Five days passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.
During this time, Robert rarely left his room at the inn. From dawn until late into the night, he focused entirely on practicing one spell: the Wandless Lumos Charm. Unlike the structured spellcasting he had learned at Hogwarts, wandless magic required far greater concentration, control, and familiarity with one's own magical core. It was exhausting work, but the results were more than satisfying.
At first, he could only produce a faint glow from his palm, little more than candlelight. But through constant repetition and careful refinement, his progress became increasingly obvious. By the fifth day, Robert could release a sudden burst of dazzling white light directly from his hand—bright enough to momentarily blind an opponent if used in combat.
More impressively, he had learned to condense the light into a small, stable orb at the tip of his finger. With careful manipulation, he could detach it entirely, allowing the glowing sphere to float freely in the air for a short time. This technique was the result of combining the Lumos Charm with his unique magical ability to manipulate objects directly through magic alone.
It was a small achievement in the grand scheme of wizardry, but for Robert, it represented a crucial step toward independence and survival in Middle-earth.
As the anniversary celebration of Bag End Town arrived, the entire settlement transformed overnight. The normally quiet Hobbit town burst into life, filled with laughter, music, and the comforting aromas of freshly prepared food. Colorful flowers were strung along pathways and doorways, while cheerful folk music echoed through the hills.
Men rolled out massive barrels of beer and ale from the underground storage tunnels, while women prepared their finest dishes—roasted meats, buttery breads, honeyed desserts, and more varieties of mushrooms than Robert had ever seen. The Hobbits treated the celebration with great seriousness, as if it were both a sacred tradition and a personal pride.
When night fell, everyone gathered within the Great Smials, the largest communal hall in Bag End Town. The hall was brilliantly lit and filled wall to wall with long tables laden with food and drink. Children darted happily between the adults, laughing and playing, while couples danced together to the lively rhythm of country instruments.
Robert found himself seated beside the Mayor of Bag End Town, with Sheriff Robin occupying the seat on the Mayor's other side. It was clear that his status as a "wizard from afar" had earned him a place of honor.
After several rounds of drinking, the Mayor—his cheeks already flushed red—stood and cleared his throat. The hall gradually quieted as he began a long and enthusiastic speech, praising the town, the harvest, and the joy of peaceful days. Eventually, he gestured toward Robert.
"Tonight," the Mayor declared, "we welcome a most distinguished guest. Let us give our warmest greetings to Wizard Robert, who has journeyed far and honored us with his presence!"
Under the gaze of hundreds—perhaps thousands—of curious Hobbit eyes, Robert rose to his feet. He smiled, bowed politely, and felt a strange sense of amusement wash over him. It was his first time seeing so many Hobbits gathered in one place. Standing at his full height, he looked down upon a sea of round faces that barely reached his waist.
For a brief moment, he felt as though he had stepped into a land of storybook little people.
As the banquet reached its peak, the Mayor leaned toward him and spoke in a loud, cheerful voice.
"Wizard Robert, would you be willing to show us a bit of your magic, just to add to the joy of this fine night?"
Sheriff Robin winked knowingly from the other side, clearly having already discussed the matter beforehand.
Seeing the eager and sparkling eyes of the Hobbits, Robert chuckled softly and nodded.
"Of course."
He brought his hands together, clapping once sharply. In the next instant, a blinding white light erupted from his palms, illuminating the entire hall. Gasps echoed everywhere.
Before anyone could shield their eyes, Robert clapped again. The light burst apart, fragmenting into countless tiny specks that scattered like fireflies throughout the Great Smials. They darted playfully through the air, weaving between tables and beams, casting a warm and magical glow over the celebration.
"Wow!"
The hall erupted with amazement. Children leapt and laughed, trying to catch the floating lights, while adults stared upward in awe. Some of the braver youngsters even managed to grab a speck, dancing around as it flickered gently in their hands before fading.
"Truly astonishing magic!" the Mayor exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically.
Taking advantage of the moment, Robert carefully brought up his request to acquire a mithril chainmail vest from the Mithril House. The Mayor immediately turned to the crowd and asked for their opinion.
As Robert had expected, not a single Hobbit objected.
To the Hobbits, the ancient mithril relics were treasures they could neither use nor fully appreciate. Keeping them felt wasteful, yet discarding them seemed wrong. Giving one to a friendly wizard who had entertained them so wonderfully felt like the perfect solution.
The Mayor promptly declared that the chainmail vest would be gifted to Robert free of charge, as thanks for his magical display.
Both sides were more than satisfied.
With the chainmail vest now in his possession, Robert fully relaxed and immersed himself in the celebration. He toasted repeatedly with the Mayor, Sheriff Robin, and many others. By the end of the night, he found himself pleasantly—and then thoroughly—drunk for the first time in his life.
The following day, as the festivities wound down, Sheriff Robin tried once more to persuade him to stay.
"Wizard Robert, are you truly leaving so soon? The Midsummer Feast is nearly upon us. It would be a shame for you to miss it."
Robert shook his head with a warm smile.
"I'm sorry, Sheriff Robin. The kindness of Bag End Town has been unforgettable, but my journey must continue."
He now wore the mithril chainmail beneath his clothes, and the sense of security it provided was extraordinary. To test it, he had manipulated two cleavers and struck the vest with all his strength. Not a single scratch appeared on the mithril—while deep nicks formed along the blades instead.
With such protection, Robert felt far more confident venturing into the wider world.
After heartfelt farewells, he departed Bag End Town and headed south.
His next destination was Tookborough, also known as Tookland—the ancestral home of the Took family. Robert remembered the place well from his knowledge of the future. It was the hometown of Peregrin Took, one of the four Hobbits destined to join the Fellowship of the Ring.
The journey took only half a day. Unlike most Hobbit settlements nestled beside rivers or valleys, Tookborough sat atop a hill, overlooking the entire Westfarthing. From a distance, it resembled a fortress more than a peaceful village.
Militiamen patrolled the entrances, and Robert was quickly stopped upon arrival.
"Who are you, and what business brings you to Tookborough?" one guard demanded.
"I am Wizard Robert," he replied calmly. "I've come from Bag End Town and wish to visit."
The guards exchanged surprised glances before asking him to wait. After a short while, a Hobbit with curly golden hair and a stern demeanor emerged.
He studied Robert carefully, then broke into a welcoming smile.
"Wizard Robert, I am Paladin Took. Bilbo wrote to me about you."
Robert blinked in surprise.
"Bilbo did?"
"Indeed," Paladin replied. "His mother, Belladonna Took, was my aunt. That makes us cousins."
With that, he warmly invited Robert inside the Great Smials—the vast underground home of the Took family.
The Great Smials were immense, far larger and grander than Bag End, with countless tunnels and chambers stretching deep into the hill. Many members of the Took family lived there, forming a thriving underground community.
As the head of the Took family and the hereditary lord of Tookborough, Paladin's residence was the largest and most luxurious of them all.
The Took family had long been influential, wealthy, and powerful within the Shire. Unlike most Hobbits, they were known for their adventurous spirit and readiness for conflict. It was this very bloodline that had made Bilbo an unlikely but perfect choice for Gandalf's future plans.
As Robert stepped fully into the Great Smials, a familiar system prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Location confirmed — Shire, Tookborough. Do you wish to sign in?]