LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 37:
Chapter 37: The Last Day Before the New Year:
[Your teaching to the witch was very successful.]
[She has mastered the four elements of earth, wind, water, and fire.]
[The emotional defect makes the witch different from ordinary people, but it also makes her progress in magic extremely fast. In some aspects, she possesses a unique understanding of magic.]
[You are very pleased because this means the witch’s talent is not bad.]
[Do you think such growth and progress can fill Krisha’s fragile and sensitive heart to some extent?]
[You begin teaching her more advanced and deeper magic knowledge.]
[Krisha studies very earnestly, keeping your teachings firmly in mind. At the same time, she treats you with immense respect. Aside from learning magic, she also takes the initiative to handle housework.]
[You didn’t stop her.]
[Because you understand that, to heal a broken heart, in addition to giving it confidence, you must also give it a sense of presence.]
[Blindly helping a girl and showering her with unconditional kindness and love will not restore her to normal; it will only leave her confused and lost.]
[So, you give the girl a “value” to her existence.]
[Through the busyness of housework, you allow her to feel needed and valuable, instead of feeling like someone who could be abandoned at any moment.]
[This method effectively enhances her sense of security.]
…
[Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two months have passed since you adopted the witch.]
[It is now the end of December.]
[Your popularity in Allenson City has slightly declined, but you remain a widely discussed topic among the common people. People often talk about how devout your faith is and how you moved the Goddess of Life to grant divine grace.]
[You laugh it off because you are not a believer in the Goddess of Life.]
[Allenson City is located in the northern part of the world. Winter here arrives earlier and harsher than in other cities. Snowflakes begin to fall, and pedestrians on the streets tremble.]
[It’s snowing heavily, and the cold is biting.]
[In such extreme conditions, even breathing becomes painful. The freezing air cuts through the nose and mouth, rushing into the body, causing a relentless impact.]
[But this has little to do with you. Your home is equipped with a full set of steam-powered equipment, and you can also use fire magic to stay warm.]
[You unexpectedly learn from the Magicians Association in the city center that orcs are attacking a border city further north of Allenson.]
[The chilling winter not only tortures humans but also these alien races with their extraordinary physiques.]
[This news doesn’t stir much concern in Allenson. There are multiple mage legions stationed at the border and several divine churches assisting in defense. Breaking through the defense line is nearly impossible.]
[The New Year is approaching.]
[From nobles to commoners, everyone begins preparations for the first day of the New Year.]
[This day is called “God’s Creation Day,” a celebration of the gods’ collective creation of the world. It is a day of cheers and festivities, even in the bitter cold.]
…
Lively.
Noisy.
And bustling.
Xu Xi sat in his warm and comfortable study, quietly listening to the frolicking sounds outside.
Since the weather turned cold, he hadn’t heard such lively noises in a long time. Children were playing, and adults were laughing, adding a splash of color to the silent winter.
In previous years, Xu Xi spent this time alone.
But this year was different—he had Krisha, the witch, by his side.
“Master, please.”
A calm voice reached his ears, devoid of strong emotions, as soft as a bubbling stream or a gentle breeze brushing past treetops.
This beautiful tone was uniquely Krisha’s.
“Thank you, Krisha,” Xu Xi said, glancing to his right.
After two months of proper nutrition, the once frail and miserable girl had regained some of her basic color and body shape.
Her long gray-silver hair was now smooth, cascading naturally like a waterfall. She wore a black-and-white magic apprentice uniform, standing quietly with a cup of steaming hot drink in her hand.
[Chaka.]
This was a magical drink popular in human society. Xu Xi thought of it as the magical world’s equivalent of coffee.
He accepted the drink from her hand and took a sip.
As the warmth spread through his body, he felt his spirit clear, and his perception of magic deepened.
Such was the effect of Chaka.
One gold coin per cup.
“Black-hearted profiteers,” Xu Xi muttered, smacking his lips. He felt this so-called Chaka wasn’t worth its price and paled compared to his own crafted entries.
Still, considering the local mages in this simulated world lacked such bonuses, it was understandable why Chaka was priced this high for its small enhancement.
Shaking his head, Xu Xi dismissed the thought.
He placed the cup back on the tray and stood up.
“Krisha, I need to go out. Please look after the house.”
“Yes, please don’t worry,” she replied.
Xu Xi donned his formal mage’s robe, enveloped himself in a wind barrier and warmth from fire magic, and used wind control to lift himself into the air, flying out of the courtyard.
The girl stood at the courtyard door, quietly watching his retreating figure until it vanished from sight. Then she returned indoors to continue her chores.
…
Today marked the last day of the old year.
Xu Xi was heading to the Magicians Association in the city center to settle some commissions, purchase new magic books, and show his face.
Although he wasn’t keen on social interactions, the fame of being the “Slum Mage” had attracted many curious mages wanting to befriend him. Through these connections, Xu Xi acquired useful extraordinary materials and valuable information.
This was how he learned about the orc invasion at the border. Gradually, Xu Xi developed a habit of occasionally visiting the association.
“Hey, Xu, long time no see!”
“Isn’t this the famous Slum Light? Come, have a drink!”
“Mader, Tidolf, you old scoundrel, you used wind magic to cheat on my dice again. Your tricks are pathetic!”
“Oh, can mage tactics even be called cheating?”
Upon entering the Magicians Association, some familiar faces greeted Xu Xi, while strangers were immersed in entertainment.
The hall was less crowded than usual.
“It seems most people have gone home to celebrate the New Year,” Xu Xi mused, nodding to acquaintances before skillfully navigating the association to settle his commissions.
With the commission money in hand, his wallet felt significantly heavier.
He purchased rare extraordinary materials and unread magic books. Through the red entry of mortal wisdom, Xu Xi could rapidly integrate extraordinary materials and knowledge, steadily advancing on the path of a mage.
A famous saying in this world proclaimed: “The stronger the mage, the more knowledge they possess.”
Conversely, it also meant that the more knowledgeable a mage was, the stronger they could become.