MC was enrolled in an academy specifically for water magic. Staves/wands were normally used by MC's family was poor so he brute forced his way. Later on he learns staves had actual affects beyond helping with casting. Also, there was something along the lines of a contracted dragon that he basically used to practice his magic on.
There's a different series also called Close Combat Mage. This is the series that was so bad it was funny until it became plain bad.