The Wandsmith [LitRPG, Isekai, Harem]

"This is long," Ori muttered, eyeing the piles of felled trees he'd painstakingly cleared.

He had spent most of the previous day 'training' with Ruenne'del before returning to the village. After checking in with Tess and her father, Ricoh, and providing follow-up treatments to the villagers, Ori had finally settled beneath a makeshift lean-to with his bonded. It was his first proper sleep in days.

In the dreaming, Raven expressed concern at his absence. After a few reassurances, the mood lightened and they caught each other up from either end. At one point, Ori had asked, half seriously, if she wanted to join his battle-harem. Raven giggled and replied with a firm "hard pass." She explained she wanted to go to magic school with him instead, to redo her late teens in a more carefree fashion.

When Ori reminded her that they all needed to reach Immortal Rank eventually, Raven just waved him off, promising she'd do the grinding later. For now, she wanted a few easy years first. Ori had chuckled, feeling no pressing reason to deny her that, at least not with how his plans currently stood.

Over in his dreams with Poppy and Harriet, the mood had been more subdued. They shared fragments of their lives, skirting around the things that troubled them. Poppy, ever full of belief in his potential, was the only one to hint at the true scale of the events unfolding across Lunaesidhe and beyond. From what she described, Harriet's ascension had made her a target to all of high elven society. It was as if she were being called upon by billions, across dozens of realms, to relinquish her throne and ascend to become a guardian spirit. Even she felt the pressure to ascend further, to formally claim the title of Briar Queen, if only to draw attention away from her sister.

When Ori spoke of Tess, Poppy's tone turned wistful. She wondered aloud when they might meet. Ori hadn't had an answer, but the thought lingered. Perhaps, through shared dreams, more of his bonds could eventually gather in the astral.

The next morning, Ori set out to build a cabin for himself and his bonded. While practical in purpose, it was also an opportunity to reassess how he used his newfound strength, tools, abilities, and spells. A problem-solving exercise wrapped in timber and stone.

It began, naturally, with cutting down trees.

Unwilling to risk damaging Flenser, and with the enchantments on his Prototype Array burnt out, Ori relied on his enchanting spell to carve through tree trunks, shaping them as needed.

With prodigious reserves of mana, what should have been a tediously slow process using a spell originally meant for crafting small, intricate objects became more akin to wielding a magical chainsaw. As Ori grew accustomed to channelling ever greater amounts of mana into Echo Forging, the pace of his work accelerated dramatically. When he decided to simply relinquish his control over the output, the tempo increased further still, until blobs of pulped tree matter littered the forest and a tree, at least twenty metres tall and a half metre thick at the trunk, toppled every other minute.

Absently, Ori considered the broader applications of the spell. There were the lethal possibilities, such as transmuting matter directly from living beings, but more intriguing were the subtler uses. With only a little more focus, he could separate chemical elements, purifying materials for enchantments, chemistry, or even alchemy.

By noon, beyond the village walls, Ori had carved a clear notch into the forest, intent on using the timber for his cabin. He planned to construct a two-storey A-frame, shearing trunks into half-foot thick logs of equal length. Here, however, he encountered the limits of his void storage ring. Each trunk was too massive; it took him an hour to determine that the ring could not accommodate objects longer than two metres in any dimension, and that any cube of wood larger than two feet across was simply too large to fit. There were also limits to the total weight and volume he could store.

Instead of sawdust, the clearing was strewn with bubbling blobs of organic sludge. Ori spent further hours experimenting, transmuting the cellulose into two neat piles: one of pure elemental carbon in the form of graphite —he had briefly attempted diamond, but the focus required was prohibitive and the pace far too slow, and another of trace compounds: calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and iron. The sludge bubbled with chemical reactions in a stone-lined pit. He allowed the hydrogen and oxygen to recombine into water, evaporating as steam. He tucked away the idea of producing diamonds for future exploration, especially if such materials might prove valuable.

It was an instructive process, and Ori soon turned towards transforming the ground beneath his feet, aiming to lay a solid foundation for the cabin. This time, rather than painstakingly separating each compound, he simply channelled the full force of his eight billion units of mana per second into Echo Forging, fixing his mind on terraforming a fifteen by fifteen metre patch of earth, half a metre deep, into a perfectly flat, homogenous base.

The spell nearly shattered under the torrent of mana, but within a minute, Ori's foundation was finished, a flat, flawless, and ready to build upon surface Ori was oddly proud of.

"What the hell was that!?"

"Hmmm?" Ori turned, caught mid-admiration of his handiwork. Freya came flying in, her sprite form blazing in astral pinks, purples and greens in reflection of her agitation. Behind her, Ruenne'del and Tess hurried into the clearing, the Leanan Sídhe clutching Seraphine's beacon.

"Ori! I sensed a massive flare of mana, enough to scatter wildlife for miles. What did you do?" Freya demanded.

"Just… house building?" Ori replied, half-defensive.

"You scared all the birds," Ruenne'del added with a wry smirk, clearly less concerned than the others.

Tess rubbed her bare arms. "Everyone sensitive to mana's got goosebumps."

"Ori, weren't we supposed to be keeping a low profile? Even with your control—or perhaps because of it—that spell will have been felt by anyone remotely mana-aware in this valley, if not the next…" Freya's scolding trailed off as she finally took in the perfect square of earth. "What is that?" She said more quietly.

"Just making the foundation, and testing the limits of my spell," Ori explained, gesturing to the transmuted ground and the pits of still-bubbling materials nearby. "I shouldn't need to do that again."

Freya folded her arms, shifting into her pixie form to perch atop a log. "You do realise that with proper stone sorcery, you'd only need a fraction of that mana to conjure an entire castle wall?"

Ori shrugged. "Well, no, not really. You know I couldn't have known that."

"Well…" Freya huffed, exasperated. "Just—please be more mindful of your mana use next time."

"Perhaps," Seraphine interjected gently, "the risk of being noticed is worth it for now. Ori still needs to explore the limits of his spellcraft. Control at the extremes is just as important as precision with the smallest effects—especially if he still means to increase his mana pool tenfold. If he never tests himself, future control could be even more dangerous."

"Tenfold?" Tess blinked. "Why would you need that much mana?"

Ori sighed. "Raven." Then, to the group: "You're both right. I'll find somewhere more discreet for testing in future. For now, my focus is on building this house."

The others gave grudging approval, and soon Ruenne'del and Freya ushered Tess away, the latter shooting Ori a pleading look.

Ori chuckled, calling after her as an idea formed. "Tess, are you free at dusk for a trip?"

She glanced towards the fairies, her voice sour. "Am I?"

"I hope they're not working you too hard," Ori asked, concerned.

Tess shrugged, pouting a little. "No, it's just… all these lessons. I'm grateful, but I was never much for school. I've always learned better with my hands."

Ori glanced at the fairies. "Maybe she has a point. You're both Greater Rankers—it's easy to forget what those below Awakening can actually take in at once."

"We'll be fine, she's smarter than you give her credit for, and far more sensible," Freya said.

"I'll make sure she has adequate rest, Ori." Seraphine's disembodied voice called out.

"I'll bring her back for dusk," Rue gave Ori an ambiguous smirk before turning away with the elf and heading back into the woods. Freya turned into her sprite form and followed close behind.

Ori shook his head, not for the first time, wondering just what on earth they were getting up to, as he surveyed the piles of wood, and wondered, not for the first time, if he might have been better off with more practical affinities like Earth or Metal.

"Nah." Ori chuckled, realising that while useful, he wouldn't trade his affinities for anything in the multiverse, and while he'd be up for more practical affinities, he had enough tools and advantages to make-do, and instead of wishing for more, he needed to return to basics.

The spectral hands of Reach of the Progenitor repositioned and stripped branches from the felled trees as Ori stood at a distance, hands on hips as his mind worked out the next steps of his build.

"Are these what houses from your realm look like?" Tess asked as the girls emerged from the forest. The exterior of Ori's project was now complete, and he stood admiring his handiwork. The building was larger than expected, with a Scandinavian-style angled roof that met its reflection to form an A-frame of slatted timber and transmuted slate. Ori had spent a third of his time splitting trees into planks, eventually crafting a large enchanted stone blade that jutted from the ground. With Prismatic Weapon, he made quick work of the timber, while Reach of the Progenitor handled most of the heavy lifting.

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The rest of the time had gone into producing chemically pure glass by transmuting rock and separating the silica. Inch-thick, triple-glazed glass sheets made up the vertical walls on either side of the house, supported by wooden beams. Each pane was enchanted for toughness and rigidity, making them roughly ten times more durable than natural steel. Ori's experiments had left the surrounding land in disarray, but he spent his remaining hours clearing up, storing waste materials in secure containers for future filtering. Later, with Seraphine's help, he also encouraged new growth to replace foliage scorched or disturbed during tree felling and glassmaking.

"Yes, it's inspired by houses like this on Earth—my home realm," Ori confirmed.

"It's big," Rue remarked.

"What are those vats?" Freya asked.

"Those are leftover materials, mostly waste, but I hope to filter and use some for enchantments in future," Ori replied.

"And you did all this in one day?" Tess added, sounding amazed.

"How many people are you expecting to stay, Ori?" Freya asked, squinting as she surveyed the exterior.

Ori shrugged. "With Lucas, it'll only take a day to reach Cear'hallen, or a week on foot. That leaves us over eighty days before the deadline. I plan to spend that time preparing to face the Name Eater and this infernal trap, learning more magic, and improving our equipment. The house is big enough to have separate spaces for living and working, with room for guests if needed. I haven't worked out plumbing or cooking just yet, but it's well insulated, so it should stay comfortable whatever the weather. Once I learn more runes and enchantments, I hope to keep improving it."

"It's lovely, Ori," Seraphine said.

"Thank you. Let me show you around."

Inside, wooden floorboards were suspended a foot above the foundation on timber beams, while a makeshift staircase carved from a tree trunk led to a second floor. This upper level ended in balconies overlooking the glass walls and the forest beyond, from over a metre away. Upstairs, there were three walled-off rooms, one larger than the others, containing a king-sized bed frame Ori had recently put together. Although he'd experimented with leftover materials, he decided to leave making a soft mattress for another time, knowing their sleeping bags would suffice for now.

Ori's efforts received mostly positive feedback, but the conversation soon turned to furnishings and complaints on how much more a house this size would require. With that, he voiced a question that had been on his mind.

"Are diamonds and crystals valuable here? If I could find or make them, would anyone want to trade?"

"Alchemically pure diamond always has its uses," Freya answered, before instantly dampening Ori's hopes, "but forged or conjured diamonds aren't usually worth the trouble. The truly valuable crystals are those that are naturally occurring, mana-infused, and most sought after by people like you, enchanters. Also, if you plan to sell transmuted materials, you'll need to learn to strip your mana signature from them. Most people won't buy items with lingering paracasual taint, and experts could use the mana to trace the item back to its maker."

"Alright," Ori sighed, once again adding the task to his growing list of complications.

"I… have a collection of crystals that might help," Tess offered quietly. "Mostly amethysts and some pink stones. I used to collect them around the screes north of the hollow." As the others turned to her, her words grew quieter and more hesitant. Ruenne'del gave Ori a pointed look, leaving him confused by the sudden tension.

"It's nothing to be concerned about," Seraphine said, breaking the odd moment of tension.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind taking a look at your crystal collection, Tess," Ori said, realising that exploring new materials could only help his understanding of enchanting.

"It's by the lake cabin—my collection, I mean. We could go tomorrow, when it's light?" Tess suggested.

Ori nodded. "I'd like that. But first, I did promise to take you out at dusk, didn't I?"

"You did. What are your plans?" Tess asked, a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Well, Tess, have you ever been on a night ride?"

At first, Tess hesitated to approach the great beast. Lucas, the Dire Strix, was nothing short of colossal, the height of a double-decker bus with the wingspan at least that length, each talon longer and thicker than Ori's forearm. But with a few quiet words and a gentle prod from Ori, Lucas dutifully muted the presence that made most mortal creatures freeze in fear. Gradually, Tess's nerves settled as Ori helped her into the harness fitted securely between Lucas's shoulders.

He double-checked the buckles, giving her a reassuring grin. "Ready?"

"No!" Tess yelled half seriously, white-knuckled grip on the harness a contrast with her evident excitement.

With a wide beat of his wings, Lucas sprang skyward into the dusk, clearing the trees in a single breath. Tess let out a squeal, half terror, half delight, as the ground fell away. Ori laughed at her reaction as he sat behind, steadying her with a hand wrapped firmly around her middle, and soon even Tess began to laugh as well, her nerves swept away by exhilaration.

Within minutes of their flight, night had claimed the realm, Twilight's silver band deepening to navy. Overhead, the sky was a canvas of aurora, ribbons of green, pink and violet shimmering across the darkness. Below, lakes mirrored the heavens; forested valleys lay draped in velvet blue. Even at night, Ori could make out the landscape's quiet beauty, the faint lantern glow of distant villages, and further still, the city of Dremsway shining with a warm pre-industrial light.

Lucas soared higher, his vast wings barely stirring the air. Tess, encouraged by Ori's calm and Lucas's steady flight, let go of the harness long enough to reach out, fingers trailing through the wind as if she could touch the aurora itself.

They dipped and rose, Lucas spiralling around puffy clouds in lazy loops. Tess let out another delighted squeal as the great owl banked sharply, drawing a wide arc over a lake that reflected the sky's shifting colours. Ori couldn't help but smile, watching the awe and laughter on Tess's face. The world below seemed far away and, for this moment, all that mattered was the rush of flight and the joy of sharing it.

"This was wonderful, I've never felt so free," Tess yelled out over the wind, her voice breathless.

"I hoped you'd like it," Ori chuckled.

As Lucas slowed to glide in a gentle arc, Tess found her voice again, "You know, Freya's lessons are… a lot," she admitted, glancing at Ori. "She started me on the basics—Awakening, the Library of Fates, all of the paracausal stuff, at least I understand what mother means by Grace now, I guess it might be important after I awaken? I'm only mana-sensitive, with no mana of my own."

"I was practically begging to learn magic back before awakening," Ori said.. "I always wondered why everyone didn't learn a bit of magic if they could."

Tess shrugged. "Not everyone can, and it often comes at a cost most can't bear to pay… such as sitting through hour after hour of your familiar's lessons… spirits!"

Ori chuckled. "She can be that way sometimes—you know she's a teacher at the most influential school in the realm."

"Freya informed me as much… about a hundred times. She also gave me some knowledge—it's like I've got a small bundle of books in my head, and the last few days, your fairy has been forcing me to recall so much knowledge. It's not nearly as much as what you got, she told me, but it's been enough to give me a headache all day." Tess smiled ruefully, brushing windblown hair from her eyes. "But it helps. I'm not lost when the others talk about it now."

"I know what you mean. If it's of any consolation, it does get better over time."

"Good."

"And how's Ruenne'del as a teacher?" Ori asked, using his new air affinity to carry his voice easily between them.

"She's… actually great," Tess replied, with a surprising fondness in her tone. "She's fun, she takes me out hunting most days. It's half prancing around in the forest, half… fae stuff. It's like magic but without the mana and stuff? I don't understand why I can do it as I'm not fae, but she says I've got a real affinity for presence and might be able to use glamour when I awaken. Even Freya's impressed. She said, If I ever do Awaken, it'll only get stronger."

"Yes, Tess! That's brilliant. Any ideas on what class you want to choose?"

"I want to follow in my da's footsteps," Tess said without hesitation. "Elven ranger, or something like it. Tracking, scouting, and stealth. I want to contribute to battles with my marksmanship and situational awareness."

"That sounds great. I've started planning out some enchantments for your kit, both for before and after you Awaken. Clothing, a new bow or two—once I know more relevant enchantments,"

She smiled, cheeks flushed with night air and the thrill of the ride. "I'd like that—I'm… honestly lucky. I may grumble or seem overwhelmed, but everyone's been welcoming, more than I expected. I can't wait to finally meet Seraphine in person, rather than just hearing her voice."

"Me too, it's something I'm working on, hopefully before we head to Vespasian, if not soon after," Ori said as he mentally looked over his long-term plans. "I'm glad you get on with them all."

Tess laughed. "I get on best with Ruenne'del, you know. Odd, really—I feel like I'm the more mature one half the time." She paused, thoughtful. "Freya's like… an aunt. She's what I need, I suppose, but it puts a bit of a wall between us. It's good for teaching, but we're not quite as close." There was a short silence, then Tess asked, "Is Freya… your lover too? Or not? Is it because she's small?"

Ori scoffed, "No." Then shrugged. "Honestly, it's complicated. I want her to be, I think maybe she does too, but nothing can happen until she's gone home and settled things with her husband. I can only respect that."

"Oh."

"Sprites naturally don't live long by normal lifespans. Freya's a great-great grandmother by now, and as she evolved to Pixie at the greater rank, her lifespan now resembles that of a high elf. For her, it's more a case of honour, and seeking closure on her past."

Tess nodded in understanding. For a while, they simply enjoyed the view together, their conversation carrying on for the rest of the flight until Lucas touched down beside Tess's family cabin by the lake.

Ori was surprised by how natural it felt to hold her and missed the sensation as he helped her down from Lucas's back.

"Thank you," Tess said, turning to him with a soft smile and a certain look in her turquoise eyes as she glanced at his lips. She stepped closer, placed her hands on his chest, and rose on tiptoes to kiss him.

The kiss was long and lingering, her lips and teeth teasing between his top and bottom lip, the press of their noses as intimate as the meeting of their tongues. When Ori pulled her closer, Tess moaned softly into the kiss, a sound that made it increasingly hard for him to let go.

He felt it, even with just a kiss, their souls reaching for one another, as if beginning to intertwine. It was only a reflection of what their true bond might be, but it reminded Ori how much he wanted her, how right this felt.

Tess pulled back, breathless. "Was that—?"

"Yep."

"Wow." She darted in to peck his lips, then stepped back, her eyes hooded with a new confidence. "Wow… Could we have… from just a kiss?"

"Form a Taurna'diem? I'd be up for trying, but honestly, I doubt it would have stayed just a kiss for long."

"Yes. Somehow, I believe you," Tess replied, smirking. "Can we do that again?"

"The flight or the kiss?"

"Both?"

Ori shrugged. "Until we both learn to fly, it'll be up to Lucas." The dire strix gave a grumpy snort behind him, making his opinion known. Tess giggled.

"But I'm game, whenever you both are. Maybe a shorter trip out hunting after I see your crystal collection tomorrow?"

"I'd like that." Tess fidgeted, torn between saying goodbye and kissing him again.

"As for the kiss…" Ori closed the distance, deciding for both of them. This time, their kiss was urgent, the spark of their growing bond unmistakable. Ori broke away first, leaving Tess breathless and blushing to the tips of her pointed ears.

"I should go," Ori said, their foreheads touching.

Tess nodded. "See you tomorrow." She kissed him again, slower this time, but the deliberate pace only seemed to heighten the desire and urgency between them. "Wow. You…" She stepped back, prodding Ori's chest, eyes bright with mischief. "...Are far too good at that."

Ori returned her satisfied smirk as she turned away and headed back to her family.