Simulated Lives: The Sorrow of the Sword Maiden-Chapter 38 – Her world only has you

"In the advancement of the Magic System, mental strength and knowledge are particularly crucial."
"The former is the key for mages to connect with the world, while the latter is the manifestation of a mage's understanding of the world."
"The combination of the two, catalyzed and released using magic power as an energy source, is what the public knows as magic."
"As for me now."
"I still have a long way to go on this Transcendent path of magic."
Allenson City, Mage Association.
After exchanging for the necessary items, Xu Xi gently brushed his palm over the cover of a magic book, feeling its matte texture, and couldn't help but sigh.
No Transcendent path is easy; luck and talent are indispensable.
Fortunately, he had the Simulator to assist him.
As long as he lived to the end of his natural life, even if he couldn't become a deity, he could at least aim to be a Saint Domain Archmage.
With this thought.
Xu Xi stored the Transcendent Materials and magic books into his space ring, turned around, and noticed the exquisite walls and candle flames around him, lit with a precious incense from the distant south.
The scent was pleasant, similar to Clarity Herb, clearing the mind.
At the same time, he could faintly hear a melodious female voice coming from the second floor of the association, enchanting those who listened.
The voice was beautiful.
It was likely that the noble mages were hosting a banquet.
Xu Xi paused his steps to leave, not because he was drawn by the voice, but because it reminded him of a girl waiting for him to return home.
"Krisa, that child, should be cleaning now, right?"
"I can't help but worry a little..."
"Before going back, I should buy her a New Year's gift. After all, she's been diligently training in magic all along."
Xu Xi turned back.
He headed once more to the Mage Association's trading window.
After carefully selecting.
He chose a necklace with a white exterior and blue interior, its silver outer ring gleaming, with small fragments of Starstone embedded at intervals, making it quite eye-catching.
The inner groove held a deep blue Aquamarine, a Transcendent Material from the Little Britain Sea, looking very splendid.
When light hit it, it shimmered like real waves, casting a mesmerizing halo.
"I hope Krisa will like it," Xu Xi said, looking at the necklace in his hand.
From his perspective, he thought the necklace suited a witch well, and it would look beautiful when worn. Moreover, the water-attributed Aquamarine could provide some Water Magic enhancement, which was extremely useful.
But when it comes to gifts.
Whether she likes it or not depends on the person receiving it.
...
After paying the gold coins for the necklace, Xu Xi left the Mage Association. Someone invited him to join the banquet on the second floor, but he politely declined.
Then, Xu Xi headed towards the market.
Planning to buy some ingredients and other necessary daily supplies.
"Buzz—"
"Buzz—"
Steam hissed, and cold winds howled.
In this harsher winter than usual, Allenson City's steam equipment operated faster.
It was as if thousands of birds were screeching, steam and cold air colliding and bursting, gathering into massive cloud-like clusters.
However, it wouldn't be long.
These clouds would be scattered by huge steam airships or torn apart by high-speed flying mages.
"The dual bloom of steam and magic is truly wondrous."
"I wonder how the humans of this world embarked on this peculiar path of coexistence."
Xu Xi mused.
Once again, he layered multiple protections on himself.
Using Wind Control, he flew towards the market in the city center.
His speed was swift, and he quickly purchased the needed items, then turned and flew towards his home courtyard.
Upon landing.
A small figure had been waiting for a long time.
"Master, welcome back," said the silver-gray-haired girl, slightly tiptoeing to help Xu Xi remove his large robe, patting it a few times to shake off the snowflakes.
Her expression was serious, as if she were doing something important.
"Yes, I'm back," Xu Xi replied with a smile.
...
[This world is vast, vast enough to accommodate even the deities]
[This world is small, small enough that Krisa's eyes see only you]
[After cleaning the house, the young witch stands at the courtyard gate, waiting for your return]
[She eagerly awaited you, helped you remove your robe, prepared soft shoes, and took the ingredients for tonight's meal from your hands, intending to cook the New Year's Eve dinner herself]
[You thought for a moment and stopped the girl]
[After all, the girl had only recently started trying to cook, often making various mistakes. Normally, you wouldn't mind these, but tonight is New Year's Eve, and you feel it's necessary to ensure the safety of your stomach]
[You arrived in the kitchen just in time to prevent a kitchen explosion]
[You began to cook personally]
[Wisdom of Mortals activated... Observer activated...]
[You comprehended the entire recipe, observed the details of the ingredients, and from now on, pots and pans all submitted to you, your culinary skills elevated to master level]
[You asked the girl what she liked to eat, and her answer was that she liked everything you made]
[You inexplicably shivered, feeling as if an unseen gaze was watching you]
[You ignored it, continued cooking, and soon, you prepared a fragrant four-course meal with soup, and when you lifted the lid, a faint golden light flickered]
[Culinary skills continue to improve—]
...
At night.
In the winter of Allenson City, there were few pedestrians on the streets.
Cold fog enveloped everything, shrouding and concealing all things, yet people's laughter and the joy of celebration connected and communicated with each other.
"Praise the God of Fire..."
"Praise the God of Blacksmiths..."
"Praise the Goddess of Harvest..."
"His glory, His great deeds, His radiance, all converge here, with gratitude..."
Under the leadership of the three divine churches in the city.
Praises echoed from all corners of Allenson.
In stark contrast, Xu Xi's home was cold and empty, with winter's chill pervading every corner.
Only the dining table laden with delicious food had a touch of vitality.
Xu Xi sat at the head of the table, Krisa on the right, several glass lamps casting light on the surface of the dishes, illuminating the intricate details of the wide dining table.
"Another year has passed, next year will be the seventh year in this Simulated World."
Suddenly, Xu Xi felt a bit dazed.
The life simulation was just too real.
Even though in his mind, he still had memories of the real world and the first simulation, and could summon the Simulator panel at any time.
But having lived in Allenson for so long, Xu Xi often subconsciously forgot this was a simulation.
"Not that it's a bad thing."
"As a child, I always fantasized about traveling to different worlds, and now it's like a dream come true in a different way."
Xu Xi took a deep breath, his expression relaxed and at ease.