"Sebastian dear, what did you buy on eBay?"
As she asked Alisha opened the package.
"I have been wanting to try making something for my school crafting class so I ordered some wood for carving."
"Crafts, huh? I am pretty good with my hands. Want me to help?"
"No need. The school wants us to do it ourselves. I can handle it."
"Alright then. It is getting late. I will go start dinner. You can do your thing and I will call you when it is ready."
"Okay, I will take this to my room for now."
Carrying the box Sebastian returned to his room and unpacked it. After a quick inspection he nodded with satisfaction. He was not entirely sure if it would work but the type and age matched perfectly. This piece of wood was indeed the heart of a pine tree that was at least a hundred years old.
Sebastian took out a box from under the bed and opened it. He retrieved the tools he had used many times before. Inside were several wand bodies. Some were failed attempts while others were completed but ineffective.
The wood in this world was different from his previous life. Very few types contained any trace of magic. All he could do was buy the oldest pieces available. The heartwood from this pine tree which was at least a hundred years old was the oldest piece Sebastian had managed to find. It had cost him nearly half a month's pocket money.
He had already mastered the technique of crafting the wand body. Using the limited wand making magic he remembered from his previous life he managed to carve the heartwood into a rough wand. Thirteen and two fifths inches long roughly thirty four centimeters. Though its body was still crude the base shape was done.
Next he needed to hollow out an inner layer to house the wand core. Then inscribe ancient runes and magical patterns into the hollow. Finally apply a special oil both to the wand's surface and the core chamber. Once the oil fully seeped in the wand body would be complete.
Thankfully the simplest version of the oil could be made with common ingredients. Otherwise Sebastian doubted he could have pulled it off at all.
Knock knock.
"Sebastian dear, dinner is ready."
"Okay, I am coming."
Putting the unfinished wand aside Sebastian stepped out of his room and joined Alisha for a rare dinner together.
"How is the taste? Still got it?"
Swallowing a piece of spicy chicken Sebastian smiled and shook his head.
"It is delicious. No regression at all."
"That is good to hear. How is school going lately?"
"Pretty smooth. What about you? How is work at the restaurant?"
As he asked Sebastian subtly watched Alisha's expression.
She frowned slightly. Today's events had not left much of a mark on her or so it seemed. Due to Kilgrave's mind control abilities Alisha retained very little memory of being manipulated. She did not even remember Sebastian finding her. In a strange way the lack of memory meant fewer psychological scars which was a small mercy amid the chaos.
Seeing that there really was not anything wrong with Alisha Sebastian finally relaxed. At least killing Kilgrave had been worth it.
But as that thought crossed his mind his brows furrowed slightly. The way he had killed Kilgrave had been too conspicuous. He could not guarantee that no one had noticed something unusual. No. He was almost certain traces had been left behind. Even though he had done his best to erase every sign of his presence things rarely went perfectly no matter how careful he tried to be.
The wand making process needed to be accelerated. He had to get a functional wand into his hands. And he needed Obliviate. Only with that spell could he truly ensure that Alisha's peaceful life would not be disturbed because of his issues. If worse came to worst he would have to use his backup plan.
Sebastian had always kept a backup plan.
He lived in New York and New York happened to house one of the Sanctums of the Sorcerer Supreme. If things got truly desperate Sebastian could only try going to the New York Sanctum and contacting the current Sorcerer Supreme. The Ancient One. Perhaps he could use the magical knowledge from his previous life as a bargaining chip to exchange for materials needed for wand making.
Of course that would be a last resort. He had no desire to go down that road unless absolutely necessary.
If SHIELD were the defenders of the physical world then the Ancient One and her Kamar Taj mages were the true protectors of the magical realm and the arcane and the supernatural. For centuries they had handled ancient threats on their own terms.
And Sebastian well he might just qualify as one of those supernatural threats.
So unless there was no other way Sebastian had no intention of putting himself under the Ancient One's scrutiny. If he had judged things correctly then even Voldemort would not have been much in front of her. Let alone someone like him.
After finishing his meal Sebastian returned to his room with a bowl of fruit. Locking the door behind him he took out the half finished wand core he had crafted earlier and resumed work on it. His plan was to complete the wand's rough body tonight. Once that was done it would be time to test whether the wand core could actually function.
Sebastian carefully placed the rough wand core inside the wand body. Using extremely slender tools and magic he inscribed the ancient runes one by one. Then using magical lines he connected the runes forming veins that resembled the nervous system of the human body. Each rune acted like a nerve synapse interconnected by the magical patterns.
Once the last magic pattern was drawn Sebastian immediately felt a change in the rough body of the wand before him. It was as if the wand itself had come to life responding to his magic. This was a change Sebastian had long awaited but had never encountered in any of his previous attempts.
Could it really be successful?
He put down the tools and picked up the rough wand body made from the pine tree heart. He waved it slightly. He instantly felt his magic power flow into the wand without hesitation. This sensation was unmistakable. It had worked.
After more than three years and the creation of over ten wand bodies he had finally succeeded.
Next he prepared the oil he had made earlier. He took out several bottles and jars from the box and arranged them on the table. He mixed them in a large bowl. Once the oil was ready he spread it evenly over the wand letting it soak into the surface.
When the oil was fully absorbed Sebastian let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment he realized he had not noticed when the sun had risen. He had been working all night.
He stood up and opened the curtains. He squinted as he adjusted to the bright sunlight outside. Stretching his limbs Sebastian packed up his things and dressed. He went for a run. Afterward he returned home to prepare breakfast. Alisha usually did not eat breakfast on her days off preferring to spend the morning sleeping.
After eating and washing the dishes Sebastian got dressed and went out. He retrieved a courier package.
After taking the package Sebastian immediately went home eager to examine its contents. Inside he found five feathers from legendary magical creatures. Owls and crows and other ancient birds. The hair of pure white horses along with three lizards and snake nerve tissue.
Sitting in his room Sebastian began the process of crafting the wand core once again. The wand body had been a success and now the only missing element was a usable core. If he could make this part work many of the issues that had been plaguing him would no longer be a concern.
A plume of blue smoke rose from the scorched snake nerve tissue filling the room with an unpleasant burnt odor.
But as he examined the results it became clear. The final attempt to create the heart of the wand had failed. This meant that none of the materials he had gathered no matter how exotic could serve as the core.
Indeed while finding the right material for the wand body had been possible the core was a different matter entirely. Ordinary animal materials simply could not withstand the force of the magical circuits. They were incapable of channeling or amplifying the magic power needed for the wand.
Was he really going to have to seek out the Sanctum in New York?
No. Not yet. He still had other material combinations to try. There were still ways he had not explored. He would push forward with them for now and only when necessary would he turn to his last resort.
Reaching out to Kamar Taj and the Ancient One was not something he could do lightly especially when his strength was still insufficient. Even though they were the guardians of Earth's mystical side Sebastian was wary of whether their character would match his memories of them. It was a risk he was not ready to take yet.
Leaning back in his chair Sebastian turned on his computer. He ordered more materials from various types of birds and horses and amphibians on eBay and Amazon before setting the mouse aside.
Glancing at the time on the clock Sebastian got up and grabbed something quick for lunch. He stepped out to a cafe two blocks away and began his work which would last for six hours.
He continued to buy wood and materials from a variety of animals.
It was costing him quite a bit and the pocket money Alisha gave him was starting to stretch thin. To make up for it Sebastian had been working at the cafe since last year. Luckily his appearance a tall handsome young man helped him land the job immediately after his interview.
He worked here for six hours every Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday. His shifts began at 4 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 1 PM on Saturdays.
Alisha had some concerns about him working so much and thought it might be too tiring but she relented after Sebastian insisted. However when he got off work on Tuesday and Thursday nights Alisha would often drive to wait for him outside. Then she would take him home.
After greeting his colleagues Sebastian changed into his uniform and began his shift greeting customers who came in for coffee.
It was then that the news broadcast on the cafe's TV caught his attention.
"Famed entrepreneurial philanthropist Tony Stark will be honored tonight with the Annual Apogee Award for his contribution to the maintenance of peace in America and the world."
The Apogee Award. That name sounds familiar. Maybe this could be an opportunity. If Stark's stock takes a hit after the event it could be a good chance to buy low and sell high. But for now it is not something I need to worry about. I will keep an eye on it just in case.