Robin and his crew followed Samuel deeper into the forest, the dense forest towering around them like a huge walls. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, and the faint sound of birds echoed in the distance.

As they rode in the carriage, Robin turned to Andrew and asked, “Did you notice that old man from earlier? I know I’m no expert, but he seemed incredibly strong.”

Andrew nodded. “You have keen eyes, sir.He is strong. Now that i think about it he is probably stronger than me. But if I fought him with my full arsenal and family weapons, I’d have the upper hand.”

Robin replied , “Got it.”

After a moment of silence, Robin leaned out of the carriage window. “Hey, Samuel!” he called.

Samuel, who had been walking alongside the carriage, quickly came to his side. “Yes, young master? You called for me.”

Robin nodded. “I wanted to ask,among all the clans, how many people are as strong as Elder Marcus?”

Samuel’s face grew serious. “Elder Marcus? Yes, he’s definitely strong. But in every clan, there are elders like him. Elders are just the seniors of the family respected for their wisdom and skill. That said, there are also younger folks who are just as strong, if not stronger. And above them, there are individuals who surpass even the elders.”

Robin’s eyebrows lifted slightly at this revelation. “I see. Thank you, Samuel. You can go now.”

With a polite nod, Samuel returned to his place, leaving Robin deep in thought.

Now it made sense. Robin realized why the government of Ignisara hadn’t forcefully took this region of the country. Though they might possess advanced technology capable of overwhelming the nomadic clans, the cost would be far too great. The sheer strength of individuals like Elder Marcus, and the likelihood of even stronger warriors hidden among the clans, would make any invasion a costly endeavor.

Another thing he noticed was the surveillance which was so obvious previously now non exiting. There may be some cameras hidden but they're too much apart.

The further they ventured in the human paved path, the more alive the forest became. At first, it was the faint rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds that accompanied them, but soon Robin noticed signs of human activity.

The first scene that caught Robin's attention was a group of hunters. They moved swiftly, their steps silent on the forest floor. Each carried a variety of weapon bows, guns,spears, or traps but their methods were anything but ordinary. One hunter whispered an incantation, and his arrow began to glow faintly before he released it. The glowing arrow zipped through the air, its light cutting through the shadows before it struck its target a rabbit that had been grazing in the underbrush. Another hunter gestured with his hand, and a shimmering net appeared out of thin air, trapping a flock of small birds in mid-flight.

Robin paused to watch, impressed by how seamlessly magic was integrated into their craft. "They make it look like natural," he murmured to Oliver, who nodded in agreement.

Not far from the hunters, a group of villagers fished by a wide, clear canal. The water sparkled under the patches of sunlight that broke through the canopy above. One fisherman knelt at the riverbank, his hand skimming the water's surface. With a low chant, a swirl of magical energy formed in the river, creating a current that guided fish toward an intricately crafted net. Another stood ankle-deep in the river, summoning small whirlpools that directed fish into his basket. It was mesmerizing to watch, as though the river itself obeyed their commands.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

As the group continued, the sounds of small industry began to grow louder. They passed a group of lumberjacks, but unlike the noisy, machine-driven logging operations Robin was familiar with, these men worked in near silence. Their tools were enchanted, glowing as they struck the trees. The trees fell gracefully, their fall slowed by a spell, and the logs floated through the air to stack themselves neatly on carts. The creatures pulling the carts were equally fascinating massive, deer-like beasts with branching antlers that sparkled faintly.

Nearby, miners worked on the face of a rocky hill. Instead of pickaxes, they wielded magical hammers that broke apart stone with precision, separating the ore from the surrounding rock. A woman stood to the side, her hands glowing with a faint blue aura as she sorted the extracted materials with a spell. Rocks and dirt floated away, leaving behind glittering chunks of ore that gently settled into wooden crates.

"What’s she doing?" Robin asked, his curiosity piqued.

"She's using spells," Oliver explained. "It’s faster and more efficient than traditional mining methods."

The deeper they went, the more vibrant the activity became. They passed small farms where animals grazed in open fields, some of them magical hybrids Robin had seen on park. In one field, he noticed cows with shimmering coats that reflected the sunlight, while in another, chickens the size of large dogs clucked and scratched at the dirt. Farmers moved among the animals, casting small spells to heal injuries or encourage growth.

The crew soon arrived at a settlement nestled in the forest. Most of the houses were built from wood and stone, but what truly stood out was how they were incorporated into the trees. Trees grew through the buildings, their trunks and branches seamlessly integrated into the architecture. Some homes were built high in the trees, connected by rope bridges, while others were nestled into the roots of massive oaks.

As they're going through the village, Robin noticed a woman sitting by a spinning wheel, weaving silk threads with the aid of magic. The threads glowed faintly, and her hands moved faster than seemed humanly possible. A group of children ran by, laughing and playing with a floating ball of light that one of them had conjured. In the center of the village, an older man tended to a communal firepit, using magic to adjust the flames as he cooked.

Robin couldn’t help but marvel at how magic was everywhere . He was enthusiastic about magic but couldn't perform because his lack of aether. Also in city people rarely use magic.so the display of magic makes him excited.

The magic villagers used it not for grand displays of power but for practical, everyday tasks levitating heavy loads, chopping firewood, or even watering crops. One man passed by carrying a massive pile of stones that floated behind him in a neat stack, guided by his outstretched hand.

As they walked further into the settlement, Robin turned to Oliver, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Why don’t people in the cities use magic like this?" he asked. "It seems so practical."

Oliver smiled, as if expecting the question. "They do, in a way," he said. "But in the cities, magic is often hidden behind science and technology. The cars that run, the lights that glow, the networks that connect people it’s all powered by a combination of magic and science. In cities, magic is refined and regulated, made to work behind the scenes. Also technology can beat science in a fair competition.

Here, though, people use it openly because it’s a part of their heritage and way of life."

Robin frowned, considering this. "But why not use magic openly in the cities too? It seems like it would make things so much easier."

Oliver shook his head. "Using magic openly in cities comes with its own set of problems. Imagine if everyone started levitating objects in crowded streets or casting spells without care. It could create chaos and even harm people unintentionally. That’s why most major cities in Arora have strict rules about using magic in public spaces. You can use magic in your home, but if you use it openly in public, there are heavy penalties. Besides magic jammers are installed everywhere."

Robin nodded slowly, understanding the logic. " Magic jammer what's that." Robin asked curiously.

"Most cities use them," Oliver confirmed. "Magic jammers create fields that suppress magical energy, preventing people from casting spells. They’re typically used in high-security areas or places where public safety is a concern. It’s not ideal, but it’s necessary in places with dense populations."

As they continued through the village, Robin couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Here in the forest, magic was not just a tool but a way of life, deeply connected to nature and community. It was a stark contrast to the bustling cities he had visited, where magic was hidden beneath layers of technology and regulation.

The settlement seemed to pulse with life, its people thriving in harmony with their environment.

As they left the village and continued deeper into the forest, Robin couldn’t shake the thought. Perhaps there was something the cities could learn from these people a balance between the structured world of science and the free, untamed power of magic. For now, though, he resolved to keep his thoughts to himself and focus on the journey ahead.

After going through few more settlements and dense forest they finally reached the central hub of nomadic people.