This genuine wizard stared intently at Levi, as if trying to discern something from him.
I don't recall hearing about any new colleagues coming...
But if we're being specific, the feeling from this person... was somewhat familiar.
"I am called Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey. Those who know me call me so."
The young human lord had successfully caught the old wizard's attention.
Although he felt somewhat surprised, Gandalf was, after all, a wizard. The title of wizard meant that he was a wizard... a wizard who had lived for a very long time.
Having traveled Middle-earth for so many years, what hadn't old Gandalf seen?
It was just a being with magical powers, though this one did feel rather unique.
"Levi Stonecraft, an adventurer."
"Adventurer? You look more like an architect, or perhaps a lord."
"Thank you. I wouldn't say lord, but I do work part-time as an architect."
While speaking, Levi's gaze gradually drifted upward toward Gandalf.
[30/30]
This old Gandalf's constitution wasn't ordinary either.
Although the display showed Gandalf had 30 hit points, Levi had reason to suspect whether this health bar was locked.
"Gandalf, hmm... having a guest visit but leaving him standing at the doorstep isn't a good thing. Why don't you come in and look around?"
"Oh, yes, of course. I'd be delighted to." Gandalf nodded and followed Levi through the iron gate.
His keen eyes darted around, observing the structure within the walls with the practiced gaze of one who had seen many wonders.
Separately penned animals, a spacious horse field and stables, plus mature crops... all quite normal. It was autumn now, indeed harvest time. It had to be said, these crops were growing well and clearly promised abundant fruit.
Gandalf nodded and continued looking elsewhere.
That was... a smithy?
Why did this forge's design look somewhat familiar? He seemed to have seen it somewhere before.
Wait, what was that thing over there?
Gandalf immediately spotted the enchanting table, along with unknown runes constantly flowing from the surrounding bookshelves toward the enchanting table like mystical fireflies. This novel phenomenon greatly aroused his curiosity.
"I can sense some kind of magical power from it."
Rustle...
Sensing Gandalf's approach, the book on the enchanting table automatically opened, turning its contents toward Gandalf. This truly gave the wizard a small shock.
"It is indeed what I use to add magical power to equipment."
"Speaking of which, your staff doesn't seem very sturdy. Would you like me to enchant it for you?"
"Enchant? You mean add magical power? If possible, I'd like to try."
For some reason, Gandalf felt an inexplicable, faint sense of closeness and familiarity toward this young man before him. That feeling was as if returning to many, many years ago, before even coming to Middle-earth, or even earlier...
Unconsciously, Gandalf handed his staff to Levi, his eyes fixed on him as if trying to see something.
Obviously, Levi's title collection was undergoing another inspection.
Gandalf nodded, confirming that this young man was not an enemy of the Free Peoples, and was even a friend of elves and Rangers, seemingly also on good terms with dwarves.
Perhaps after this he should inquire around the area. After all, such a large structure appearing out of nowhere couldn't be without news spreading. Nearby settlements might have heard some rumors or stories about him.
While Gandalf's mind was heavy with thoughts, Levi wasn't acting without purpose either.
[Solid Wood Staff] Attack +5.
Good heavens, who would have thought that a mere wooden stick would have the same attack power as a stone sword? Anyone hit on the head with this would be dazed.
Before the enchanting table, staring at the rather lustrous staff in his hands, Levi pondered for a long time.
"What's wrong?" Finally, Gandalf beside him couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing, I just think this staff is very unique."
Gandalf nodded. "It has indeed been with me for a long time."
Levi fell silent for a moment.
Is that what I'm concerned about?
What I'm concerned about is why the new mod unlock notification hasn't appeared yet!
Is this thing actually a magic staff or not?
Seeing that after waiting for quite a while there really was no movement, Levi had to temporarily give up. Sighing, he took out lapis lazuli and placed the staff on the enchanting table.
The staff floated in mid-air. The lapis lazuli dissolved in his hands, transforming into streams of light that gathered into the staff.
Unbreaking III, Sharpness IV.
Not bad.
Levi casually took a Sharpness IV enchanted book from a nearby chest and directly upgraded the staff to Sharpness V.
Now this staff had a full 8 attack points... very strong.
He returned it to Gandalf.
As soon as he grasped this staff that had begun emanating a barely perceptible, subtle glow, Gandalf immediately felt the difference. He casually swung it a couple of times... the momentum was fierce and powerful.
"I can feel it's become harder and sharper too. It could even serve as a fine weapon."
Gandalf was very satisfied.
"Thank you, young, er, Levi. This will make my journeys much smoother."
This wise elder thought for a long time but really didn't know what to call Levi, since he had quite a few titles.
In the end, he chose to give up thinking and called him by name directly.
"As long as it helps you."
Although Levi's territory was large in area, when it came down to it, the specific facilities weren't too numerous. Many areas were still vacant, without specific planning.
A complete tour wouldn't take too long.
Walking along, every time he saw something magical, Gandalf could always find similar things in his memory. He would tell Levi about his experiences while commenting on the things in Levi's territory.
For a moment it was as if Gandalf was giving Levi the tour.
The brewing area.
"Brewing? I know of a fellow in the forest who also concocts some potions with strange effects, though he usually uses those medicines to help nearby animals."
The nether wart cultivation field.
"Oh, I seem to have seen this kind of sand in the eastern Dead Marshes. That place is full of bones from people who died in past ages. Resentment gathers in heaps, with ghostly shadows everywhere. Passersby who aren't careful will be deceived by those phantoms, sink to the bottom of the lake and drown, and become one of the vengeful spirits."
No, don't worry. The soul sand here won't pull you down if you put it in water... it'll make you fly up instead.
Levi answered silently in his mind.
"Forgive my bluntness, but this is simply too evil. The ingredients you use for brewing are actually cultivated using souls of the dead."
Gandalf said this while pointing at the nether wart.
This was simply like... like some kind of necromancer.
Gandalf shook his head repeatedly. However, although he said this, the wizard didn't raise any objections or try to stop Levi. He just glanced at it and passed by.
After all, this thing only looked a bit evil... it hadn't shown any substantial harm.
Gandalf was always like this, maintaining a calm demeanor.
But even so, when he followed Levi near the Nether portal, he still widened his eyes and stopped there, unable to move.
"This..."
Old Gandalf unconsciously lit his pipe.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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