Ollivander's Choice (Part 2)

When Ares's fingertips touched the handle of "Eternal Cycle," time itself seemed to freeze for an instant.

Then, an indescribable sensation surged through him like a tidal wave! It was not the domineering, forceful infusion of power he had felt from Tom, but a deeper, more ancient resonance. The light and dark magic within him seemed to have found their long-lost other half, rushing forth with joyful abandon, perfectly merging with the blazing rebirth of the phoenix ash and the cold, penetrating insight of the Thestral tail hair inside the wand.

The Blood Pact Mark beneath his left eye suddenly burned hot, emitting a soft, persistent golden glow.

Without a single wave, the wand itself began to radiate a strange brilliance. The deep gray and pale gold spiral patterns seemed to come alive, slowly swirling. From the wand's tip, no single beam of light burst forth; instead, two interwoven streams of energy emerged simultaneously—one warm and dazzling, like a phoenix's tail feathers in a golden halo; the other cold and profound, like a Thestral's wings under moonlight in a silver mist.

The golden light and silver mist did not devour each other. Instead, like the double helix structure of DNA, they coiled and spun in harmony, rising within the cramped shop and illuminating every corner. The air filled with two scents at once—one of warm grass and wood baked by sunlight, the other of cool moss from deep in a rain-soaked forest.

The light was not blinding, but it carried a majesty and antiquity that struck straight at the soul. The towering stacks of wand boxes on the walls seemed to tremble faintly, emitting a low hum, as if paying homage to this one-of-a-kind wand.

Mr. Ollivander's mouth hung open. His moon-like eyes were wide, filled with unprecedented shock and fervor. "Merlin's beard..." he almost groaned, "I have never seen... never! Light and dark, life and death, so balanced, so... symbiotic! It has chosen you! Without a doubt! You are the master it has been waiting for!"

Dumbledore stood quietly to the side, his expression a complex tapestry. He watched the strange phenomenon of light and dark intertwining, watched Ares's profile—made more sacred and more mysterious by the glow—and especially the blazing Blood Pact Mark. The traits of this wand echoed too clearly with the boy's origins, with that tangled past of light and dark, love and regret. This was no coincidence.

Tom gripped his own Yew Wand tightly, his knuckles white. He watched the magnificent phenomenon triggered by the wand in Ares's hand, watched the harmonious coexistence of light and dark, and then compared it to his own wand's aggressive, ominous red glow. For the first time, a nameless emotion—a mix of jealousy and profound confusion—surged within him. Why? Why could Ares always possess things that seemed... contradictory yet perfectly unified?

The light lasted nearly a minute before slowly receding, finally merging completely into the wand. The shop returned to its previous dimness, but the strange resonance lingered, refusing to fade.

Ares held "Eternal Cycle," feeling it as if it were a part of his own body, an extension of his will. He could clearly sense the two powerful, opposing forces within it, flowing obediently under his command.

"Remarkable! Utterly remarkable!" Ollivander was beside himself with excitement, looking at Ares as if he were a rare treasure. "'Eternal Cycle'... Legend says its wood was born where extreme emotion and magic collided, and its core transcends the boundary of life and death! It only chooses souls that carry immense contradictions within, deeply understand sacrifice, and can remain clear-headed amidst pain! Mr. Phoenix, you are destined for extraordinary deeds!"

He turned to Dumbledore, his tone grave with utmost seriousness: "Professor Dumbledore, you have brought two... extremely unusual young men today."

Dumbledore nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on Ares and the wand in his hand, his voice calm: "Every wand's choice reveals a part of its owner's essence. Thank you, Mr. Ollivander."

After paying (Ares's wand was expensive, but he had just withdrawn enough Galleons from the vault), the two boys took their wand boxes and walked out of Ollivanders Wand Shop.

The sunlight outside was somewhat harsh. Tom walked ahead in silence, his back seeming more tense and isolated than when they had arrived. Ares's wand, and Ollivander's pointed words, had lodged like a thorn in his proud heart. He had thought himself unique, the chosen one selected by a powerful and special wand. But Ares's "Eternal Cycle" had revealed a kind of "harmony" he could not understand, one that even felt vaguely threatening.

Ares could sense Tom's low mood, but he had no time to dwell on it. He was immersed in the joy of obtaining a wand truly his own and in contemplating the future. "Eternal Cycle"... The name itself was steeped in a sense of destiny.

"A wand is a wizard's most important companion," Dumbledore's voice sounded from beside him as he walked between the two boys, his gaze calmly fixed on the street ahead. "They not only cast magic but also reflect our choices. How you wield this power depends on you."

His words seemed meant for both of them, but Ares felt they were more of a reminder for Tom.

The rest of the outing took on a subtle tension. They went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where the short, plump, and kindly witch took their measurements. Tom remained silent throughout, following instructions mechanically, his eyes cold. Ares tried to lighten the mood with casual conversation with Madam Malkin.

Next, they visited Flourish and Blotts to buy the required textbooks. Tom quickly and precisely found every book on the list, including Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, which he showed particular interest in. Besides the textbooks, Ares also picked out a few extra books on A History of Magic and introductory Runic script.

After purchasing miscellaneous items like scales, telescopes, and a Brass Cauldron, they finally arrived at Eeylops Owl Emporium. Tom stared for a long time at a large, fierce-looking Eagle Owl, but in the end, he chose a less conspicuous black owl with an especially sharp gaze.

"It's quiet, and... not easy to notice," Tom explained flatly, as if speaking to no one in particular.

Ares had no particular preference for birds, but encouraged by the system, he chose a Snowy Owl with pure white feathers that looked especially beautiful and spirited. When he reached his hand toward the cage, the Snowy Owl affectionately rubbed its beak against his fingers.

[Wow! Host! (★ ω ★) It's so cute! Let's take it! It can help us deliver letters later!]

As the sun began to set, painting Diagon Alley in a warm golden hue, their shopping finally came to an end. Both boys carried large bags and parcels, and Tom also held the cage with his black owl.

Standing before the back wall of the Leaky Cauldron, ready to leave this dreamlike place, their moods could not have been more different.

Tom turned back to look at the still-bustling street. A cold flame burned in his black eyes. He had obtained the ticket to power, glimpsed a wider world, and the ambition within him grew like a watered poison vine, wild and unchecked. He wanted to control all of this.

Ares also looked back, his heart filled with anticipation for the future and a trace of unease. He had a wand, a companion (though dangerous and complicated), and clues to uncover his own secrets. He knew the road ahead would not be smooth.

Dumbledore tapped the brick wall with his wand once more. The archway slowly closed, hiding the noise and magic of Diagon Alley once again.

They passed through the Leaky Cauldron and re-emerged onto the gray, Muggle London streets.

On the way back, all three were silent. Tom was immersed in his ambition, Ares pondered the box in the vault and the meaning of his wand, while Dumbledore, with his blue eyes that could see through people, observed these two children about to enter Hogwarts—children destined to be anything but ordinary.

The Hogwarts Express awaited them, and their legend was only just beginning.