This was the first time that Tolten had encountered anyone who reacted this way to magic! The others had admitted to no personal knowledge of it, but not the impression that it was something silly or unreal. Or removed from science and technology! What else was magic if not a science?

"I believe in magical energy in the sense that I believe in water," he responded, his eyebrows raised. "From what I understand, the power of ellektiks functions in a very similar way. It's natural energy harnessed by man. Of course I understand technology and science. I may be naive, but I'm not some country bumpkin! I am an educated and worldly man." He felt himself bristling - not only had he been insulted, which was perfectly normal, but his beloved county as well! "Uhra has been at the forefront of the Magical Industrial Revolution for decades. Our magic engines put to shame those of both Khent and Gohtza. We engineered the first magical engine powered auto. Portable magic engines! We invented computers for the love of the great ancestor! And I personally have overseen a number of revolutionary engineering and scientific marvels."

No such thing as magic indeed!