Over the next two days, Ang wandered around the commercial hub in the East District almost every day, strictly following Mary's instructions to look and not buy. Trade in Wolf City was extremely developed, with all kinds of goods dazzling the eye.
Ang saw many novel things here, including various magic materials and weapons. In a shop selling armor and weapons, Ang saw a set of equipment called "First-Turn Enchanted Armor".
This set of equipment radiated a faint magical light, and as Ang leaned in for a closer look, he discovered that the price of this First-Turn Enchanted Armor was unexpectedly as high as one hundred black magic crystals. This exorbitant price made Ang couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
Ang originally wanted to ask the clerk about the First-Turn Enchanted Armor, but the moment the clerk saw that Ang was merely a commoner wearing ordinary leather armor, his attitude immediately turned cold. He said impatiently, "This is not something you can touch."
Ang was left speechless by these words, as the other party clearly believed that he possessed neither the strength nor the status and standing to come into contact with such high-grade equipment.
This left Ang feeling somewhat displeased in his heart, but he did not fly into a rage. He decided that when he came back to buy things later, he would not buy them here, making them lose a potential customer.
In Wolf City, Ang discovered that the price span was extremely large. Ranging from daily necessities to high-grade magic equipment, the prices varied from a few copper wacks to several hundred black magic crystals.
Ordinary daily living supplies could be purchased for just a few copper wacks, while high-end goods were priced directly in magic crystals, the value of which far exceeded ordinary currency.
One day, Ang paused in front of a shop that displayed various magic materials. The shop owner saw Ang's curiosity and enthusiastically introduced the uses and value of these materials. Ang listened intently; although he could not buy these things yet, understanding the attributes and functions of these materials would be of great help to his future cultivation.
In another weapon shop, Ang saw all kinds of exquisite weapons. A fine-steel longsword caught his attention—this sword was not only exceptionally sharp, but complex magic runes were carved along the blade, clearly having undergone careful enchanting treatment.
Ang lingered in the commercial district of the East District, discovering new surprises every day. Although he followed Mary's instructions to look and not buy, the observations and study of these past two days benefited him immensely.
He realized that Wolf City was not only a commercially prosperous city, but also a center where magic and technology intertwined.
After two days of observation and strolling around, Ang became acquainted with many novel things.
In the hotel room, Ang repeatedly examined his battle-axe, carefully comparing it with the magic-steel equipment he remembered seeing in the shops.
He suddenly discovered that the blade of his own battle-axe also seemed to contain some components of magic steel.
Ang recalled the introduction he had heard in the shop: magic steel was a composite steel material processed by mages through various techniques.
It possessed very high magic conductivity and strong ductility, making it the preferred material for many high-grade weapons and equipment. Although Ang's battle-axe was not made of pure magic steel, the magic steel components it contained clearly enhanced its quality and performance.
However, Ang thought about how the clerk had not mentioned that magic steel had high strength, guessing that other metals were mixed into it, otherwise the blade would definitely not be so sharp and sturdy.
Ang had initially thought that mages were high and mighty existences who never participated in rough work like iron-smelting.
Yet, he gradually came to understand that mages were not merely confined to battle and research. Some of them also participated in crafts such as iron-smelting in order to forge even more powerful weapons and equipment.
This made Ang realize how subjective and one-sided his previous stereotypes had been.
Not only that, but Ang also discovered that the backers behind many shops were at least mages.
He had heard people discussing more than once that the owner of a certain shop possessed powerful magic abilities, or that a certain merchant was actually a mage proficient in various types of magic.
These mages applied their magic skills to commerce and craftsmanship, creating many breathtaking goods and equipment.
This new discovery opened Ang's eyes. He realized that mages were not just warriors waving staffs on the battlefield; they were also the backbone of every trade in this world.
Whether in iron-smelting, commerce, or other crafts, mages were playing important roles.
Ang deeply felt that he needed to constantly learn and improve in order to better understand and integrate into this world full of magic and miracles. This world was far more complex and rich than he had imagined, and he was determined to find his own place here.
Soon, Mary began her holiday and fulfilled her promise to come find Ang.
"The harvest these past few days hasn't been bad, right?" Mary asked with a smile.
"Wolf City is truly magical," Ang responded excitedly. "I've witnessed many things I've never seen before, which has greatly enriched my knowledge. Moreover, I also followed your advice and didn't buy anything. However, I still want to hear you talk about magic first."
Mary nodded and led Ang to find a quiet place to sit down. She began to explain in detail the basic principles and classifications of magic: "Magic is widely applied in our world, mainly divided into elemental magic and special elemental magic. Elemental magic is further subdivided into four types: fire, water, wind, and earth, each possessing its unique power and application."
"Take fire elemental magic, for example; it can not only be used in combat, but also play an important role in iron-smelting and forging. Just like those magic steels you saw in the city, many of them are smelted through fire elemental magic," Mary explained.
"Water-based magic can both battle and be used for healing, and the other two lines of magic also have their own functions. The Grand Duchy of Tan'anster is mainly strong in fire-based magic," Mary continued.
Ang looked at Mary with a blank expression. "Could it be that other magic isn't strong?"
To this, Mary explained: "This is because in Tan'anster, the development of fire-based magic is particularly good, and many mages are fire-based mages. Because their research into fire-based magic is especially profound, compared to several other types of magic, fire-based magic appears even more powerful."
Mary paused, looking at Ang with a reproachful and pretty gaze, and said with a slight frown, "Ang, you interrupted my train of thought."
Ang smiled and apologized, "I'm sorry, I was just too curious and wanted to understand more."
Mary's expression softened, and she continued: "It's fine, I was just joking. Fire-based magic is indeed very important in our duchy, used not only in combat but also widely applied in industry and daily life. You will see more applications in the military or daily life in the future."
Ang nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, Mary. Your explanation has given me a deeper understanding of fire-based magic."
Ang asked Mary what type of magic she studied, and Mary told him that the water elements she sensed were relatively active, so she studied water-based magic at the academy. Ang asked curiously, "Do you know magic? Can you cast it and let me see?"
Mary said a bit sheepishly, "Ang, I've only been studying for a year and am still in the stage of meditating and sensing water elements. However, I can already feel the elements gathering within my body. Given time, I will certainly be able to cast magic."
Ang nodded, showing his understanding: "That's really something to look forward to. You know, I used to think mages were all high and mighty, but I recently discovered that mages also do many practical things, like iron-smelting."
Mary smiled and replied, "Yes, mages don't just fight and research magic; many mages also apply magic to improve life. Things like iron-smelting and agriculture are all application fields of magic."
Ang said thoughtfully, "It seems I still have a lot of things I need to learn."
"That's right," Mary agreed with a nod. "This world is far more complex and interesting than we imagine."
After speaking, Mary went on to introduce several special types of elemental magic: space magic, time magic, light magic, and dark magic. She confessed, "However, I don't know much about these few either; I only heard about them from my teacher."
Ang nodded, showing his understanding. After Mary finished introducing the basic types of magic, the time had already reached noon. Ang treated Mary to lunch, and the two chatted happily during the meal. Mary said, "The library at our academy is still open today; I can take you to take a look."
Ang readily agreed, "That would be wonderful. I was just wanting to understand a bit more about magic."
Before you continue