From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 278 Smaug

"When exactly do we act?" asked the impatient Bofur.

"Until the wizard wakes up." Balin replied while smoking his pipe. There are still some benefits to bringing the residents of Long Lake Town. At least when the expedition set out, only Gandalf brought a pipe. Now Balin also got one from a resident. In his words, before bathing in the dragon flame, getting some tobacco to smoke yourself might make it more fragrant.

Now the expedition's ship has arrived at the Wasteland of Smaug and the end of the waterway. Not far away is Dale City, and further behind is the gate of the Lonely Mountain. It is not yet late autumn, and the river here is not frozen, but according to the map in Thorin's hand, the secret passage they are going to is in the other direction of the Lonely Mountain.

"How much longer will the wizard sleep? Can't we wake him?" asked Bofur.

"Eight hours." Balin sat on the stone and exhaled a puff of smoke. "He told me this early this morning. This is crucial for him to recover his magical power. I think it makes a lot of sense. Only when you eat well, drink well and rest well can you have the strength to fight. I believe the same is true for magic."

"Well," Bofur sat down as well, "shall we not help?"

He was referring to the humans in River Valley City. Some of them who arrived first by boat had already started cleaning their houses, while others were still on their way. The boatman had turned back to pick them up, and soon all the surviving residents of Long Lake Town would become people of River Valley City.

"Save some strength for the dragon," Balin said. "If we can't defeat the dragon, all our work here will be in vain."

"Can we really defeat Smaug? It is said that his scales are thicker than the best shield, and every gap is filled with jewels and diamonds, making him invulnerable to swords and spears." Bofur played with his fingers. "Although we have the Black Arrow, there is only one, right? If we fail to hit it..."

"Wizards are the main force in slaying dragons. Didn't you notice that he doesn't take Smaug seriously?" Balin smiled. "Perhaps he only needs to sneeze and the dragon will die."

"I don't remember having this ability." Ivy said from behind Balin, "Notify everyone in the expedition team that we are leaving."

----

"Stand by the grey rock as the thrush strikes, and the setting sun brings the last rays of Durin's Day down to the keyhole." Walking up the steps that the dwarves had built on the huge statue, Thorin muttered the riddle on the map.

"Wizard, now is not Durin's Day, how are you going to let us in?" Thorin asked again. Ivy was in front of him and at the head of the team.

"You'll know soon. Maybe you'd like to take a guess?" Ivy didn't answer directly. He had a relaxed and happy smile on his face.

There were many preparations for slaying the dragon. In addition to the spells Ivy cast on herself, there was also Bard who had set up a wind crossbow not far from the main gate. Although there was only one black arrow, it was definitely enough to kill Smaug as long as the timing was right, not to mention that Ivy had added a lot of magic to the black arrow.

Ivy prepared many spells that can cause freezing damage today. If Smaug is a dragon that can breathe fire, then freezing damage will definitely make him vulnerable. This is determined by the laws of the world. No species is born without any weaknesses. If Smaug is particularly good at fire and physical defense, it usually means that he will suffer more freezing damage.

The fourth-ring Ice Storm, the fifth-ring Ice Cone, and the sixth-ring Otiluk's Freezing Sphere are Ivy's main means of output today.

In addition, there are the enhancement spells that will be released before entering Lonely Mountain, Ghost Strike that can allow the Beast Bite Sword to penetrate dragon scales, and Blazing Empowerment that provides immunity to fire damage.

In addition, there are two new third-level spells learned as the level increases. The anti-dragon aura of the protection system can provide a 4-point luck bonus when fighting against dragons, and can affect the defense level and the saving throws related to attacks, spells and special attacks.

There is also the enchantment system to suppress the breath weapon and seal Smaug's ability to breathe fire. Although Ivy herself is not afraid of fire damage, dwarves are very likely to die in fire. This spell may save a life at a critical moment. When Ivy saved Kili last time, she received another gold as a reward. If she saves a few more generous dwarves...

In short, be prepared.

"...Can you create a special beam of light to illuminate the keyhole?" Balin guessed. The closer they got to the Lonely Mountain, the more excited the dwarves became. Now the dwarves in the entire expedition team began to guess what magic Ivy would use to open the door.

"wrong."

"...blow a big hole in the wall?" asked Pangbo, who was at the end of the team.

"That's not right either."

"... let us go through the rocks?" asked Bofur.

"That's an alternative plan, and it will cost me a lot of magical power." Ivy continued upwards.

"...It can't be that time is fast-forwarded to the Day of Durin, can it?" Bilbo guessed. He quite liked guessing games, especially when his mind was shaken by climbing high. It could help distract him from thinking about what kind of miserable state he would face if he fell.

"Oh my God, Bilbo. How did you come up with this spell?" Ivy couldn't help but ask, turning back.

His words also made all the dwarves who were about to laugh stop.

"Is there really such a spell?" Thorin licked his dry lips. He had seen Ivy release lightning from her hands, summon thunder, and add all kinds of magical powers to swords to make everyone fly in the air and create strong winds to blow away the thick fog, but speeding up the passage of time was still a little beyond his imagination.

"Magic can do anything, as long as you have the corresponding knowledge. But I can't do that now." Ivy stepped onto the last step. "We are here."

It was a very narrow platform. Thirteen dwarves, a hobbit, and a wizard were standing on it, and it was very crowded. Especially after Bombo took up the places of two people, they had almost no place to stand.

Ivy stood in front of the smooth stone wall, and the dwarves crowded around behind him, all craning their necks to see how the wizard would open the hidden door.

There were no cracks, handles or pits on the stone wall. The dwarves' craftsmanship in building secret passages was always amazing. If the map had not finally pointed here, no one would have believed that there was a secret passage leading to the interior of Lonely Mountain on this platform.

"Let's start quickly, wizard!" the dwarves urged together.

Ivy held his staff against the stone wall and carved a few simple runes. The runes then emitted a blue aura that quickly spread over the entire stone wall, and then the aura suddenly converged, revealing a rectangular piece.

"It's a door! This must be the door to the secret passage!" the dwarves said one after another.

The blue magic light that revealed the stone gate began to converge and soon determined a small circle. There was originally a smooth rock wall, but a pit appeared there because of Ivy's magic.

"Keyhole!" exclaimed Thorin.

He walked over to Ivy, took out a thick cast iron key, pushed it in gently, and then twisted it.

The dwarves held their breath and concentrated, the sound of the machine was very clear. After Thorin turned the key to the bottom, he gently pressed his hands on the door panel and pushed hard. A passage leading to the dark mountain belly appeared in front of the expedition team.

All the dwarves let out suppressed and excited shouts, and they all knew that they could not wake Smaug at this time.

Ivy drew out the Beast Bite Sword and began to use the magic point super magic persistent ghost strike. After a pale sigh, the white light on the Beast Bite Sword dimmed, and then the blade, which was as bright as new snow, gradually became transparent. This spell will last for the next 24 hours. Then came the Blazing Flame Empowerment. As Ivy waved his staff, the flames shuttled through his robes, and his whole body began to radiate bright flames, and his eyes turned into two blazing suns.

"Very good. I'm going to start preparing to slay the dragon." Feeling the heat coming from his body, Ivy smiled slightly and raised his leg to step into the lost land of the kingdom under the mountain.

"Wait!" Thorin stretched out his arm to block the door. "Wait, wizard... let Bilbo go first..."

The Master Thief was still rejoicing over opening the secret passage to Lonely Mountain, but suddenly he heard his name from Thorin's mouth: "What? ... Me?"

"Yes, Master Baggins." Thorin looked at Bilbo. "That is why we hired you, to go quietly into the mountain and find the Arkenstone among the gold."

"You can wait until I kill Smaug and then slowly look for it." Ivy said impatiently. He didn't care about the Arkenstone. He cared about the experience points provided by Smaug, a dragon that was at least an adult. If the evil dragons in Middle-earth were all monsters that followed the dark enemy Morgoth, then it was very likely to be an ancient dragon. Even if he was born at the beginning of the Third Age, he has lived for nearly 3000 years.

According to the rules of DND, the challenge level of an ancient red dragon is 40, which means a huge amount of experience points, which may be enough for Ivy to push the levels of all professions to the highest level.

Even if Smaug has no spellcasting ability in Middle-earth and is not worthy of the level of the Great Elder Dragon, its challenge level will be at least around 25, and the experience points provided are enough for Ivy to upgrade any profession to level 20. Maybe it is possible to become a legend.

The most conservative estimate is that if Smaug was just an ordinary ancient dragon, it would be enough for Ivy to obtain a ninth-ring spell slot.

So no matter what the situation is, Ivy will not let go of the experience points that are right in front of him.

"I have seen your magic, wizard!" Thorin said in a pleading tone, "I have also seen the fire of Smaug... Your battle may well destroy the Arkenstone! It is worth more than all the other treasures in the Lonely Mountain combined! It is the greatest treasure of Durin's family! The King's Jewel!"

"Smaug is sleeping now. I can launch a surprise attack from the air and kill him with one sword. If he is disturbed and becomes alert, the battle will most likely be prolonged and he may even run away! I will never let him leave Lonely Mountain!" There was unshakable determination in Ivy's words.

"Master Baggins is the most amazing thief I have ever seen! He easily evaded all the guards of the Woodland Kingdom! He hid in there for almost two weeks without being discovered! He can definitely get past Smaug's nose! And retrieve the Arkenstone beautifully!" Thorin began to praise Bilbo, and used rather exaggerated words. In the past, he would say "well done, beautifully done", but that was the most, so that Ivy felt that there was no rhetoric in the dwarven language, but now it seems that Thorin just never uses it, not that he doesn't understand it.

Bilbo was a little flattered by Thorin's praise and he rubbed his nose involuntarily, but he knew very well that it was all thanks to the ring. If he had contributed, then the pair of big hairy feet that could move silently on any ground was the second biggest contributor.

"You can't shake my determination, Thorin." Ivy's expression turned cold. "You know very well that even if you are all tied together, you can't stop me."

"Yes! Yes! I know!" Thorin almost begged, "Let Master Baggins try! Just one day... no, half a day?... All right! One hour! Just one hour! And I will buy this one hour! Three pieces! Three of the heaviest mithril items in the Lonely Mountain! Since Durin's Bane appeared in Moria, there has been no new mithril produced in the world, and all the remaining mithril items are priceless treasures!... Five pieces! How about five pieces?"

Ivy had thought that her determination would not waver, but five mithril items... seemed like a negotiable deal, and Thorin only needed an hour...

Ivy's hesitation turned into hesitation in Thorin's eyes, and he quickly doubled the price again to ten mithril items.

"Ah..." Ivy sighed softly, "You seem to have forgotten to ask Bilbo if he agrees... He is the person you are talking about."

Thorin immediately looked at Bilbo expectantly, and Bilbo could never resist the entreaties of his friends. In fact, along the way, even if the dwarves looked down on him at first, Bilbo now regarded them all as his friends. Although Thorin was not the best friend, he did gain Bilbo's friendship.

"I will go." Bilbo's heart tried hard to tell himself not to agree, but he still said the calmest words, "But I don't know what the Arkenstone looks like."

"I knew it!" Thorin was relieved and hugged Bilbo tightly. "The Arkenstone is a unique treasure. You will understand it as soon as you see it."

"Well -" Bilbo turned around stiffly, and before entering the dark passage, he turned back and asked, "Wizard...can you help me with magic?"

"I've been waiting for you to ask that." Ivy waved her staff to cast Mage Armor and Anti-Dragon Aura, then took off a ring from her finger and threw it to Bilbo. "That's the Shield Ring. As long as you clearly shout out 'Shield', it will create a magic shield to help you resist attacks. It should be of some use after Smaug finds you. Remember, Bilbo, one hour. When the time is up, you must hurry out, even if you haven't found the Arkenstone. Also, Bilbo, if you think you're going to die, don't die under Smaug's flames, remember?"

"...I remember it?" Bilbo didn't quite understand whether the wizard's last words were a warning or a joke. He walked stiffly towards the secret passage behind the stone wall, as if he finally understood what he was going to do.

Before entering the cave, he looked back for a while, hoping to remember everyone's face in his heart and get a blessing. However, no one spoke, and most of their faces showed their desire for gold.

Bilbo had just taken his first step when a voice came from behind him: "Wait!"

It's Bahrain.

The old dwarf with a white beard stepped forward and put his arm around Bilbo's shoulders: "I'll walk you through it."

Then the figures of the two people disappeared into the darkness. Not long after, Balin's voice was heard from inside, "Good luck! Master Thief!" and there was no movement anymore.

When he saw Balin coming out, Thorin immediately started to wander around, his anxiety visible to everyone.

Balin tugged at Ivy's sleeve, motioning him to talk on the stairs below.

"Dragonism!" Balin said sadly. Originally, his aging was only reflected in his beard and hair, but now every wrinkle on his face was filled with fatigue and weakness. "I thought a noble soul could resist this fanatical desire for gold and treasure... I thought Thorin would not be driven crazy by gold like his grandfather... But the closer he got to the Lonely Mountain, the crazier he became, the more paranoid he became, and the less like himself he was! Thorin has become like that before we found the Arkenstone... If he gets the diamond, I'm afraid he will never get better..."

"Do you have a way to cure him, wizard?" Balin asked.

"This is a mental illness, Balin." Ivy shook her head. "I can use magic to destroy a person's will and fill his heart with fear all day long, but I have no knowledge of restoring a person's mind... Besides, Thorin doesn't think he is sick."

"Then I can only hope that Bilbo never finds the gem..." Balin said no more and returned to his companions with difficulty.

The one-hour deadline was quickly halfway through, and Thorin was becoming more and more impatient. Any noise made by Kili and Bofur would immediately earn him an angry glare.

Suddenly, a rumbling roar came from the mountain, as if a volcano was erupting, or as if the earth was shaking.

Thorin looked at Ivy with a pale face.

And Ivy drew out the beast-biting sword again: "I'm sorry, Thorin, I have to take action."

After saying this, Ivy rushed into the secret passage like a gust of wind, and walked towards the underground where a crimson evil light continued to be emitted. That was the aura of Smaug and the flames he spewed out.

　I will fight tomorrow! I want to slay the dragon!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)