Simulated Lives: The Sorrow of the Sword Maiden-Chapter 37 – The last day before the New Year

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[Your guidance to the witch has been very successful.]
[She has mastered the four major elements of earth, wind, water, and fire.]
[The witch's emotional deficiencies make her different from ordinary people, but they also allow her to progress rapidly in her magical cultivation, and in some aspects, she has a unique understanding of magic.]
[You are pleased, as this means the witch's talent is not lacking.]
[You believe that such growth and progress can, to some extent, fill Krisa's fragile and sensitive heart.]
[You begin to teach her more profound magical knowledge.]
[Krisa learns diligently, remembering all your teachings, and she holds you in high regard. Besides learning magic, she also takes the initiative to do household chores.]
[You do not stop her.]
[Because you clearly understand that to restore a broken heart to normal, one must provide not only confidence but also a sense of existence.]
[Blindly helping the girl and showing unconditional kindness and love will not make her recover; it will only leave her confused and lost.]
[Therefore, you give the girl a sense of "value."]
[Through the busyness of household chores, the girl feels needed and valuable, rather than being discarded like trash at any moment.]
[This approach effectively enhances the girl's sense of security.]
...
[Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two months have passed since you took in the witch.]
[It is now the end of December.]
[Your popularity in Allenson City has slightly decreased, but among the lower-class citizens, you remain a well-known topic of conversation. People often discuss how devout your faith is, capable of moving the Goddess of Life to bestow divine grace.]
[You smile and dismiss it, as you are not a follower of the Goddess of Life.]
[Allenson City is located on the northern side of the world, where winter arrives earlier and more fiercely than in other cities. Snowflakes begin to fall from the sky, and pedestrians on the streets shiver.]
[The heavy snow falls, and the cold is biting.]
[In such extreme conditions, even breathing becomes an excruciating task, as the frigid air mercilessly cuts through the mouth and nose, invading the body and wreaking havoc.]
[But this has nothing to do with you; your house is equipped with a full set of steam devices, and you can also use Fire Magic to keep warm.]
[You unexpectedly learn from the Mage Association in the city center that orcs are launching an assault on a border city further north of Allenson.]
[The harsh winter torments not only humans but also these extraordinarily strong non-human races.]
[This matter has not caused a stir in Allenson, as multiple mage legions are stationed at the border, with several divine churches assisting in defense, making a breach of the defense line impossible.]
[A new year is about to begin.]
[From nobles to commoners, everyone is preparing for the first day of the new year.]
[This day is celebrated as "Creation Day," a great day when the deities collectively created the world, a day of joyous celebration in the midst of winter.]
...
Lively.
Noisy.
And bustling.
Xu Xi sits in a warm and comfortable study, quietly listening to the sounds of merriment from outside.
Since the weather turned cold, he hasn't heard such lively sounds for a long time, with children playing and adults laughing, adding a touch of color to the silent winter.
In previous years, Xu Xi spent this time alone.
But this year is different; Xu Xi has a witch by his side.
"Master, please."
A calm voice sounds beside his ear, without any intense fluctuations or emotions, like a gently flowing stream or a breeze brushing past the treetops.
This is Krisa's unique, beautiful voice.
"Thank you, Krisa," Xu Xi looks to his right.
After two months of nutritional supplementation.
The once emaciated and pitiful little girl.
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Has regained basic color and physique.
Her gray-silver long hair is very smooth, flowing naturally like a waterfall. She stands quietly in black and white Magic Apprentice Robes, holding a cup of hot drink.
[Chaka]
This is a magical drink popular in human society.
Xu Xi perceives it as the coffee of the Magic World.
He takes it from the girl's hand, sips it lightly, and as the warmth flows down his throat, he feels his spirit becoming clearer, and his perception of magic deepening.
This is the effect of Chaka.
A cup costs 1 gold coin.
"Rip-off," Xu Xi smacks his lips, feeling that this so-called Chaka is nothing special, far inferior to his three Entries.
But on second thought, it's understandable that local mages in the Simulated World, without the boost from Entries, would hype Chaka to this price for the slight enhancement it provides.
Shaking his head.
Xu Xi no longer pays attention to it.
He places the cup back on the tray and then stands up.
"Krisa, I need to go out for a while. Please take care of the house."
"Yes, rest assured."
Xu Xi dons the Official Mage Robe, casts Wind Shield and Fire Warmth on himself, and then uses Wind Riding to ride the air currents out of the courtyard.
The girl stands at the courtyard gate, quietly watching the receding figure.
Until it disappears completely.
She returns inside to continue her chores.
...
Today is the last day of the old year.
Xu Xi plans to go to the Mage Association in the city center to settle some commissions, purchase new magic books, and make an appearance.
Xu Xi is not keen on socializing, but the identity of the "Slum Mage" has brought him significant attention, with many mages eager to meet him out of curiosity.
Through these connections, Xu Xi has acquired many useful Transcendent Materials and learned a lot of information.
The news of the orc invasion at the border was learned this way.
Gradually.
Xu Xi has developed the habit of occasionally visiting the Mage Association.
"Yo, Xu, long time no see!"
"Isn't this the famous Light of the Slums? Come, let's have a drink!"
"Motherfucker, Tidalf, you old man, using Wind Magic to cheat with my dice again, your tricks are the worst!"
"Heh, can a mage's actions even be considered cheating?"
Upon entering the Mage Association in Allenson City.
Familiar faces greet Xu Xi, while strangers immerse themselves in entertainment.
Compared to usual.
The association hall is much quieter.
"It seems most people have gone home for the New Year," Xu Xi muses, nodding in response to those he knows, then skillfully heads inside the association to settle some previously accepted commissions.
With the commission money in hand, his wallet suddenly feels much fuller.
Xu Xi purchases some Transcendent Materials and magic books he hasn't read yet.
Through the Red Entry "Wisdom of Mortals," Xu Xi can quickly integrate Transcendent Materials and knowledge, converting them into his own knowledge reserves, advancing further on the path of a mage.
There's a saying in this world: The stronger the mage, the more knowledgeable they are.
Conversely, it can also be understood that the more knowledgeable a mage is, the stronger they become.
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