At first, Ethan could only hear buzzing sounds inside his head. But, as time went on these buzzing sounds slowly turned into words.
“Mr. Roberts, I think there is some kind of proble…” Ethan glanced behind him to tell the owner of the Aviary that something seems to be wrong. However, the middle-aged man was nowhere to be found.
“You won’t find him anywhere, you know?”
“The old man has a sick hobby. Always doing this to his customers.”
“Yes! He should be reported to the Magical Bureau!”
“Silly, if we do that, who's going to take care of the shop?”
“Right. This is what they call Capitalism.”
“Well, I guess we just have to let him go then.”
“Agreed!”
“I second this notion!”
“I third it!”
“Everyone, we shouldn’t talk all at once. Just look at the poor boy, he looks like he is about to pee himself.”
Ethan vehemently shook his head and refuted the assumption of one of the voices that was talking in his head.
“I’m not about to pee myself,” Ethan stated. “Who are you guys? Why are you all talking in my head?!”
“Calm down, little boy,” one of the voices replied. “There’s still an hour before lunch, so we’ll make this quick. You are here to be interviewed, and whether one of us recognizes you will depend on your answer. Um, who wants to ask the first question?”
“Me! Listen boy, what are your future plans?” a snarky voice asked.
“Um… Lunch?” Ethan replied. “I’m a bit hungry.”
The owner of the voice scoffed. “No. Silly. Something long term!”
“Dinner then,” Ethan answered with a matter fact tone that made the owner of the voice almost choke in anger.
“This boy is dumb! I’m not interested in being his partner!” the owner of the snarky voice complained.
“That’s fine, who wants to ask the next question?”
“Well, the moment he entered, I felt as if we shared a bond,” a calm sounding voice commented. “How about I ask him a question?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
There was a slight pause as if the owner of the calm sounding voice was thinking of a good question to ask Ethan.
“What makes more noise than 50 crows sitting on 50 fence posts?” the owner of the calm sounding voice asked.
“My Grandma when she’s angry,” Ethan answered in a heartbeat.
“Um, okay. I’ll accept that answer. Old people are indeed loud,” the owner of the calm voice commented. “Next question. What is blue and sounds like a parrot?”
Ethan pondered for a bit before giving his answer.
“A blue parrot,” Ethan replied.
“Acceptable answer as well,” the owner of the calm voice chuckled. “Okay. Last question. What is the answer to this math problem?”
383 x (983 + 234) x 2,343 ÷ 243 - 62 (1+2) ÷ 6 = ?
Ethan looked blankly in space because this was the hardest question that the voices had ever asked him. Finally after three minutes, the young man finally managed to squeeze an answer with great uncertainty.
“4,674,135.94?” Ethan blinked.
“... Yep, this person is dumb.” The owner of the calm voice sighed. “Not interested in making him my partner.”
The one acting as mediator sighed as well before asking for someone else to ask questions.
“Who wants to ask question nex–”
Suddenly, a high-pitched whistling noise spread in the forest. Although faint, Ethan also heard the flapping of wings, which made him look at his right side.
There, he saw something that made him wonder if he was just seeing things.
A white raven glided in his direction before nimbly landing on the leather gauntlet in his hand. The young man stared at it, and the raven stared back at him with an amused expression on its intelligent eyes.
“Bloody hell,” Ethan muttered. “Grandma wouldn’t believe me if I told her I saw a white raven.”
“I came here to personally ask you one question,” the White Raven said in an amused tone. “Tell me, if you were given the choice to have one Magic, and only one, what kind of Magic would you like to have?”
Ethan closed his eyes as he pondered long and hard to answer this question. After being in Brynhildr Academy, he had been exposed to Magic, and for him, it is both a scary and wonderful thing.
Truth be told, he envied his cousin, Chloe, because she could shoot Fire Bolts with her wand.
He also envied Alice because she was able to shoot Icicles, and turn monsters into Ice Statues.
The Irony of this was that the question that the White Raven asked him, was the same question he had asked himself ever since he discovered that magic was real.
If he could only choose one magic in the world, what kind of magic would he like to have?
“I’m a very fickle person, and very greedy as well,” Ethan stated after he finished pondering the answer to this question. “When I first saw my cousin, Chloe, summon a Fire Bolt, I thought, I wish I can do that as well. Then, after seeing more kinds of magic, I thought that I wanted to have those as well.
“So, if I can only have one magic in the world. I wish to have the Magic that can copy the Magic of others. That way, I will be able to use many kinds of magic!”
A faint whistle escaped the White Raven’s beak, which made the Ethan wonder if he gave the right answer. Although he knew that his answer was quite ambitious, that was what he genuinely felt after accidentally becoming part of the Magic World.
“You are indeed very greedy,” the White Raven replied. “And, pretty ambitious as well. However, what you wish for, is something you already possess. You just don’t know how to make it happen.”
“Eh? I already possess it? Since when?”
“Yes. I can see unlimited potential in you. This is why I’ve decided to become your Guide.”
The White Raven bowed its head, and a white glowing ball of light emerged from its body. A moment later, this ball of light slowly flew towards Ethan’s chest, burrowing itself inside his body.
For a brief moment, Ethan saw a vision of him flying in the sky. Gliding in the air, and seeing the world from above.
However, it didn’t take long before he realized that the visions he was seeing were not his own, but the White Raven’s. It was as if the latter had shared his wisdom with him, allowing him to better understand the world he was currently in.
“The contract has been established,” the White Raven said. “Ethan, I will allow you to bestow a name upon me. Please, choose a good name because names have power. Depending on my name, I may, or may not be able to perform certain tasks that are deemed impossible by many. So, make sure to give me a good name.”
Ethan lightly brushed the White Raven’s back, feeling the smoothness of its feathers under his touch. He wasn't very good in giving names, but he decided to do his best for the sake of his new companion, who would accompany him in the Wizarding World.
“Dantalion,” Ethan said softly. “From now on, your name will be Dantalion.”
“So it shall be,” Dantalion replied. “From this moment onwards, I am Dantalion. Your guide, your friend, your ally, and your messenger. I look forward to seeing your growth, Ethan.”
“Thank you, Dantalion.” Ethan smiled. “Guide me well.”
From high in the sky, a certain middle-aged man looked at this scene with a satisfied smile on his face. Truth be told, he didn't expect that the boy would be able to tame the most elusive of his wards.
“To think that someone without any magic in his body has been able to make a pact with the leader of the Unkindness,” Robert smirked. “I can vaguely sense the stirring of a storm in Eastshire. I wonder… will this boy be at the center of it all?”
Robert didn’t know the answer to this question. However, he was fine with that.
He was the Raven Master, and whatever his wards could see, he saw them as well. But, with the restrictions placed over him, the only thing he could do was watch, and never touch.
For that was the role he, and the other Roberts’ who came before him played in Eastshire.
(E/N: I am the Dread Pirate Roberts!)
They are silent watchers of the Magical World.
Unable to do anything except record the unseen history of Wizards, and Witches, and their struggles that were slowly pushing his beloved world to ruin.
“Now that you got your Raven, we are now going to get you a broom,” Professor Ophelia stated. “But, I have to say, I never thought that I’d see a White Raven in Mr. Robert’s Aviary.”
“Is this the first time a White Raven has been sold in his Shop?” Ethan asked. He was feeling a bit smug because he was recognized by a Raven that wasn’t normally seen in the wild.
“Well, I can certainly say that you’re not the first,” Professor Ophelia smirked. “There was once a Great Wizard… or should I say Half-Wizard that owned a White Raven in the past.”
Ethan became curious after the Professor mentioned that the first one to have a White Raven was a Half-Wizard.
“Oh? Who is that person?” Ethan asked.
“Fortis Dud,” Professor Ophelia replied in a heartbeat. “One of the Founders of Brynhildr Academy.”
The young man’s eyes widened in shock after hearing the Professor’s reply. He didn't expect that the Legendary Magician, rather Dud, was also the first person who had a White Raven as his guide.
“Don’t gawk there, silly boy,” Professor Ophelia flicked Ethan’s forehead with her fingers, making the latter yelp in pain. “We’re here. Now, just pick a broomstick, and we can get your wand.”
Ethan rubbed his forehead as he followed the Professor inside the shop.
The first thing he saw were several broomsticks lined up on shelves, which went all the way up to the ceiling and to the back of the shop. Just as he was about to grab a random one from one of the shelves, the clerk of the shop greeted them with a smile.
“Welcome to Brooms For All Seasons!” a lady who seemed to be in her early thirties greeted Professor Ophelia and Ethan with a smile. “What kind of broom are you looking for? We have brooms for long-distance flight, brooms for kids that have safety mechanisms installed, Brooms for leisure flying, and all-purpose brooms that fly, and can be used for cleaning as well.”
“Give me an all-purpose broom please,” Ethan replied.
“Certainly.” The Clerk took a broom from the shelf and presented it to Ethan. “This is called Rudeus 2000. It can fly up to 100kph, and is very efficient in sweeping trash… including people.”
The Clerk gave Ethan a playful wink, which made the young man chuckle.
“Um, you said that this can fly right?” Ethan asked. “How do brooms fly?”
“Oh. A first timer.” The Clerk nodded in understanding. “Very well. This is also a perfect opportunity to test the product and see if it's working.”
The Clerk placed the broom on top of a table before walking away from it.
“You see, all brooms are unique and they require a certain password to activate their flight mechanism,” the Clerk explained. “Of course, in order to activate it, the Wizard’s magic power is required. Right now, the default password for this model is, Cumulus!”
As soon as the Clerk said the password, the broom rose up from the table and flew towards her. It stopped a meter away from her and lowered itself a meter above the ground to allow the Clerk to sit on top of it.
The Clerk, however, didn’t sit and simply picked it up and placed it back on top of the table.
“Now, you try.” The Clerk made a gesture for Ethan to call for the broom using the password that she had used earlier.
“Cumulus!” Ethan said as he looked expectantly at the broom on top of the table.
A second passed…
Five seconds passed…
Ten seconds passed…
Nothing happened.
“Cumulus!” the Clerk stated and immediately, the broom flew in her direction.
Professor Ophelia, who was standing beside Ethan sighed. She had already expected something like this to happen, so she decided to tell the confused looking Clerk about Ethan’s difficulties.
“He is a Dud,” Professor Ophelia stated. “His Magic Power is not the best, even among his peers.”
“Ah…” The Clerk nodded in understanding before giving the handsome boy a pitiful gaze. “I’m sorry, but only those that can wield magic can ride broomsticks.”
Ethan sighed in his heart because he thought that he would be able to fly in the sky with a broomstick like in the Fairy tale that he had read in the past. However, after finding out that he couldn't ride it because of his inability to use magic, he was truly disappointed.
Seeing Ethan’s disappointed look, Professor Ophelia decided to leave the shop with him. But, before he could do that, the door behind them opened and an old man wearing glasses entered with an excited look on his face.
“I did it, Anna!” the old man said in excitement. “I finally did it! Behold, the Wind Dancer!”
The old man opened the wooden box in his hand that was nearly two meters long. Inside it, a broom made from an unknown type of wood could be seen. The handle had a dark-brown shade, while the bristles of the broom were pure black.
Unlike the Rudeus 2000, the handle of the Wind Dancer was thicker, and looked like it was a weapon that can be used to whack people until their faces turn black and blue.
“Have you really finished it, Mr. Carwell?” the Clerk, Anna, asked. “Does it even fly?”
“Of course it can fly!” Mr. Carwell replied. “Heck, even a Dud can fly in this thing! It runs on Mana Cores, the first of its kind! Although buying Mana Cores to maintain its flying mechanism might get costly in the long run, it is still an all-purpose-broomstick that can be used even if you don’t have magic! I’ve gone to great lengths in order to make this broomsti–”
“How much?”
Professor Ophelia, who was listening at the side, approached the excited old man, and interrupted his explanation.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Carwell asked back. “This is the first of its kind. I’ve only tested it a few times, so I can’t sell it to anyone unless I’m sure that it is safe to use.”
“Pardon my rudeness,” Professor Ophelia gave the old man an apologetic look before introducing herself. “My name is Ophelia Quinn, and I am a Professor in Brynhildr Academy. This boy here is Ethan Gremory. We have come here today to purchase a broom. However, he is unable to make it fly because he is a Dud.”
The countenance of the old man immediately changed as he looked at the young man that was looking at the broomstick on the table.
“A Dud you say?” Mr. Carwell took out his wand and lightly tapped Ethan’s chest with it.
A moment later, he looked at the tip of his wand as if making sure of something.
“Are you sure he is a Dud and not an Ordinarius?” Mr. Carwell frowned. “I don’t sense any magical power coming from him.”
“He is a Dud,” Professor Ophelia insisted. “The Appraisal Stone in the Academy proved it.”
Mr. Carwell gave Ethan an appraising look. “I see…”
Professor Ophelia who had already broken the ice decided to press on while the iron was still hot and made her voice heard.
“You said earlier that even Duds can use this broom, right?” Professor Ophelia. “If that’s the case, how about you let him buy it? If he can really make it fly then it means that what you declared earlier is true.”
Mr. Carwell broke out from his daze after hearing Professor Ophelia’s words. For a brief moment, he considered it, but half a minute later he shook his head firmly.
“Like I said, this product hasn’t been fully tested yet,” Mr. Carwell explained. “I cannot in good conscience sell a product that hasn’t passed my safety regulations. It’s not about my reputation that is at stake here, but the life of a teenage boy. I will not be able to sleep peacefully at night knowing that an accident might occur anytime, while he is using my creation.”
Mr. Carwell’s voice was firm, making Professor Ophelia nod her head in defeat. Just as she was about to drag Ethan out of the shop, so the boy wouldn’t get disappointed any further, the old man said something that made her stop in her tracks.
“While I may not be able to sell it now, that doesn’t mean that I can’t sell it in the future,” Mr. Carwell stated. “After I finish testing it for safety, I will contact you, Professor Ophelia.”
The old man’s gaze softened as he shifted his attention to Ethan.
“The reason why I made the Wind Dancer is to allow those who have given up on flying in the sky, because they possess no magical powers, to once again gain hope,” Mr. Carwell said softly. “The Wind Dancer is the first of its kind, so its success will pave the way for these dreams to become a reality.”
The old man then walked towards Ethan and patted his shoulder.
“Give me a month at the earliest, and two at the longest,” Mr. Carwell declared. “I will fine tune this broomstick, and send it to you, Ethan. I look forward to seeing you soar in the sky, and become the beacon for those who have given up their hope of ever flying in the sky.”
The old man’s words were filled with determination, which carried a promise.
His passionate words touch Ethan’s heart, and he thanked Mr. Carwell for giving him the opportunity to test his newest creation.
After rekindling his hope, the handsome young man left the Brooms For All Seasons with a spring in his step.
Now that the issue with the broomstick was over, there was only one thing left to do and that was to buy a wand, which was something that every Wizard and Witch must possess.
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