Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

Nancy looked at Jia Lie, her eyebrows raised, and asked seriously, "I'm a bit curious, how do you plan to be rude to me?"

"All you have to do is let go of my hand, and I'll show you!" Jia Lie said.

"Oh, is that so? Well then, I'll give you a chance." As Nancy spoke, she released her grip and gestured provocatively to Jia Lie, "Come on, let's see what you've got!"

"You'll find out." Jia Lie's voice came out as he rubbed his sore wrist, threatening, "I'll make sure you're picking up your teeth off the ground!"

Although he said this, Jia Lie didn't rashly act on impulse. From being caught stealing just now, he had realized that Nancy was quite strong. Plus, previous lessons had taught him a profound truth: one must be cautious in their actions to avoid failure.

So...

"Whoo—"

Jia Lie took a deep breath, observed Nancy for quite some time, and once he was sure that she didn't look like someone with any formidable strength besides her physical power, he gritted his teeth and charged at her quickly.

The next moment, there was a "bang," and Jia Lie saw darkness before his eyes, then the whole world started to spin.

"Crack!"

A crisp sound, and he felt a sharp pain in his arm, not knowing if it was fractured or broken, but it hurt so much he couldn't even lift it.

Crying out in pain, Jia Lie tried to see what move Nancy had used, but as soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a fist growing rapidly larger in his field of vision.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A while later, Jia Lie was on the ground, unable to get up. Nancy, as if she had lost interest, uttered, "That's all," shook her head, and turned away.

Jia Lie groaned on the ground for a long time, finally stood up with a black eye, feeling dizzy all over. Turning his head to look around, he saw a few figures watching him coldly from a distance.

He recognized them; they seemed to be a few pickpockets from the city. When he was ambitiously planning to make a big move, he tried to contact them. However, their abilities were lackluster, and they asked for too much, so he didn't bring them along. Now, to his dismay, he was being looked down upon by these petty ruffians.

But he refused to believe his luck would stay down forever!

Wobbling to his feet, Jia Lie glared at them fiercely, baring his teeth and limping away.

...

Elsewhere.

After teaching Jia Lie a lesson, Nancy and Gro walked side by side, Gro with an expression that suggested he had something to say but hesitated.

"What's wrong? If you have something to say, just say it!" Nancy glanced at Gro and spoke.

"Well..." Gro began cautiously, "I feel like when you taught that thief a lesson earlier, it was a bit..." He searched for the right words.

Listening, Nancy seemed to agree, "You also think I went a little too easy on him, right? Actually, I feel the same. Originally, I wanted to draw blood with my longsword. Hmph, how dare he steal my wallet. If not taking his life, at least a hand. But this is the Main Continent, after all, we're not too familiar with it, and to avoid trouble, it's better not to go too far. Let it be."

"That's not too far? It's not just a little excessive, okay!" Gro internally roared, "Which of your eyes saw that I thought you went easy? I think you were too cruel! The guy is just an ordinary person, and while stealing is wrong, a light lesson would have sufficed. Using magic to strengthen your body and beating him up without restraint was really a bit too bullying, wasn't it?"

Gro was roaring inside, but his words were compliant. He glanced at Nancy and muttered softly, "Okay, you're right, your way certainly won't cause trouble."

"Of course," Nancy said, leading Gro forward.

At that moment, a voice called out from the side, "Please wait!"

Gro's heart sank, sensing trouble, and turned to Nancy, unable to stop himself from complaining, "See, this is your way of not causing trouble! Trouble has already found us!"

Compared to Gro, Nancy's reaction was much bigger. She swiftly turned around, her head snapping toward the direction of the voice, her face alert, and her hand stealthily gripping the short wand in her sleeve, ready for battle at any moment. Clearly, despite her seemingly indifferent exterior, she was actually more cautious than Gro. Her previous words were just to belittle Gro, apparently.

Nancy looked over and saw a man in his forties, wearing a dark green robe, with a somewhat friendly smile on his face.

From the man, Nancy sensed the fluctuations of mana typical of a wizard. Although weak, only at Apprentice Level, she didn't let her guard down, as experience had taught her that the presence of mana didn't always reflect the strength of its possessor—Richard being the prime example.

Looking at him, Nancy slowly asked, "What can I do for you, sir?"

"Ah, my friends." The middle-aged man spoke, "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the leader of a Merchant Group, and those over there are my associates."

As he spoke, the man pointed down the street where several dozen people in uniform blue attire were busily loading goods of various sizes onto wagons for transport.

After looking at them, Nancy relaxed slightly, then frowned and asked, "So, why did you stop us?"

"It's like this, my friends," the middle-aged man said, "I've taken on a commission from an important person to transport a large shipment of goods to a city in the west. However, I've heard that the route has recently become unsafe, and my men cannot ensure the safety of the cargo.

By chance, I just saw you disciplining that brazen beggar. Even though you did not show any extraordinary power, I can tell that your strength must surpass mine. So, if possible, I'd like to boldly ask for your help to accompany my Merchant Group to the city in the west to transport these goods."

Towards the end, the middle-aged man smiled apologetically, "Of course, I am aware that you probably have your own matters to attend to, and it would be difficult for you to travel to a distant western city for someone you have no acquaintance with. But I truly have no other choice, so I had to at least try. You can consider it a foolish hope."

After speaking, the middle-aged man seemed sure that Nancy wouldn't agree and turned to leave.

Nancy, however, spoke up, "Wait a moment."

"How so, you'll agree?" The middle-aged man spun around, looking at Nancy and Gro, an equal mix of excitement and skepticism in his voice.