"Mana? Hmmp, that is just water," I replied with more questions. As far as I know, in order to wield magic, one must have mana, a magical energy to cast spells or perform other supernatural feats.
"I know it's water, Dirk," Elvie said impatiently. But this container—it's like nothing I've ever seen. The surface is so smooth, and these tiny inscriptions...it's magical, and it's so ancient. I bet even the high elves in my kingdom couldn't read these magical letters." She ran her fingers over the label. "And the water inside is so clear! Brimming with liquid mana."
"You mean the plastic bottle?" I smirked. Wow, that's the understatement of the century.
"You call this a plastic bottle?" she repeated, as if testing the words. "This thing is revolutionary. Where did you get this?" Elvie said with enthusiasm. Ella, still struggling with the cap, frowned in frustration. "I know it's overwhelming. But I can't open it. Is this some kind of magical water container?"
Okay, so there is no plastic in this world. That explained their fascination, but ancient lettering? Liquid mana? Did the guardian give me overpowered items?
"Um, this is a product from my world— I mean my country." I smiled. "This is how you open it," I said, demonstrating the twist of the cap before taking a sip. "It's just an ordinary bottle from which I come from. The water is clean and purified, so don't worry. Drink as much as you want—I have more."
Ella finally pried her bottle open and took a hesitant sip. Her eyes widened further, and she eagerly gulped down the water. "This is incredible! So fresh! So clean! Full of mana. I swear I was revived; I can use my magic with ease." She murmured some unknown incantation with her hand up in the air. I didn't know what it was, but suddenly there was lightning in the sky. I watched her in awe; it was magic indeed.
Elvie followed suit, savouring the drink like it was liquid gold. "This must be very expensive," she murmured, still admiring the bottle.
I smirked at their reactions. "Would you like some soft bread?"
"You have bread too?" Ella perked up. Her short, wavy hair bounced as she tilted her head.
"Yeah, here." I pulled out three individually wrapped pieces of Mamon from my backpack. Their eyes widened even further.
"This is bread? Very odd; it's so fluffy," Elvie asked, turning the soft pastry in her hands. Bread with mana? Who was this boy? Were his items ancient and powerful? Elvie thought to herself.
"Yes. It's called Mamon, a special kind of bread from the Philippines—I mean, in my hometown."
Ella carefully peeled open the plastic, her nose twitching as she inhaled the sweet, buttery aroma. "Why is it so soft?"
Elvie took a delicate bite, chewing slowly, as if analysing every flavour. "This texture... It's unreal. It's so light and fluffy. Almost like a cloud." The sweet, delicate bread melted in her mouth, creating a perfect contrast to the night's chill.
"I know, right?" I grinned, watching them savour each bite like royalty tasting a rare delicacy. Their wide-eyed curiosity about Mamon and my stories made the evening feel like a dream, almost too surreal to grasp. I could sense that this was just the beginning of our journey together. However, their reactions sparked an idea in my head. If plastic and processed foods didn't exist in this world, then my enchanted bag full of modern goods was basically a goldmine. I could sell these items, make a fortune, and live like a king.
"You want more?" I asked, testing my theory.
"You have more?" Elvie's usual scepticism was replaced with pure excitement.
"Yeah, take as much as you want." I handed them a few extra pieces. They deserved it, after all—they saved me from being a scorpion's snack.
*****
Shortly after, we sat around the fire, the warmth flickering against the cool evening breeze, sharing stories, laughter, and bites of Mamon. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the faces of my companions. According to them, they were orphaned. Their parents died twenty years ago during the third battle between renegades and the king's men. Their parents were both warriors and we were in the Magixah Kingdom, a realm divided into four distinct territories, each unique and filled with its own mysteries and dangers.
The largest of these territories was the Elven Territory, where elves like themselves resided. It was a sprawling land rich with magic, its bountiful forests, fertile farmlands, and vibrant oceans nourishing their people and their powerful magical abilities. Elvie, one of the elves, explained that their homeland was not only abundant in natural resources but also heavily protected. The elves had massive armies, enchanted fortresses, and unyielding magical defences. Despite the constant political unrest and war that loomed over the kingdom, the Elven Territory seemed largely untouched, as the elves were able to hold their ground with ease.
The second territory, the Dwarfin Land, was home to a mixture of dwarves and fairies. It was a rugged, mountainous place, full of caves and caverns where the dwarves mined precious metals and enchanted stones. The fairies lived in the woods, hidden in the foliage, their presence barely felt unless one knew exactly where to look. The dwarves were known for their craftsmanship and their ability to forge powerful weapons, tools, and magical artefacts from the minerals and gems found within their mountains. This land was close-knit and fiercely protective of its resources.
In the heart of the kingdom lay the Mages Land, a vast desert where the heat was relentless and resources scarce. Elvie described it as the third-largest territory, occupied mostly by humans and mages, who thrived on their mastery of magic. However, despite their central location, the Mages Land was vulnerable. It lacked the lush lands and bountiful resources of the Elven and Dwarfin Territories. Their survival depended on trade with the other territories, particularly for minerals and magical tools, which they could not easily find in their desert environment. This fragile balance of power meant that the mages often had to venture into the dangerous lands of the elves and dwarves, navigating through treacherous dungeons and mountains to gather what they needed.
The smallest, and most dangerous, of all the territories was the Demon Land, located to the south. It was a harsh, inhospitable wasteland where the demons lived. Elvie's voice darkened as she spoke of them—vicious and uncivilised beings who showed no mercy to anyone who entered their land. The demons were notorious for their cruelty and their unrelenting attacks on anyone who dared to trespass. Even the other territories, despite their differences, agreed that the demons were a threat to all and that their very existence created a constant, underlying tension.
Elvie continued, explaining how these four territories often existed in a delicate balance, each with its own internal strife, alliances, and betrayals. The treaties that bound them together were fragile, threatened frequently by rebellious factions within each land. These conflicts meant that the kingdom was almost always on the brink of war yet somehow managed to survive, held together by a thin thread of diplomacy and military might.
As I listened, I couldn't help but marvel at how each land seemed to be woven together by both cooperation and animosity. The Elven Territory might have had the greatest power, but the Human and Mages Land was certainly no stranger to hardship. The Dwarfin Land was full of mysteries and treasures, yet the Demon Land was a dark shadow, threatening to consume it all.
The fire crackled again, and I glanced at the elves sitting beside me. Their faces were illuminated by the flickering light, but I could see the weariness in their eyes. It wasn't just the danger of the world around us that weighed on them—it was the constant pressure of maintaining their land's safety. The more I learnt, the clearer it became: the world I had found myself in was far more complex and dangerous than I could ever have imagined.