"Of course, wands are an extension of a magus's ability to use magic. God-tier magi can cast spells without relying on wands, so wands are typically of these two levels."
Owen was quick to catch the key words. "Typically? So you do have other levels?"
The old witch looked at Owen, her gaze as unblinking and intense as a tree, making Owen feel unnerved.
"What do you mean by looking at me like that?"
Suddenly, the old witch's fingers twitched, and arcanergy surged from her body.
The wall behind Owen cracked open, and a new wall emerged, filled with boxes the size of an arm, each containing a wand.
"If you want one, you'll have to find it yourself. It has a peculiar temperament."
Owen's mind stirred, and the power of his mind flowed forth.
The old witch seemed to sense it, casting a discreet glance at Owen.
He closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind to feel the power of the wands, trying to find the one of epic-tier.
As time ticked by, a tense expression appeared on Owen's face.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a flash of golden light sparkling briefly.
He pointed decisively at one particular wand.
Hidden among many boxes, the wand floated out, radiating a golden glow as if embodying the sun itself.
Owen felt the immense power contained within the wand.
It floated towards him, and he carefully picked it up, feeling it pulsating in his palm as if it were alive.
He took a deep breath and channeled all his strength to draw this power into his body.
This force was familiar to Owen – the power of the sun, the blessing given to him by the twelve elders of the dragon clan.
Attracted by this power, the golden core in his dantian slowly rotated, continually releasing the power of the sun, gently enhancing his body... not just physically, but also the arcanergy within him.
He felt an unprecedented boost in his magical powers, as if the entire world was within his grasp.
A flash of surprise, followed by a hint of loss and nostalgia, flickered in the old witch's eyes.
Owen held the wand, examining it closely.
The wand, the length of a forearm, was perfectly suited for a magus's hand.
Its main body was crafted from a rare purple-gold metal that shimmered enchantingly under the sunlight, as if imbued with endless magic.
The surface of the purple-gold metal was adorned with intricate patterns and designs, seemingly engraved with ancient magical runes, each detail brimming with mystique.
The grip was made from a type of wood Owen had never encountered before.
It was warm to the touch, smooth as jade, exuding a warmth in his hand that brought a sense of tranquility to his mind.
Owen knew this was exactly what he had been seeking.
"How much for this wand? I'll buy it."
The old witch's eyes held a complex expression as she slightly shook her head.
"Its owner left it here without mentioning a price. It's meant for whoever is destined to find it, and it seems you are the chosen one."
Owen, swinging the wand, felt the arcanergy within his body lighten: "Oh, what's the name of its owner?"
"Omos, the most successful light magus of the Grand Magus Academy. His mastery of solar attack magic is unfathomable."
Owen wasn't surprised; he could feel that the purple-gold metal of the wand was specifically meant for conducting light.
"Where is he now?"
"Dead."
"..."
A moment of silence enveloped them.
Erin asked, "How did he die?"
"Unknown. Some say he died trying to ascend to godhood, others say he died fighting an Eerie... Who knows? He was always a mysterious figure."
Owen gazed at the wand, slightly lost in thought. No wonder such a treasure was kept at the "Gate of Miracles."
"What's its name?" he asked, knowing the old witch would understand he was referring to the wand.
"Sunforged Tree."
The unusual name once again sent Owen into a thoughtful silence.
It seemed a rather hasty choice for a name.
The old witch's voice came again, in a neutral tone: "This wand is free of charge, but you'll have to pay for other items."
Owen and Erin went on a shopping spree in the magic shop, with Owen leaving still full of unanswered questions.
...
The following days were quite uneventful.
Waiting for the school term to begin, Owen spent his time in quiet cultivation.
There are three notable places in the Grand Magus Academy.
The main building, the tallest and most significant structure, serves as the central learning and administrative hub.
Then there's the library, one of the most important places for study.
A vast circular building, its walls are made of numerous stone slabs, each engraved with ancient magical scripts.
It's said to house three hundred thousand volumes, covering diverse magic from myriad races.
There's an old saying in the academy: memorize the library's entire collection, and you shall ascend to godhood.
However, no one has ever achieved this feat.
The record holder, who memorized seventy thousand books, is none other than the academy's principal, Kendo.
The laboratories, occupying an area almost as large as the library, embody the academy's motto:
"True knowledge comes from practice."
Generally frequented by research magi, the labs aren't of much relevance to Owen, so he hasn't explored them much.
The most intriguing area is the western sector of the school.
Reserved for battle magi, it's a training ground filled with forbidden zones.
While it's not currently accessible, Owen is determined to explore these forbidden grounds when he gets the chance.
...
For a dragon, a month passes in the blink of an eye.
The Grand Magus Academy began its term with great fanfare.
The entire campus buzzed with joy and anticipation as students and teachers eagerly awaited the new academic year.
Early in the morning, a large crowd of students and their families gathered at the school's main gate.
They wore splendid robes and held wands, their faces alight with excitement.
Some students brought their magical pets, which darted through the crowd, eliciting cheers and laughter.
The paths within the academy were adorned with colorful flags and lanterns, adding a festive touch to the campus.
Students used magic imaging stones to take photographs, capturing this unforgettable moment.
The opening ceremony was held in the main hall.
The hall was packed, with the principal and teachers seated on the stage, observing the students with a solemn yet kindly gaze.
This was Owen's first glimpse of Kendo.
His skin was pale and dry, with deep wrinkles etched on his forehead and around his eyes.
His sparse, grey beard was soft like silver threads.
Despite his aged appearance, his eyes sparkled with youthful vigor, filled with passion as he looked at the new students.
He wore round glasses, the lenses reflecting a faint light, giving him the air of a scholar.
Kendo was clad in a long robe, its color faded to a pale grey.
Owen paid little attention to his speech, instead noticing two familiar faces in the crowd.
One was Eldrich!
Although Eldrich also had white hair, he appeared much younger than Kendo.
The other was Elwin, the formidable figure Owen had encountered in the magic shop, who had subdued an Eerie with an enchanted box.
However, Elwin seemed to be half-asleep, his eyes slightly closed.
Eldrich seemed to sense someone observing him and quickly spotted Owen in the crowd.
"Grandmaster Eldrich, hello," Owen communicated silently with Eldrich.
His voice, however, entered Owen's mind: "Prince Saint, it has been a while."
Owen raised an eyebrow slightly.
Soul transmission?
"You can just think your response. I can sense the fluctuations of your mind power and understand what you're saying," Eldrich communicated back.
Owen bowed his head slightly, then asked a sharp question: "What does Professor Elwin teach?"
"Thunder magus, but that's not all. Sometimes he teaches some basic magic as well. Do you have a connection with Professor Elwin?"
"No, I witnessed Professor Elwin subduing an Eerie."
...
Silence, an endless silence.