On the mainland of Agendas, nearly every town is home to a Mage Guild, a Swordsman Guild, and a Mercenary Guild. These institutions foster communication and collaboration among magicians, swordsmen, and mercenaries, creating a vibrant network across the continent.

  Stan City's Mage Guild is situated in the Lanercost District. Unlike the grand Mercenary Guild or the bustling Swordsman Guild, the Mage Guild appears modest—a two-story building with a rather unremarkable facade. Despite the high regard in which magicians are held, the number of practitioners is strikingly low; in a city of hundreds of thousands, there are barely a hundred magicians.

  The entrance to the guild feels almost deserted. A few magical items, such as parchment, magic ink, and wands, can be purchased here, but they are primarily used by the magicians themselves. Unlike the Swordsman Guild or Mercenary Guild, where members frequently meet and challenge one another, the magicians tend to keep to their own circles.

  "I want to buy a wand," Martin said, stepping into the quiet hall alongside Debbie.

  As he surveyed the surroundings, he noted the sparsely furnished interior. A lone recliner held an old man dressed in a black robe, who appeared more interested in his wine than his surroundings. He was humming a tune, taking occasional sips from a small jug.

  The old man’s gaze shifted toward Martin. "Hey? You’re Martin, aren’t you?"

  "Do you know me?" Martin was taken aback. He hadn't expected to be recognized, even in a city with so few magicians.

  "I’m Basgen," the old man announced, rising from his seat with surprising energy. "Word travels fast! You defeated Kerry, that fourth-order swordsman, using a magic scroll. It’s the talk of the town! And Busca, that old fool, still has the nerve to send me to check on his worthless son."

  Debbie leaned closer to Martin and whispered, "That’s Basgen! I’ve heard Dad mention him. He’s a fifth-order mage, well-known for his healing magic."

  Martin felt a new level of respect for Basgen. "Mr. Basgen, I’m looking to buy a wand."

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  Basgen’s expression brightened. "I heard you were rescued from Busca and his son not long ago. If you’re here for a new wand, the city will cover the cost since your previous one was ruined. Feel free to choose whatever you like."

  "Really?" Martin’s face lit up at the prospect. The idea of getting a new wand without spending his own money was tempting, especially for someone who had just faced a harrowing experience.

  But as he considered the offer, a shadow of disappointment crossed his mind. A wand for a life-threatening ordeal? Surely, he deserved more than that.

  Basgen seemed oblivious to Martin's hesitation. "Just a moment; I’ll fetch the wands from the inner hall," he said, disappearing behind a door.

  As soon as he left, Debbie exclaimed, "Wait! Look over there!"

  "What’s wrong?" Basgen asked, tilting his head in curiosity as he turned back.

  Debbie pointed at a mirror hanging on the wall. "There’s something in it!"

  Martin approached the mirror, intrigued. Reflected in the glass was a tall figure, but more fascinating was the blue crystal glowing within it—an ethereal object that didn’t seem to exist in the physical world. He glanced around, confirming that nothing was amiss in the hall.

  Debbie waved her hand in front of the mirror, trying to grasp the crystal. Her palm passed through, as if the glass were merely an illusion.

  Basgen chuckled. "Ah, that’s a magic crystal. A senior magician who visited our guild left it there. He hid it as a challenge: whoever can retrieve it from the mirror gets to keep it."

  Martin raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. "And you think I can just take it?"

  Basgen shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You never know until you try."

  Martin’s mind raced. He understood the mechanics of basic space magic, and he recognized that the crystal was likely secured by a simple spatial matrix—not locked, just waiting for someone to push through.

  Debbie urged him on, her excitement palpable. "Come on, Martin! Just try!"

  With a deep breath, Martin reached out. His fingers touched the mirror, and he felt a strange sensation, as if he were pushing against a gentle current. He remembered the door he had once encountered while trying to crack a space ring. This was similar, albeit simpler.

  Gathering his focus, he pushed against the surface, and to his astonishment, his hand slipped through as if the mirror were a calm lake. He felt the crystal within reach, and with a swift motion, he plucked it from its magical confines.

  As he pulled his hand back, holding the shimmering crystal, Debbie stared in disbelief. "Wait, you actually got it? That was too easy! It must not be worth anything!"

  But as Martin examined the crystal, he realized its significance went beyond mere monetary value. This was a tangible embodiment of his potential—a reminder that sometimes, the greatest challenges could yield unexpected rewards.