Mottled colors gathered before Annan's eyes. When his vision cleared, he stood in a crooked alley.
The passersby wore old-fashioned mage and wizard robes. He himself had become short and small, like a goblin—or perhaps the big oaf beside him just made him look that way.
The big oaf led him to a shabby little shop. The sign above the door was nearly illegible: Lycamdo: Magic Wand shop, operating since Saint Laurent Calendar 696.
As they entered, the bell above the door gave a pleasant chime. The shop was cramped, its shelves reaching the ceiling like a library. A large shooting range occupied one side.
The big oaf who had brought him vanished. Then a ladder slid across the floor, carrying an old man.
"Mr. Potter... at last, we meet..."
"You know me?"
"Yes, yes. Not only you. I knew your father and mother, too. It seems like only yesterday they bought their first Magic Wand here..."
With that, the old man turned and pulled a wooden box from a shelf. Inside was a musket that had long been gathering dust.
"First-Generation Magic Musket. 3.4 inches long. One shot, one reload. Sturdy and reliable, with an indomitable Machine Spirit. Nothing better for holding a position," he said gently.
Annan took the Magic Musket, which was nearly as tall as he was, aimed at the first target and pulled the trigger.
Bang—
The muzzle kicked up, nearly striking Annan's chin. Fifty meters away, the bull's-eye vanished.
That frightened the old man into snatching the Magic Musket from Annan's hands.
"This one won't do. Let me look again... Ah, here we are." The old man brought out another Magic Musket, about the same length but much thicker.
"Magic Revolving Musket. 2.8 inches long. It swept through Allen after its debut and became