How should Krisha be raised?
How should a witch be nurtured?
Xu Xi had pondered these questions countless tis and crafted detailed plans.
First and foremost was magic. After Xu Xi’s breakthrough to Grand Mage, the magic he commanded had advanced to level 9. Beyond that lay the forbidden spells exclusive to Holy Domain Magicians.
Xu Xi intended to teach Krisha every spell he had mastered, from level 1 to level 9, along with forbidden spells he had yet to grasp.
Her talent, now bordering on terrifying, allowed her to go beyond the basic elents of earth, wind, water, and fire. She could now aspire to command more complex attributes.
But there was another critical goal—curing the emotional void that plagued her before this simulation ended.
Click—
The door to the ditation room creaked open.
Xu Xi stepped out, his slow but deliberate footsteps echoing in the corridor. The sound was like the steady beat of a small drum, reverberating deep in his chest.
Seabirds perched on the eaves scattered in alarm, while tiny insects hurriedly scurried away.
“Krisha?”
Rounding the corner, Xu Xi saw the girl waiting patiently.
Her silver-gray hair shimred faintly under the sun’s rays as she stood upright against the wall. Though her face was obscured in shadow, strands of hair glead brilliantly in the sunlight.
“Master, congratulations on your promotion,” she said.
Her tone was flat, devoid of emotional inflection, as plain as water. It was so uncolored that it might have left others wondering if they had misheard.
But Xu Xi understood.
This was the best Krisha could offer. She had once tried to greet him with a smile, but her stiff and awkward expression had looked so unnatural that it resembled a lifeless mask.
Xu Xi had remained silent at the ti, refraining from criticism or admonishnt. Instead, he had gently encouraged her to abandon the idea of forcing a smile.
Obedient as ever, Krisha had complied, reverting to her expressionless deanor and monotone speech.
Whenever Xu Xi achieved a breakthrough or completed a new magical study, the witch would quietly wait near the ditation room, patiently anticipating his return.
“Thank you, Krisha, for waiting for .”
“This is my duty, Master.”
They walked side by side toward the main hall, exchanging casual conversation about daily life and magical practice along the way.
“Krisha, was everything outside quiet while I ditated?”
“Please rest assured, Master. Everything remained normal.”
“Good. How is your recent magic practice? Any challenges?”
“Yes, I have so questions regarding ice magic derived from water elents,” she replied in her usual calm, chanical tone.
As Krisha explained her doubts, Xu Xi patiently addressed them, pointing out her errors and suggesting areas for improvent. This was their typical routine—a mundane yet comfortable daily life.
…
Upon reaching the main hall, Krisha stopped her questions to prepare a refreshing hot drink for Xu Xi.
She worked with ticulous focus, washing and drying the porcelain cup carefully before pouring the light-green drink infused with Qingshen Grass. The brew carried a slight bitterness but was known for relieving fatigue after intense ditation.
“Thank you, Krisha,” Xu Xi said as he accepted the cup.
His gaze fell upon her striking black-and-gold eyes, montarily freezing.
It wasn’t because her eyes were unusual—he had grown accustod to their unique beauty over the years. What stunned him was his reflection in her eyes.
Compared to his appearance when they had fled Allenson City, his image had visibly changed.
The alterations weren’t drastic, but they were undeniable. Through Krisha’s unchanging gaze, Xu Xi realized that ti had begun its relentless countdown.
At 29 years old, he was at the peak of life. But soon, in just a few years, this body would unknowingly begin its gradual descent into aging.
Such was life—fleeting and epheral.
“Is sothing wrong, Master?”
Krisha’s calm question pulled him from his thoughts. She mistook his pause for concern over the drink.
“No, it’s fine,” Xu Xi replied with a small shake of his head. “I just… rembered sothing.”
Taking a sip, he felt the bitter liquid spread across his tongue. There was no sweetness to follow, only the numb astringency of the Qingshen Grass.
Xu Xi drank slowly, his gaze shifting to the view outside.
Unlike their previous courtyard, where urban architecture obstructed the scenery, their new ho in Apogo City offered a clear view of the sea.
It was a scorching sumr day. The blazing sun distorted the air, making it shimr and blur.
Boom! Boom!
The central steam unit of Apogo City roared to life. Towering plus of steam rose like a chanical Tower of Babel, swirling into the sky before dissipating into a thick, humid mist carried by the sea breeze.
Beachgoers scattered in haste, unwilling to endure the oppressive heat and fog. Those who lingered too long found themselves engulfed in the stifling haze, their bodies drenched in sweat.
“Ti is running out…”
Xu Xi’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as he stared into Krisha’s blank eyes.
The witch tilted her head, failing to grasp the weight of his words. She silently took his empty cup and prepared another drink.
“…It’s so bitter,” Xu Xi muttered, unable to suppress a quiet complaint.
…
[You have successfully broken through to Grand Mage, significantly enhancing your strength and ntal power.]
[You feel a brief swell of pride.]
[The pride quickly fades.]
[You realize the gods have suppressed the elental laws, rendering any plan to ascend to godhood futile before it could even begin. Strangely, you do not feel sorrow.]
[In your heart, achieving the rank of Holy Domain Magician is a perfect enough accomplishnt.]
[After leaving the ditation room, you et Krisha waiting patiently by the door.]
[You see your reflection in Krisha’s eyes and notice the subtle changes in your appearance since your ti in Allenson City.]
[You hear the echo of your mortal lifespan.]
[For a mont, you are dazed and absent-minded, but you smile and accept this truth calmly.]
[You resolve to accelerate your plans to train the witch, uncertain of how much ti remains in your mortal life.]
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