Ever since Ethan arrived in the Magical World, he wondered if having a wand would be able to let him use magic.
However, as he and Professor Ophelia walked towards the Magic Wand Store, the Professor told him that wands were similar to Flying Broomsticks.
Even if you had a magical wand in your possession, If you didn’t have an ounce of magical power, you would never be able to cast spells.
This dampened Ethan’s mood, and he no longer felt excited about acquiring a wand. However, since they were already there, Professor Ophelia was determined to get him one.
Right now, Ethan was technically her “chosen candidate”. Because of this, she needed to at least give him the proper tools in order for him to properly study in Brynhildr Academy.
Truth be told, even the Professor didn’t know if what she was doing was right. However, she believed that, even if Ethan couldn’t really use magic for the duration of his stay in Brynhildr Academy, there would be no harm as long as he tried his best to learn magic.
Everyone in the Magic World knew that the magic of Duds was unreliable at best, and non-existent at worst. However, since the Appraisal Stone had detected a trace of magic, even though it barely existed, it still allowed the young man to stay in Brynhildr Academy to study magic.
“Don’t be so down, Ethan,” Professor Ophelia. “Have you forgotten? Fortis Dud is just like you. He was called a talentless and magicless Wizard in the past. However, he was still one of the heroes of the continent that defeated the Demon Lord. You may not be able to surpass his glory, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't distinguish yourself from the rest of the wizards, and witches in Brynhildr Academy.”
Ethan reluctantly nodded his head as he walked beside the Professor.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a store that was called Sanders.
“Sanders… makers of wands since 300 B.C?” Ethan blinked. “Is this some kind of advertising campaign just to get customers?”
“Of course not, silly boy,” Professor Ophelia. “Sanders has been on this continent for a very long time. This is just one of their branches in Eastshire.”
“Did the existence of Wizards and Witches start during that time?”
“They have existed for far longer than that. Magic has been around since time immemorial. The long-lived Elves were the first one to harness its power because they are the guardians of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. The other races slowly learned through trial and error.
“As for Humans, although we are a short-lived race, we are more numerous and like innovation the most. The concept of using wands to channel magical powers from our body, and amplify them was our creation. Of course, there are also Wizards and Witches who channel the magical powers around them to use as their own, and cast magic in that manner.”
Ethan, who was listening seriously to the Professor’s explanation, suddenly had a brilliant idea.
“Professor, can I also channel the power in my surroundings and use it as my own to cast my magic?”
“It is possible.”
This information gave Ethan hope that he would still have a way to use magic, even if he didn’t possess any magical powers inside his body.
“Ah… good morning customers,” an old man with glasses greeted Professor Ophelia and Ethan as soon as they entered the door. “What may I do for you today?”
“Mr. Mason, we need a wand for this boy,” Professor Ophelia said. “Can you give him a recommendation?”
The old man adjusted his glasses and smiled.
“My, if it isn’t Professor Magnolia.” Mr. Mason smiled. “How is everyone in the Academy?”
“It’s Ophelia, Mr. Mason,” Professor Ophelia corrected.
“Yes, I heard you the first time, Camillia,” Mr. Mason made a gesture for his two guests to come closer. “A wand recommendation for this boy you say?”
Mr. Mason eyed the young man for half a minute before taking out a wooden box behind him.
“Your name is Ethan Gremory, right?” Mr. Mason asked. “Seventeen years old, and currently staying in Dud Manor.”
“H-How?” Ethan looked at the old man with a dumbfounded look on his face.
He couldn’t believe that the same person who kept getting Professor Ophelia’s name wrong was able to know his full name, age, as well as the Manor he was staying in the Academy with just a glance.
“How isn’t important,” Mr. Mason replied. As he took the lid off the box and presented its contents to the young man, who was looking back at him in disbelief. “What is important is that you give this wand a wave.”
The old man handed a gray wand to Ethan and took a step back.
“Go on, try it,” Mr. Mason urged.
Ethan stared at the wand in his hand and pointed it at the wooden target practice at the corner of the store with great expectations. He had long wished to use magic ever since he arrived in Brynhildr Academy, and now, his dreams was about to come true.
“Ignis Fulmine!” Ethan shouted.
This was the spell that Chloe used inside the dungeon, allowing her to hurl Fire Bolts at the zombies that attacked them.
Ethan had wished he could do the same, so the first spell he tried to cast was his cousin’s Fire Bolt Spell.
A few seconds of awkward silence passed by before Mr. Mason cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.
“Some people have specific Elemental Affinities,” Mr. Mason explained. “For example, even if someone has strong magical powers, but their affinity lies in Ice Magic, they will not be able to cast fire magic.
“Of course, there are exceptions. There are several individuals who have multiple affinities allowing them to use two to three, sometimes even more, elements. However, it seems that you’re not one of them, Mr. Gremory. What you need to do is cast a universal spell that anyone can use. Now, say the words, Lux Aeterna.”
Ethan took a deep breath before raising his wand high up in the air.
“Lux Aeterna!”
Another awkward silence passed before Mr. Mason took the wand out of the young man’s hand and returned it inside the box.
“Maybe some other wands will do,” Mr. Mason returned the wooden box to its rightful place as he rummaged through the other shelves of his shop. A minute later, he returned with another wooden box in his hands and presented it to Ethan.
“Okay, try this one,” Mr. Mason stated.
Ethan nodded and once again raised the wand high up in the air and shouted the magical words that would bring light to the world.
“Lux Aeterna!”
A few seconds later, Ethan returned the wand to Mr. Mason with a face-filled with disappointment.
“Forget it, Professor,” Ethan sighed. “Just get me a mass produced wand. Spending gold on an expensive wand is just a waste of money.”
Mr. Mason shook his head helplessly before lightly tapping the boy’s head with the wooden box in his hand, making the latter cry out in pain.
“Boy, are you making fun of me?” Mr. Mason asked with a smile that wasn’t a smile. “We don’t make ‘mass produced’ wands in this shop. Every wand in this shop is tailored to perfection. You see, even if you choose the wand that doesn't guarantee that you can use it. It’s the wand that chooses the person. We just haven’t found the right wand for you.”
Ethan chuckled before shaking his head. “Mr. Mason. For example, I’m just an ordinary person who happened to fancy myself into buying a wand in your shop. Then, as the good man that you are, you tried to help me find a wand that will suit me.
“However, since I have no magic power whatsoever, even if you allowed me to test every single wand in this shop, it would be useless. I have no magic power, therefore I can’t use mag-ouch!”
While Ethan was talking, a wooden box that was on a shelf above his head, mysteriously fell, stopping the teenage boy’s pitiful monologue.
Mr. Mason hurriedly picked up the wooden box to see if the wand inside it was damaged. However, after seeing its model, a thought came into his head.
‘I wonder…,’ Mr. Mason thought as he stared at the black wand inside the box, completely ignoring Ethan who now had a bump on his head.
A minute later, the old man turned to look at the teary-eyed boy, who was being treated with a magical potion by Professor Ophelia.
“Ethan, hold this wand,” Mr. Mason said as he presented the young man one of the most unique wands in his collection.
“I told you already Mr. Mason,” Ethan replied as he reached out his hand to hold the wand presented to him. “It’s usele–”
As soon as he touched the handle of the wand, something unbelievable happened.
He found himself standing on what seems to be a clear, blue sea that spanned for miles on end. A moment later, he heard a playful giggle behind his back, which made him slowly turn his head to see where it came from.
The moment he laid his eyes on her, they young man stood frozen in place due to the sheer beauty of the lady that was smiling back at him.
She had deep blue hair, and her upper half was bare for him to see. However, something else caught his attention. Instead of legs, he saw what seemed to be a rainbow-colored fish tail from her waist down.
Seeing his reaction, the mermaid giggled before opening her arms wide as if to welcome Ethan with a big hug.
For some reason, his body moved on his own, and floated in the air. A moment later, the handsome young man found himself being hugged by the beautiful mermaid.
“Finally, I am now a part of your world,” the beautiful mermaid whispered in Ethan’s ears. "You've kept me waiting for a long time."
The mermaid then cupped Ethan’s face and kissed his lips, making him taste something sweet like honey.
A few seconds later, that beautiful blue world disappeared, along with the mermaid who had stolen his first kiss.
Ethan found himself back inside the wand shop. Mr. Mason and Professor Ophelia were looking at him in a weird manner.
“Well, I know that the wand in your hands is a work of art, so it is perfectly normal for you to kiss it,” Mr. Mason chuckled. “I assume that you find this wand to your liking, Ethan?”
“We’ll be taking this wand, Mr. Mason,” Professor Ophelia said in a voice filled with amusement. “But, can you tell me what the core ingredient used to create this wand is?”
Mr. Mason nodded as he looked at the wand in Ethan’s hand, who was currently blushing due to embarrassment.
“The core of this wand is made from a rainbow scale of the Mermaid Princess,” Mr. Mason replied. “It is one of a kind, and no other wand here in my store, nor any of the wands in the other branches of Sanders, that is like it.”
After hearing Mr. Mason’s explanation, Ethan stared at his wand with a flushed face. For some reason, the sweetness of his first kiss still lingered in his lips, just like the memory of the Mermaid Princess, that was still fresh in his mind.
After they finished their shopping trip, Professor Ophelia and Ethan flew back to Brynhildr Academy to rest.
There was still a week before classes formally started. During this period, the First Years could familiarize themselves with the Academy, as well as get a better understanding of the Magical Courses through their seniors.
As soon as Ethan returned to the Academy, the first thing he did was go to his room to take a nap.
However, after an hour, he was awakened by the light poking he was feeling on his nose, and cheeks.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his cousin, Chloe, who was just about to poke his nose for the umpteenth time.
“What are you doing?” Ethan asked. “And why are you here? Don’t you belong to the Jaeger Manor?”
“I-I’m just testing if you are a light sleeper or not,” Chloe stuttered. “Also, anyone can visit the other Manors as long as they’ve gained the permission of a tenth of their members, or get direct permission from the Prefect of the Manor. Your Prefect, Sir Henry, is a good person. He allowed me to enter without too much fuss.”
Ethan lightly rubbed his face before propping himself up into a seated position. The number of people inside the Dud Manor was only twenty-three people.
All Chloe needed was to gain the approval of three people, and she would be allowed to enter the Manor without any problems.
However, since she got the approval of Henry, she was able to bypass this rule easily.
“Why did they let you enter?” Ethan asked. “Did you tell them that I am your cousin?”
Chloe shook her head. “I don’t need to tell them anything because they already knew about that. During the Initiation Ceremony, all the Pillars were being monitored and whatever they did in the Dungeon was projected to the entire Academy. When I knocked on the door of the manor, your Prefect, Sir Henry, recognized me and invited me in.”
Ethan sighed. However, after thinking about the matter carefully, he noticed one little problem with Chloe’s story.
“I understand why you are able to enter the Manor,” Ethan said. “But, how are you able to enter my room?”
“Because you didn’t lock your door, silly,” Chloe replied in a teasing tone. “Otherwise, how could I enter so easily? These doors are protected by Magic. Even if someone were to use an unlocking spell, they would not be able to open it from the outside. Only the Headmaster of the Academy, as well as the Prefect of the Manor can forcefully open the door using their authority.”
Ethan scratched his head because he couldn’t remember if he locked the door or not. After he returned to the Manor, he was dead tired so he slept as soon as entered the room.
“Okay, now that I answered your questions, time to give it to me,” Chloe said with a smile.
“Give what?” Ethan asked.
“Your spare key.”
“... And why must I give you my spare key?”
“So I can visit you anytime?”
“Ha?”
The young man looked at his pretty cousin as if she was out of her mind. He couldn’t understand why Chloe was asking for his spare key that would allow her to enter his room at any given time.
“Wait a minute,” Ethan lightly patted his cheeks to shake off the remnants of his drowsiness. “Isn’t there something wrong with this? A girl coming to a guys room anytime? You’re asking for trouble, little lady.”
“What’s the problem?” Chloe arched an eyebrow. “We are cousins.”
“Not blood related cousins.”
“And your point?”
Chloe crossed her arms over her chest as she eyed her cousin in disdain.
“It’s not like I’m asking for your room key to spend the night with you or anything,” Chloe stated. “Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? Also, if you don’t give me your spare key, I'll write a letter to Grandma Agnes and tell her that you bullied me.”
“Here is the key!” Ethan took the key from inside his pocket and handed it directly to Chloe. "I'm just giving this to you for safekeeping. Don't get the wrong idea, okay?"
For some reason, his Grandma had always spoiled Chloe and would often side with her in everything. There was even a time when he accidentally heard his Grandma talking to Chloe’s mother that he and the young lady, to whom he had just given the key to his room, should get married when he turned eighteen.
Chloe was a year younger than him, and had just turned sixteen this year. She was indeed very pretty and Ethan had no doubt that in a year or two, his cousin would bloom like a beautiful flower that would attract dozens of bees.
The young lady with long, light-brown hair deftly hid the spare key inside her pockets and flashed her cousin a sweet smile, which made Ethan feel as if he was about to be eaten up, while he was sleeping.
“I was unable to ask this before due to the circumstances that you were in but, how did you meet Professor Ophelia?” Chloe asked. “Why did she choose you to become a Pillar?”
Ethan gave Chloe a solemn gaze as he debated whether he should tell his cousin the truth or not. Right now, he was clueless about a lot of things, so having someone to help keep him safe and look after him was a good thing.
“Listen, Chloe, there’s something I have to tell you,” Ethan said. “However, I want you to promise me that you will not tell this to anyone, including Grandma, okay?”
Ethan trusts Chloe, just as much as he trusted his Grandparents. She had been his confidant over the past few years, and she had never revealed his secrets to anyone.
“Okay.” Chloe nodded. She could tell that the young man wanted to confide in her, so she decided to listen and keep his secret like she always did.
“You see, it all started when Grandma took me to the train station…,” Ethan stated.
The moment he started talking, Ethan felt as if the frustration that he had been holding back for a long time finally broke free from the shackles that held it back.
Chloe’s face changed from amazement, to shock, to anxiety, as she listened to her cousin’s story. When it all ended, a pin-drop silence descended inside Ethan’s room as he, and his cousin remained silent.
This silence was finally broken when Chloe reached out to hold Ethan's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“I’ll keep this a secret for you,” Chloe stated. “However, I don’t think you need to worry about anything. The Appraisal Stone has classified you as a Dud, so you can stay here in the Academy without fear.
“Although the circumstances of you being here was a complete accident, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re now a member of the Dud Manor. You belong in this world now.”
Chloe’s words, and touch, made Ethan feel warm in his heart, which slightly eased the worries that he had pushed to the back of his mind.
“Thank you, Chloe,” Ethan replied. “I’m glad that you’re here with me in the Academy.”
The young lady smiled. “Don’t worry. I will look after you. Have you ever thought about who you are going to team up with in our practical tests?”
“Practical Test?” Ethan asked back. “What’s that?”
“Um, let’s just take the Initiation Ceremony as an example,” Chloe replied. “That is an example of a practical test. If you’re not confident in taking these tests solo, you can team up with other people.”
“But, we are in different Manors? Is that even possible?”
“Yes. The Academy even promotes cross-manor interactions. For example, the Terra Manor is a place that specializes in nature magic. Most of their members have no fighting abilities, and can only help heal others.
“Because of this, they needed to team up with Manors that specialize in offensive magic during Practical Exams. Only the true powerful students like Nicole, who fought the Boss alone can go Solo. The Magic of Duds is unreliable at best, so they join other groups in order to get a ‘free ride’ in these types of tests.”
The more Ethan listened to Chloe’s explanation the more he understood that he truly needed her help. Half an hour later, the two decided to become partners, and challenge practical tests together, which made Chloe incredibly happy.
For her, spending time with Ethan was always a good thing. Now that he was in the same Academy as her, she decided to make sure to keep watch on the handsome teenage boy, so that he wouldn’t be snatched away by the other talented Witches in Brynhildr Academy.
Also, it had been a while since they were together, so this was a good opportunity to do some catching up for the time that was lost when she started to train on how to use her magic.
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