Chương 103: The Wand

"Good morning, Mentor Manlin." Zelier greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, little one." Manlin was no longer surprised by Zelier's visits. She set down the watering can and poured him a cup of flower tea. Zelier accepted it respectfully with both hands and took a small sip. The tea carried a pleasant fragrance. After swallowing, its lingering taste slowly spread across his palate.

"Your performance during the Junior Mage assessment at the training grounds was excellent a few days ago." Manlin leaned against the table, a faint smile resting on her lips.

"You broke through to become a Junior Mage even faster than I expected. Very impressive." Being praised so directly by his mentor, Zelier scratched his head awkwardly.

"It wasn't as amazing as you make it sound, Mentor Manlin."

"Don't be so modest." Manlin chuckled and shook her head.

"Talent is one thing. Being able to turn that talent into actual results is another."

"You did very well, Zelier."

"Mentor Manlin." Zelier explained the reason for his visit.

"Since today is the beginning of the month, I wanted to ask if there are any mandatory commissions you need help with. I can take care of them for you." Hearing Zelier volunteer, the smile on Manlin's face grew warmer. There was even a hint of affection in her eyes.

"You're such a considerate child." She casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her head.

"Since you've offered, I won't refuse. Actually, it's nothing special. Just like last time, help me gather some herbs." As she spoke, Manlin began sketching quickly on a sheet of paper. Not long after, three vivid plant illustrations appeared. Then she took out a map from her drawer. Like before, it was extremely detailed, with the locations clearly marked. Zelier accepted it and looked over the contents.

The three plants were: [Flame-Blood Fruit] [Dew-Green Moss] [Orchid Mushroom] All plants he had never heard of before...

"Mentor Manlin, can I ask something else?" Zelier looked curious.

"What are these ingredients used to make?"

"Hmm..." Manlin hesitated slightly.

"It's not easy to explain clearly."

"I'm currently attempting to create a new potion, but it's still in the experimental stage."

"Oh..."

"Be careful when collecting the plants." Manlin reminded him.

"If you encounter a powerful monster guarding them, just leave immediately. Don't force yourself."

"Understood, Mentor Manlin." After receiving his monthly mandatory commission, Zelier headed to the Mage Guild's general affairs office. The moment he stepped into the hall, he immediately noticed an atmosphere completely different from before. Many mages who had been chatting or waiting in line turned their eyes toward him. The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"That's Zelier... the genius comparable to Caine."

"I saw his Junior Mage assessment that day. He was incredible."

"I really wonder how he managed to do it."

"If I went over to talk to him, would he reject me...?" Recalling Marven's words— You'll have to gradually get used to being discussed by others, Zelier. Zelier could only do his best to maintain his expression and act as naturally as possible.

"Zelier." Riely, the mage candidate who had been assessed by Marven that day, was also present. He walked over and extended his hand.

"Congratulations. You're officially a Junior Mage now."

"Thank you." Zelier shook his hand in a friendly manner.

"Your understanding of magic is truly incredible. I learned a lot from watching you." Riely's eyes burned with pure determination and respect.

"But I won't give up. I'll definitely catch up to you!"

"I'll be waiting." Zelier smiled. He actually admired this kind of pure competitive spirit. After waiting in line, Zelier once again used Manlin's letter of recommendation to collect his monthly allowance. Twenty gold coins entered his pouch. Zelier let out a long breath of relief. Finally... Finally, he had reached one hundred gold coins! From now on, he would never have to wave around a glorified firewood stick while doing commissions.

"Genius mage—" A clear voice with a deliberately drawn-out tone came from behind him. Zelier didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. When he looked back, he saw Bev walking toward him with her hands behind her back, her steps light and cheerful.

"Bev."

"Zelier, you really are a busy person." Bev stopped in front of him, slightly furrowing her pretty brows.

"After your assessment last time, I wanted to congratulate you right away."

"But before I could even catch up, you disappeared completely."

"Did we really need to celebrate...?" Zelier scratched his head.

"It doesn't have to be that troublesome, right?"

"How can it not?" Bev raised her voice and confidently lifted her chin.

"This is an honor."

"Let me tell you, if I had become a Junior Mage at your age, my father would have held a three-day celebration banquet at the manor."

"He would have invited every noble family in Blackstone Town!" Of course. Your family owns a mine. And you have a manor for banquets. If I celebrated, I'd probably just book a table at Nightflower Inn and call it a day. Zelier thought silently.

"Alright, alright." Bev waved her hand, no longer dwelling on the matter.

"Tell me quickly. What does becoming a Junior Mage feel like?"

"Does walking around feel different now? Like you have wind beneath your feet?"

"I don't really feel any wind." Zelier shook the heavy coin pouch in his hand, looking extremely satisfied.

"But receiving twenty gold coins every month does feel pretty amazing."

"Twenty gold coins are enough to make you this happy?" Bev asked.

"You don't understand how painful being poor is." Zelier's mood was excellent.

"I'd have to complete several dangerous commissions to earn this much."

"At least now I can finally replace my wand with something decent."

"Eh? Buying a wand?" Bev's eyes immediately lit up.

"Perfect!"

"Let's go choose one right now. I'll help you pick."

"Actually, I've wanted you to replace that wand for a while."

"A White Ash Wand is the most basic material available. The fact that it lasted through more than a month of constant commissions is already impressive." As she spoke, Bev naturally hooked her arm around Zelier's and pulled him toward the trading district.

"Wait... hold on." Zelier hurriedly stopped her.

"Won't helping me choose a wand interfere with your mandatory commission?"

"Ah, that boring thing can wait." Bev waved her other hand dismissively while still holding onto him.

"We have the whole day anyway."

"Taking care of important matters comes first."

"Come on, let's go!" Bev's enthusiasm left Zelier unable to refuse. The two of them arrived at the same wand shop where he had purchased his White Ash Wand before. The familiar bell above the door chimed softly. The shop owner was still the same kind elderly woman with white hair. She lifted her head from behind a thick ancient book. Seeing Bev and Zelier, she smiled and nodded.

"Welcome." This time, Zelier was no longer as timid as before. With much more confidence, he walked directly toward the display rack holding finished wands. The wands here were completely different from White Ash Wand materials. Their quality, craftsmanship, and materials were on another level. Zelier picked up a wand made from cedar wood. The wand was light yet sturdy, with delicate mana-conducting patterns carved along its surface. A water-blue aquamarine crystal was embedded at the tip.

The moment he gripped it, he could feel the surrounding water elements becoming slightly more active and friendly. So convenient... Zelier couldn't help but sigh inwardly. With a proper finished wand like this, his combat ability would rise dramatically. It was like giving a tiger wings. Just as Zelier was about to try another wand, Bev tugged dissatisfiedly at his sleeve.

"Come on, why are you always looking at beginner-level ones?" She pulled him deeper into the shop.

"Let's look at the better ones!"

"Eh... Bev, wait!" Zelier quickly grabbed her.

"My budget is only a little over one hundred gold coins."

"I'm already satisfied just choosing something here." At that moment, the old woman who normally only focused on reading finally stood up. She spoke kindly.

"The wands inside are indeed better."

"And some of them are currently discounted. You can take a look."

"Even discounted, they're probably still too expensive for me..." Zelier still felt uncertain. He remembered that ancient wand priced at six hundred gold coins last time. Even half price would still be far beyond what he could afford.

"It's fine." Bev casually patted the leather pouch hanging at her waist. A family crest was embroidered on it, and the sheer confidence it carried made her background obvious.

"Just choose the one you like."

"I'll cover the difference."

"How can I...?" Zelier immediately stopped and waved his hands.

"A good wand can easily cost several hundred gold coins. That's too expensive. I can't—""I already said this." Bev interrupted him.

"This is a gift to celebrate you becoming a Junior Mage."

"We're friends, aren't we?" Her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes looked directly at him.

"Don't refuse."

"This is a gift I sincerely want to give you."

"Friends..." Looking at Bev's serious expression, Zelier could no longer bring himself to reject her. A warm feeling slowly rose in his heart.

"Alright... then thank you first."

"Thank you, Bev." Hearing his sincere gratitude, Bev's confident attitude suddenly weakened. She turned away slightly, avoiding his gaze.

"Hmph..."

"You don't have to be so serious about it."

"Now... go pick your wand!" Although Zelier couldn't see her expression from behind, her slightly reddened ears revealed a little more of what she was feeling.