Humanity's Hero Of Despair

Professor Aldric and Captain Daelon look super excited.

On the other hand, I am extremely nervous. I look all around me at the others as we head to the Imperial Training Grounds. The Oriventh Emperor and his guards look happy, chatting with each other about finally finding the chosen one for the Wand of Origin. My friends are still shocked at the turn of events.

Matteo and Zephyr start telling me all the cool things I will be able to do, though I can barely hear them in my mind.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Ivy says to me while holding my hand, pulling me out from my own world.

"I am doing alright. Just nervous about everything. The expectations on me. It feels like the weight of the world is crashing onto me. Who knows why I was chosen by the wand? It is interesting to think about if the Wand Of Origin may have chosen my sister if she had been able to be here."

Ivy stops me for a moment as the others continue slowly walking to the training grounds.

"Honey. You know the Wand Of Origin chose you, for you. Not just because of your ability to wield Origin Magic but because it wants you for you. It trusts you to take care of it and wield the power responsibly. Just because your sister also wields the same power, doesn't mean it would have worked out the same. I am here for you. You should believe in yourself more."

She says while smiling at me as we continue walking again.

We finally make it to the Imperial Training Grounds, a vast open field surrounded by stone towers and walls lined with magic protective inscriptions. The size of the field is at least ten times the size of the one back at Hero Academy, which is insanity if you ask me. Magic training dummies, obstacle courses, and specialized training areas are scattered around the grounds.

Oriventh magic knights were sparring together in a couple of the corners.

"Alright, Viscount, let's see what you can do. Follow me."

Captain Daelon says to me as he claps his hands together. I follow him, and he leads me to a familiar long-distance mage range. Professor Aldric stands to the side, ready to take notes. The Captain tells me to start off with a tenth affinity level magic spell, which I protest against. However, he says to do it because he needs to confirm something.

The sigh I let out is heavy as I take aim at the magic dummies with my new powerful wand.

"Tenth affinity level magic, Hellfire!"

Intense amounts of fire magic explode forth from my Wand of Origin. Several fire magic circles appear above my head as fireballs after fireballs rain down from the sky. Even the magic knights who were sparring had to watch the spell absolutely demolish all the magic training dummies. The worst thing about it? A spell like that should make you feel pretty tired.

I didn't feel tired at all.

I feel like I can launch that spell over and over again.

Captain Daelon whistles and claps his hands as all the others join in. He tells me to cast one more tenth level affinity spell of a different element. I feel more powerful than ever, so I happily agree. Chance. This is a chance to try something I have never done before. The grip on my wand is tight as I pray for this to work.

"Tenth affinity level magic, Swords of Light!"

Light magic is summoned into the air as several dozen swords of light form themselves in the air and quickly launch themselves at the magic dummies. Everyone has to cover their eyes as the light magic pulsates with power in the air.

Once the dust settles, everyone is in shock again. I am in shock at myself as I continue to hold my wand up, pointing it at the targets. Light magic. The magic that I didn't know how to wield that well even after discovering my ability for it. With the Wand Of Origin, it immediately became so easy to use. Who am I?

I ask myself as I look at the wand in disbelief.

"That was... incredible, Viscount. Take out your original wand now. Let's see how good you are at dual wielding. Since this is your first time dual wielding, use two different low-level spells at the same time. Dual casting. Like this."

Captain Daelon takes out his second wand. He launches fire magic from one wand as well as ice magic from the other wand. The two elements shot out quickly from his wands and swirled together to burn and trap the magical dummy. He turns back to me and smiles.

"You got this."

I nod to him and take up my fighting stance with both my wands. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. One. Two. Three. My heartbeat slows down as I open my eyes again.

"Blackthorn! Flaro!"

I shoot out my dark magic ray spell from my original wand while at the same time unleashing fire magic from my Wand Of Origin. Dark and fire magic swirl together as they consume the life of the magic dummies while burning them in flames. Everyone gasps in shock. It shouldn't be this easy.

Even the Emperor is impressed with my display of magic.

"Good job, Viscount! Just wow. That was amazing. I am going to give you a challenge. If you manage to do this, then you are ready to take on the challenge I have for you. First, though, come over to see Professor Aldric to discuss your magic."

The Professor and I talk about how my spell casting went and what I could do better. He explains how dual casting is best when you know how to separate your concentration of mana for each individual spell and direct them through the respective wand I want to cast them with.

Eventually, as I cast more spells with each wand, it will become easier to chant more at the same time.

Once we finish talking, I come back to my main spot on the training grounds. Captain Daelon challenges me to launch two eleventh level affinity spells at the same time. My eyes grow wide. Two eleventh level affinity spells?! He must be crazy. The Captain tells me to trust in myself, and he tells me everyone believes in me.

I look at Ivy, who mouths the words, "I believe in you." That was more than enough for me.

I take my position.

It is now or never, I think to myself as I point my wands at the targets and the elements start to swirl around me.