Dwarven Wands and Arcane Arts

“Hohoho, miss, I think what you’re looking for is actually something that requires a more refined explanation, because when it comes to wand selection, there are multiple factors such as material composition, elemental compatibility, mana conductivity, and—”

“Stop. Just tell me the important part.”

Allen cut him off with a slightly tired expression.

The speaker was a thin, short dwarf standing behind the counter.

He was a wand craftsman of the dwarf race, someone who specialized in creating magical tools.

Shops like his existed in almost every town, forming a vast network of magic item stores across the continent.

This one, though small in appearance, was fully stocked.

Wands and staffs of various types were stacked everywhere.

Most of them were packed inside black hard-paper boxes, piled up neatly like bricks.

The wall behind him looked as if it had been built from layers of dark stone.

Only the gold-embossed lettering on the sides of the boxes hinted at what lay inside.

“This one here—made from silver fir wood, with a refined ingot core to enhance elemental capacity. Based on your appearance and build, it should suit you quite well.”

Seeing Allen’s impatience, the dwarf instantly shortened his explanation.

Clearly, this customer wasn’t someone who would tolerate long-winded talk.

Dwarves were naturally talkative.

Allen knew that much.

In books like History of the Continent and Chronicles of Gods and Demons, there were detailed descriptions of their habits.

Even during times of war, dwarves would still find ways to profit.

To them, both intelligence and craftsmanship were tools for earning wealth.

Money, above all else, was the most practical thing in the world.

Because of this mindset, most dwarves were both clever and highly skilled.

The finest weapons and magical staffs often came from their hands.

That was how they became known across the continent.

However—

Those books were written over two hundred years ago.

Modern dwarves had changed.

Their natural limitations made them unsuitable for magic.

Even their strongest spellcasters could only reach the level of archmage.

Their shorter stature also limited their potential in physical combat.

So from the very beginning, they chose a different path.

They devoted themselves entirely to forging and crafting.

By focusing on this single field, they reached perfection.

It was now a universal truth—

Dwarven craftsmanship was the best in the world.

Over time, they also learned to suppress their talkative nature.

People kept complaining that dwarves talked too much.

So they trained themselves to compress long explanations into short sentences.

Some could even reduce entire paragraphs into a single word.

But then people complained they were too cold and distant.

In frustration, dwarves once stopped dealing with humans altogether.

They redirected their finest creations toward the domain of the Fire Goddess.

Only after humans realized their mistake and made efforts to reconcile did trade resume.

Since then, dwarves had mastered a strange balance—

They could switch between chatterbox and silence at will.

Allen accepted the wand and gave it a light swing.

Nothing happened.

“Oh, relax. You’re a beginner, right?”

The dwarf observed her movements carefully.

Seeing no reaction from the wand, he assumed she lacked experience.

“Y-yes…”

Allen replied softly, her face slightly flushed.

But only she knew the truth—

She couldn’t sense any elements at all.

“Brudo… Haschi…”

The dwarf stepped closer, took her hand, and guided her posture.

He lifted the wand and chanted toward the air.

A brilliant light burst from the tip.

The entire shop was illuminated.

It shone like a magical crystal lamp.

The spell meant—

Holy light, shine upon the land.

It was one of the most basic spells.

Taught to all beginners as an entry point.

But for many, it was also a barrier.

Failing to learn it often meant giving up magic entirely.

“Brudo… Haschi!”

Allen repeated the chant.

Her voice trembled slightly.

The wand tip remained silent.

No light.

No reaction.

Nothing.

“…?”

The dwarf frowned slightly.

Even children could produce at least a faint glow.

But her wand showed absolutely nothing.

He fell into thought for a moment.

Then, as if understanding something, he sighed.

“I’m sorry… but you’re not suited for magic.”

His tone carried a trace of regret.

He looked at her more carefully now.

Her face was flushed—not just from embarrassment, but from anxiety.

Her eyes shimmered slightly, as if holding back tears.

There was something fragile about her.

Like a flower weighed down by dew.

“I… can I try another wand?”

Allen asked in a small voice.

She already knew the answer.

Her body had zero affinity for elements.

But she didn’t want to accept it.

She had once been a hero.

Someone who stood against the Demon King.

And now—

She couldn’t even cast the simplest spell.

She felt powerless.

Empty.

Like nothing remained except a hollow shell.

Beautiful on the outside—

But completely defenseless.

A truth she refused to face.

“Alright.”

The dwarf nodded slowly.

He pulled over a ladder and climbed up.

From the stacked boxes, he retrieved a slightly larger one.

“A special piece…”

He muttered to himself.

Using two fingers, he reached into a narrow gap and skillfully pulled the box out.

But the moment it left the stack—

Crash!

The entire wall of boxes collapsed.

They tumbled down like falling bricks, scattering across the floor.

“…Ah.”

Allen stared at the mess awkwardly.

“Damn these boxes…”

The dwarf clicked his tongue.

The slightly different size of the special box had destabilized everything.

A tiny difference—

But enough to bring the whole structure down.

“I still think magic isn’t for you.”

He said bluntly, though not unkindly.

Her condition was rare.

Zero elemental sensitivity.

Even he had never seen it before.

Allen lowered her head in silence.

She had known all along.

“Most people believe there are seven elements—water, fire, earth, lightning, wood, light, and darkness.”

The dwarf began speaking again, this time like a teacher.

“But…”

He paused deliberately.

“But?”

Allen looked up slightly, her eyes still faintly moist.

“There’s something else.”

He smiled faintly.

“Something outside the elements.”

“Outside…?”

“Arcane.”

He said the word slowly.

“Arcane?”

Allen repeated, confused.

It wasn’t mentioned in any of the books she had read.

“Yes. Arcane.”

He nodded.

“It doesn’t belong to the elemental system. It’s different… something more abstract.”

“I can feel something from you.”

“Not elemental affinity—but something else.”

“Something unusual.”

He opened the special box.

Inside, cushioned by silk, lay a wand made of cherry wood.

At its tip was a small gem that faintly reflected light.

Unlike the others, it felt… different.

“Want to learn?”

He asked quietly.

Allen didn’t hesitate even for a second.

“YES!!”