In LOTR with Hogwarts Sign-In System!

"That's right." Gandalf nodded firmly. "I have a feeling that going with you this time will be much smoother, perhaps with no real danger."

Kael was skeptical of Gandalf's premonition. He knew his own limitations—even Gandalf was no match for Sauron, so adding himself, a relative weakling, wouldn't that just be delivering an extra meal to the enemy?

"Gandalf, why don't we contact some reinforcements, like Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel?"

"There's no time!" Gandalf shook his head urgently. "Beorn said Orcs have been gathering at Dol Guldur these past few days. They must be planning something significant. We need to investigate the situation immediately and prepare early. We can't wait for Lady Galadriel and the others to arrive."

"No, Gandalf, there is time," Kael said, showing a confident smile as he took out a bottle of Floo Powder from his enchanted pouch and shook it. "Did you forget I have this?"

Kael never fought unprepared battles. Since he knew Dol Guldur was dangerous, he didn't want to venture there with just himself and Gandalf to face the powerful Dark Lord Sauron.

"I've already connected Beorn's fireplace to the Floo Network, which leads directly to Rivendell's fireplace. We can return to Beorn's house immediately and use the fireplace to go to Rivendell and request Lord Elrond's reinforcement."

Although they couldn't contact Galadriel for now, if they could invite Elrond, that would be powerful support and confidence. Especially since Rivendell didn't only have Elrond as a powerful Elf—there was also Glorfindel, the Lord of the Golden Flower whom they had briefly met before, whose strength was no less than Elrond's.

Hearing Kael's words, Gandalf suddenly understood and slapped his forehead in annoyance.

"Getting old makes the mind rigid. I can't keep up with you young people's flexible thinking." He paused, then brightened. "But we don't need to return to Beorn's house. I have a better idea. Before going to Dol Guldur, we need to visit an old friend. His home is in the southern forest of Mirkwood, closer to Dol Guldur. We can use his fireplace to go to Rivendell."

"Are you talking about Radagast the Brown?"

"That's him."

So Kael accepted Gandalf's invitation, agreeing to separate from the expedition and investigate Dol Guldur with him.

Thorin expressed strong objections to this.

"I disagree!" Thorin protested vehemently, his eyes blazing with anger as he stared at Gandalf. "You can leave, but Kael must stay with us!"

"I don't care what Orcs or necromancers are at Dol Guldur—that has nothing to do with our journey to the Lonely Mountain! Our only and most important goal is to reach the Lonely Mountain before Durin's Day, get the Arkenstone, and reclaim the mountain!"

Faced with the angry Thorin, Kael felt somewhat helpless and patiently explained, "Thorin, I promise you, we will reunite with you before you reach the Lonely Mountain. Dol Guldur concerns the entire situation in Middle-earth. We need to investigate clearly to prevent dark forces from rising again and to prevent them from affecting your reclamation of the Lonely Mountain."

But Thorin obviously didn't accept such reasoning, snorting stubbornly. "What Middle-earth situation? Those things have nothing to do with us. I only want to get the Arkenstone and reclaim my kingdom!"

Then he stared directly at Kael, threatening through gritted teeth, "Kael, are you sure you want to go with him? Don't forget you signed a contract with me. Do you want to break the contract?"

Kael was somewhat troubled by this Thorin, who only thought about restoring his kingdom.

"Since I promised to help you reclaim the Lonely Mountain, I naturally won't break my word. We will reunite with you before Durin's Day and help you defeat the dragon and reclaim the mountain."

Seeing Kael's firm attitude, Thorin's expression became even darker.

"I hope so. If you can't fulfill the contract, don't expect to get a single copper coin from me!"

The two sides parted on bad terms. Kael and Gandalf headed south toward Dol Guldur, while Thorin's group prepared to go east through the Old Forest Road.

Compared to following the dwarves, Bilbo would rather follow Kael and Gandalf. But he was dissuaded by Gandalf, who told him to continue with the dwarves.

After separating from the expedition, Kael and Gandalf rode horses south along the Anduin River until they reached the southernmost end of Mirkwood. After releasing the horses, the two followed a small path into the forest.

They walked to the end of the path, where there was a forest cottage built of stone and wood. The cottage looked as if no one had cleaned it for years—the thatched roof was overgrown with weeds, the stones were covered with moss, and mushrooms were growing on the wood.

If not for the smoke rising from the chimney, one would think this was an abandoned, uninhabited cottage.

The wooden door opened from inside, and Radagast the Brown Wizard emerged from the cottage, his face lighting up with delight.

"Gandalf! How did you come here?"

"Radagast," Gandalf greeted him with a warm smile. "Kael and I happened to be passing by, so we came to visit you. Are we welcome?"

"Of course you're welcome; come in quickly!"

Radagast said enthusiastically, then his gaze fell on Kael, and his eyes lit up with recognition.

"I remember you, young wizard—the one who helped me lead away the Orcs and Wargs last time."

"Very pleased to see you again," Kael smiled and nodded.

Inviting the two into the cottage, Radagast enthusiastically poured them tea brewed with unknown grass roots. Kael took a sip—it tasted somewhat bitter, similar to traditional medicine from his previous life.

But what made his eyes light up was that the tea actually contained magical power, quickly relieving the fatigue of long-distance travel.

Hogwarts Check-in System: Location detected - Mirkwood - Radagast the Brown's Cottage. Check in?

The system suddenly prompted. Kael's eyes lit up with joy—he hadn't expected an unexpected harvest here.

"Check in."

Check-in successful. Congratulations on obtaining Professor Sprout's Herbology knowledge!

Countless knowledge about magical herb cultivation, planting, collection, and preparation flooded into his mind, as if someone had used a Memory Charm to forcibly insert someone else's knowledge memories into his brain. After he digested and absorbed it, he would become a Herbology master.

Kael was overjoyed. He had originally considered that once his herbology knowledge reached a certain level, he would compare the magical herbs from the Harry Potter world with the herbs of this world one by one, finding similar medicinal effects as substitutes to create more potions.

He hadn't expected to achieve this in one step, directly receiving all of Professor Sprout's herbology knowledge.

He took another sip of the grass root tea, and corresponding magical world herbs immediately came to mind.

Radagast sensed Kael's joyful mood and thought he really liked the medicinal tea he had brewed. Like finding a kindred spirit, he happily poured Kael another full bowl of tea.

Having drunk traditional medicine in his previous life, Kael considered this a small matter. Under Gandalf's admiring gaze, he very graciously drank it all in one gulp, then actively asked what herbs it was made from.

As the wizard among the five most skilled in herbology, seeing Kael so interested, Radagast shared everything he knew. As a Maia serving Yavanna, the Vala of growing things, Radagast knew the properties and effects of various herbs and plants in Middle-earth like the back of his hand. Kael gained tremendous benefits from him.

Radagast was also very surprised and delighted by Kael. Kael's various creative ideas and applications for herbs sparked his inspiration, and he quickly considered him a kindred spirit.

The two discussed enthusiastically as if no one else was present, until Gandalf helplessly coughed a few times to interrupt their continued discussion.

"Oh, sorry, I almost forgot you were still here, Gandalf," Radagast said apologetically to his old friend, then remembered to ask, "By the way, is there something you need here?"

[Chapter Complete]

***

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