Wands

Although Ollivander seemed to be talking to Rosier, his eyes remained fixed on Wentworth. Before Wentworth could say a word, a magical measuring tape was already bustling around him.

Perhaps hearing Rosier mention Gregorovitch had struck a nerve with Ollivander, who considered himself Europe's finest wandmaker. Wentworth could clearly tell that Ollivander was taking the task far more seriously than he had in the original story.

"Are you right-handed or left-handed?"

"Right-handed, thank you!"

"How about this one? Eleven and a half inches, ash with Phoenix Feather. Absolutely loyal, born of absolute confidence. An ash wand would never accept a second master, because it believes its master is the greatest wizard of the age!"

Ollivander carefully took down a wooden box, pulled out a wand, and handed it to Wentworth with considerable confidence.

The moment the wand touched Wentworth's palm, a warm light, like the midday sun in June, suddenly blazed forth, illuminating Ollivander's Wand Shop.

Just as Wentworth was marveling at his good fortune in finding a wand that suited him at once, the light vanished just as quickly, as if it had never appeared. Ollivander and Wentworth stared at each other.

"Oh, well, never mind. This happens all the time. Some customers have to try seven or eight wands before they find the right one!"

"How about trying this one? Ten and three-quarter inches, an extraordinary combination: willow and Unicorn Hair. Willow wands choose owners with potential. My family has a saying: 'For the one who would travel far, willow will speed their journey.'"

When Wentworth took the new wand from Ollivander, a green light spiraled up his arm, and he felt refreshed from head to toe.

But as Wentworth wore a blissful expression and Ollivander watched with delight, the willow wand quickly dimmed again, returning to its ordinary appearance.

Wentworth looked at Ollivander in confusion and saw that Ollivander had furrowed his brow, muttering to himself.

"That can't be right. It makes no sense. I clearly felt the wand's joy. It should have been happy. Why would it stop responding?"

Rosier, who had been waiting nearby, was already getting impatient.

"Is it going to work or not? If you don't have a wand worthy of Wentworth, then stop wasting our time. You're not the only top wandmaker in Europe!"

Rosier had meant to put pressure on Ollivander, but when he heard her words, Ollivander's eyes lit up. He cried out in delight like a child.

"That's it! That's it! I understand! I finally understand!"

Ollivander cheerfully summoned a magical stepladder, climbed to the very top of the shop's storage shelves, and carefully took down a box.

Ollivander gently blew the dust off the box, then opened it. Inside lay a wand that looked rather crooked.

"This is?!"

Unexpectedly, Rosier was the one who reacted most strongly when the wand appeared. She let out a shriek, then clapped a hand over her mouth and stared wide-eyed. It was the first time Wentworth had ever seen Rosier act so undignified.

"Nine and a quarter inches, Elder Wood with Dragon Heartstring. Come on, child, give it a try. Quickly!"

If Rosier hadn't been right behind him, Wentworth might have turned and run from Ollivander in fright. At that moment, Ollivander had none of the air of Europe's finest wandmaker. He looked more like the wicked queen who tricked a princess into eating an apple.

When Wentworth cautiously took the wand from Ollivander, a flame suddenly flared at its tip. Then it burst apart in all directions around the wand, like a fireworks display.

There was no need to say anything. Wentworth knew this was his wand!

"Elder is a rare wand wood, harder to master than any other. It disdains wizards who lack the ability to wield it. Wands with Dragon Heartstring cores are the most likely to turn to Dark Magic, and they're also more likely to change allegiance."

"This was one of my early works. Back then, I was obsessed with making the most powerful wand and had yet to understand that the most suitable wand is the most powerful one. That's why this wand has sat unused for so many years. But it does have one advantage: it's powerful! Undeniably powerful!"

"Wands with Dragon Heartstring cores produce powerful, dazzling spells, and Elder Wood will continue to amplify that power. With a wand this powerful, a wizard need only worry about one thing: whether he can master it!"

Ollivander gazed at the wand in Wentworth's hand, his eyes dreamy and rapt.

Suddenly, Ollivander seemed to come to his senses. He looked at Wentworth strangely and asked:

"Do you know why the other wands accepted you at first, only to stop responding in the end?"

Wentworth slowly shook his head, looking utterly bewildered.

Ollivander continued to study Wentworth strangely. He didn't explain until Rosier behind them was beginning to lose her temper.

"Because they weren't worthy!"

Wentworth froze, then hurriedly explained:

"Mr. Ollivander, please don't misunderstand. Grandma Rosier wasn't looking down on your wands. She was just getting impatient. I've always believed your wands are the best in the world!"

Wentworth thought Ollivander was still angry about Rosier's earlier remark, so he hurried to explain. After all, he hadn't bought the wand that suited him perfectly yet!

"Of course my wands are the best in the world! They weren't worthy—that's what they said themselves!"

What?!

Wentworth and Rosier looked at each other, both utterly bewildered.

"They accepted you at first, but when they resonated with you, they backed down. They felt they weren't worthy of you!"

"What made them feel unworthy of you, I couldn't say. Perhaps it was your talent, perhaps your ambition! Whatever the reason, they all gave up in the end!"

Wentworth was dumbfounded by Ollivander's words, while Rosier watched him with a gleam in her eyes.

Just as one would expect of the future leader of our Acolytes! His ambition is so immense that even the wands can sense it! But that's only fitting! Just like Master in his day! The king of wizards, boundlessly audacious!

Broke author, begging for votes!

Dear readers, please be kind and toss me a vote or two!

Thank you, everyone!