would admit it openly.
As we continued our stroll, something caught my eye. At first, it was a low rumbling sound, unlike anything I had heard in this world of horses and carriages. Then I saw it—a sleek, four-wheeled vehicle moving steadily down the road. I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief.
It was a car. A vintage model, yes, but unmistakably a car.
"How…?" I muttered, completely stunned. This was a world of magic and swords, where knights rode into battle and mages controlled the elements. There shouldn't be cars here—yet there it was, driving smoothly through the street as if it belonged.
"Mother," I said slowly, my voice full of disbelief. "What's that?" Even though I knew what it was, I still acted clueless to get answers. Answers for why there is a car in this fantasy world.
Hearing his question, Lilith smiled patiently. "That thing is a car from the Solistia continent," she explained. "The people of Solistia continent don't possess mana or aura in their bodies like we do. They can't be magicians or swordsmen, but they excel in other ways. Solistia is the land of artisans. They've spent centuries developing technology that can harness the mana in the air or any other external source. They call it MagiTech.""Throughout centuries they have developed so much that they can now fight against peak ranking magicians or swordsmen on equal terms with their equipment."
"MagiTech?" I repeated, still trying to process what she was telling me.
Lilith nodded. "Yes, Solistia is a land of artisans and inventors. Since they couldn't become mages or swordsmen, they developed technology that could use external mana sources. Their advancements in MagiTech are incredible—things like that car, which uses mana stones as fuel, fridges that keep food cold, and ovens that cook meals with mana-infused flames. These inventions have made their empire strong and rich."
I stared after the car as it disappeared down the road, my mind spinning. "So they've found a way to use magic without actually using magic…"
Lilith smiled at my fascination. "Exactly. It's a blend of technology and magic, something unique to them. While the nobility doesn't usually bother with such things since we can conjure fire and ice ourselves, it's quite popular among commoners who don't have the same magical abilities."
It was like a revelation—this world wasn't just the fantasy I thought it was. It had elements of modernity and technology integrated into the magic I had read about. My advantage, the future knowledge I thought I had, suddenly seemed far less certain. This wasn't just a world pulled from the pages of a novel—it was a world all its own, with complexities I hadn't anticipated.
I glanced back at the street where the car had driven by. "That car looked much faster than our carriage. Why don't we travel in one of those?"
Mother chuckled at my enthusiasm. "For us, it's not about speed or convenience. It's about what the carriage represents. A noble's carriage is a symbol of authority and status. When people see our carriage, they know that someone from a noble house is inside. They make way for us. A car, however, can be bought by anyone with enough money, even commoners. No noble would lower themselves to ride in a vehicle that just anyone could own."
I nodded slowly, beginning to understand. "So it's about status."
"Exactly," Lilith said. "Anyone with enough money can buy a car, but only a noble can ride in a carriage like ours. It's a matter of dignity and authority."
Her explanation made sense, but a part of me couldn't help but dream of driving one of those cars—not just any car, though. I wanted something more. A car that would command the same respect as a noble's carriage. A symbol of power and prestige, something no ordinary person could own.
Even though I understood the reason for nobles not traveling in cars I couldn't come to terms with it.
A car is a man's romance. Nonetheless a magical car. How could I miss an opportunity to drive a magic car?
The thought ignited a spark of ambition inside me. If nobles wouldn't ride in something common, then I would create something that would rival even the grandest carriages—a car that would be a symbol of status, just like a certain brand back on Earth. The idea was thrilling, and I silently vowed to make it happen. I thought as I remembered a certain brand that had become the symbol of status back on Earth. I will implement that in this world.
For now, though, I pushed that thought aside, turning my attention back to the marketplace. There was still so much to see, and my mother's explanations filled me with a deeper understanding of the world around me.
As we continued our walk, I couldn't help but notice that Captain Ronald and Bella had fallen into step beside each other, their hands brushing ever so slightly as they walked. Ronald's expression remained serious, but there was a softness to it that I hadn't seen before. Bella's cheeks were still flushed, and though she tried to keep her attention on me, I could see the way her gaze drifted toward him every now and then.
I smiled to myself. It seemed that magic wasn't the only thing in the air today.