Kael looked at Paladin Took, standing beside him, and mentally commanded, "Sign in."
[Sign-in Successful!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Jokes, Jinxes & Pranks: A Guide to Lighthearted Mischief]
Prank Spells? Kael was immediately intrigued by the title. However, considering he was a guest in someone else's home, he decided to save the book for a private moment, tucking it away mentally.
"This is my wife, Rosalie," Paladin Took introduced, gesturing to a kind-faced Hobbit woman. "And this is our son, young Paladin."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Kael said with a polite smile. "I am Kael the Wizard."
Most of his attention, however, was drawn to the seven-year-old boy, young Paladin. This must be Pippin's father, Kael realized. The boy, like his father, possessed a mop of curly golden hair, and even his little feet were covered in golden fur. He hadn't yet met the future members of the Fellowship of the Ring, but he had now met Pippin's grandfather (the Old Took, by extension, through his father Paladin Took) and his still-young father. It felt like a wonderful twist of fate.
Paladin's wife, Rosalie, was a gentle soul. After offering Kael some fresh snacks and tea, she excused herself to the kitchen to prepare a lavish meal befitting their esteemed guest. Young Paladin, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of restless energy. He watched Kael with wide, curious eyes, his gaze constantly darting, listening intently as his father conversed with the tall Wizard.
"Wizard Kael, what kind of magic do you know?" young Paladin blurted out, unable to contain his excitement.
"Now, Paladin, don't be rude!" Paladin Took admonished gently, then offered Kael an apologetic glance.
Kael smiled and shook his head, indicating he didn't mind. By now, demonstrating his magic had become almost a routine upon arriving in a new place. He even mused that once the money Bilbo had given him ran out, he might consider earning a living through magical performances.
With a slight raise of his hand, Kael focused his will. Young Paladin, who had been bouncing with impatience, suddenly gasped as he floated gently into the air. His eyes widened, then a squeal of pure delight escaped him as he happily flapped his hands and kicked his feet in mid-air.
Paladin Took watched the impossible sight, utterly speechless for a long moment.
That evening, after a sumptuous meal and warm hospitality from the Took family, Kael finally retreated to the spacious guest room. Alone at last, he eagerly summoned the book he had signed in for earlier.
Opening Jokes, Jinxes & Pranks: A Guide to Lighthearted Mischief, Kael found his interest growing with every page. The book, true to its title, contained various prank-oriented spells: Densaugeo, Tarantallegra, Rictusempra, Flagrate, and the Leg-Locker Curse (Locomotor Mortis).
Densaugeo caused the victim's front teeth to grow continuously until they reached the ground, making speech impossible. Tarantallegra forced the victim into an uncontrollable, unending dance, a fate eerily reminiscent of the Red Shoes fairy tale. Rictusempra inflicted an uncontrollable fit of laughter, leaving the victim helpless and limp, unable to move. Flagrate created a burning sensation on the skin, causing intense pain. And the Leg-Locker Curse would fuse the victim's legs together, forcing them to hop or tumble.
While these spells might seem like harmless pranks in the wizarding world, Kael immediately recognized their potential against magic-less targets. They weren't directly offensive, but their effects could be devastatingly distracting or debilitating.
He longed to test them out, but he was a guest, and there was no one to practice on. He would have to wait.
Over the next few days, under Paladin Took's introduction, Kael met many other members of the sprawling Took family. The Great Smials housed hundreds of Hobbits, all living together in a communal, yet distinctly grand, fashion. The Tooks were curious about the Wizard in their midst and universally welcoming. Every family eagerly invited Kael to their section of the Smials, showering him with lavish meals and hospitality.
One evening, at a grand banquet in the Great Smials' main hall, Kael found himself at the center of attention. A dozen or so children were lined up before him, eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.
Kael smiled, then cast a charm at the first child in line. "Tarantallegra!"
A soft red light shot from his palm, striking the leading Hobbit child. The child's body stiffened, and the next second, his legs began to dance uncontrollably, a joyful jig that sent giggles through the other children.
"Amazing!" All the children's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Next!" Kael called out.
"Me! My turn!" the second child shrieked, bouncing with excitement.
"Alright, alright, don't rush! You'll all get a turn!" Kael chuckled. "Tarantallegra!"
The second child joined the first, his little legs swinging wildly, giggling as he twirled into the impromptu dance party. The children waiting in line immediately pressed forward, their eyes filled with eager expectation. Even the surrounding adult Tooks, far from discouraging the antics, seemed to harbor a similar, eager impulse, ready to join the joyful chaos at any moment.
Watching the scene, Kael could barely suppress his smile. Indeed, practicing prank spells on human subjects was infinitely more satisfying than on spiders. If he had a proficiency system panel, he knew it would be buzzing with "Proficiency +1" notifications.
Kael didn't stay much longer in Tuckborough. When he announced his departure, the generous Paladin Took gifted him a pony and a comfortable, pony-drawn carriage. Kael was delighted; having his own transportation would make traveling much easier. The ponies bred by Hobbits were remarkably intelligent and obedient. Kael barely needed to guide the creature; it simply followed the road forward on its own.
As the carriage rumbled along, Kael sat inside, a small cage with a white mouse balanced on his lap. He had asked Paladin Took to procure the mouse specifically for spell practice. Though labeled "prank spells," Kael knew they possessed immense practical value in a world without magic.
Densaugeo, for instance, could silence an opponent, a potent advantage, especially against those who couldn't cast silently. Rictusempra could incapacitate an enemy with uncontrollable laughter. Tarantallegra would prevent them from posing a threat by forcing them to dance. The Leg-Locker Curse could halt an attack or prevent an escape. And Flagrate could distract and disorient an enemy with painful burns. His plan was to master a few of these to enhance his combat readiness.
Again and again, Kael chanted, his voice echoing from within the carriage. The pony plodded on, the wheels creaking steadily beneath them.
"Success!" Kael exclaimed, his voice hoarse from repeated incantations. After countless attempts, the spell finally took hold. The mouse in the cage looked as if its funny bone had been vigorously tickled, emitting continuous, high-pitched squeaks of laughter. Just as the poor creature seemed on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, Kael successfully broke the spell, saving it from a comical, yet tragic, demise.
"Whoa," Kael murmured, pulling gently on the reins, bringing the pony to a halt.
He looked out. The green fields that had flanked the road had subtly transformed, giving way to endless rows of tobacco plants. Kael gazed into the distance, a thought sparking in his mind.
"Are we almost at Long Cleeve?"
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