Chapter 116 The New Wand
In the dead of night, Anton sat on the sofa in the living room, quietly looking at the city outside the window.
The hustle and bustle of the Muggle world always reminded him of his past life.
But he was somewhat surprised to find that some memories of his past life were gradually becoming blurry. Unless he intended to use the goblin's memory exploration technique to delve deep into his soul, some things were slowly fading away.
He was starting to forget the face of his girlfriend from his past life. This was the only thing worth mentioning from that life, because in his lonely and reclusive existence, she was the only person who had ever entered his life.
He was also starting to forget the rented room he had lived in, that dark and damp room where you could almost reach out and touch the building across from you after opening the window, a room that always smelled of mildew.
Now, he could barely recall its furnishings.
People change, emotions, memories, self-perception, desires, feelings...
Everything changes.
He drew the wand he had bought from Ollivanders Wand Shop, and countless sparks shot out.
Clearly, this wand was rejecting him.
This feeling had been growing stronger recently, intensifying daily ever since Dumbledore helped sever the connection with his original body's soul.
"You put too much pressure on yourself, I can see that." Anna had appeared by his side at some point, gently handing him a cup of warm herbal tea.
She gathered the hem of her pale green silk dress and sat quietly on the sofa, turning her head to look at Anton.
Anton pursed his lips and said nothing.
Being with this quiet girl was when he was most relaxed. He didn't need to think about how to speak so as not to appear impolite or not smart enough.
Anna understood him. She knew that this person, who was usually talkative, was actually someone who enjoyed quiet solitude.
"Sometimes, have you ever considered living for yourself?"
Anton looked up, stunned, "Living for myself?"
"Yes." Anna nodded gently, "You're always worrying about this and that, but you've never properly worried about your own affairs."
"..."
It seemed to be true.
Anton looked out the window, a little lost.
"I don't know, Anna, I really don't know how I should live."
"Without this family, I might have become as reclusive and eccentric as those dark wizards in the gutters."
Anton sighed.
He was always struggling to live, passively accepting fate's arrangements, and then, coping, resisting, and plotting.
"The way of survival." Anna met Anton's astonished gaze with a sweet smile, "That's a phrase you often say to others."
"So what about you? Have you ever properly considered your own way of survival in this world, in the face of everything you're up against?"
"I..."
On this topic, Anton could talk nonstop for three days and three nights.
However, Anton looked up at the serene Anna sitting there and suddenly found he couldn't ramble on.
He didn't need to convince Anna, he needed to—convince himself.
Convince himself with things he didn't even believe in?
It was like what he said to Pedro, 'This is no longer the era of goblins, it's the era of humans.' So what about him? This was no longer his past life, this was the wizarding world.
He lived here.
It was different here. In his past life, he could live in a muddle, and as long as he worked hard, he could still live well.
But here, if he couldn't be clear about his true self, then he was destined for mediocrity in magic, to be lost in the crowd.
For a life that often involved walking a tightrope, this was no different from seeking death.
"My way of survival..."
"My true self..."
Anton squinted at the view outside the window and smiled, a brilliant smile. He stood up abruptly and gently extended his hand, "Interested in getting some fresh air with me outside?"
Anna nodded with a smile, gently placing her hand in his.
Bang!
Countless sparks burst from the tip of the wand, like a tree of fire and silver flowers.
The two of them disappeared into thin air.
Flying!
Transforming into a Chameleon Finch and flying freely!
Flying in the city's night sky, flying in the cloud-filled night sky, flying amidst the starlight of the vast Milky Way.
An interesting change.
Whether transformed into a werewolf or a viper, Anton couldn't cast spells.
But in the state of a Chameleon Finch, he could use the Levitation Charm with ease.
The Levitation Charm held up the two Chameleon Finch spore cluster herbs, which were as light as nothing, and they drifted about, free and easy, taking things as they came.
Before they knew it, the sky had brightened.
Anton and Anna stood on the main street of Diagon Alley, frowning at the wands in their hands.
This thing was getting harder and harder to use, almost to the point of flying out of his hand.
"Looks like I have to buy a new wand."
Anna looked at Ollivanders Wand Shop not far away with a smile, "Then we've come to the right place."
Anton shrugged, "Truly the guidance of fate."
To drift aimlessly and end up here, perhaps it really could be called fate.
Anton walked straight towards the wand shop. The wand in his hand couldn't even serve as a spare. He was worried that if he put it in the hidden pocket of his clothes, it might accidentally set his clothes on fire.
He pushed open the shop door and walked to the counter.
Clack.
He placed the wand on the table.
"Shopkeeper, a return!"
Mr. Ollivander was busy with something at the table. Hearing this, he looked up in astonishment, his silver eyes looking at Anton in surprise, then at the wand.
"Impossible, how could it be resisting you?"
Anton sighed, "I had a change of heart, and it left heartbroken. It's that simple."
Anna let out a chuckle.
"That's possible!" Mr. Ollivander blinked his eyes, which were so pale they almost blended with the whites, "The yew wood representing death and the Thestral tail hair are clearly no longer suitable for you. You have the aura of new life about you."
"Vibrant like the morning sun, warm, and peaceful."
Anton was curious, "Is this some kind of detection magic?"
Mr. Ollivander just smiled faintly, his white hair bobbing slightly, "A wandmaker's intuition."
Heh, you think I believe that?
The effect of this spell had clearly touched the soul, to be able to observe the aura of a soul. It was definitely some kind of high-level technique.
Impressive.
The wizarding world was constantly giving Anton surprises.
Soon, Mr. Ollivander pulled out a wand from the shop's fully stocked shelves, "Try this one. Alder wood. It's an unyielding wood, but I've found that its ideal owner is not stubborn or obstinate, but rather those helpful, considerate, and likable wizards."
When Anton held it, a comfortable feeling came over him, like meeting a dear friend.
"No, no, no, its performance is too ordinary." Mr. Ollivander took it from Anton's hand, placed it back in its box on the table, and muttered as he walked towards the crowded stacks of boxes.
"Try this one again." Mr. Ollivander handed over another wand, "Wands made of applewood are not common. They are powerful and especially suited for those with high ideals and aspirations, because applewood is not suited for practicing Dark Arts."
Swish, swish, swish.
The tip of the wand shot out a few specks of light, as if in celebration.
"This one could work, but it's still ordinary." Mr. Ollivander was clearly not satisfied, though Anton thought this one felt good. Except for not being suitable for Dark Arts, but that didn't matter, he probably wouldn't be involved with Dark Arts for the next few years anyway.
"Found it."
Mr. Ollivander held a box like a child, his nose covered in dust. Clearly, this thing had been stored in some forgotten corner.
"My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used to say, 'You will never fool the owner of a cedar wand,' and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception."
He was clearly quite proud, "However, I'd go further than my father, in that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those they love. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them."
"The core is a Thunderbird tail feather. Wands with this core, while difficult to master, are generally very powerful and are highly prized by Transfigurers."
Anton took the wooden wand and raised an eyebrow.
There was no strange phenomenon, only a comfort like a spring breeze. He even had a smooth feeling as if he were in the midst of switching between being a wizard and his Chameleon Finch transformation.
"Hahaha, my intuition was right." Mr. Ollivander laughed proudly.
Anton also smiled, "Alright then, wrap up all three wands for me."
"???"