22 Chapter Five - 5 || Magical Authority (2/2)
”Not to mention, we get travelers from various cultures and time periods, so there's a place in Neu'arth for everyone. And because of its magical barrier, people can live in Neu'arth without worrying about stray magical creatures or other dangers. That also includes a health care system that can treat any kind of illness.”
Essairyn's mouth opened a little upon hearing of Neu'arth's magical barrier and health care system. ”That's amazing. So you can't use magic in Neu'arth? But they can treat any kind of illness?”
Lachlan nodded. ”The magical barrier prevents any kind of magical discharge, so upon entering Neu'arth, you automatically agree to these terms. The only ones who can use magic are the Secret Service Protection Agency, or the SSPA, who protect Neu'arth.
”And when you become a citizen, you give up any magic generated beyond your regular m'u. In return, you receive free treatment whenever you get sick. Not to mention, magic combined with human technology has greatly increased the standard and ease of life.”
”Wow,” Essairyn gasped, ”so magic can be used in such a way in society.”
Lachlan smiled with a shade of stoniness. ”Yes, it's quite an example for the rest of Sol'h'meyr. However, not everyone will agree to such a construct of society in a world of magic.”
Essairyn knitted her face disconcertion. For sure, it was counterintuitive to bar magic in a world where everything was composed of it. Humans were also the foreign race in a land where the elementals had lived for thousands of years prior. So, some elementals were bound to find Neu'arth distasteful, to say the least.
Thus, no matter what kind of world it was, she deduced that as long as intelligent beings resided in it, power struggles were certain to transpire. And for Sol'h'meyr, magical prowess was authority.
”All that aside, what are you two going to do now?” Lachlan posed.
The two looked at one another, and Darren spoke first.
”I guess there's no way to return to Earth?”
Lachlan shook his head. ”I'm not actually positive about that. The portal apparently still exists in the heart of Sol'h'meyr. But even if you could find it, there's no way to ensure you would return where and when you had left Earth. Space-time itself would likely prevent you from ever setting foot within millenniums of your original time.”
”In other words, it's hopeless.” Darren half sighed, half scoffed. He leaned back in his chair and and looked up at the ceiling. The remaining trace of floundering hope in his heart drowned in the somber, swelling reality.
The receding light in the boy's eyes pricked Essairyn's conscience. ”He just arrived a couple hours ago,” Essairyn softly informed Lachlan.
The man turned his impassive gaze toward her. ”Then you have already accepted that you can't return to your time?”
Essairyn smiled enigmatically. ”Yes, I have.”
Lachlan scrutinized the girl's face. It was confident and unwavering, and yet it also held a barely perceptible melancholic air. But, he wasn't sure if it was due to leaving her world or something else entirely.
”Well, if you have no set plans, I suggest traveling north to the city of Byar'non. The Academy campus there has a knights facility while Reisparte only has a standard educative school. It's a short distance and can be traversed by foot in less than a day. I also recommend eventually going to the main campus right outside of Neu'arth if you wish to practice your magic and learn more about Sol'h'meyr.”
Lachlan paused to gauge Essairyn's possible response to his next words. ”And be careful showing your magic in public places; a shady group has been causing trouble around As'pyze lately, and they seem to target mages. As long as you don't use magic though, you should be safe.”