Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

In the days that followed, Jialan City was very quiet, as if nothing significant had happened.

Outside the Blue Lake Estate, the bodies of those Richard had killed were buried, unnoticed and unsearched for, and Bobbobovic didn't mention them anymore, as if they were of no consequence.

But the quieter it was, the more abnormal it seemed.

After all, a squad including a Third-level Wizard, significant in any context, had suddenly vanished at the Blue Lake Estate without any inquiries, suggesting that someone was intentionally hiding something.

As for the purpose of this concealment, that remained unknown.

...

Several days later, in the morning.

In the reception room of the stone building at the Blue Lake Estate.

Bobbobic visited once more, engaging in an interested discussion with Richard about topics related to magic, such as how to achieve high-speed movement in the air using magic.

Richard was interested in this topic because he wanted to research fighter modes. Bobbobovic, on the other hand, was interested in it for a simple reason, which was to try to keep up with Richard and avoid being too harshly outdone in future exchanges of combat techniques.

In the middle of the reception room, Bobbobovic paced back and forth, gesticulating and speaking loudly.

It must be said that Bobbobovic was very insightful and thoughtful; he hit the nail on the head with many of his points, providing constructive ideas.

"I think, to increase speed in the air, we must start with Wind Magic. However, one must be careful because once the speed reaches a certain level, it's necessary to consider other factors, such as the body. After all, a wizard's body is fundamental, and with excessive speed, the strain can be overwhelming. One could end up injuring oneself instead of attacking the enemy.

So, how do we protect the body while moving at high speeds? I see two methods. One is to use magic for protection while moving, which certainly adds complexity to combat. The other method is to find a way to increase the body's strength to offset the stress caused by high speeds. Then, we should start with Transformational Construction Magic.

I tend to favor the latter, because if research in Transformational Construction Magic is done well not only can it increase physical strength, but it can also enhance reaction speeds, which helps with high-speed movement in the air. It's important to remember, the faster you go, the less time you have to react. If your reactions improve, you can significantly increase your opportunities to attack..."

Bobbobic kept talking, growing more and more excited, his words flying energetically.

Just then, outside the Blue Lake Estate, a sudden "boom" rumble could be heard.

The sound was faint, but both Bobbobovic and Richard heard it.

Bobbobic stopped talking instantly, his expression changing slightly, and he quickly walked to the window of the reception room, looking in the direction the sound had come from. After a moment, he turned to Richard, who had approached him, and said, "It seems... there is a wizard from somewhere fighting in the distance."

"It looks like it," Richard responded, peering out the window. He didn't see any flashes from the fight or hear any more explosions, deducing that it was very far away, "It must be several miles away."

"That has nothing to do with us then," Bobbobovic moved away from the window, his expression returning to normal, seemingly unconcerned.

"Shall we continue our earlier discussion?" Richard asked Bobbobovic, also appearing unconcerned.

"Sure," Bobbobovic nodded, not beating around the bush, and resumed where he had left off.

"Anyway, as I see it, to achieve high-speed movement in the air, deep research into Shaping Energy Wind Magic is necessary, and Transformational Construction Magic for enhancing the body cannot be neglected."

At this point, Bobbobovic paused, and then added, "Speaking of using Transformational Construction Magic to enhance the body, it reminds me of how the weaker someone is, the more fragile their body becomes. Speaking of weakness and fragility, it reminds me of a Wizard Apprentice.

Speaking of Wizard Apprentices, I'm reminded of the Female Apprentice, Jessica, at my academy. Speaking of Jessica, I remember that today I think I agreed to help her clean up the academy's attic. Speaking of cleaning the attic, it seems that the time is almost upon us."

At this point, Bobbobovic walked to the window, glanced into the distance, and exclaimed, "Ah, time really does seem to be nearly up, after all, the sun is so high already, I must go back."

Turning his head, Bobbobovic hardly gave Richard a chance to stop him, "That Richard, I won't disturb you any longer, I don't want Jessica to accuse me of lazing around again, I really have to go now."

"Well..." Richard raised an eyebrow and agreed with Bobbobovic, "Alright then, take care, no need to see you out."

"Ok, ok." Bobbobovic said, the first time not complaining about Richard not escorting him out, and quickly walked outside, leaving Blue Lake Estate.

...

One minute, three minutes, five minutes.

Soon, five minutes had passed.

Bobbobovic appeared not far outside of Blue Lake Estate, in a small grove, not heading back to Ash Academy, but instead hiding and squinting at the exit of Blue Lake Estate.

After a long look, seeing no one coming or going, Bobbobovic narrowed his brow and muttered to himself with a hint of doubt, "It shouldn't be, does Richard really not care about the distant explosion? Could it be that he is not at all interested in those people before, or is it all an act? If so, that's really playing it cool."

Muttering to himself, Bobbobovic shook his head, "Forget it, if he won't investigate, I will go first then."

With that, Bobbobovic stepped forward and glided out of the grove, carefully concealing his figure as he approached the source of the earlier sound.

In a spot unseen by Bobbobovic, in the study of the Stone Building at Blue Lake Estate, Richard's body lay on a lounge chair. Eyes tightly closed, motionless, as if deep in sleep—having maintained this posture for quite some time.

...

In the distance.

Next to a pond, two groups of people were confronting each other.

More accurately, it was one person against a group of three others.

Not far away on the ground lay another person, chest completely torn open, blood furiously pouring out, breathing in little and breathing out less, evidently not going to survive, and it was unclear to which side he belonged.

After a long standoff, the group of three made their move first; the short-haired woman in the lead stepped forward, looking earnestly at the Black Robed Man they were confronting, "Mr. Sande, I really admire your strength. In such a short time, you've raised your danger level four times within our organization. If there are no surprises, there will soon be a fifth.

But let's be honest, you can't keep elevating your strength so dramatically or continue to evade our capture forever. Our strength far exceeds your imagination, and this time our manpower vastly surpasses what you can handle. So your best option would be to cooperate with us and come back with us."

"Is that so!"

The Black Robed Man spoke, his face emerging from beneath the hood of his robe was a bit horrifying, skin deathly pale, without any trace of color. At the corners of his eyes and mouth, fine and twisted black lines densely covered, resembling shriveled capillaries. His eyes, moreover, were unfocused, a sheer white, like two Ice Cube-shaped beads, turbid and cold.