Elrond proved why he was one of Middle-earth's wisest sages. With his help and guidance, the Two-Way Mirror research progressed rapidly.
Moreover, Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen all participated in the project, providing their wisdom and inspiration.
Kael also referenced the Floo Network's functions, deciding to establish a "Magic Network" similar to the internet from his previous life. Two-Way Mirrors would serve as terminals, forming a magical network that connects all terminals, allowing different Two-Way Mirrors to communicate with each other.
Moreover, Kael used the Resurrection Stone ring to summon Fëanor, who had created the palantíri, integrating part of the palantír's abilities into the Two-Way Mirrors.
After a month of joint research, a brand new Two-Way Mirror was born.
On Kael's workbench, a neat row of palm-sized mirrors was arranged. The mirrors were made of glass, their backs coated with mithril. Reflected images were incredibly clear, every detail perfectly visible.
The mirrors were set in gold or silver frames, exquisitely crafted, appearing like carefully made artworks.
Kael picked up a mirror, saying softly, "Mirror, mirror, connect me to Arwen."
"Yes, Master." A cartoon baby dragon appeared in the mirror.
The next second, Arwen's beautiful face appeared in the mirror.
"Kael, are you finished?"
Kael nodded, somewhat proud. "Finished. The Two-Way Mirror technology is mature now. Not only can it connect one-to-one and one-to-many, but it can also store images, text, and sounds in the mirror, saving them for yourself or uploading to the Magic Network for others to view and discuss."
There were other functions Kael couldn't explain all at once, but these Two-Way Mirrors he'd improved were no different from smartphones in his previous life.
Even superior to smartphones.
Because these mirrors had mirror spirits. Like the cartoon baby dragon that appeared, they possessed intelligence. Just at the master's command, they could handle everything, like little butlers living in the mirror and magical network.
Arwen, on the other side, hearing Kael's words, curiously came to Kael's workroom.
Looking at that row of Two-Way Mirrors, already knowing Kael could succeed, she couldn't help but marvel, feeling proud of her husband.
"Kael, you're amazing! I think this Two-Way Mirror is another invention no less significant than the Floo Network," Arwen said to Kael with worshipful eyes. "If widely distributed, letting everyone in Middle-earth have Two-Way Mirrors, this will surely bring transformative changes to Middle-earth."
Arwen's worship pleased Kael greatly, but he still shook his head somewhat regretfully.
"Making Two-Way Mirrors universal isn't easy. Every mirror needs to be handcrafted by me. Making large quantities isn't easy, unless I can research mass production methods later."
He had spent a month and only made 10 mirrors, plus the Two-Way Mirrors previously given to Arwen and Elrond. After improvements, only 12 total.
"You've already done wonderfully. We have plenty of time, there's no rush. There will be ways," Arwen gently encouraged.
Then her gaze fell on a large golden mirror standing nearby.
"Kael, what's this?"
"This is the main mirror, the central core of all mirrors, storing all mirror information and data, and serving as the hub for all mirror interactions. With it, all mirrors can connect with each other and share text, images, sounds, and other information," Kael introduced.
Of course, what he didn't say was that this main mirror could also monitor other mirrors and locate them.
He believed in being prepared. If Two-Way Mirrors were misused in the future, he could directly block or cut off certain mirrors' signals through the main mirror, rendering them useless.
He could also monitor other Two-Way Mirrors' communications through the main mirror.
This main mirror was what he had spent the most time and energy creating this month.
It was essentially no different from central internet servers and was also the core of the magical network Kael planned to establish.
After making the first batch of Two-Way Mirrors, Kael considered recipients.
Elrond and Arwen already had Two-Way Mirrors, so for the remaining, his brothers-in-law Elladan and Elrohir couldn't be left out, nor Arwen's grandparents Galadriel and Celeborn.
Bilbo and Gandalf couldn't be forgotten either.
His mayors, Luke and Butch, plus the Dunlending chief Bróg, also needed Two-Way Mirrors for constant contact.
That was already nine people.
With only ten mirrors total, there remained skin-changer Beorn, elf prince Legolas, dwarf lord Balin, and other friends who couldn't be forgotten.
Not to mention strategically important figures like the far-eastern Blue Wizards Rómestámo and Pallando, Brown Wizard Radagast, Dale lord Bard, Lonely Mountain dwarf king Thorin, Rohan king Théngel, and Gondor's Steward. All needed them.
Considering this, Kael spent another month making thirty mirrors.
Then he sent these mirrors via owl messengers to recipients throughout Middle-earth.
In the nearby Shire, at noon, Bilbo prepared lunch in the kitchen.
While frying sausages, he suddenly heard knocking at the window.
He wondered, extending his head to look at the window. He was surprised to see a snowy owl standing outside, pecking the window glass with its sharp beak, like knocking.
Seeing the snowy owl, Bilbo was startled.
He remembered this was one of Kael's owl messengers kept in the castle tower. Why had it come to him?
Did Kael send him mail?
He quickly stopped working, opening Bag End's door, then walking to the window to face the snowy owl.
"Little fellow, did Kael send you?" Bilbo softly asked the white owl.
"Hoot hoot!" The snowy owl nodded.
Only then did Bilbo notice a small black pouch tied to the owl's leg.
Seeing it, Bilbo reached to untie it from the snowy owl's leg, feeling somewhat heavy in his hand. A hard object.
"This isn't a letter? What is it?" Bilbo thought, somewhat puzzled and curious.
But before he could open the pouch, the snowy owl hooted, reminding him. Its eyes stared toward the kitchen. The signal was obvious.
Bilbo understood, somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry, you traveled all this way, must be starving."
Pocketing the pouch, he ran into the kitchen, brought out two just-fried sausages on a plate with a glass of milk, and placed them before the snowy owl.
The snowy owl showed a satisfied expression, then enjoyed the delicious sausages.
Bilbo cheerfully watched the snowy owl, not at all feeling regret that his lunch was eaten.
Then he remembered the pouch, pulling it from his pocket and pouring its contents out.
"This is... a mirror?" Bilbo thought as he looked at the palm-sized mirror, somewhat puzzled.