The Sunhide University of Wizardry

Chapter 10- Elements of Power

"Did I say making a wand would be simple? Yeah, I stand corrected – and overwhelmed!" Amy murmured as the students entered the wand-making workshop.

They stepped into a cavernous space beneath the boarding house, lined with towering shelves cradling an assortment of cylindrical woods, each distinct in height and diameter, and derived from different types of trees.

Professor Hendrickson's voice filled the room as he followed the students. "To craft your wand, you begin with the wood. Each type carries its own strength and, when allied with energy-inducing elements, manifests unique properties."

A hand shot up amidst the eager students. "How do we know which wood to pick?"

"With your current abilities, the choice is more about affinity than necessity," Hendrickson replied, his tone both guiding and reassuring. "Any wood you select will serve you well for foundational spells. As you grow in power and knowledge, the nature of the wood will become more pivotal and you can always make new wands. For now, trust your intuition."

The students dispersed among the shelves, their hands tentatively reaching out to feel the textures of each potential wood. Fiona's eyes were immediately drawn to a row of mahogany, its reddish-brown hue echoing the fiery tones of her hair. "This one," she declared, her voice carrying a note of certainty, "It's as robust as I want to be."

Jessica's fingers traced the contours of the maple wood before her, feeling a resonance that seemed to pulse back against her touch. She paused to read the tag: "A strong, hard wood, known for its ability to transmit the deepest, untouchable powers." This maple, with its white, rich patterns whispering of hidden depths, seemed to promise a bond with her own uncharted potential.

Amy and Lucas weighed their options carefully, their hands hovering over the samples of yew, oak, and cherry. "The cherry's warm hue is so welcoming," Amy mused aloud, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "But it doesn't quite resonate with me." Her fingers then danced over to a yellow cylinder with an orange hue. She read the description aloud, "Despite its strength, yew wood is also somewhat flexible. This unique combination of strength and flexibility is why it was historically favored for longbows in Europe." Her eyes lit up, a spark of connection clear in her voice. "This is it".

Lucas, on the other hand, was drawn to the oak. "It's said to be associated with defense and protection. It aligns with my desire to be the shield for those I care about" he said with a hopeful smile.

The four friends, each with their chosen wood in hand, moved towards the next section of the workshop, where tables were laden with energy-inducing elements. Crystals of every conceivable color and size glimmered under the soft lighting, like tiny stars radiating unique auras. Beside them lay raw metals, nuggets of silver gleaming like moonlight, and chunks of gold holding the sun's warmth. A medley of herb aromas filled the air, from calming lavender to invigorating rosemary, each herb whispering of hidden magical potential. Beyond these familiar elements were others unfamiliar to Jessica, some pulsing with tangible energy, others dormant with concealed power.

As the students eagerly clustered around the tables,  Hendrickson's voice cut through the excited murmurs, commanding their attention. "Now, it's time to discover your inner connection with the elements – the ones that can amplify and transfer your power through the wood into reality," he instructed, his tone both stern and encouraging. "Approach these elements with self-awareness. Notice any physical responses - a tingle, a flutter - they're signs of a resonance with your magic. Let these feelings guide your choice. This journey is unique to each of you."

Amy, full of curiosity, was the first to explore the elements. She delicately touched an Amethyst crystal, its purple translucence sparkling in the light. Jessica recognized it from their intensive research the night before. After a brief pause, Amy's face broke into a light chuckle as she shrugged. 'Nope, just a pretty stone for me!". She then approached a raw piece of gold.