Following the White Mountains, I decided to finally visit Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor. Human villages and cities had only ever disappointed , so I didn't have high expectations. But having co this far, I couldn't miss Minas Tirith.
At this ti, Minas Tirith was ruled by Turgon, who had succeeded Steward Turin II. His reputation was quite good. Gondor was in a peaceful period, and though his grandson would later beco a problem, Turgon himself seed to be a capable ruler.
As I crossed the plains and ca within sight of Minas Tirith, I was struck by the city's grandeur and beauty. Built of white stone against the edge of the mountain range, the city rose in concentric tiers like a colossal tower.
From the lore, I knew the lower levels were the comrcial district and hos of commoners, while the upper levels housed nobility and the ruling class.
"I'd like to go up to the top..."
The reason I wanted to reach the top was to see the White Tree in person. But it wasn't a place travelers could freely enter, and it was always guarded by soldiers.
"Hmm... Should I sneak in?"
I decided to enter the city first.
Fortunately, Minas Tirith's streets were relatively clean and seed safe. The goods at the market were fresh. But still, only stone bread.
'A bread business would make a fortune.'
I walked through the city, taking in the sights. As I climbed higher, I saw laundry hanging and children playing — I had entered the residential areas. Eventually, I reached a large gate where soldiers controlled entry. From this point onward, commoners were not allowed to pass.
I considered claiming to be a wizard, but that would likely bring unwanted trouble, so I simply turned invisible and entered the upper levels. The upper city was ho to high-ranking officials and nobles — they dressed in fine clothes, and there were more guards.
The people here seed content; smiles never left their faces. Turgon must have been a good ruler. At the very top, I saw the famous White Tree and the White Tower of Ecthelion.
The White Tree was planted in a circular garden with four paths crossing at its center, each guarded by soldiers. The White Tower itself was tall and slender — nearly 100 ters high.
I teleported to the top of the White Tower and could clearly see as far as Mordor. Though it was dayti, the land was dark and lightning constantly struck. A large volcano was visible — likely Mount Doom.
After admiring the view, I teleported back to the Dragon's Tower. Upon arriving, I saw an old man in white robes with Gandalf. The white-robed figure was clearly Saruman. They had even set up a tent — they were determined to et .
"Huh? What is it?"
Gandalf, who knew , spoke first.
"You've finally arrived. So, was your journey pleasant?"
"It was. Except the food was terrible."
I stored the replica tower in my inventory and took out the real one, installing it in its place. I did it so quickly that the tower might have appeared briefly distorted to them.
"What magic is this? The tower has changed. There was only stone here."
Saruman, as expected of a powerful wizard, noticed imdiately.
"Just a security spell. Co inside. You seem to have been here for days — I'll offer you a warm al."
They didn't refuse and ca inside. I had avoided Saruman because of the original story, but now that it had co to this, there was no help for it.
Saruman looked around, fascinated by everything. Gandalf, having visited before, simply sat in a chair. I served them a al — cheese cutlets.
"Oh~ This is delicious. I had no idea such food existed."
"Remarkable. To incorporate cheese in such a way."
Gandalf and Saruman ate and marveled. Compared to the stone bread of this world, it was on another level.
"Didn't you two co from Valinor? I'd have thought there'd be plenty of delicious food there."
"It's not so different there from here."
"Living so many years without ever eating well... you've wasted your lives."
"Hmm... Well, when it cos to cooking, you may be right..."
Gandalf readily admitted it. After the al, I served black tea and cookies for dessert.
"Phew~ That was excellent. I haven't eaten so well in a long ti."
"So, why have you co?"
I asked Gandalf.
"Join the White Council."
Gandalf made a shocking offer. I thought for a mont, then said:
"I refuse. I just want to live quietly and research magic. I don't want to be chained down."
As a Lord of the Rings fan, I was a little tempted. But the original story still mattered, and joining would just an endless troubleso work.
When I refused, Saruman said to Gandalf:
"See? What did I tell you? Dragons only care about their own interests and nothing else."
"Hmm... You're right. I was too eager. Still, confirming he's not an enemy is a great gain."
"That is true."
We talked over the al, and as the sun began to set, I offered them a place to stay.
"It's late. Stay the night."
"Thank you."
I showed them to the guest rooms in the tower and explained how to use the shower and bathroom. Saruman listened intently, as if discovering a new world. Gandalf, experiencing these anities for the first ti, was equally fascinated.
After the explanation, Saruman asked questions.
"Where do you store the water?"
"Rainwater is collected by magic and stored at the top of the tower. It can be used from anywhere below."
"Such a convenient design... May I use the water freely?"
"Yes. Towels are in the changing room drawers."
"I see. I've learned a great deal. I will apply this to my own tower."
Saruman seed intent on starting major renovations at Isengard as soon as he returned.
The next morning, after breakfast, they left. When I went to clean the rooms, I found quite a ss. Their earlier camping had left sand and mud on the beds, and the shower was full of hair. Without [Life Magic], I would have been furious.
"Geez... Primitives. Unbelievable."
I grumbled as I cleaned with magic.
Ti passed. It had been two weeks since I returned from my travels. I was living so leisurely that I wondered if this was allowed. Then, an elf woman visited the tower. It was Arwen.
"Hello."
"You actually ca."
"You don't seem happy to see ."
"No, it's not that. I just thought Elrond wouldn't allow it. I'm surprised."
"I snuck out."
"I-I see."
Arwen was truly a daughter who caused her father grief. No wonder she would eventually marry Aragorn against advice and suffer for centuries due to their different lifespans.
"Have you eaten?"
"No, not yet."
"Then co in."
I served Arwen a delicious vegetable al, then gave her ice cream for dessert. She ate well.
"That was wonderful. I've never tasted food so delicious."
"I'm glad."
Watching Arwen, I rembered that she used water magic in the original. I beca curious about magic in this universe, so I asked:
"Could you show so magic?"
"Huh? But aren't you far more skilled?"
"I'm curious what elven magic is like."
"Ah, I see. Then let's go outside. I'll show you."
We went outside, and I used [Naked Eye] to analyze her magic as she perford it. She summoned the wind — a form of magic that uses herself as a dium to borrow nature's power.
DING~!
You have acquired the ability [(D) Elentalis].
"I'm still unskilled. Sorry."
"No, it's enough."
Honestly, it didn't suit . This form of magic allowed one to cast powerful spells with little personal power, but because it borrowed nature's strength, it had clear limits. You couldn't surpass the power nature lent you, and it required a natural affinity. In other words, you had to be born with it.
"Now, show your magic. Oh! I still don't know your na. What should I call you?"
"Call Jean."
"Alright."
Using my [Freezing (My Hero Academia)] ability from the gacha, I created a massive block of ice, then used [Control] and [Telekinesis] to compress it into an ice sculpture of Arwen.
"Wow~ Amazing!"
"Want to make another?"
Using the sa thod, I made an ice sculpture of her father, Elrond — deliberately in a silly pose like a certain grumpy old man.
"Ahahahaha! What is that!"
Arwen burst out laughing at her father's pose. Just then, soone approached on horseback.
"Gasp! Father."
It was Elrond.
"Leaving without a word, and here you are. And what is this ridiculous sculpture?"
Elrond frowned.
"She asked to see my magic, so I made it."
"Impressive. But I rule a realm. I would appreciate it if you refrained from such things."
Elrond couldn't be cool about it. Even though his daughter loved it.
"I see. Very well. Co inside. I'll serve so tea."
We went back inside and drank tea.
"Arwen, why did you co here?"
Elrond spoke first.
"I wanted more of that Magic White Powder I got last ti. And to see magic... Pfft... Ahem... Sorry."
Arwen couldn't suppress her laughter at the mory.
"Hmm... I see. Still, next ti, inform before you leave."
"Fine."
I offered macarons as a snack. Arwen loved them, so I packed so for her to take. Of course, I gave her several more pouches of MSG.
"As I said before, don't use too much. It will ruin the natural flavor."
"Okay."
After seeing father and daughter off, I studied [(D) Elentalis], the magic of The Lord of the Rings world. Ti passes quickly when you have nothing but ti to research. A few days later, Arwen returned.
"Did you already run out of Magic White Powder?"
"No, I was just bored... Do you not like coming?"
"No, it's not that..."
Arwen and I ate together, talked about magic, and she returned to Rivendell. A few days later, she ca back again. She repeated this pattern for two years: eat, talk, go ho, return. Over ti, we grew very close. I even taught her so of the magic I had developed — recast in the form of this world's magic.
Thanks to that, my mastery grew rapidly. Through two years of research and training, my [Elentalis] ability rose to S rank. But it seed this magic had limits — it wouldn't go higher. S rank was probably the cap.
"The magic you teach is always fast and practical, Jean. But so of it — like using wind as blades — feels too aggressive."
"I believe a wizard should have at least one spell they can cast quickly. A wizard's most vulnerable mont is when they're chanting a spell. Having one such ability could save your life in an ergency."
"Hmm... That is true."
I took out a ring from my inventory. It was a mana storage ring made of red diamond. Not as powerful as the coronaite storage, but it would be more than enough for this world.
"Is this... Have you finally decided to marry ?"
"Huh?"
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