Chapter 1230: An Absurd Era! (2)

Chapter 1230: Chapter 395: An Absurd Era! (2)

“I have to do it myself.” Ian shook his head helplessly and began to cast the Classification Spell. With a light tap of his magic wand, the parts were automatically categorized: intact, repairable, completely destroyed. He carefully placed the still usable parts into a money bag that had been enchanted with the Traceless Stretching Charm—this seemingly ordinary small leather bag held a vast space within.

Through multiple modifications.

The interior space was large enough to contain a city. As for those parts burnt to charcoal and no longer usable, Ian didn’t hesitate.

“Obliviate completely.”

He whispered an incantation, the golden light at the tip of his magic wand turning these remnants into the most basic particles, scattering them into the air with the wind. Not leaving any residue that could induce time paradoxes or be misused was a basic principle for time travelers. Completely erasing the ashes in this world effectively avoided unnecessary trouble that might be found.

“I need to find a way to determine the era I’m in.”

After dealing with the scene, Ian stood up and looked around.

This was an unfamiliar wilderness, with a dense forest in the distance, and the fresh scent of grass and trees permeating the air. He decided to head towards the forest to find traces of human activity. The forest was even denser than it appeared from outside. Towering ancient trees blocked out the sky, and the ground was covered with soft, thick fallen leaves. Ian skillfully performed several Detection Spells, ensuring no dangerous magic creatures were around before starting his exploration.

Along the way, he encountered many wild animals—deer, wild rabbits, various birds, but surprisingly, he saw almost no signs of any fantastic beasts. No Tree-Protecting Leprechauns jumping among branches, no Occamys nesting in treetops, not even the common Puffskeins were present.

“Strange…” Ian mused, “The magical environment here seems… very barren?”

As an experienced wizard, he could keenly sense the magic fluctuations around him. The magical energy in this era was exceptionally sparse, almost as if it was deliberately suppressed or drained by some force. Such a situation was extremely rare in the time periods he had experienced, as even in areas inhabited by Muggles, it shouldn’t be this way.

In fact, Muggle-inhabited areas were often no different from wizarding areas. Many times, regions inhabited by Muggles also nurtured quite a few fantastic beasts.

Perhaps this world’s Earth had very suitable environments for fantastic beasts to thrive, but there’s no saying a place wouldn’t be fit for them.

“Don’t tell me I’m in the End of the Dharma Era, in the thirty-fifth century or something.” He thought to himself as he continued forward. About an hour later, Ian heard the sound of flowing water. His spirits lifted, and he followed the sound, discovering a clear, bottom-visible stream. Rivers are cradles of civilization; following the direction of the water flow gives a high chance of encountering human settlements.

This is basic wilderness survival knowledge.

“Feeling a bit thirsty.”

Ian stooped down to scoop up a handful of river water, performing several Detection Spells.

“Water quality is safe, no magic pollution.” He nodded in satisfaction, replenished his drinking water, stored some, and then proceeded downstream along the river.

Despite Ian himself having created Water Creation Magic and Bread Magic, aligning himself with mages in World of Warcraft, natural things were still far better than those with added magic.

Just like without added technology.

The river meandered continuously, and Ian’s judgment proved correct. Less than two hours of traveling along the riverbank, signs of human activity appeared in the distance—first were sporadically cultivated fields, then crude fences, and finally, a dirt road clearly trodden by people.

It’s a place inhabited by humans.

It doesn’t look like the End of an Era.

“Is it near-modern?”

Ian quickened his pace and soon saw the outline of a village.

What surprised him was the presence of utility poles and streetlights in the village, although the designs differed quite a bit from the styles he was familiar with, they were indeed modern facilities.

“Back to my original era?” Ian thought joyfully. If he truly returned to the late 20th or early 21st century, he could quickly connect with Hogwarts.

Or at least seek help from the local Ministry of Magic, specifically the Mysterious Affairs Department. In the wizarding world, only the Mysterious Affairs Department is considered an effective official institution.

The Ministry of Magic’s headquarters was full of incompetents. Ian pondered this, accelerating his steps with the intention of interacting with the locals to learn about the era.

However, as the distance closed, Ian gradually felt something amiss. Those streetlights’ designs were too old, resembling mid-20th-century designs. Moreover, the village’s architectural style was quite peculiar—a hybrid style he had never seen before, straddling traditional and modern.

What unsettled him more was the imposing sign at the village entrance, with a prominent Iron Cross. Ian’s heart sank—the symbol looked all too familiar, seen often in history books.

“No way…” he muttered to himself, quickening his pace into the village.

The sight before him left Ian completely astonished. Almost every building in the village bore flags with white text on a red background, featuring at their center the ominous symbol of a swastika. Villagers wore uniform gray clothing, their hairstyles rigid and standardized, regardless of age or gender. A group of children played in an open space, imitating soldiers’ marches and salutes as their game.