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Chapter 4

Regardless, a wand had to be purchased, and Kain cautiously pushed open the door and entered.

Diana and Chris didn't accompany him, probably thinking that buying a wand could take a considerable amount of time, so after learning Kain was headed to Ollivanders, they took a detour to Gringotts.

...

The shop interior was much better than its exterior suggested. Though still looking antiquated and cluttered, it was significantly cleaner.

With the sound of a crisp bell, an old head with white hair appeared behind the counter at some point.

"Good afternoon, child."

Mr. Ollivander eyed Kain and asked somewhat peculiarly, "Are you here alone?"

"Yes." Kain replied, puzzled. "Is there a problem?"

"No, of course not," Ollivander shook his head, but as he spoke, Kain caught a glimpse of disappointment in his eyes.

Strange, why would a shopkeeper be disappointed by a customer?

"Must have been mistaken," Kain shook off the thought.

"Very well, young wizard."

Mr. Ollivander emerged from behind the counter and asked, "So, child, may I know your name?"

"Kain Jobber," Kain replied swiftly.

"Jobber..." Ollivander paused slightly, "And Mr. Chris is..."

"My father," Kain responded.

"Oh, of course..." Ollivander glanced out the shop door momentarily, then turned back and explained, "I mean, after all, the surname Jobber isn't common in the British magical world."

It was clear, the old man was definitely disappointed!

Kain saw it vividly, especially when he had just mentioned Chris was his father, the disappointment nearly spilled out of Ollivander's eyes.

Moreover, he started muttering to himself, repeating something about willow or beech wood, though Kain couldn't catch it all and didn't really care.

At this moment, Kain was entirely focused on obtaining his wand, not bothering with trivial details.

After giving his name, Kain promptly added, "Mr. Ollivander, I am right-handed."

He then stretched out his arms straight, making it easier for Ollivander to measure his height and arm length.

He knew the process well.

After measurements, the selection of the wand would begin, the most time-consuming part.

With thousands of wands in the shop, even Ollivander couldn't possibly pick the perfectly matched wand for a young wizard at first glance. It would be a process of narrowing down options and trying them one by one.

Kain was ready for it.

And trying wands, much like moving trash cans, was one of the things Kain looked forward to.

However, what Ollivander said next left Kain rather dumbfounded.

"Oh, child, that won't be necessary for you."

Without measuring or asking further details, Kain watched as Ollivander swiftly pulled a box from a prominent spot behind the counter, opened it, and slid it across to him.

The movements were fluid and decisive, without a moment of hesitation.

"What are you waiting for, try it!"

Seeing Kain hadn't moved, Ollivander urged him on.

"Ah? Oh, okay." Kain came to his senses and instinctively picked up the wand from the box.

It was a dark grey, smooth in appearance, with a simple handle and devoid of any unnecessary markings or decorations.

Very standard-looking.

Kain held the wand, and before he could even move, a burst of white light shot from the tip, filling the room, brightening the dim shop as if a skylight had opened overhead.

"Excellent, just excellent."

Ollivander appeared very excited, not waiting for Kain to ask but volunteering, "Thirteen and a half inches, cedar wood, phoenix feather. It's a truly magical combination."

"Magical combination?" Kain was puzzled.

"Yes, magical."

Ollivander explained patiently while watching Kain, "Cedar wood wands typically choose wizards who are insightful and possess sharp analytical abilities. These wizards are inherently calm, making every decision after deep thought. As my father used to say, you can never deceive a cedar wand wielder, a sentiment I deeply share."

"Thus, those who possess cedar wands generally prefer the stable and loyal unicorn hair. Phoenix feather is somewhat too assertive."

"In fact, I have crafted and sold thirty-six cedar wands; thirty of them contained unicorn hair cores, five had dragon heartstring, and the last one..."

Ollivander didn't finish, instead smiling and pointing at Kain.

"But, sir, didn't you say these materials aren't typically paired together? Why would you make it then?"

"The materials don't suit, so we don't make it? No, no, no, that's wrong. The wand chooses the wizard, child. Each wand, from the moment of its creation, is destined for its own master, just like they..."

Ollivander gestured towards the heaps of wand boxes behind him, smiling, "They are still here not because they're inadequate, but because their destined ones haven't arrived yet; they're just waiting for an owl from Hogwarts."

He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, the complete contradiction between the wand wood and core, yet performing perfectly in the hands of one wizard, that's the most fascinating part of wandlore.

Like the wand in your hand, your father Chris tried it, and so did your mother Diana, but they were just slightly off, just a bit.

So, when I learned of your birth, I've been waiting for this day. It's perfect, isn't it?"

Uh... yeah.

Kain nodded subconsciously.

The sense of it being an extension of his arm was indeed mesmerizing, making him instantly attached to his new wand.

Though the process differed from what he had anticipated, the outcome was satisfactory, and Kain was very pleased with his wand.

"So, child, seven Galleons."

Ollivander's smile widened.

"Okay." Kain took out the seven gold Galleons he had prepared and placed them on the counter.

The price for a first wand for new students was generally seven Galleons, a very reasonable rate in the magical world, applicable only to those just starting school.

After paying, Ollivander bowed slightly in farewell and watched Kain leave before turning to greet another young wizard and the accompanying adult who had just entered the shop.

"Oh, Mr. Thomas, good to see you again, eleven inches, hawthorn..."

(End of Chapter)

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