“So you’re saying I should be able to cast spells without my mana core?” Rose furrowed her brows, looking toward Penelope.

Listening to them discussing today’s lesson for about an hour after we left was kind of cute, admittedly intriguing too; intriguing enough to have grabbed Ron’s and Alice’s attention while wandering Hamlet in search of the wand shop.

“Haven’t you heard what Professor Geron said? He explained that while we have trouble manipulating chaos outside our bodies, demons and fae don’t. Technically, you’ve got the bloodline for it. Now we just need to figure out how to do it.”

“Maybe it’s similar to our mana breathing,” Alice interrupted, quickstepping to Penelope’s side. “It relies more on a feeling than anything else, but he mentioned those mattered.”

“Sounds like a lot of work just to do what I already can. . .” Rose failed to share her master’s enthusiasm but wasn’t necessarily wrong either.

“Sounds like you just want to sneak off and sleep around all day – Again. . .” Penelope sighed, then smirked curiously, looking up at the sky. “Just think of all the countless possibilities someone who broke away from their restraints would have. Depending on the amount of mana they could manipulate–”

She suddenly stopped talking, sighing again.

“Sounds to me like you should try it yourself,” Alice suggested, leaning forward, trying to catch Penelope’s eyes while having her hands behind her back. “Hmmm.” She smirked. “You’re so doing it, aren’t you?”

“Huh?” Penelope glanced toward her, raising an eyebrow.

“Pff. . . Don’t even try and hide it. Your eyes give it away, and I don’t blame you since I’d do so too if I were you.” Alice smiled and began walking normally again. “It’s possible. The idea is there, and you’re super smart. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah, right. . .” Penelope shied away. “Countless have tried and failed.”

“They weren’t you,” I finally spoke, getting them to turn back to look at me. “You should give it a go.”

“You think?” Penelope asked.

“Totally,” Alice encouraged, grabbing hold of her arm.

The two had just met, yet acted as if they’d known each other for years, probably spending the entire night talking, just like us. As for their roommates, they remained a mystery. The only thing I knew was that one turned out to be none other than Amelia Renik, Crown Princess of Notish, who also happened to rank second on the entrance exam. While I knew the rankings weren’t based purely on performance, it still had to mean something, or so I thought.

“I– I’ll think about it. . .” Penelope mumbled, glancing at Alice. “What about you?”

“Me?” Alice pointed to herself.

“Yeah, why not?” she asked.

“Hmm? Well, maybe after becoming the youngest ninth-circle mage,” Alice smirked, determined to make her goal a reality. “You’ve said it yourself. It’s likely one can do so while still having a core.”

“What about tenth?” I asked.

“Yeah. . . I’ve given up on chasing that title. I’d like to still remember my goal by the time I achieve it,” Alice expressed, yet never said she wouldn’t try, just that it wouldn’t be her primary focus, a good thing in my opinion.

“Fair enough,” I said, glancing at Ron, who’s been awfully quiet. “You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. . . Just trying to remember– Ah!” he yelled suddenly, pointing in the distance at the wand shop as we passed through an alleyway. Taking a sigh of relief, he looked back at me and said, “Thank god. . . I thought we missed a turn.”

“Thought you hung around here often,” Rose said.

“I’ve lived at Grimhold for years, but it’s not as if I went to the wand shop more than once or twice,” Ron explained. “Besides, I like to travel lots.”

“So were you born here?” Alice asked, knowing little about Ron.

“No, Eleron.” Ron was quick to answer. “We should head inside.”

Every time there was a mention of Ron’s origin, he’d answer quickly and put an end to the conversation one way or the other. It raised many questions, but it wasn’t my place to pry if he wasn’t willing to share. After all, I was no better at doing so, constantly keeping things to myself. Hell, I often lied to myself as well to deal with shit easier.

The next thing I knew, we walked into the small tucked-away shop dimly lit by candles spread throughout, a small bell giving us away. That’s when we heard a shrill voice yelling behind a closed door, hidden in the corner.

“I’m coming!”

My eyes wandered around while waiting, taking in the chaos of massive shelves that were anything but sorted. Scrolls, tomes, trinkets, and wands were scattered throughout the place, yet none of that prepared us for the little goblinoid-looking creature that walked through the door.

“Welcome, welcome!” the creature yelled, arms open and all. “How may I be of service?”

“Hi,” I said, taking the lead. “We were looking to purchase new wands.”

He was about waist-high, slightly hunched over, old with an overgrown beard in desperate need of a trim, with big round eyes magnified by the round glasses resting atop his arched nose. Everything about his look screamed crazy. Even his voice matched the vibe.

“Of course. You must be the first years,” he said, and despite lowering his voice, it was still strident. “Who could forget such finely made uniforms.”

Elwyn’s mother happened to be in charge of designing this year’s uniforms, and she did a splendid job. The materials used were light and elegant, comfortable to wear, but the design – let’s just say it made my eyes wander at times. Although there were more modest alternatives, girls still preferred to wear skirts that showed their legs, paired with a button-up shirt and an optional jacket or vest that the three refused to wear. It didn’t help that some students shortened them further, even though they were already above the knees.

“Let’s have a look,” the shopkeeper said, walking back to the counter, stepping up on a small platform so he could see us better. “First years, I presume?”

“That’s right, Sir.” I turned to look at the others. “Although, I should mention that only three of us are looking to purchase.”

“Which three?” he asked, adjusting his glasses.

“Us three.” I gestured toward Alice, Rose and myself.

“Hmm. . . Let’s see.” He stepped down already, walking over to a small box resting atop a table to our left, taking it back to the counter. Snapping his fingers, he conjured up a key similar to how Penelope summoned her wand, unlocking the box and revealing a set of fine-made wands. “Hmm. . .” He hummed again, taking a good look at us before pulling one out. ”Would you mind holding this?”

He handed it over to Alice.

“S– sure. . .” she mumbled, taking it in hand.

“Ah! Just as I thought. Awkward, and perhaps too light in your hand?” he asked.

“How’d you–” Alice furrowed her brows.

“Likely one-fourth the length of a sword you use, and elven steel perhaps? Rapier matches the graceful movement. Weight roughly around seven hundred to eight hundred grams, slightly lighter than regular steel. Well practised. . . and definitely relies on talent to cast spells.”

“Do. . . you know me?” Alice asked, a bit reserved as she, much like us, was awed by his analysis.

“I’ve been in the business of selling wands for three hundred years. If I can’t tell what my customers prefer by now, maybe it’s time to quit.” He chuckled, taking out yet another wand, pale wood with red lines stretching across. “Try this one.”

“Okay?” Alice took it, handing back the old one. “Hmm. It’s just heavier.”

“Hold it firmly,” he said, a sly smirk shying in the corner of his mouth. “Transform.”

The red lines gleamed before the wand morphed into Alice’s rapier, easily recognisable by the markings stretched across the blade.

“Woah! My sword,” Alice said, easily impressed.

“Not. . . quite,” he mumbled. “The wand itself has the ability to transform on command, turning into an elven blade of choice. Quite useful for self-defence.”

“I love it,” Alice said, looking along the edge. “Damn, I can’t tell the difference.”

“It’s a perfect copy, although it has a few flaws, such as limited spells that are typically enchanted,” he explained.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“But so long as I learn them myself, this wand allows me to carry a sword at all times, doesn’t it?” Alice asked, despite the answer being somewhat obvious.

“That’s right. So long as you learn.”

“I’ll take it,” Alice said without a second thought.

“You sure?” I asked. “There might be better ones lying around.”

“Are you asking me to pick between a wand and a sword?” She smirked, turning back to the shopkeeper. “How much?”

“Such passion,” he chuckled. “The wood is rare and quite durable. Enchantments on it are solid as well. Let’s say a hundred and twenty gold.”

Quite the sum.

“I’ll take it,” Alice said, refusing to haggle.

They quickly sorted out payment while we looked around for a bit.

“Alright, who’s next?” he asked.

“Rose?” My gaze shifted, catching her staring at an odd glass container with slimy teal liquid inside, a prosthetic eye floating in the middle.

“Hmm? Oh, sure.” She shrugged, appearing a bit disinterested.

“What a gentleman,” the shopkeeper said, turning his attention to her. “Let’s see. Young, brimming with magic, and mix raced.”

His observational skills were impeccable. Rose was more than capable of fooling even my grandfather with her shapechange.

“What gave it away?” Rose asked, her tone calm.

“Admittedly, I got freaked out by your silent footsteps. Despite my age, I can still hear quite well. Even hers were audible.” He gestured with an open palm facing upward toward Alice. “Yet yours threw me off. You’ve even stepped on a squeaky board and produced no sound. So I had to make sure.”

His eyes gleamed, emphasising his use of magic.

“I see. . .” Rose muttered, averting her gaze back to the container.

“It seems something caught your eye,” he said, making me chuckle, although I don’t believe it was intentional.

“It feels like we’re being watched,” she admitted, turning the container around. However, forcing it to look away didn’t work as the eye spun around, making everyone but Alice jump.

“Well, it’s important to keep an eye on things while I’m away.” He giggled, albeit a bit unpleasant to listen to. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Wand. I got just the thing,” he said, taking out a slender spiral dark wood wand. “The mana crystal used for enchantment contained hellhound blood, making it quite the powerful tool. The spells on it are numerous, yet all quite common and easy to cast. Cantrips mostly.”

“Sounds expensive. . .” Rose mumbled, glancing at Penelope.

“How much?” Penelope asked.

“Five hundred,” he said, shocking us.

“We’ll take–” Penelope was about to accept, but Rose cut her off, grabbing her hand.

“That’s– I don’t feel comfortable spending that much. Especially since it’s your money,” Rose admitted.

“It’s our money, remember? Mother gave me extra because you refused to take it,” she explained, gazing into Rose’s eyes. “It’s fine.”

“No. No, it’s not,” Rose persisted.

Penelope sighed, wishing to avoid an argument while in front of others. Naturally, the two quarrelled from time to time, but I never expected Rose to be difficult over accepting money.

“If the girl doesn’t feel comfortable spending so much, then why don’t we make a deal?” Shopkeeper asked. “Would you perhaps like to work here an hour or two a day for the rest of the year? My old age impaired my vision, so I have difficulty sorting stuff out. I wouldn’t mind a helping hand.”

“That’s anywhere between a gold piece to three an hour. Why would you–?” Rose asked, taking a good look around.

“Good help deserves good pay, wouldn’t you agree?” He turned back to the counter, occasionally glancing at me while shuffling through the box. “Besides, life wasn’t meant to be a struggle.”

His words struck deep, making me wonder if he had already figured out that Rose came with a dark past.

“Rose, you don’t have to–” Penelope said but stopped herself, letting out a sigh. “You already know what I’m going to say, so I’ll leave the decision to you.”

“Thank you.” Rose winsomely smiled, turning back to the shopkeeper. “I’ll take it.”

“Great!” he yelled, pulling out another oak wood wand. “Feel free to come in any time you’d like, so long as it’s between morning and late afternoon. I close down at six. The more we get done, the less you’ll have to do later.”

While talking to Rose, he handed me the wand.

“I’ll do my best,” Rose said, satisfied with her exchange.

The shopkeeper nodded, then turned his full attention toward me.

“Apologies,” he said.

“No, no. It’s fine,” I chuckled.

“Well-built, swordsman by nature, and–” He suddenly stopped talking, readjusting his glasses. “Well, that doesn’t seem right. . .”

“What doesn’t?” I asked, a nervous smile showing as I feared someone had already figured out my gift despite Sylphena’s best efforts.

“Are you perhaps feeling a bit tired?” He asked, an odd question might I add.

“N– no?” I raised a brow in confusion.

“How peculiar,” he mumbled, stroking his chin.

“Our friend’s just like that,” Ron said, putting a hand on my shoulder with a smug smile, clearly planning something. “Honestly, you shouldn’t bother helping him much. His skill with the wand is so appalling that it’s easier for him to cast without.”

“Interesting. . .” Shopkeeper kept mumbling.

“I’ll help you practice if you want,” Penelope offered.

“Mind if I join? Could use the practice,” Alice asked, rising up on her tiptoes.

Penelope curiously glanced at Alice and then back at me before nodding. “I don’t see why not.”

Alice was ecstatic, a smile stretching from ear to ear.

The shopkeeper cleared his throat. “Sorry to intrude, but could you do me a favour and cast a spell using the wand?”

“Right. Any spell?” I asked.

“Perhaps one you’ve cast before using a wand,” Penelope suggested. “Levitate’s probably the best choice.”

“Sure. . .” I said, feeling a bit pressured not to mess up. “Levitate.”

Fearing I’d break something, I aimed the wand at Ron for making fun of me, lifting him in the air no more than knee high; though, the spell soon went out of control, causing him to spin wildly, albeit somewhat slowly.

“Woah! What?! Wait!” He started to panic, spinning in circles. “Stop! Let me down. No, wait! Don’t drop me!”

He put up some resistance, making it harder to control the spell and inevitably breaking it.

“Levitate!” Penelope was quick to react, catching him before he hit the floor, lowering him safely.

“Ugh. . . My insides feel displaced,” Ron kept groaning, pushing up slowly.

“You okay?” I asked, walking over to give him a hand.

“Yeah. . . I’m not sure if I hated it or loved it, but the idea was great,” Ron admitted.

“Would you like me to try again?” I smirked, feeling a bit like an asshole.

“No, no. . . I’m fine,” he awkwardly chuckled, accepting my hand.

“And you’ve always struggled using a wand?” Shopkeeper asked.

“Haven’t used it often, but yes. Casting without a wand seems easier,” I said, turning to an empty crate. “Levitate.”

The crate lifted steadily off the ground, resting gently atop the counter with my guidance.

“And you’ve mentioned you don’t feel tired. . .” he kept stroking his chin. “How odd.”

“May I ask why you think I’d be fatigued?”

“Your mana flow seems to be at odds with itself, like a contradicting power. Do you perhaps know how to use Aura?”

“No, I don’t.”

“So you are cursed?” Ron asked, holding onto his stomach.

“No, no. . . Nothing like that,” Shopkeeper said, humming. “Mana gathers around you strangely, almost like– Hmm. . . Let’s try this. I’ll be right back.”

He left the room through the back door, leaving us alone again. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we all refrained from saying anything, knowing there were eyes and perhaps ears on us as well. Soon he returned with another similar-looking wand, handing it over to me.

“Amm. . .” I mumbled, staring at the wand, failing to see the difference.

“What are you waiting for? Cast the spell.” He looked at me oddly.

“Okay. . .” I turned to Ron and smirked, chuckling at his eyes going wide before turning back to the crate. “Levitate.”

I tried being as gentle as possible, controlling how the box floated to the best of my ability. It went well, but the spell broke a few seconds later.

“Damn. . . That was hard,” I admitted, having trouble maintaining the spell.

“It should be. The wand’s broken,” Shopkeeper said.

“What?” I furrowed my brows.

“It functions like any other wand, but because the enchantment shattered so many times, it became defective. It no longer holds the spells a regular wand would, and it’s a good tool for practising control. Although the wand itself is fairly weak.”

“I’m not sure my control’s the issue. . .”

“It’s not, but making it harder to cast helps offset your power’s disbalance. You’ll need to put more effort into casting, but it shouldn’t hinder you during class, and you’ll get to practice along the way. Sadly, it’s the best I can do with such limited information. You truly are an oddity.”

“That’s fine. Thank you.”

“I don’t get it. Why not just cast without a wand?” Ron asked.

“Wouldn’t he stand out too much if he was the only one wandless?” Alice spoke up.

“She’s right,” Penelope agreed.

“How much?” I turned to the shopkeeper.

“Nothing. . .” he brushed me off.

“Huh? I have to pay you something,” I insisted.

“Selling a defective wand would ruin my reputation as a wandmaker. Imagine a blacksmith selling a cracked sword,” he explained. “Besides, you can buy a normal wand once you’ve figured out what’s disrupting your flow.”

“Then I’ll be sure to repay this kindness,” I said, accepting the wand.

“We should get going. Don’t want to miss lunch,” Alice said, making Rose’s eyes gleam for a second before she averted her gaze shyly upon realising I had caught a glimpse of her excitement at the mention of food.

“You’ve said it,” Ron agreed.

We thanked him and left, but the question of why I struggled with a wand remained unanswered. Sadly, telling others about Sylphena’s gift wasn’t an option, but there was a chance Professor Geron could help, seeing as he knew about my gift. The mystery served as living proof of the Professor’s preaching during class about how a mage’s life never gets boring, plagued with infinite questions that may never get answered.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.