After a little scolding for throwing the scrolls, we went down to breakfast in the dining room. Some strong teas along with some pickled vegetables, were the nutritious foods of the first meal of the day. Liam took the opportunity to take the bowls to be washed. A higher level of interaction allows for greater understanding and mutual help.

Back in the dining room, Mariak sits waiting for him, quietly sipping another cup of her tea.

-Liam, I'm sure you have many questions to ask. I'm going to make some sense of what you read in the scrolls I gave you, don't interrupt until the end- Mariak told Liam, in a tone that didn't admit rejection.

Then came one of those long, boring lectures, where you just have to listen patiently. The more Mrs. Mariak talked, the more fascinating Liam's face became.

Mariak's themes were well explained, in such a way that the essence was easily remembered. From the existence of the continent where they were, the different countries and geographical generalities.

The country they were in is called the RaasKing Empire . It was a monarchy, more than 300 years old. Although it was recently founded, and there were other older countries, the military power of the Empire was indisputable. Its borders and enemies were kept under heavy military pressure.

The army has three divisions, which compete with each other to be the best and most powerful force.

The regular battle troops, which are the land division equivalent to infantry and cavalry. It has other organizations, such as archers, combat mages, logistics and many more. The entire division is under the command of an imperial marquess.

The maritime division, made up of warships, military ports and other associated organizations. His control of the empire's territorial sea is one of the fiercest on the continent. His sailors are reckless and bloodthirsty, according to the words of captured enemies. Another imperial marquess is in charge of the navy.

The third and last division is special. It is under the direct command of the Emperor. He has special powers and controls all movement in the capital.

Seeking to curry favor with the Emperor, both Imperial Marquesses have been in a "polite" dispute for more than two generations to gain prestige over the other. Needless to say, these high command skirmishes have bred bad habits among subordinates: if they can embarrass the other side, every chance is always taken.

Still the Empire is strong militarily. Their lands are rich in natural resources, stripped of their former enemies. The sea provides its fresh resources and a vast transportation line for the trade of large quantities of products.

The empire is made up of 40% of arable land, 20% of land belonging exclusively to the imperial family and the rest of forests bordering the center of the continent.

It is these forests of the continent, which are full of resources and special minerals. But because in the last 200 years no human settlement has been established, it is almost impossible to exploit the resources. Only resources on the edge of the forest can be scratched.

The explanation then focused on the distribution of the fiefs, taxes and laws of the lords. Our feudal lord, according to Mariak, is a fairly "fair" nobleman, who unlike the rest, has a moderate tendency. Its remoteness and existence of the fief at the edge of the forest, makes it a natural border. So he is always under surveillance, and busy, as if to keep up with the power games of the Empire.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

According to Mariak, due to its geographical location, few feudal lords would be in a position to seek to take over the fief where we live. The reason is that large amounts of resources are required for the maintenance of the “forest frontier”, which is why it is not economically attractive, in general. The Emperor severely punishes those feudal lords who neglect their duties. Which makes the nobles avoid the borderlands for the low monetary gain and high stress of a domain with these characteristics.

The first emperor, in order to guarantee the unification of the territory, prohibited churches other than “The Three Heavenly Guides” from prospering. Although it has been a lax topic in the last 120 years, it has been allowed to a certain level, in other religions. When a certain amount of faithful is reached, according to Mariak, traitors to the empire or worshipers of the occult appear within their ranks. So all the seedlings of the new religion in that city are quickly cut down.

Mariak pauses briefly to wet her lips with the tea, in small sips. I'd say he has a noble air, if I hadn't dragged myself through the woods unscrupulously earlier.

Now start talking about the fief where we are. The most remote and deep in the border territory of the “Great Forest”. All his subjects must pay a protection tax, which is used to arm and maintain a militia. The militia is owned by the feudal lord, as its supreme commander.

Other taxes are necessary and depend on the social class to which you belong. The guilds have their own rules and differentiated taxes.

The lowest class, the peasants, in addition to paying their protection tax, must give a share of their crops. Since the feudal lord allows you to stay on his land, you must pay with the corresponding food.

Land can be purchased from the feudal lord, but is more like a lump-sum long-term lease, where ownership can only be transferred to descendants. A serious case of violation of the laws of the empire, can bring as a direct consequence, the cancellation of the property title.

The village, which I have yet to see, is made up of approximately 300 peasants. It is well secluded and its main form of income is lumber. Most of it is dedicated to cultivation, the other parts to hunting and logging.

Because of the isolated nature of the village, there weren't many outsiders passing through. So it would be noticed as soon as it was seen by the first villager.

"Remember that you are my nephew, and keep your head down," said Mrs. Mariak, in a tone that left no room for other criteria.

-I have a spell that allows me to identify any language, from my years as a magical assistant- Now Liam doesn't want to miss the opportunity to talk about the subject that most pressed him.

- Mrs. Mariak, are you talking about magic existing? How? Where is it learned? What does it take to be a magician?

Mariak holds up her hand, stopping Liam's seemingly endless questions. - Where do you come from, there is no magic?, asks Mariak raising an eyebrow, thinking that the young man in front of her was playing a joke in bad taste.

A technologically backward world can only continue to advance through the systematic exploitation of magic. It is common knowledge, the existence of magic and its users on this continent. No matter how hermit you are, magic exists like the air you breathe.

Liam has had multiple hints that magic exists in this world, but he needs verbal confirmation, or else he officially declares himself to be "goofy."

-No, magic doesn't exist where I come from. There are illusionists, but they are mostly visual tricks, where they hide their true hand movements.- Liam answers as sincerely as possible.

- That's impossible - replies Mrs. Mariak, - but anyway your language is not cataloged in the Codek , so I must take your word for it-

The Codek is the system of magical knowledge, by which each magician stores and carries with him all the spells and relevant information. It is a stand-alone portable library and only accessible by the owning wizard. Spending white neutral mana crystals is required to expand the Codek and increase its storage capacity.

A larger Codek doesn't make you more skilled with magic, any more than having a larger library makes you smarter. The use of this magical lore system is mandatory for all wizards. The complexity of the magic formulas and their secrets have to be accessible, but at the same time protected against enemies.

When a spell is cast, the magical formula payload, which is like complex computer code, is read by the caster from their Codek space . This ensures that there are no errors in the magic formula and that the accumulated mana does not explode in your face.

No matter how much you practice a spell, the simplest formulas use the equivalent of 10 pages of computer code. Who would maintain sound judgment, yes, memorize those complex codes.

This is why, when a child's magical affinity is detected, the church itself activates a basic Codek for anyone who can't afford a more advanced system.

The advantage of the nobles is a legacy Codek system . They have the money to buy the white mana crystals, and transfer the magical advances, which are not public knowledge, to their successors. What magician would freely give that knowledge, which cost him so much to obtain. Noble families eternally compete with each other, how to give rivals more weapons?

Mrs. Mariak now begins to look Liam up and down . -How do you explain then that you can speak my language, you know that I transferred a spell to your Codek , to be able to talk? - asks Mariak.

-Excuse me, who did what?, an incredulous Liam replies.

“What he gave me was a thousand stroke migraine. But on second thought, how can I explain the fact that I can converse so easily with her?” This thought is Liam's.

-How, how can we review my so -called Codek ?-Liam asks with a stuttering voice.