Aurelian Lederos was the most accomplished Alchemist in the family, operating the family's Alchemy store in Diagon Alley called 'Titans' Transformation Temple'.
The store's name is an allusion to the Titans, the oldest deities in Greek mythology, who represent primal and infinite power. It signifies this place as a sacred hall for deep transformations in Alchemy, where every skill demonstrated is a profound tribute to and exploration of the forces of nature.
As the glow of the magic circle faded, Charl pushed open the familiar bronze door. The familiar magic runes on the door's hinges shimmered, resonating slightly with his magic.
The scent of sandalwood and the lingering aroma of quenched metal wafted over him. He had grown up with this smell, and it was even more distinct than the scent of his own home.
The shop's interior was as grand as ever. He could name the origin of almost every Alchemical creation displayed in the dark sandalwood display cases.
On the third row to the left was the 'Perpetual Flame Lamp', the first independent creation by his cousin Noelle when she was seven. Encased in a crystal dome on the right was the 'Stardust Hourglass', crafted by his uncle Aurelian in his youth. Even the chandelier on the ceiling, whose glow changed with visitors' emotions, was an old item whose spell frequency he had helped adjust when he was eight.
"Oh ho ho ~ Welcome, welcome! Milena, Noelle, my dears, come down quickly, the Reno family is here."
Aurelian hurried forward, enthusiastically embracing the Reno family. His voice was as loud as if he had a Sonorous Charm on him.
Immediately after, a graceful lady of considerable charm appeared upstairs. Peeking out with her was a cheerful young girl brimming with youthful vitality. Their gazes, full of delight, looked down.
"Charl!" The girl, seeing Charl, excitedly jumped down from the second floor and rushed towards him with open arms.
Charl was already accustomed to his absent-minded older cousin. With a slight movement of his fingertips, an invisible current of air gently supported Noelle, allowing her to land safely beside him.
"Cool! It feels like being wrapped in cotton candy!" The girl, full of curiosity, examined the invisible air current around her.
Noelle Lederos was one month older than Charl, theoretically making her his older cousin, but throughout their upbringing, Charl often played the role of guardian, showing Noelle immense care.
This age-defying understanding and role reversal deepened their relationship.
"Ah ha ~ What a special day it is today, the three of you are dressed so beautifully. Don't tell me, let me guess, today is the day to buy school supplies for little Charl, isn't it? That's wonderful, I'd love to go back to Hogwarts and attend school again ~"
Milena slowly descended from the second floor, her voice as melodious as a nightingale.
"Let's chat after we finish shopping ~" Isabelle gently hugged the excited Milena and gave her a look, signaling: the children are still here.
"Alright, alright, you go shopping first. Don't go back after you're done, stay here for dinner. Charl and Noelle are starting school together this year, it's a good chance for them to bond."
"Charl, if you see anything you like in this shop, just take it. If you don't fancy anything, I'll craft it for you. I'm telling you, no one in the family can beat my Alchemy skills, ho ho ho ~"
Reno hesitated, then said, "Brother, don't spoil Charl too much. These are all family assets, one needs to contribute to get them..."
Aurelian waved his hand, interrupting, "Why so many words? Which of these displayed items can't I craft? I'll just make another one. There are only a few of us in this family, who are we afraid of? Oh, right, after you finish shopping, don't forget to visit Isidore and invite her to dinner tonight."
"Okay, brother, I'm on it. Let's go, my dears." Reno nodded in agreement, then turned to call Reno and Isabelle to go shopping in Diagon Alley.
The narrow, cobbled streets were lined with a dazzling array of colorful shops, each signboard swaying gently in the wind, telling its own unique story.
Ancient buildings constructed from stone and wood bore the mottled marks of time, yet these very marks imbued the alley with an irreplaceable charm.
Shop windows displayed an overwhelming collection of rare and exotic treasures: from moving portraits to flying broomsticks, from crystal balls shimmering with strange light to herb shops piled high with all sorts of wondrous plants.
Charl surveyed the long street before him. No matter how many times he came, he would always be captivated by the sight. Indeed, this truly aligns with my understanding of the traditional Wizarding world. This… this street, full of historical age, is truly eye-opening.
"My dear, you two go directly to buy wands. I'll buy other things. I estimate our time spent should be similar, after all, Mr. Ollivander..." Reno's expression was a bit speechless as he recalled his own wand-buying experience.
Isabelle deeply agreed with this, and pulled Charl to the entrance of a small, dilapidated shop. The gilded sign above the door was peeling, giving it the air of a historical relic.
"Mom, is this really the best wand shop in all of Britain?" Charl looked at the shop's appearance and expressed his doubt.
"Emmm... Son, some things can't be judged by their appearance. Mr. Ollivander is one of Europe's top wandmakers, believe me, you won't be disappointed." Isabelle's expression was slightly awkward.
Pushing open the door, a chorus of jingling bells rang out, and a faint scent of pine wood wafted in. The light inside the shop was soft, with dim yellow lamps weaving through layers of stacked wand boxes.
The shop's space wasn't wide, but every inch was fully utilized. Tall shelves were densely packed with boxes, and within each box, every wand awaited its fated encounter with a Wizard.
"Good morning." A slender old man with sharp eyes appeared before them as a ladder slid.
"Isabelle, long time no see. Ash and Unicorn hair, twelve inches, is it still doing well?"
Isabelle pulled out her wand from her sleeve and showed it to Mr. Ollivander, "It's been my lifelong partner."
A silvery-white light emanated from the wand, a sign of its response.
"How touching. And this young man beside you must be your child, then. After all, he inherited your beauty and his father's handsomeness. So, Mr. Lederos, which hand do you use?"
"Right hand, sir."
"Oh, yes. Extend your arm." Mr. Ollivander began to measure Charl, from shoulder to fingertip, then from wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and finally, head circumference.
As he measured, he said, "I am honored to choose a wand for you, Mr. Lederos. After all, the last person to choose a wand for a Child of Nature was a hundred years ago. This is a grand occasion to boast about."
"The honor is equally mine, sir, to have the best wandmaker in all of Britain personally select a wand for me." Charl humbly bowed slightly.
"Hahaha, that's the best compliment I've heard in decades. It's truly a pleasure to converse with you, but let's proceed with the wand selection. Try this one. Made of ebony and Unicorn hair, ten inches long." Mr. Ollivander said with a laugh, taking a wand from a nearby wall and handing it to Charl.
Charl took the wand and waved it, and a burst of brilliant fireworks erupted in the shop.
Isabelle was a little surprised; success on the first try?
Mr. Ollivander, seeing the scene before him, frowned slightly. He quickly turned and picked out another wand from the shelf: cedar wood with Phoenix feather, twelve inches.
The same effect appeared on Charl again; another perfectly matched wand.
In the time that followed, Charl tested at least twenty more wands, so long that Reno had already finished his shopping and arrived at the shop.
But without exception, all the wands were incredibly compatible, as if Charl was a master key that could unlock any lock he was inserted into.
Mr. Ollivander was also at a loss. He even had his family bring the book recording the previous wand selection for a Child of Nature, but found that the previous one had not encountered this situation. He was momentarily bewildered. He couldn't just let Charl pick any wand and leave; that would be too irresponsible.
Reno and Isabelle, standing nearby, were also somewhat puzzled, as they too had never seen such a situation before.
"Hmm, this is indeed a rare phenomenon, Mr. Lederos." Mr. Ollivander's tone held a hint of contemplation. He gently stroked the beard on his chin, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and challenge.
"It seems you possess an extremely rare ability to resonate with multiple wands. This not only means you have broad magical adaptability, but it may also portend boundless potential for your future on the path of magic."
He took down a deep brown-colored wand from a high shelf, its golden sapwood like a halo around it.
"We'll try one last time. This wand is very special; it has been accepted by several highly influential Wizards throughout history. Ordinary Wizards usually cannot gain its approval. Let's see if it can reach a consensus with you."
Charl took the last wand and felt a subtle vibration transmit from the wand to his palm. Then, as he gently waved the wand, the entire shop was enveloped in a soft blue light.
Delicate flowers of light bloomed from the wand's tip, then spread out in ripples, as if paying homage to every wand in the shop, before slowly returning to calm.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Mr. Ollivander's eyes. "Ah, it seems this is it. Yew and Dragon heartstring, thirteen inches. A powerful combination, suitable for Wizards with firm wills and broad minds. It represents not only power but also wisdom and balance. This wand has chosen you, Mr. Lederos."
Charl gazed at the wand in his hand, feeling a deep sense of affirmation. "Thank you very much, Mr. Ollivander, for helping me find such a precious companion."
Behind him, the cloak, hearing these words, unconsciously stood up its collar and poked his earlobe.
"You are also my precious companion." Charl smiled and gently stroked its standing collar.
Perceiving a joyful emotion from it, Charl increasingly felt his cloak was like a tsundere cat.
Isabelle and Reno exchanged a relieved glance; it was finally over.
Mr. Ollivander carefully wrapped the wand and handed it to Charl. "Mr. Lederos, remember, it is not you who chooses the wand, but the wand that also chooses you. There's no need to pay this time; after all, choosing a wand for you is the best payment."
Charl bowed slightly, expressing gratitude for Mr. Ollivander's generosity.