When Kael returned to the dock with a day's harvest, the system suddenly gave a prompt.
[Hogwarts Check-in System: Located at Grey Havens, check in?]
Kael looked at the belated system notification, thinking it had finally arrived.
He imdiately thought silently: "Check in."
[Check-in successful. Congratulations on obtaining Apparition!]
Apparition? Kael's eyes lit up.
He hadn't expected to gain this from the check-in. What an excellent skill for travel and survival!
Apparition was a form of teleportation magic used for short to dium-distance travel.
But due to its inherent risks, such as Splinching, one needed to be seventeen years old and pass the Ministry of Magic's Apparition test to use it legally.
Kael's Spellbook had no record of this magic, so he'd never mastered it.
Now he finally had the chance.
As another wizarding transportation thod, Apparition had no limitations like the Floo Network's requirent for connected fireplaces. It could teleport to any desired location.
Moreover, the greater a wizard's magical power, the longer the teleportation distance.
Of course, Apparition wasn't simply "think of a place and go there." Users typically needed clear knowledge or mory of the destination. Knowing only a na could easily lead to transmission failure, deviation, or even danger.
But regardless, having this magic would greatly enhance Kael's mobility for both travel and combat.
Even if things went badly, he could imdiately teleport away, a maxed-out survival skill.
Kael decided that during his ti at the Grey Havens, besides collecting rcury of the Mind, he would successfully master Apparition.
So in the following days, Kael spent his days sailing the bay extracting rcury of the Mind, and evenings studying Apparition knowledge.
Apparition beginners easily experienced Splinching, so at Hogwarts, professors always supervised, ready to handle such situations.
But Kael was alone here. If Splinching occurred, it could be fatal.
He had to be extrely cautious.
Ti flew by, and over a week later, Kael finally collected a small vial of rcury of the Mind.
The silver rcury of the Mind was like quicksilver, glittering with starlight in the crystal vial.
Kael carefully stored away this harvest that had taken days of effort.
But he didn't stop there, planning to collect several more vials for when he made the Philosopher's Stone.
He also began preparing for his first Apparition attempt.
As a precaution, he prepared Dittany essence and planned to have elf Galdor watch nearby.
But before he could officially begin, Galdor ca to him with news.
"Wizard Kael, Lord Círdan's white ship has entered the bay and will dock soon!"
"Lord Círdan has returned?" Kael was very surprised.
At Galdor's invitation, Kael went to the dock to welco the returning Círdan.
When they reached the dock, many elves were already waiting.
Clearly Círdan held high prestige among the elves.
Led by secretary Galdor, Kael stood at the front, watching a huge white sailing ship slowly approach from the distance.
The white ship was pure white throughout, unstained by any dust, rging with the white waves beneath as if ford from the foam itself.
The hull had beautiful curves with a swan-like prow, white oars, silver-woven sails, and a carved lantern glowing warm yellow hanging from the bow.
Kael was amazed by this white ship. It looked like an exquisite work of art.
Moreover, since Ilúvatar had made Middle-earth spherical, Valinor, once beyond the western sea, had been removed from the world of Arda and no longer existed in this material world.
Only through the Straight Road could one successfully reach Valinor.
Yet this white ship could carry elves into Valinor in another dinsion. It was truly a divine artifact.
And Círdan, who created this divine artifact, seed even more mysterious and extraordinary.
As the white ship slowly docked, Kael saw an elf standing at the bow.
This was a very distinctive elf.
He was tall, wearing a deep blue robe, with silver hair, and most importantly, a long grey beard.
This was uncommon among elves, who had eternal life and usually maintained youthful appearances.
Ancient elves like Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and Thranduil had lived long ages, but ti never etched a single line on their faces. Only their eyes showed traces of accumulated years.
But this elf had grown a beard.
This could only an he was even more ancient than elves like Galadriel.
He was the Lord of Lindon and the Grey Havens, "the Shipwright" Círdan.
Kael had heard of Círdan from Elrond, who said he was Middle-earth's eldest elf and one of the first to awaken.
As elven sailors placed a white gangplank between ship and dock, Círdan walked down.
"Lord Círdan, welco back. Was your journey smooth?"
Secretary Galdor approached respectfully.
Círdan had bright star-like eyes, sharp spirit, and handso features, but his long grey beard and the vicissitudes in his deep gaze made him appear far older than other elves.
He nodded with a steady smile. "All went well enough, except for a visit from so Oarni midway. Otherwise smooth sailing to the Swan Haven."
"And here at the Grey Havens? Has anything happened recently?"
Galdor introduced Kael. "My lord, this is the Lord of Amon Sûl, the black-robed wizard Kael. He ca to visit you days ago and brought a letter from Lord Elrond."
Círdan looked toward Kael where Galdor indicated.
Kael stepped forward, bowing politely. "Lord Círdan, I've long admired your reputation. I am Kael. Honored to et you!"
Círdan showed a kind smile. "Though we've never t, I've long known of you in spirit. Dragon lord, bane of orcs, Balrog-slayer... Your great deeds are well known. Mithrandir, Elrond, and Lady Galadriel all praise you highly, saying your appearance has brought new hope to Middle-earth."
Kael looked humble. "The rumors are exaggerated, and they praise too much!"
"No need for modesty," Círdan smiled and shook his head, eyes full of appreciation. "I've received five wizards from afar here, but only in Mithrandir and you do I sense a burden and mission far exceeding other wizards."
"This isn't flattery, but the remaining insight of soone who's lived long enough."
Kael was startled by Círdan's words.
He had a burden and mission? How did he not know?
But without ti to think further, he imdiately handed Elrond's letter to Círdan.
Círdan opened the envelope and read the contents.
"I see." After reading, Círdan nodded and looked at Kael with a smile.
"Elrond explained in his letter. Since you're extracting the bay's silver seawater, please continue staying. If you need any help, just ask or Galdor."
"Thank you, Lord Círdan. I will if needed," Kael nodded.
Círdan then invited Kael to his residence.
Kael gladly accepted.
Círdan's residence wasn't luxurious but resembled a shipyard palace, even having a small private dock and shipyard.
A small but exquisite white swan ship was moored at the private dock.
In the private shipyard was an unfinished vessel.
Even the reception hall displayed two ship models in crystal bottles as decorations.
One ship model was the white ship that had returned today.
Clearly Círdan loved shipbuilding.
Kael looked at another ship with golden oars, asking curiously. "Lord Círdan, which ship is this model of? It looks so perfect."
Speaking of ships made Círdan happy. He introduced:
"This is Vingilótë, built jointly by Eärendil and , using white birch from Nimbrethil, with golden oars, white hull, swan prow, and silver moon sails. It once carried Eärendil and his wife across the sea, breaking through the Enchanted Isles and Shadow Seas to finally reach the Blessed Realm."
He pointed to Eärendil's star in the sky.
"Now it's been sanctified by the Valar and sent to the world's edge, sailing the celestial ocean and carrying Eärendil's star across the sky daily."
Clearly being able to create such a work filled even Círdan, known as the "Shipwright King," with pride.
Kael was amazed by Círdan's shipbuilding skills.
The white ships that could cross endless seas to reach Valinor beyond the world were one thing, but there were even "flying ships" that could sail the heavens. Absolutely incredible!
He also saw that though Círdan was the eldest elf and lord of Lindon and the Grey Havens, he was more like a pure shipwright.
His dedication and passion could rival the carpenter emperor from Kael's previous world's history.
Seeing Círdan's love for shipbuilding, Kael had a flash of inspiration.
Perhaps limited by the era, Círdan's ships were all made from wood.
But what would Círdan's expression be if he knew about steamships, diesel ships...?
Kael couldn't help imagining a steel cruise ship continuously belching smoke, carrying elves and tooting its horn as it sailed toward Valinor.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
That image was utterly incongruous!
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