Chapter 316: Ten Years
Everyone rushed to exchange their various gold, silver, and copper coins for Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts issued by Gringotts.
Moreover, Hogsmeade Mayor Luke, Bree Mayor Butch, and Prancing Pony proprietor Butterbur led the way by depositing their family wealth into Gringotts to show their support for the Lord.
Foreign traveling merchants also gladly accepted this new currency. After all, the Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts appeared to have high purity, were beautifully designed, and were clearly extraordinary at first glance. Even as collectibles, they were worthwhile.
Thus, they accepted wizard currency as trading coins and brought them back to various parts of Middle-earth.
Gradually, the entire Eriador region began using this currency. It even spread to Gondor and Rohan, and eventually appeared even in Sauron's sphere of influence, such as in the Far Eastern Easterlings' territories.
Gringotts in Middle-earth had no goblins. Instead, it was run by a group of wizards. Though relatively independent, Gringotts remained under the Ministry of Magic's supervision.
Most wizards were assigned to positions in the Ministry of Magic, Gringotts, or became Aurors, Department of Transportation staff, or bank employees.
Some of the more talented individuals remained at Hogwarts Castle for further study, becoming wandmakers, Potion Masters, Herbology Masters, or flying broomstick manufacturers.
The remaining wizards returned to their respective homes.
For instance, a woman named Rose, skilled in textiles, had been taught magical textile craftsmanship by Arwen. Upon returning to Hogsmeade, she opened "Madam Rose's Robes Shop," specializing in weaving beautiful cloth through magic and crafting various garments.
Influenced by her teacher, the clothing she created was elegant and carried an air of elven grace. Besides selling ordinary clothes, Madam Rose also imported giant spider silk cloth and tailored it into beautiful, gorgeous garments.
Although expensive, they were favored by wealthy individuals and even exported to Rohan and Gondor, becoming the clothing of choice for the nobility. After all, who wouldn't want soft, comfortable, blade and bullet-proof clothing that looked beautiful?
As Madam Rose's magical level improved, she obtained precious dragon hide from the castle and used it to craft magical garments with spell resistance. She became a renowned master tailor.
There was also Prancing Pony proprietor Butterbur. Upon returning from the castle after his studies, he continued operating his inn.
During his year of study at the castle, Butterbur received inspiration from the Lord and successfully figured out the method for making butterbeers. Thus, butterbeers quickly became the Prancing Pony's most popular beverage.
The taste resembled butter candy—not quite as greasy, with subtle hints of alcohol. Though called beer, it was more like a drink suitable for all ages. It became popular in Bree and Hogsmeade and was even exported to the Shire, Rivendell, and Gondor, becoming one of Middle-earth's famous beverages.
Combining magic with his skills, proprietor Butterbur also created Firewhiskey—a strong magical alcohol. Drinking it produced sensations of throat burning and full-body heat. It could dispel cold and increase courage, with special effects when comforting those who are frightened or grieving.
This Firewhiskey was welcomed by northern humans and dwarves, becoming the dwarves' favorite drink. They imported large quantities with generous coins.
This brought Butterbur continuous great wealth, making him the richest person in Bree.
Besides Butterbeers and Firewhiskey, Butterbur also produced Giggle Water, which made people giggle foolishly; Baruffio's Brain Elixir, which invigorated the spirit; and Bubble Water, which continuously produced bubbles.
Butterbur was most proud of his Dragon Blood Wine. As its name suggested, it was wine fermented from dragon blood. Due to the rarity of raw materials, production was extremely limited, with only a select few fortunate individuals able to taste it.
The Lord favored it, and it became the exclusive wine for Hogwarts Castle's feasts. Dragon Blood Wine had the miraculous effect of enhancing physical constitution and magical power, making it one of Butterbur's greatest achievements.
Besides Madam Rose and Butterbur, other wizards developed differently.
With guidance from Kael, clever wizards combined magic to produce various magical candies, recreating Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Ton-Tongue Toffee, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, and many other candies from another world.
With flying broomsticks now available, one could frequently see people riding them across the sky in Bree, Hogsmeade, and Isengard, drawing gasps and envy from the crowds below.
Without anyone noticing, ten years passed. The year was now 2960.
At his old friend Bilbo's 70th birthday celebration, Kael presented him with another bottle of Elixir of Life
With the Elixir of Life's enhancement, Bilbo's appearance remained unchanged except for a few more years reflected in his eyes. Most of his time was spent in the Shire, occupied with his breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.
In his leisure time, he sat in his small garden basking in the sun, smoking his pipe, and reading newspapers.
Occasionally, he visited Hogwarts Castle through the fireplace. Kael and Arwen always let him stay for some time.
Kael once asked Bilbo if he wanted to become a wizard.
But Bilbo declined by shaking his head.
Bilbo was an easily satisfied hobbit. Besides possessing adventurous genes from the Took family, he also carried the comfort and optimism of the Baggins family. He was satisfied with his current life.
Though amazed by magic, he had no great desire to become a wizard.
Regarding Bilbo's choice, Kael felt respect and held him in higher regard. He sensed the purest hobbit qualities of Middle-earth in Bilbo.
Previously, he had abandoned even the One Ring that even the Maiar could not resist. Now he unhesitatingly refused the temptation of magical abilities. Such a person was no wonder to be the destined protagonist—more so, the key to changing Middle-earth's fate.
During these ten years, more than five hundred wizards had all developed differently.
Most of these wizards were already adults with established families and careers. Some male and female wizards formed families together, while others married ordinary people. All had offspring.
What was surprising was that whether wizard families or families of wizards with ordinary people, the children born all naturally possessed magical power.
Thus, under the Lord's encouragement to have children, nearly every wizard family had at least three children.
Combined with another wizard selection in these ten years, where Kael selected five hundred more people for blood fusion, successfully transforming them into wizards, his territory now had nearly three thousand wizards.
What surprised and delighted Kael most was when Arwen gently placed his hand on her abdomen, her smiling eyes full of starlight.
"Kael, congratulations on becoming a father!"