For sixty years, I lived happily with Arwen. Besides magical research, I used my [Blacksmith] ability to craft various items. In the process, I gained a new ability: [Crafting].
[Crafting] – Understand and process the characteristics of materials.
Given the generic na, it seed to include leatherworking, gem cutting, and more.
With these abilities, I forged swords and crafted several suits of armor for display. Mithril, obtainable in The Lord of the Rings universe, is extrely light, stronger than steel, and magic-friendly. However, being so light, it was ideal for armor but less suited for weapons. For swords and the like, I used alloys mixed with mithril.
For armor and weapons I particularly liked, I granted abilities within limits that wouldn't break the world's lore — fire, frost, lightning. I also made many leather items, mostly bags. And for Arwen, I occasionally crafted jewelry.
Pursuing this as a hobby, I soon filled an entire warehouse. As a result, my [Blacksmith] ability reached EX rank, and [Crafting] reached SSS.
I didn't spend my ti solely on research and crafting. I often visited Rivendell to talk with Elrond, and Arwen and I occasionally traveled. Guests also ca. Aragorn, now a Ranger operating out of Rivendell, would sotis stop by for pocket money, als, and a few days' stay. The funny thing was that Aragorn now looked older than . A guy looking like an uncle calling 'brother' was a bit strange.
Gandalf also visited often — whenever he was near the Misty Mountains, he would stop by. He always got a al and took coffee. He also ca a few tis to repair his subspace bag when it broke.
An unexpected visitor also ca — Saruman. He once had a magical sparring match with Arwen, lost, and was so shocked that he swallowed his pride and returned several tis for advice.
"Saruman, do you know why you keep losing to Arwen? Because you're too fixated on power. What's the point of having power you can't fully use?"
"Then what do you suggest?"
"In my opinion, you need to cultivate your imagination."
I taught Saruman various spells and explained why imagination was so important.
"Oh, I see. Understood."
The next ti he ca, Saruman had developed a flaming whip spell and used it to defeat Arwen.
"Wow~! Magnificent. Now do you understand? Magic is fun, isn't it?"
"Yes. I've been missing sothing important. As you said, power isn't everything. Oh~ I just thought of another interesting spell. I must go."
He rode off quickly to his tower. For the next ten years, he didn't leave it. Gandalf, worried, went to Isengard and found Saruman so consud by magical research that he had to drag him out for a walk in Lorien. Gandalf said that when he first saw Saruman buried under research papers, he thought he had fallen.
After that, Saruman visited occasionally to eat with Arwen and and discuss magic. He always seed delighted during our discussions. Thanks to that, we beca quite close.
"This is a spell for creating a flower garden."
"Oh~ Fascinating! Does it accelerate plant growth?"
"Yes. The problem is that forcing growth too much makes it short-lived."
"Hmm... That's a sha. What if you did this instead?"
This was how it went at every discussion. One of us would demonstrate a spell, and if there were flaws, we would offer suggestions. Thanks to this, Arwen's and Saruman's magical abilities improved daily. I also benefited, raising my [Mana Efficiency] from B to A.
'Now it would be a problem if Saruman fell.'
He had indeed reduced his obsession with power, replacing it with an obsession for magical research — creating his own spells.
One day, Gandalf unexpectedly joined the discussion.
"Saruman! Sauron grows stronger every day. Stop locking yourself in your tower and look at the bigger picture."
"Hmph. The scolder returns. We're in the middle of an important discussion. Be patient."
"Geez, how important can a discussion be... Fine, I'll join."
From that day, Gandalf also participated.
"Is this how it's done?"
"Good heavens. You call yourself a wizard? Move aside."
Gandalf tried to copy a spell Arwen had demonstrated — freezing water in mid-air and launching ice shards in all directions. But his ice clumped and was weak. Saruman, frustrated, demonstrated properly.
Pew pew pew pew!
"This is how it's done."
Arwen and I applauded.
Clap clap clap!
"Oh~ As expected of Saruman. Precise control and great strength. Impressive!"
"Hmph, this is nothing."
Saruman looked embarrassed by our praise. Gandalf, undaunted, kept practicing. As a wizard, he eventually succeeded, though his form was clumsy. We watched, then resud the discussion.
"What do you think of spells that combine two natural effects?"
"A new world. There are difficulties, but it greatly increases magical diversity."
"Right? That's why imagination is so important for wizards."
"Yes, imagination! Oh~ I think I have another idea."
Gandalf tried to stop him.
"Calm down! Geez... Are you going to lock yourself in your tower for another ten years?"
I looked outside — the sun was setting. I served them dinner.
"So that spell is..."
"Well, the problem is..."
"In my opinion..."
We continued discussing even while eating. After the al, while drinking tea, Saruman said:
"Co to think of it, the na 'Discussion Group' seems inadequate."
"Hmm... Well, it's been going on for a while."
"Then what about the 'White Magic Research Society'?"
"Good. Arwen, what do you think?"
Arwen, drinking tea, agreed.
"Good."
Gandalf looked worried.
"Are you sure it's wise to use our power so freely?"
"Geez, you've gone so long without using your power that you've forgotten how. Occasional training is necessary. That way, you can use it when it matters."
"Hmm... That's true. Fine, I'll participate occasionally."
Gandalf unexpectedly agreed to join. I thought he would only complain, given his concern over Sauron. Anyway, we decided to et every two months.
Ti passed. I learned that a song called 'Arkad Jean' was being sung by the people. The lyrics were:
Lord of the Misty Mountains, Arkad Jean
Standing tall above the misty peaks, a red heart burns, splitting the sky. With fiery breath he scorches the earth, before his na, orcs and trolls hide in shadow.
An authority that quiens even children's cries, with thunderous wingbeats the wind holds its breath. His gaze pierces a thousand years with wisdom. Lord of the Misty Mountains, Arkad Jean.
'Should I be happy or not...'
It was probably due to my exploits at Erebor. The lody was pleasant, but the lyrics being about were embarrassing. Arwen found it amusing.
That was the last sixty years.
Then one day, Aragorn ca to the tower.
"Welco. Long ti no see."
"Brother, it's been a while. Sister, good to see you too."
He went to his room, showered, and ca out. He visited so often he had his own designated room.
After his shower, Aragorn ca to the living room.
"Gandalf isn't here yet?"
"Huh? Were you eting Gandalf?"
"He told to et him at the Dragon's Tower."
I was dumbfounded. They were using my tower as a eting place.
"Good grief..."
Aragorn told what had happened during the al.
"Orcs have been appearing frequently lately. It's a big problem. People are having trouble traveling between villages."
Sauron was clearly regaining his power, and orc numbers were increasing.
"Take care of yourself. Many people would be sad if you got hurt."
"I will."
While we talked, Gandalf arrived.
"You got here first."
"Gandalf, it's been a long ti."
I served Gandalf a al. He explained why he had called Aragorn.
"I have a favor. I want you to capture Gollum."
Gandalf asked Aragorn to capture Gollum. But Aragorn had no idea who Gollum was.
"Huh? Gollum?"
"Have you heard the story of the 'blood-drinking specter' in villages near Mirkwood?"
"Ah~ that famous rumor. The specter that preys on young animals in Mirkwood, or cos down to inhabited areas to raid cradles."
"Yes. Eventually, the rumor grew to say it drank human blood. That specter is Gollum."
"But why do you want to capture this specter?"
Gandalf hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
"Hmm... It seems Sauron is trying to use him for sothing. I want him captured alive, not killed, to find out what."
"I see. Understood."
Gandalf, suspecting that Bilbo might possess the One Ring, began investigating. His investigation led him to Gollum, and he asked Aragorn for help. This mission would cause Aragorn great hardship for a long ti.
I listened, then patted Aragorn on the shoulder.
"Sounds like you have a hard journey ahead. Co with ."
I opened my warehouse and showed him the weapons and armor I had made.
"Wow... I knew you made things, brother, but I didn't know it was this much."
Aragorn admired the array of displayed weapons and armor.
"Pick whatever you want."
Aragorn looked around. He chose a mithril light armor and a mithril alloy sword enchanted with [Lightning] and [Hardening].
"Be careful with that blade. It has lightning magic on it."
Aragorn drew the sword and examined it.
"I like it. Does it always crackle with lightning?"
"The lightning doesn't activate when sheathed or when you're not holding it."
"I see."
Gandalf looked closely at the staves I had made. In this world, wizards store power in their staves, so they cannot easily replace them — making the staff both a powerful weapon and a weakness.
"Hmm... Many good staves. If I were a younger wizard, or if my staff weren't so old, I might exchange it."
Unable to replace his staff, Gandalf looked at daggers.
"I feel magic in this dagger. What does it do?"
"Stabbing a target drains life and blood, healing the wielder's wounds."
"That sounds like a cursed dagger. What about this one?"
"It creates micro-vibrations, increasing cutting power. Very sharp, so be careful."
"Oh~ I see. I'll take this one. Do these swords and armors have nas?"
"Hmm... No. 'Jean's Magic Dagger'? Sounds strange. Let the one who takes it na it."
"Understood."
After choosing his gear and spending the night, Aragorn packed his supplies and prepared to leave. Knowing he would suffer, I gave him plenty of gold and silver.
"Brother, isn't this too much?"
"It's going to take a long ti. I'm giving you enough."
"You're making nervous."
Gandalf tried to reassure him.
"Don't worry. It's just a specter. It'll be caught in no ti."
Seven years passed. Aragorn and Gandalf did not return. Occasionally, rumors reached us — of a warrior hunting orcs with a lightning sword. About now, I imagined Aragorn was probably cursing Gandalf.
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