"Master, what is time?"
"...Hmm, I suppose it's a joke."
"A joke?"
"Yes. When there's too much of it, people complain; when there's too little, they also complain. It makes people fickle and unpredictable. Don’t you think that’s quite like a joke?"
【Your training of the witch officially begins】
【You have high hopes for the witch, hoping she will learn all your magic. Not for any other reason, but so she can better protect herself】
【Elements, spirit, magic power】
【Under your careful guidance, Krisha progresses further and deeper in the path of magic. Her talent grows stronger with time, and her learning speed amazes and pleases you】
【Simulation Year 16: You are 30 years old, Krisha is 22】
【At 22, the witch still retains the appearance of a 17-year-old—youthful, fair, and full of beauty】
【Now, when you go out together, people often mistake you for siblings】
The appearance of a 30-year-old.
It makes Xu Xi laugh at himself.
His eyes have grown steady, his face matured. After years of weathering, even Xu Xi feels unfamiliar with his own body.
After all, in the real world, Xu Xi is only in his twenties.
"I never thought I’d get to see my future self through a simulated world."
"I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what I’ll look like when I’m old."
Xu Xi mutters to himself, his gaze falling on Krisha, who is diligently practicing magic in the courtyard. Since the training plan began, Krisha has always been hardworking.
Talented and diligent.
The result is the witch’s rapid rise in strength.
"Boom—"
Under Xu Xi’s watchful eyes.
A loud explosion echoes in the courtyard.
The impact is massive, the power intense, and more importantly, it’s a 7th-level spell.
Yes.
Krisha has advanced again this year, breaking through from an elite mage to a grand mage. Her speed of progression far surpasses anything before.
Without a doubt, this is the result of the forces of chaos and order aiding Krisha.
...
【Krisha’s strength has broken through once more】
【This brings you a sense of relief】
【You’ve always worried that, once you’re no longer in this world, Krisha wouldn’t be strong enough to protect herself. But from her current performance, your worries seem somewhat unnecessary】
【You are pleased with the witch’s growth, but also feel a tinge of melancholy】
【Faintly, you understand why your master, Li Wanshou, looked at you with such complexity in the cultivation world. It’s the same look you now give Krisha】
A mix of expectation, reluctance, nostalgia, and reminiscence
【Simulation Year 17: You are 31, Krisha is 23】
【Thanks to your teachings and her own terrifyingly evolving talent, Krisha successfully learns a new attribute, and her proficiency continues to rise】
【You decide to take the witch away from Apogu City】
【You choose to leave by sea, crossing the vast ocean with Krisha to the distant shores beyond】
The plan to train Krisha has two aspects.
One is strength.
The other is emotion.
In terms of strength, Krisha is diligent and hardworking, practicing new spells repeatedly until she masters them quickly.
As long as she continues to improve step by step, Krisha will undoubtedly become a true powerhouse.
Therefore.
Xu Xi shifts his focus, deciding to spend more time on addressing the emotional deficiencies of the witch.
How to address them.
How to proceed.
This is a question worth pondering.
Xu Xi thinks of many methods and ultimately decides to take Krisha to experience more of the beauty of the world, slowly nurturing her fragile heart.
"Woo—!!!"
On the vast sea, a long, melodious horn echoes across the sky.
Xu Xi holds his staff, tapping it lightly, and the surging seawater transforms into an elemental whale, carrying him and the witch toward the unknown shores beyond the sea.
The endless waters shimmer with azure waves.
Reflecting the blue of the sky.
The white foam of the waves forms continuous ripples, creating a magnificent painting, with various extraordinary fish darting through the water, casting deep shadows beneath.
"So beautiful…"
Krisha gazes in awe at the scene.
It’s a beauty she has never seen before, a vastness she has never experienced in her life.
The light and shadow are enchanting, with a rainbow of colors arching across the sky, as if one could reach out and touch the legendary bridge of light.
The witch tries to reach out.
But fails.
The beautiful rainbow seems close, yet it’s ethereal and nonexistent in this world.
Naturally, no one can touch a rainbow.
"!!!"
As if realizing something, Krisha nervously grabs Xu Xi’s sleeve. It’s solid, tangible—not illusory or nonexistent.
Thank goodness…
The witch feels an inexplicable sense of relief.
"What’s wrong, Krisha? Are you feeling unwell?" Xu Xi asks.
"No, it’s nothing…" The girl shakes her head gently, her silver-gray hair swaying like a flowing waterfall of light.
Her hand still clutches Xu Xi’s sleeve.
Holding on tightly.
Unwilling to let go.
【You use an 8th-level spell: Water Beast Summoning】
【You conjure a massive water whale, carrying you and Krisha on a long journey. You plan to cross the ocean to a distant shore, a place you’ve never been to before, and you’re deeply intrigued】
【Along the way, you pass through the Little Britannia Sea】
【This is an incredibly bustling sea, filled with merchant ships sailing the high seas, all seeking the extraordinary materials found in these waters】
【You still remember that the first gift you gave Krisha, the sapphire necklace, had a sapphire from the Little Britannia Sea】
"Krisha, would you like a new sapphire?"
"Thank you for the offer, but… one is enough for me."
The silver-haired witch says this, her index finger and thumb pinching the sapphire necklace she wears every day, lifting it to her chest.
The blue glow swirls, the water-light shimmers.
The hazy, dreamlike blue radiance reflects once more in Krisha’s hollow eyes, giving them a fleeting moment of color.
Krisha has no attachment to the necklace itself.
Nor to the so-called gemstone.
But she deeply cherishes the warmth and sentiment within the necklace, within the gem—the warmth and care from the "sun."
It’s unique, a one-of-a-kind, special meaning.
...
【You and the witch continue your journey】
【The giant water whale speeds across the sea, its pace so fast that it creates small waves as it surges forward, fueled by your magic】
【Your "whale racing" on the ocean startles many sea creatures, accidentally triggering a marine frenzy and disrupting the ecosystem of the area】
【Simulation Year 18: You are 32, Krisha is 24】
【You successfully reach the far side of the ocean. The familiar solid ground makes you slightly dizzy, but at the same time, the sense of stability brings you peace】
【Steam-powered airships fly overhead, and roaring trains speed past】
【The steam technology here is equally advanced, and there are numerous divine churches renowned for their exceptional wand-making and magical device crafting techniques】
【This is why you’ve come】
【You and the witch settle down and begin studying the art of wand and magical device creation】
【The wisdom of mortals continues to take effect…】
【Four years later, at 36, you have mastered the craft of wand and magical device creation at a grandmaster level. You and the witch leave the city】