Scientific Wizard

For the next two days, Ebury was confined within this small cabin, enduring the dual torment of physical hunger and the mental anguish of watching others eat. 

He brainstormed various ways to escape the clutches, from timing bathroom breaks to stealthily climbing walls, even attempting to break the chains on the bedpost under the cover of night. Each attempt ended in Owen catching him red-handed and subjecting him to a severe beating.

After enduring several beatings and growing too weak from hunger, Ebury temporarily abandoned his escape plans. The allure of food became increasingly irresistible.

Finally, on the evening of the second day, unable to resist any longer, Ebury cautiously reached for a piece of white bread while Owen began enjoying his dinner. He intended to take a small bite to replenish some strength.

Even if the bread contained some hallucinogenic substance, a small dose wouldn't have much effect.

Ebury bit into the bread with a look of resignation, feeling its soft texture dissolve on his tongue. The instant stimulation brought tears to his eyes; after two days of hunger, he forgot all about pride and the nonexistent danger, indulging himself.

A mouthful of white bread, coupled with the incredibly delicious beef broth, felt irresistibly gratifying.

At that moment, it was as if he had transcended from hell to heaven.

Owen observed Ebury devouring the food, unsurprised. People like Ebury, confused and starving, often changed after a few days of hunger.

Having experienced starvation numerous times as an experimental subject, Owen understood the sensation. Hence, when Ebury had initially resolved to fast, Owen paid no attention.

After a hearty meal, Ebury collapsed onto the bed, his thoughts shifting. No longer seeking death, he decided to preserve his usefulness, gathering information. What if he managed to escape?

Over these two days, Ebury had keenly noticed something peculiar. Although his magical abilities were suppressed, his physical freedom wasn't entirely restricted by the captors. He could wander around the estate, accompanied by a shadowing presence. Any attempt to flee, however, resulted in a severe beating.

"Are you truly from the land of wizards?" After two days of silence, Ebury looked at Owen, breaking his silence with a question.

"Of course," Owen nodded.

"Where is the land of wizards? How did you come to the Kingdom of Hadralata?" Ebury fired off his questions one after another.

Owen hesitated before replying, "I need to ask Lord Lynn if I can tell you."

"Wait..." Ebury quickly stopped Owen from rising.

Over the past two days, he had subtly sensed that this kid, Owen, was straightforward, lacking convoluted schemes, albeit a bit rough in his methods. He was an excellent conversation partner. But if he reported to that wizard named Lynn, Ebury's plans would be ruined.

With this realization, Ebury quickly pacified Owen, skipping those sensitive topics. He claimed curiosity about the so-called wizard land.

Under Ebury's probing, Owen began recounting his experiences in the wizard land—or more precisely, at Iyeta Harbor.

Enormous airships that dwarfed buildings, alchemical machines enabling ordinary people to soar the skies, alchemic contraptions that automatically seeded and tilled fields...

These almost fantastical descriptions made Ebury question if he had misjudged Owen. He hadn't expected this seemingly honest kid to be so deceptive.

"Lately, Iyeta has built numerous factories. As long as you're willing to work hard, no one will go hungry." Owen earnestly stated.

A year ago, this was unthinkable. Born in the southern district, Owen was acutely aware of the arrogance and indifference of those wizard nobles. In their eyes, impoverished people were merely tools for magical experiments. Consequently, Owen held no fondness for wizards, except for Lord Lynn.

Lord Lynn extended generous aid to the impoverished victims of the southern district, offering substantial financial assistance. He provided the discarded steamships to fishermen, allowing them to fish in farther waters. Lord Lynn even dispatched wizards to eliminate fierce sea creatures in nearby waters.

Before leaving Iyeta, rumors circulated that Lord Lynn was planning to construct a massive iron ship equipped with the latest internal combustion engine, along with an enormous fishing net. It could haul tons of fish in a single voyage.

Soon, every lunch would include not just white bread and an egg or tomato but also a grilled fish.

Many townsfolk deemed this fantasy impractical. How could an iron ship float on the sea? Even if crafted by magic, no one would use such a colossal iron vessel for fishing.

But Owen believed it. He believed Lord Lynn wouldn't lie; every word spoken had come true, no matter how absurd it sounded.

Listening to Owen boast about someone's achievements, Ebury's expression became increasingly peculiar. The land of wizards, as described by Owen, seemed as heavenly as the church propaganda.

Does such a place truly exist?

A place where hunger doesn't exist, where even the poor can have white bread and grilled fish.

The sincere emotions in Owen's words momentarily left Ebury uncertain—was it real or fiction?

Amid his contemplation, a commotion from outside the room interrupted. Ebury instinctively rose from the bed, initially thinking someone had come to rescue him. But he quickly dismissed the notion as he didn't hear frantic shouts or explosions intermingled with magical spells.

"It's probably the airship returning after loading cargo," Owen remarked, unsurprised, calculating the time and reaching a conclusion swiftly.

"Airship?" Ebury paused and then realized. That was the alchemical machine Owen mentioned earlier, larger than a house, capable of lifting ordinary people into the sky. "I want to go out and see."

Owen didn't object. Lord Lynn had instructed him to monitor Ebury without restricting his movement within the estate.

Soon, the two were outside.

On the expansive lawn of the estate, Lame Laut and others were already gathered, gazing skyward, seemingly awaiting something.

But apart from the blue sky and white clouds, there was nothing at all.

TL/n - 

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