Chapter 289: Moon Drops, Landing Like a Nouveau Riche
"That's also why I didn't choose to go home immediately," Aaron said with a chuckle, then took out the moon drop he had treasured for three years.
"What is this?" Gandalf's pupils constricted slightly, and he looked at the purple solution in surprise. "I have never seen such a magical solution."
"This is the essence of the moon, capable of dispelling all negative statuses.
It is a universal antidote. Honestly, even the temptation of the arkenstone can be broken by it." Aaron spoke the most astonishing words in a calm tone.
"Are you planning to use it to treat my father's face?" Legolasfound it hard to believe. If Aaron was telling the truth, then this bottle of solution was extraordinarily precious.
Aaron nodded, not denying it.
"I am a doctor. I observed Thranduil's face up close. After using the moon drop to clear the residual magic from the dragon flame, it's just an ordinary burn.
I believe that with Mirkwood's resources, treating burns shouldn't be an issue. A complete recovery will take a long time, but you elves have no shortage of time."
"I am extremely grateful," Legolas said sincerely.
"Don't rush to thank me. One bottle is too much; one cup is enough. Tell your father to use it sparingly."
"One cup... that works."
Aaron was very satisfied with their understanding. He used Transfiguration to create three small cups, poured one-third of the moon drop into them, and sealed the openings.
"One is for Thranduil, my promise. One is for you, considering it my friendship with the elves!"
"Gaius," Gandalf was also a bit envious and asked eagerly, "Is the third one for me?
We Wizards truly have it tough. We have to worry about the peace of Middle-earth every moment. With an antidote, I'll have more confidence when facing Sauron later."
Aaron directly gave him a roll of his eyes, then solemnly placed the third moon drop into Bilbo's hand.
He wasn't at all worried about that old scoundrel Gandalf, but Bilbo was different. The One Ring was ultimately a hidden danger, and having this antidote was somewhat of an insurance.
Gandalf watched eagerly until Aaron put away the remaining moon drop, at which point he gave up on the idea.
"Legolas, forgive my curiosity, but you and Tauriel?"
"She chose that dwarf. I will respect her choice," Legolas said with a smile. "Elves live for a very long time. Some matters, if not dealt with swiftly, can become quite troublesome."
Aaron raised an eyebrow, silently giving him a thumbs-up in his heart.
There are plenty of fish in the sea; many people understand this principle, but most prefer to dwell on things. There aren't many as open-minded as him.
"Gaius, where are you planning to go next?" Legolas asked. "If you don't have any plans, you can come with me to the Dúnedain settlement in the North. My father wants me to find a Ranger there."
"Haha! No interest." Aaron refused without a second thought.
Are you kidding? I've suffered enough in this world.
Now that I can finally go home and rest, there's no way I'm continuing to adventure.
"Alright!" Legolas wasn't disappointed. It was fine for him to start this journey alone.
"Ahem!" Gandalf coughed. "Actually, you could also come with me to Rivendell. Elrond, Queen Galadriel, and Radagast are all there. They would be very happy to see you."
Aaron:...Damn it! There are always treacherous people trying to harm me!
If he met these bigwigs, it would probably be even harder for him to extricate himself.
"No, I'm going home," Aaron sighed slightly. "I miss my mom."
"Where is your home?" Bilbo asked curiously. "If it's convenient, could you tell me? I might visit if I have time in the future."
"That's probably not possible, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalfpuffed on his pipe, blowing out a smoke ring. "His home is very far, so far you couldn't reach it in a lifetime.
Right, Gaius?"
"You know?" Aaron looked at Gandalf playfully. "Since when?"
"During the great battle yesterday, your magic was too exaggerated, so exaggerated that it made me suspect you weren't from this world," Gandalf chuckled. "Now, can you tell me the answer?"
"You guessed correctly. Originally, I only planned to tell Bilbo."
"You're from another world?" Bilbo's head buzzed. "Books don't even write about that."
"Perhaps you can write one yourself."
"Then is the moon drop also a product of your world?" Legolas asked curiously.
"No, that's my own treasure. It's unique even in my world," Aaron spread his hands. "So you'd best use this Potionsparingly."
Gandalf seemed to have thought of something and looked at Aaron meaningfully. "Your self-introduction earlier was also true?"
"Of course, I am the most outstanding heir of the Gaius Family of magic.
According to the ancestral teachings, those with exceptional talent must go to other worlds for experience at a certain age to spread the name of Gaius."
"Then those teachers you mentioned?" Bilbo asked, conflicted. "And your family's ancestors... couldn't they also be real?"
Aaron chuckled, "Guess?"
Bilbo gave a sheepish smile. No need to guess; it was probably true.
"Gaius, you should be able to stay a little longer!" Gandalfshowed a benevolent smile.
"Hmph!" Aaron gave him a disdainful look. "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking?
Gandalf, you're very much like my Principal; you're a good person, that's true, but you always want to get something from me.
If I'm not mistaken, that 'little while' might be extended indefinitely!"
Upon hearing this, Gandalf's face flushed, and the smile on his face instantly froze.
Having his thoughts exposed by a child, it was impossible not to feel awkward.
He had indeed thought that. The overt crisis in Middle-earth had been temporarily resolved, but secretly, undercurrents still surged.
Sauron had not yet been destroyed, and no one knew when he would return.
And the Wizards and Elven Kings were all old adversaries of Sauron. He understood them well, and if he were to target them, it would be impossible to guard against.
But if a Wizard with powerful and unfamiliar magic joined them, the situation would be entirely different.
Moreover, Aaron had fully demonstrated his wisdom, character, and strength during the journey of the expedition. He was completely trustworthy; one could say there was no one more suitable than him.
"It seems I wasn't wrong. You just want to exploit me for all I'm worth!" Aaron said indignantly. "I'm telling you, I'd rather die, die outside, jump off Ravenhill, than stay in this world.
During this time, I've endured all the hardships I should endure in my entire life. I'm only fourteen; why should I suffer like this?"
Gandalf opened his mouth, still wanting to try and persuade him, but Aaron didn't give him the chance at all.
"Bilbo, tell me, what were you doing when you were fourteen?"
"Climbing trees, picking fruit, and... playing in the mud."
"What about you, Legolas?"
"I forgot," Legolas said sheepishly. "That was hundreds of years ago."
"It doesn't matter. Just tell me if you participated in a war of yesterday's scale when you were fourteen, or if you fought a dragon when you were fourteen."
"How could that be? My father protected me very well."
Clap!
Aaron clapped his hands, then gave Gandalf a meaningful look. "Everyone else's fourteen was carefree. Now look at me.
Don't you feel any pain in your conscience, bullying a child like this?
Even if a Gray Wizard isn't truly human, he should at least have some conscience, otherwise, what's the difference between him and a Necromancer?"
Gandalf:...It seems I can't keep him.
"Haha, I was just making a suggestion, nothing else."
Bilbo and Legolas exchanged glances, scoffing at this explanation.
If he had no other intentions, Aaron wouldn't have reacted like this.
"Even if you did have other intentions, it wouldn't work," Aaron snorted, then rolled up his sleeve, revealing the World Tree symbol on his left arm. "I can go home now."
"Can we come see?" Bilbo was full of interest, thinking he could postpone his return home for a little while.
"No, only those with the bloodline of the Gaius Family can pass through the portal."
"That's a shame. I wanted to see other worlds!"
"That's very difficult," Aaron said thoughtfully. "Unless I break through to the divine level, I won't have the ability to travel between two worlds, but by then, you might already be dead."
Bilbo's mouth twitched. Did he have to be so blunt?
"Haha, it's alright. When that time comes, bring some local specialties and offer them at my grave. If possible, it would be best to plant a tree that doesn't exist in this world next to my grave. That would be a roundabout way of fulfilling my wish."
"Absolutely." Aaron gave Bilbo a hug, then bit his finger and dripped blood onto the Gaius Family crest on his left arm.
The phantom of a giant tree suddenly appeared, though much smaller than the one in the family's Chamber of Secrets. A colorful doorway appeared before Aaron, and the inscription on the doorframe changed from 'Born to Shine' to 'Welcome Home.' In addition, there was an extra piece of parchment.
Aaron curiously took the parchment from the doorframe. After reading its contents, his expression became incredibly vivid.
"What's wrong?" Legolas asked.
"This is... a contract," Aaron said somewhat inexplicably. "But it's not for me; it's prepared for my descendants.
This world is the first time Gaius has set foot in it. After signing this contract, the probability of my descendants coming to this world for experience will increase by ten percent."
"Then sign it quickly!" Gandalf said impatiently. He couldn't keep Aaron, but he could at least try to secure his son or grandson!
"Haha!" Aaron let out a cold laugh. "This world hasn't left me with many good memories. I wouldn't go so far as to make my descendants suffer here."
"How can you call this suffering?" Gandalf retorted eagerly. "You only think this way because you joined the expedition shortly after arriving. Between beauty and hardship, you chose hardship without hesitation.
Think of the Shire, think of Rivendell. Aren't these places peaceful and beautiful?"
Aaron frowned slightly. He knew what Gandalf was up to, but he also had to admit there was some truth to what he said.
This world wasn't so bad; it was just that he had actively entered the fray and engaged in fierce conflict with the dark side before he had a chance to experience its beauty.
Seeing Aaron hesitate, Gandalf immediately decided to add fuel to the fire. "Aaron, I won't say much else.
But your story in this world will be widely circulated. The friendship of Wizards, the friendship of Elves, the friendship of Men, the friendship of Dwarves—these are all intangible assets.
As long as your descendants are willing to come, these races will regard Gaius as an honored guest. Can you bear to let this invisible but immensely vast wealth go unclaimed?"
Gulp!
Aaron swallowed, hesitated for a moment, then signed his name on the contract.
He had no selfish motives; he simply wanted his descendants to be rich from birth.