The light at the wand's tip was just like Lumos: soft, bright, and steady.
Zhang Xiao stared at that light and struggled to force his true feelings out of his throat.
"Holy shit!"
Only now had all his vague suspicions finally become reality.
Lumos was the simplest of spells, a basic spell that even young wizards who had only just received their wands could master after a few attempts.
Yet it also represented the most fundamental truth of magic.
So... spells didn't actually need incantations? They were based purely on the caster's subjective intent?
Was that why Ron could cast the Levitation Charm even with the wrong incantation, why Transfiguration came down to "I think," and why Professor Flitwick had given me that well-meaning advice and repeatedly stressed the three Ds?
So... that was why powerful wizards could easily do so many things without wands, like making clothes dance onto their hangers or teapots refill cups by themselves...
Then why did Professor Flitwick keep emphasizing incantations and gestures in Charms class?
What had he meant when he said the first year was a crucial time?
What was the point of everything I was learning at Hogwarts?
Some questions had been answered, but still more sprouted like shoots after the rain.
Zhang Xiao gripped his still-glowing wand tightly, lowered his head, and murmured almost inaudibly:
"...Fuck..."
The long dining table was laden with dishes Molly had lovingly prepared. Zhang Xiao did his best to act normal and enjoy this happy moment with everyone.
Zhang Chengdao and Li Qingshu exchanged a subtle glance. Their son's unusual behavior clearly hadn't escaped their notice.
This obviously wasn't a good time to investigate. The couple set aside their questions and, like their son, chose to enjoy dinner in peace.
Apart from Bill and Charlie,