Wizard but with a sword

Hey hello. I'm playing as a wizars but I recently found out that I can also use swords and other melee weapons instead of a wand. Does this affect anything or is it just a matter of visuals?

I like this sword but I don't use it with any movement or spell, I just carry it around.

Glad that I found out I can use other weapons that early cause I was throwing away anything else that wasn't a wand or staff.