Humanity's Hero Of Despair

The further down we get in the Emperor's Palace, the more imperial guards show up and follow us. We encounter even more magical traps and barriers, which are taken down by the guards. I watch the Emperor silently as we go through this intricate maze of a palace.

My friends slowly eye each other as they notice the level of security increasing the further down we go.

The further down we go, the weight of the mana in the atmosphere becomes almost unbearable. That is until some of the advanced imperial guards use spells to let the mana flow in the air. Something extremely powerful must be lying somewhere down there.

I gather the courage to speak to the Emperor.

"Hey, Hadrian the III? Do you mind telling me where we are going and why there is this amount of security?"

The Emperor turns his head to respond, though his body does not stop moving forward. Meaning, of course, we are having this chat while still on our way. It must be fairly far.

"Hmm. The most I can tell you in this exact moment is that it has to do with a wand. A very special, particular wand. If you manage to guess what it is, any of you, I will be honest about it."

All of us turn to look at each other as we continue walking with the Emperor and all the imperial guards. Estes places his hand on his chin as he is thinking. He looks at the Emperor and says, "A very special wand, right? No way, it is the Wand of the Gods?"

The Emperor raises an eyebrow at the response.

"You are not fully wrong. Though the Wand of the Gods is a myth. The actual wand is named the Wand of Origin. The immense power of it, though, is equal to the strength described in the Wand of the Gods."

Estes stops walking, which makes all of us pause.

"That's real?!"

The Emperor smiles as we go down the last flight of stairs and arrive at two massive, large, dark black doors lined in white gold. Two imperial guards who look like they are very powerful guard the entrance. When they see the Emperor, the imperial guards, and us, they immediately open the doors.

"You shall all see if it's real or not."

The Emperor says as the doors open, and we walk inside the huge underground room. The room is dimly lit with guards scattered all over the place. The room contains many tables with ancient magic artifacts encased in glass lying on top of them. In the center of the room is a pedestal with a magnificent wand lying on top of it. The wand is drawing all the mana toward it, and it overpowers any of the other artifacts in the room instantly.

Just the presence of it alone makes everybody feel the weight of it.

"Woah."

Is all I had to say in response to this, as everybody else also felt the power of the wand. The imperial guards get to work casting spells that make the mana of the wand more contained so we can actually breathe easier. All my friends start exploring the secret room of artifacts with the Emperor's permission.

I, on the other hand, want to go directly to the Wand of Origin.

It is, for some reason, calling out to me. Drawing me into its magnificence. The wand pulsates with the mana of all the elements, wanting to be free. I don't know if anyone else can see it, but I can see it all as clear as day. It crackles with bursts of flames, lightning, water, darkness, and it is being levitated by its own wind magic.

Like it has a mind of its own.

The Emperor notices me being drawn to the Wand of Origin and smiles.

He walks up to me as I look at the wand at a safe distance.

"The Wand of Origin was discovered deep in the ruins of the Heart of Glozaria decades ago, and despite all efforts, no one has been able to wield it. Though there have been rumors a powerful dark mage in the past was able to. It is said the wand can elevate a mage's magic to the highest affinity. The owner of the wand can instantly cast affinity level ten spells in their respective element."

"Though there is a drawback. If the owner's natural affinity level is too low compared to the spells they use, the wand will overwhelm them, causing a huge backlash on the mage as well as causing a massive loss in mana. But if you can naturally cast those spells without the boost from the wand, the wand allows you to cast those advanced spells a lot easier."

I nod to him while looking in awe at the wand. He gestures for me to get closer to it, and I do.

"You are different, Viscount Lotus. I heard you can wield true origin magic and are pushing the boundaries of magic itself. You even beat me to prove your worth. You might be able to claim ownership of the wand if it lets you."

I look at him in confusion.

"Really?!"

He nods while stepping away from the wand but gestures for me to stay put. He says in a loud, commanding voice to everyone in the room,

"Everybody! Take cover. Viscount Lotus is going to attempt to claim ownership of the Wand of Origin. Viscount, do not worry. If it fails, the wand will simply not allow you to take it. I do suggest covering yourself in a protective layer of magic just in case it zaps you or something."

I eye the Emperor but do as I am told and cast a shield of darkness around my body. I gulp and step toward the wand. Its magic calls out to me, begging for me to take it. I can feel the power of it vibrating throughout as I am less than a foot away from it now. I turn back to look at the Emperor one more time.

He nods, and I turn back.

I reach out my hand to take it.