At these words, the several Rangers who had been casually listening couldn't help but look over.
As remnants of the Kingdom of Arnor, they knew all too well the power of such creatures. The fall of Arnor had the barrow-wights' hand in it. Summoned by the Witch-king, they came with various evil dark magics and immunity to ordinary swords and blows. On the battlefield they were unstoppable. Even the regular Dúnedain armies of old found them extremely difficult to handle.
Encountering such an enemy on the first try? Surviving that was truly fortunate.
"Barrow-wights?" The new recruits committed the name to memory.
There weren't many open records about barrow-wights in this world. Most appeared in shadowy rumors and bedtime stories to frighten children. Very few had actually seen them. Especially those who had seen them and lived to tell about it, even fewer.
However... some quick-witted soldiers glanced sideways at the Ranger instructors. The instructors seemed to react strongly to that name. Perhaps they could ask them about it.
"Alright, continue with your duties. I won't disturb you further."
Waving his hand, Levi headed straight for the exit as soldiers made way for him. From this round of instruction, Levi had gained a sense of these new recruits' capabilities. Even in their current, not-yet-completed training state, they could be deployed with decent combat effectiveness.
Everyone entering the barracks was trained to the highest possible standards. After all, food and various resources were abundant, and injuries could be quickly healed near the beacon. As long as they didn't die, they could train to the limit.
Under this system, everyone progressed rapidly. And feeling themselves genuinely grow stronger day by day, with visible gains and progress each day, something inside the soldiers was ignited. Simply put, they were somewhat addicted.
In the barracks, various rigorous training sessions pushing limits continued. Levi also continued wandering his domain, eventually walking to the school area.
Having just finished a class, Taber struggled to carry a stack of books from the classroom, panting while poking his head out to see if anyone was walking ahead to avoid collisions.
At that moment, a pair of hands reached over. Taber felt the pressure on his arms lighten, and when the upper books were moved away, he could see who stood before him.
"I can carry them myself, my lord."
"I don't doubt your strength, but this should make things easier."
Levi took half the books Taber was carrying and walked alongside him. Looking down, he noticed different names written on each book. Not books, but notebooks.
"Do you carry this many things every day?" Levi asked casually.
"Yes, these are all student assignments. I need to take them back and review them carefully, making corrections."
"I see."
Levi freed one hand, opened the topmost notebook, and read while walking. After a while, he understood. This was a grammar course, with quite practical content. Besides grammar, there was also arithmetic content.
By this world's average standards, someone who could write, had some literary skill and structure, could do arithmetic, and understood law would find living space anywhere. But in Roadside Keep, this was just the foundation, what everyone would need to know in the future.
Closing the notebook with a snap, Levi asked again: "Do you usually carry these notebooks yourself?"
"No, normally students volunteer to help as soon as I step outside."
"Then why didn't anyone today?"
Faced with this question, Taber simply turned his head to the side. Levi looked in that direction and saw a row of small heads pressed against the window, staring curiously in their direction with wide eyes.
Their eyes sparkled with liveliness and curiosity, mixed with a hint of awe.
"They don't seem to dare approach." Levi smiled at the group of children, somewhat puzzled. Am I that frightening?
In comparison, the children of Dale were more open. Seeing their lord pass by, they would directly approach to chat and offer small gifts without any fear.
Levi still hadn't opened that little gift box, keeping it in his inventory where it occupied one slot.
Obviously noticing Levi's confusion, Taber explained: "Please forgive them. When their parents tell stories, they always inject their own emotions."
"Many children who haven't seen you think you're a giant as tall as a mountain who could kill a dragon larger than a castle with one punch."
Levi covered his face. "Now they've seen me. I'm no different from ordinary people."
Taber remained silent for several seconds, only shaking his head slightly.
When someone accomplishes one praiseworthy deed, he becomes a beloved hero. People see him as an outstanding 'person.' But when someone accomplishes one incredible feat after another and saves the lives of numerous citizens, he becomes in some people's hearts a perfect 'legend,' surpassing all heroes.
Especially when this person is often absent and quite mysterious. And while being mysterious, the 'miracles' he displays continue to surround everyone, visible at all times. This makes him even more mysterious, mysteriously awe-inspiring.
"It seems I need to interact more with the children," Levi thought. "And with the citizens as well."
Though Roadside Keep had existed for some years, his frequency of absence was indeed rather high. Routinely offline. When asked, he simply wasn't there.
In the time it took for a few words, the two arrived at another, smaller study, Taber's usual office and assignment-grading place.
Half the stack of notebooks stayed with Taber, while Levi took charge of the other half. This was Levi's first time grading assignments, but fortunately the material in these notebooks wasn't complex. All basic common knowledge.
Though times were different and what was taught varied, Levi's education hadn't been wasted.
Taber glanced over and couldn't help but feel amazed. Combining past learning with books read during those dozens of days sequestered in Saruman's Orthanc Tower, plus the enlightened mind brought by mystical learning, Levi had unique insights in many areas.
And thanks to knowledge ahead of his time, even unfamiliar with this work, his corrections always stood out like bright little red flowers in green grass, distinctive upon close inspection.
One could only say, worthy of being lord.
Taber thought. Many of the arithmetic methods and grammatical viewpoints were quite advanced, worth studying.
However... Old Taber looked at what Levi had written and rubbed his head. If the children got curious and pointed to some incomprehensible sentence with questions, that would be quite troublesome. Who knows how much explaining that would require?
Soon, all notebooks were finished being graded. Taber set aside those Levi had corrected separately, planning to keep them temporarily until he could figure out what those several terms meant before returning them to the children.