Martin stared at the magic crystal that had suddenly materialized in his hand, his expression shifting from confusion to disbelief. Was this truly worthless? He had expected something far more significant.

  Frustrated, he recalled the previous day when he had attempted to crack the space ring. He had perceived a door within the ring and spent the night trying to push it open. Today, he saw what appeared to be a mirror of the space magic matrix, and he easily envisioned the door, allowing him to push it open effortlessly.

  To him, this seemed like a simple task. But Martin was unaware that no second-order mage would ever attempt to crack a space ring; that was a feat reserved for senior magicians. The ability to visualize the door within the space matrix was an extraordinary skill that required a profound understanding of magical characters and matrices.

  Martin’s success stemmed from his background as a programmer, which had given him a unique perspective on visualizing complex arrays and characters. This innate ability translated surprisingly well into the world of magic. Despite possessing only average magical aptitude, he exhibited a level of magical intuition that many magicians spend their lifetimes developing.

  Just then, footsteps echoed in the hall. It was Mr. Basgen, wand in hand, returning to the room. Martin quickly pocketed the magic crystal, realizing that it was merely a trinket. What truly piqued his interest was the wand, which was a fundamental tool for any magician.

  Basgen produced a dozen wands, each meticulously arranged on a round table. With a smile, he gestured to Martin, “Choose one.”

  Wands were essential for releasing spells, acting as a medium through which a magician could channel their power. Without a wand, a novice magician was no different from an ordinary person. The materials used to craft wands often included magical trees like the Morgan Tree, Blood Carving Tree, and others, while magical cores made from materials like dragon blood were highly sought after.

  However, the wands Basgen presented were of common quality, suitable only for low-level magicians.

  “Wands are like swords for magicians. Each mage must find one they resonate with. The wand will often choose its owner, allowing you to accurately channel your magic,” Basgen explained, encouraging Martin to experiment with each wand.

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  “Alright,” Martin replied, eagerly picking one up.

  Having spent three months in confinement, Martin had gained a new understanding of magic. He had created various new spells based on his experiences, inscribing them onto parchment as magic scrolls. Each spell, recorded in his memory, was ready for testing.

  As he grasped the wand, excitement surged within him. He couldn’t wait to unleash his newfound spells.

  “Four Times Lightning,” he thought, focusing intently on the incantation. With a gentle wave of his wand, he summoned the spell.

  A crackling bolt of lightning erupted from the end of the wand, illuminating the room in a brilliant blue-white flash. The air hummed with energy, and a sense of raw power filled the space.

  Basgen’s eyes widened with surprise. This spell was formidable!

  But then disaster struck. The wand shattered under the strain of the spell, splintering into pieces. Martin released the remnants and felt a jolt of energy travel through his arm.

  Silence enveloped the room.

  Then, with a swift kick, Basgen scolded, “What were you thinking? You can’t just unleash a powerful attack spell like that while testing a wand! Look at what you’ve done!”

  Martin blinked in confusion, rubbing his sore palm. He couldn’t fathom why the spell had destroyed the wand. “I’m not sure what went wrong. It worked perfectly with the magic scrolls…”

  His thoughts raced. Perhaps the wand had been defective?

  Basgen, maintaining his composure, thought to himself, “I might need to inform the Mage Guild about the quality of these wands.” He smiled at Martin. “It’s alright. Let’s try another wand. Just avoid the attack spells for now.”

  “Understood,” Martin said, determined to continue.

  To Basgen’s astonishment, Martin effortlessly executed the life magic spell [Breeze], manipulating the air around him with a grace that was rare for a novice.

  With each spell he attempted, Martin became more adept, finally selecting a wand made of paulownia, adorned with flamingo feathers. Feeling confident, he left the hall, having forgotten all about the magic crystal.

  Basgen resumed his seat, closing his eyes to rest.

  As the day wore on, a weary-looking seventeen-year-old mage entered the guild hall. Basgen recognized him immediately.

  “Obert, you’re back,” he said, greeting the young man.

  “Mr. Basgen, I need to try again,” Obert replied, his eyes eager yet fatigued as he approached the mirror.

  Obert, the son of the president of the Stan City Mage Guild and a third-order magician, had been struggling with the magic crystal. Despite being the most talented mage in Stan, he knew his skills paled in comparison to those of mages from larger cities. The magic crystal had become a source of frustration for him, a challenge he was determined to overcome.

  Suddenly, Obert’s voice rang through the hall, “Mr. Basgen… the magic crystal… it’s gone!”

  “What?” Basgen exclaimed, taken aback. The implications were staggering.