The Mandrake in the magic world is different from ordinary Mandrake; they are alive.
The root of a Mandrake resembles a small human, and when pulled from the soil, it emits a baby's cry, a sound potent enough to be fatal.
In reality, there are indeed Mandrakes, also known as poison nightshade or poison apple, but they do not emit a fatal cry; they are merely ordinary plants.
However, Luke thought that perhaps he could use the methods of herbology to cultivate magical plants, transforming ordinary Mandrake into magical Mandrake.
After all, he had previously successfully cultivated two dittany plants and produced Essence of Dittany.
Therefore, if he could cultivate magical Mandrake, not only could he make voodoo dolls, but Mandrake is also an important ingredient in advanced Potions, which would be very beneficial for his future Potion making.
Speaking of Potions, now that Luke has a magic wand, he has begun to consider studying Potions.
He had previously acquired 'Magical Drafts and Potions' when he signed in at Bywater, but because Potion making requires not only various magical herbs but also the cooperation of a magic wand, he had temporarily put Potions aside.
However, Potions, as one of Hogwarts' required courses, is also one of the most important and indispensable subjects in the magic world.
Potions not only have the ability to treat various magic accidents, possessing healing effects that spells cannot replace.
They also have various miraculous effects, such as Polyjuice Potion that can transform one into another, Felix Felicis for luck, resurrection Potions for the dead, and even the Elixir of Life!
Luke knew that he would be signing in at different places in the future, and the dangers he encountered would likely be more formidable than the wight, making Potions an indispensable means of survival.
So, in addition to needing to find Mandrake, Luke also had the task of collecting various Potion ingredients.
And he also needed a cauldron for brewing Potions.
Following the East Road, he passed the Old Forest and arrived in front of Brandy Hall.
Luke turned south; he needed to go to Bucklebury first, as his carriage was still at Zhuoguo Baggins's house.
Moreover, he also wanted to visit Rory Brandybuck to see if he could use his authority as a lord to help him collect some materials.
Arriving at Drogo's doorstep in Buckleberry, Luke knocked on the door.
The door opened, and Drogo appeared halfway, his face lighting up with surprise upon seeing Luke.
"Luke! You're back!"
Luke smiled, "It's been a month, and I'm glad to see you looking as spirited as ever."
After his surprise, Drogo scrutinized Luke's new appearance, his eyes widening, "Wow, Luke, you look just like a Wizard now!"
"Thank you for the compliment," Luke accepted his praise with a smile.
The robe Goldberry made for him suited him very well, and it was tough, wear-resistant, warm, and comfortable; more importantly, the outer cloak had been blessed by Goldberry, so unless he willed it, passersby would unconsciously ignore him.
Luke had noticed this situation when he entered Bucklebury.
After all, as the hero who repelled the Old Forest's Huorn, he was practically known by everyone in Bucklebury. But when he entered the town just now, not a single hobbit noticed him, a person of very noticeable height.
It could be said that the cloak Luke wore, in a sense, had a similar effect to an Invisibility Cloak.
Of course, Luke did not assume that he could act recklessly with the cloak; the blessing on the cloak was more about making others overlook him, but if he encountered someone with strong will or powerful strength, he would still be noticed.
Nevertheless, Luke was still very satisfied and grateful for the gift Goldberry bestowed upon him.
Subsequently, Luke once again stayed at Drogo's house, and under Drogo's expectant gaze, Luke began to recount his experiences during this period.
When they heard that Luke had gone to Barrow-downs and encountered a Guzhong Corpse Demon, the hobbit could not help but gasp.
Although Barrow-downs was far from Bucklebury, even Drogo had heard of the terror of Barrow-downs, and the Guzhong Corpse Demon was a name that made one's face change color. But he did not expect Luke to dare to venture deep into Barrow-downs alone and return unscathed, which gave Drogo a deeper understanding of Luke's strength.
"So these are your spoils from Barrow-downs?" Drogo asked, looking at the five corpse creature ancient swords, four daggers, and a pile of dazzling jewelry and accessories Luke had taken out, his gaze filled with shock and admiration.
Luke pushed the jewelry and accessories towards Drogo, smiling as he said, "Pick one you like as a souvenir."
As for the corpse creature ancient sword, such a heavy sword, not to mention whether it was suitable for a hobbit, even Luke found it very strenuous to pick up, so it was not suitable as a gift.
The four sharp daggers were originally forged by the northern Dúnedain to fight against the Witch-king of Angmar; not only could they cut through iron like mud, but they also had spell inscriptions carved on them that could break the Witch-king of Angmar's sorcery, imbued with magic to counter evil forces, and had a restraining effect on Nazgûl and other dark creatures.
Luke naturally would not bear to give away such precious daggers; these daggers could not only be used to carve the heart of a tree for a magic wand but could also replace his previous two cleavers.
Before acquiring powerful offensive magic, controlling flying knives with magic was arguably Luke's strongest offensive method, as most of the spells he currently mastered were defensive in nature.
But with these four incredibly sharp daggers as weapons, their attack power was incomparable.
So, Luke unhesitatingly retired the two cleavers.
Drogo was flattered by Luke's offer to let him choose from the jewelry, repeatedly shaking his head in refusal, but at Luke's repeated insistence, he finally chose a brooch inlaid with a sapphire.
After resting at Drogo's house for a short while, Luke went to Brandy Hall to visit Rory Brandybuck.
Drogo naturally followed along; he was currently deeply in love with Dora Brandybuck, so he naturally longed to be together at all times.
Upon arriving at Brandy Hall, Rory Brandybuck enthusiastically greeted him, "Welcome! Welcome back, our hero Wizard Luke - Tree-Feller! You've been out of touch since you went to Tom's house in the Old Forest, which worried me for a while. Your safe return truly makes me so happy!"
Upon hearing that title, the corner of Luke's mouth twitched.
Although the people of Middle-earth all liked to add suffixes to names to commemorate great deeds.
For example, Thorin Oakenshield's title, Oakenshield, was not his surname, but because in the Battle of Azanulbizar between the Dwarves and Orc, after Thorin's shield was broken by the Orc chieftain Azog, he picked up a piece of oak as a shield to block the attack and cut off one of Azog's hands, successfully resisting the Orc's attack, which is how he got this title.
But what kind of ridiculous title was his Tree-Feller? Couldn't they have chosen a more pleasant title? For example, "Huorn Bane" or "Enemy of Huorn" would sound much better than Tree-Feller!