Ability is a poor man's wealth.
~ M. Wren
Old Vladimir walked towards the podium and Jiya and Alex followed after him. With a flick of his wrist, the velvet cloth landed on the floor and the object underneath was unveiled. Both of their mouths dropped open.
Inside a small glass enclosure, there was an odd-looking wooden stick, which actually looked like seal stamp, carved with various intricate symbols, that was floating inside a glowing orb. It was a sight to behold and admire.
"What… what is it?" Jiya stuttered with surprise and admiration.
"Your most precious partner", the old man gesture dramatically, "The Whisper Wand."
"I expected something grander than this", Alex said with an obvious frown, "Never mind."
"It is not what it looks like", Vladimir let out a throaty chuckle, "There is more to it, child."
"There is more to it?" Jiya asked, more than surprised.
"Indeed", the old man said with smiling eyes.
Then, he proceeded to carefully remove the glass enclosure. He gestured towards Jiya, "Hold it. Are you Zodiac Gloves on? You need them to see the wand in its full glory."
"I have them on", Jiya nodded as she extended her right hand towards the orb. The moment she had her palm around the odd-looking wand, the glowing orb dissipated around her palm. For a brief moment, the symbols glowed before reverting to normal.
"Now what?" Alex asked with a frown.
"The wand only works at its full glory when the user as to do some offensive spells", the old man nodded at Jiya, "Her work is most probably with offensive spells. All these years, she played with secrets, now she can play with minds."
"I don't know any spells yet", Jiya said with confusion.
"I believe you do", the old man said with a wink.
"I… I think I do", she gave a nod, "But how do I do it?"
"No process is required", the old man shook his head, "Magic does not run through your blood."
"Then how?" she frowned.
"You have to control the magic in the wand", Alex answered.
"What is that supposed to mean?" her face twisted with confusion as her eyes flickered between Alex and Vladimir.
"You have to take charge of the wand; take control. Just like you use your hands as a part of the body, make the wand a body part to use it", the old man said.
"Just imagine that you have an extra limb", Alex said.
"An extra limb?" she mumbled as she looked at the wand carefully.
"This will come about slowly. Don't pressurize yourself. Remember, the wand can be used in its small form too", the old man explained.
"For a light spell?" she asked as she realized, her eyes sparkling.
The old man nodded with a chuckle while Alex flashed her an encouraging smile.
"The spell is quite offensive that I know of", Jiya said with a mischievous smirk as she glanced at Alex
Alex raised his eyebrows in surprise while the old man chuckled again.
Don't you dare! Alex hissed in her head.
She just smiled while the old man glanced at Alex, "Don't worry, child. I have counterspells to thwart."
Alex gave him a look which seemed to say, who is the child here?
Jiya cleared her throat, "Can I not see the wand in its full glory without casting spells?"
"Of course," The old man nodded with smiling eyes, "You can."
"How?" Jiya asked.
"Since magic is not your area of excellence, you need to use your concentration for this", Alex answered for her.
"Concentration? How do I do that?"
"You have to summon your will and thoughts and channel it into the wand", the old man said, "Like magic, your thoughts, can be summoned to and its easier than summoning magical powers. You don't have magical powers, but you do have your thoughts and will, don't you?"
"So? I just have to think that I want to see the wand in its full glory and channel the thought into it. Just that?" Jiya cocked her head to a side and asked.
"Yeah, and for that, you need to concentrate on your thoughts and use your imagination", Alex answered with a nod.
"I see", she nodded before looking at Alex sharply, "Don't you dare distract me."
"I won't dare", he replied with a mock display of respect.
"You must meditate if you have trouble with concentrating", the old man advised.
"I have", Jiya nodded with a helpless smile, "And Mom used to urge me to meditate, which I never did."
"You better follow my advice", the old man said with a stern nod. Then, he pointed at the Smitchwatch and said, "While practising with your powers, always put it on. It will notify you of your progress."
Jiya nodded while Alex let out a tired sigh.
"You must be quite tired, aren't you?" the old man glanced between Alex and Jiya.
They both gave a tired nod, drained of any enthusiasm that was flowing through them.
"Very well then", Vladimir said, brandishing the floor with his cane, "There is a room through the door in the right. I have three beds there. You two can use one each to rest while I cook up some delicacies."
They nodded and exited the door through which they came. As said, there was a door on the other side. Alex opened it and the door gave way to a large room. Three beds were placed in the far corner of the room. Both of them dragged in their tired bodies and sat down on two of the beds, facing each other.
"Go to sleep", Alex flopped down with his back on the bed.
"I can't sleep on an empty tummy", Jiya sighed as she leaned her head on the bedpost.
"Well, then", Alex adjusted himself on the white duvet, "I will sleep for a while. Notify me when the old' man is done." He tossed Jiya's bag on the floor.
Jiya slowly nodded as she took out the box of secrets from her pockets. Spells were really necessary at the moment.