Ethan’s request was simple, so simple it gave the shop owner a headache.
Most mages wanted wands that excelled in mana conductivity, mana enhancement material content, and durability.
More advanced users even wanted wands that reduced mana consumption, which on the battlefield could mean the difference between casting one more spell or none at all.
The second requirement usually had nothing to do with being lightweight.
Wands were typically somewhat longer than the user, irregular in shape.
Of course, smaller wands existed, but they were generally used by mages who focused on functional magic.
These mages didn’t prioritize spell power; they just needed to be able to cast the spell.
Since these types of mages were few, the stock of such wands was even scarcer.
The shop owner rummaged through his shelves for a while before finding a branch in a corner.
That’s right, in Ethan’s eyes, this thing was no different from a branch, or even chopsticks for that matter.
It was just a bit longer and had a grip, making it easy to hold.
“I’m truly sorry.
This is the only one I could find here that fits your criteria,” the shop owner said, feeling helpless.
After all, wands weren’t just for casting spells; some were even made to be incredibly beautiful and ornate, even the short ones.
Frieren closed her eyes and thought for a moment before looking at Ethan.
“It’s fine.
This one will do.” Although its quality wasn’t high, and it could even be a hindrance to Ethan, as they had discussed, the wand’s quality didn’t matter.
His only requirement was to have a wand and to be able to show it to others when necessary.
Besides, its appearance strongly resembled some wands from his memory.
He could even recall a certain boy with a lightning bolt on his forehead, shouting “Disarm!” while holding this “branch.” This also gave him a new idea.
Seeing that Ethan wasn’t opposed, Frieren almost said something but then decided against it.
She turned to the shop owner instead.
“We’ll take it then.
Next, please show us wands suitable for young, apprentice mages.” The shop owner was very familiar with this request.
Children using a wand for the first time didn’t really need a perfectly suited one; even Ethan’s current wand would have been fine.
But parents, by nature, always wanted to provide the best conditions for their children.
Ethan and Frieren were different.
They only bought wands that met their needs, partly because both were mages who prioritized logic, and partly because they were broke.
Yes, it was that simple.
They genuinely couldn’t afford very good wands.
Within their budget, they chose the one with the best value for money, completely disregarding its appearance.
“Very good.
You can go now,” Frieren said, handing Ethan the wand and practically kicking the shop owner out.
“I can’t go to that magic school, so you’ll have to go yourself.” At this moment, Frieren’s eyes were already drifting toward another area of the magic shop, which wasn’t overly crowded—the display case for newly released magical items of the week.
Incidentally, this was the reason for their limited budget.
Ethan had a feeling that the small cabin they lived in would need to be expanded.
If they didn’t expand, Frieren might not even have a place to sleep.
She kept bringing back junk, whether it was useful or not, filling their home.
Ethan, being only one percent of her age, often found himself doing the job of a parent to her, which was housework.
The initial flutter of emotion he felt upon first meeting Frieren had been completely replaced by the urge to swat her with a feather duster.
“Alright, alright, but you know the rules, Master.” “Of course, why would I buy on credit?
Hahaha.” She laughed without any emotion.
“The Association won’t allow me to do that anyway.” Oh, right.
Serie’s blockade on Frieren was quite comprehensive.
She could do business, but credit was out of the question.
But wasn’t this also a form of awkward affection?
After bidding farewell to Frieren, who had already darted towards the magical item display with sparkling eyes, Ethan sighed and headed straight for the magic school with his wand.
“Student Übel?” The staff member in charge of greeting parents checked the records and looked surprised.
“Student Übel was picked up by her parent an hour ago.” “Who?” Ethan’s heart tightened, but on second thought, Übel, though young, was very sensible.
She wouldn’t have left with a stranger without notifying Ethan.
“The registered name is—Üffie.
Student Übel calls her big sister.
Oh, are you Mr.
Ethan?
Ms.
Üffie left you an address.” Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.
Leaving the school’s security office, he immediately headed to the address the sisters had left.
When he found the two sisters, they were both happily eating cookies.
“You’re too late,” Üffie pouted, as if complaining, but the smile on her face was undeniable.
Looking at the boy, who seemed to have grown taller, her eyes were full of satisfaction.
“You’ve been studying with that legendary mage for the past year, so you haven’t been slacking off your training, right?” Learning with Frieren couldn’t be hidden from the villagers.
He had already sent a letter explaining the situation, though his interactions with the empire’s people were not included.
“Yes, I’m ready to register with the Magic Association.” As long as he learned a few signature spells, he would be qualified to register as an apprentice mage.
However, Frieren’s requirement was that he had to be rated as a fifth-level mage on his first try, or else he shouldn’t bother registering.
To be rated as a fifth-level mage, one had to have a certain amount of mana reserves to apply.
Mainly, she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Serie.
The competition for pride between this master and her disciple’s grandson never ceased for a moment.
He could have become a fifth-level mage long ago.
Due to his two passive skills, his current mana reserves were quite astonishing, far exceeding the requirements for a fifth-level mage.
However, starting from the fifth level, mana reserves were no longer considered the sole criterion for evaluation.
Instead, it was based on the mage’s overall abilities, with practical combat skills being the most important.
Serie was no pushover, and pure academics wouldn’t impress her.
Getting sidetracked, their conversation soon returned to Übel-chan.
However, for some reason, Übel seemed reluctant to talk to Ethan now.
Whether it was receiving the wand from him or greeting him, she was rather indifferent, lacking her former enthusiasm.
This gave Ethan a headache.
Had she entered her rebellious phase this quickly?
This child was only six years old!