Bear School Astartes

The atmosphere around Rossga Castle, that is the significant outward manifestation of this world’s judgments and powers.

And not long ago, they ran out from the realm of evil with Radagast.

Lann believed that with this well-meaning but slightly eccentric Old Wizard, they had established a foundation of trust.

So, some matters could be openly discussed.

”That’s how it is.”

Lann leaned his back against the tall and firm body of the Qilin, arms crossed, telling the story.

”We first encountered a wild old willow tree along the way, then Tom Bombadil intervened. He entertained us, and then after entertaining us, he kicked us here with one foot.”

”To be honest, I’m still a bit confused now.”

The mysterious and eccentric Old Wizard listened intently, even though he couldn’t help but be drawn to the primal form of the Qilin once its armor was removed, he mostly understood.

”Tom... Tom Bombadil...”

He muttered repeatedly at the corner of his mouth, the name Lann mentioned.

”Ah, this really is the name of an ancient one. Without a doubt.”

Indeed.

Lann’s gaze became slightly serious.

In this world created by the Creator God, special beings shouldn’t be hidden behind the veil of history like in ordinary worlds.

”The history of that old forest is very long, it once was a place full of legends.”

After repetitively mumbling Tom Bombadil’s name, Radagast showed much more openness and trust towards Lann.

Now he was also telling Lann ancient stories.

”The existing old forest is merely the remnant of what was once a vast forest. There was a time when towering old trees grew from the Shire to the west of Isengard.”

”I went there once back then, and saw many rare creatures, but I might have forgotten about Mister Bombadil if you hadn’t mentioned him.”

”Even at that time, he was already the oldest being in this world. He roamed the hills and woods, and the elves lucky enough to see him called him Irvine Bandar, the oldest fatherless.”

”The dwarves called him Forn, and the Northern People called him Orode.”

The time it takes to transform a vast forest into a small remnant, absent man-made factors, Lann believed would take at least several thousand years.

But in Radagast’s mouth, this enormous time span seemed like he had gone for a walk yesterday.

...This is not the ability possessed by a ’conventional’ Wizard known to a Demon Hunter.

This made Lann glance at Radagast with meaningful intention, it seemed the local Wizards... it was hard to say what the essence of the five of them was under that familiar title.

If it were before, Lann might have activated [Spiritual Vision] to directly look. But this world is rather special, the Demon Hunter felt it’s best to be cautious.

Lest the things ’seen’ might turn around and hurt oneself.

Moreover, Lann could tell, Radagast knew Tom Bombadil’s identity, yet there was a sense of distance.

As if deliberately maintaining minimal contact.

”He should be within his own realm, quietly watching the ebb of destiny until the world’s end.”

Radagast said, this statement piquing Lann’s curiosity.

”Then in this forest, that evil you never wanted to talk about...”

The Demon Hunter gestured behind him, roughly pointing to where they had run from.

”Why not invite him to deal with it?”

”No.” Radagast said: ”He will not willingly partake in disputes, if all peace-loving people in the world beseech him, he might agree, but he will ultimately never comprehend the meaning of such actions.”

”Just as the earth never cares about what beings live on it or what they are doing. These matters mean nothing to him, and it’s hard for him to truly devote energy and concern.”

”Understood.” Lann nodded in agreement.

And Radagast, at this moment, looked at the Demon Hunter with peculiar eyes.

”However...” He puffed on his pipe, hesitation mixed with uncertainty. ”Tom bringing you here... maybe your appearance is destined?”

”Destined? He wants me here, and then do something?”

Lann said, not very sure.

”No, don’t bother guessing his thoughts, Lann. Just consider him a senile old fool like me.”

Radagast held the pipe with his hand, pointing the mouthpiece at Lann.

”You just go with the flow, fight when you deem necessary to fight, be at peace when you deem necessary to be at peace. Trust me, his only intention is to go with nature, because that nearly represents him himself.”

”Don’t worry about fate, care about your own will. Leave the rest to destiny. That’s my advice from experience.”

After finishing, Radagast playfully winked at Lann, blowing out a beautiful smoke ring.

”This time, it’s free advice.”

Lann, leaning against the Qilin, watched Radagast with his arms crossed and a charming smile.

”Only at this moment, Radagast.”

”What?”

”Honestly, only at this moment, do I truly feel you are that kind of wise and knowledgeable Wizard from legends.”

The shabby old man rolled his eyes speechlessly, the fragrant smoke of the pipe tobacco was almost forced out of his ears.

-----------------

In the following days, Lann and Rong Buqiu, and the Qilin, all under the accompaniment of Radagast, adapted to the magic of this Dark Forest.

The magic of this forest is quite strong, their group, thrown here not long ago by Old Tom, encountered Radagast, the Old Wizard.

But later the unkempt Wizard let them feel the magic themselves in the forest, this mixed magic’s effect became prominent.

For Rong Buqiu and Qilin, who have little resistance to this magic, they could stay in the forest for about five hours before showing signs of drowsiness, fatigue, or even confusion.

Qilin is slightly stronger than Rong Buqiu, able to last seven or eight hours, seemingly because its Ancient Dragon Level vitality forcibly delayed the onset of fatigue.

But Lann showed considerable resistance to this magic.

He himself wasn’t quite sure why, just when he felt slightly dizzy, the activity data of the [Genetic Seed] and [Holy Chant Gland] in his body would suddenly surge under Mentos’ markup, then the dizziness would greatly subside.

He maintained consciousness in the Dark Forest for nearly twenty hours.

However, this situation, according to the knowledge he obtained from [Memory Deep Dive], does not seem to be common.

Primaris Space Marines face the vicious witchcraft of the Interstellar Era with limited superiority over ordinary Interstellar Warriors, not outstanding.

Perhaps it’s because the fortifying organs he created have unknown differences?

Lann thought silently in his mind.

But for now, this doesn’t seem to be bad news.

All three of them were adapting to the magic in the Dark Forest at a very fast pace, simply by entering the Dark Forest with Radagast when he went out, then just moving around inside.

In terms of adaptability, Lann was still the fastest, breaking the twenty-hour record on the second day.

Rong Buqiu and Qilin’s adaptability was also unusually fast.

In the Magic Middle Ages, the Lady of the Lake granted protection to Rong Buqiu and Qilin so that the dangerous Chaos Magic Power with spontaneous mutation traits would not affect them.

Making them unable to perceive Chaos Magic Power nor be influenced by it.

But the magic of this world clearly has nothing to do with Chaos Magic Power, therefore highlighting the powerful adaptability of New Continent creatures.

During his time with the New Continent Expedition Team, Lann personally participated in a dissection study of the Fierce Claw Barbarian Jaws Dragon.

That creature had fought Lann and injured its leg; upon meeting again, not only was the injured leg healed, but it also evolved a high-efficiency secretion gland on its leg!

Such adaptability even astounded Lann.

Rong Buqiu’s life force and adaptability were clearly not as strong as those of large monsters but were nonetheless exceptional.

Qilin was simply standing at the pinnacle of monsters as an Ancient Dragon Species, laziness aside, racial talent was something else entirely.

Their adaptability delighted Radagast.

Not because he hated trouble or wanted to send Lann and them away soon, after all, he could watch Rong Buqiu and Qilin’s daily antics with a silly grin all day long.

But because this shabby yet warm-hearted old man was genuinely happy for Lann and their progress.

It seemed to make him happy just to help others.

”What would you like to eat today?”

Radagast led the way, asking backward in the dim and dense woods.

”Does the little cat still want mushrooms? Does Qilin still want honey?”

It wasn’t that he had to go to that evil old castle for surveillance every day, most of the time he wandered the forest happily, learning about animals and plants, and making friends with them.

”Mushrooms are delicious, meow! Can we have them grilled this time?”

”Wheee!”

Radagast always showed a satisfied smile upon hearing the Elu Cat’s voice.

”Of course! Grilled mushrooms, no problem. What about Qilin? Lann, come translate for us.”

In the back, Lann felt a bit trivial, but he still gloomily covered his face and spoke forward.

”Qilin said it still wants those leaves from last time, honey’s too cloying.”

”Alright! Leave it to me! Old Radagast will sort it out perfectly for you!”

Caring for these curious creatures filled Radagast with a sense of achievement and happiness.

”Okay, you should head back now. That way is Rossga Castle, don’t forget. I remember Lann, you have three hours until your limit? You can lead the way.”

Lann waved his hand to show it was no problem.

”I can still feel improvement today; I estimate the limit has advanced to another three and a half hours.”

”That’s great! You all are progressing so fast!”

Radagast laughed heartily with his aged voice, then holding his Magic Staff, stepped into the deeper part of the Dark Forest with footwork more agile than a young lad’s.

Lann and the others also began their return to Rossga Castle.

The area influenced by Radagast is quite a large woodland, which was Lann’s basis for believing he was no ordinary person.

On the way back, Lann and his companions encountered a family of big hedgehogs, exchanged waves with these anthropomorphic animals, and walked a considerable distance until they reach the crooked wooden house outside.

Outside the wooden house, leaning against it using branches and lush leaves, they temporarily erected a large shelter which served as their dwelling these days.

These days, Lann and his companions were not only adapting to the magic in the Dark Forest with Radagast’s help, but also traversing the woods alongside the Old Wizard.

Although Radagast wasn’t a conventional scholar-type Wizard, his depth of natural knowledge was unmatched.

Lann, Rong Buqiu, and even Qilin felt they learned something new.

It wasn’t for the Lady of the Lake’s mission passed on to them, and the greetings to Lady Galadriel pressing upon them, Lann even considered the Dark Forest a decent study place.

A high-level and humorous instructor, an intriguing and challenging venue, a relaxing environment for practical learning...

Lazily resting on Qilin’s belly, with Rong Buqiu stretching on his stomach.

They felt it was yet another peaceful and joyful day.

”Thinking about it this way,” Lann murmured casually, ”I haven’t felt this relaxed for a long time in the Celestial Sphere...”

But before he could utter the final ’word’,

An abrupt feeling suddenly stirred Lann’s spirit.