Chapter 37: The Last Day Before New Year’s Eve

【Your guidance to the witch has been very successful】

【She has mastered the four great elements: earth, wind, water, and fire】

【Her emotional flaws make her different from ordinary people, but they also make her magic cultivation extremely fast, and in some aspects, she has a unique understanding of magic】

【You are pleased because this means the witch’s talent is not bad】

【You feel that such growth and progress can, to some extent, fill the fragile and sensitive heart of Cressa】

【You begin to teach her more advanced magical knowledge】

【Cressa learns very seriously, keeping all your teachings in mind, and she respects you greatly. Besides learning magic, she also takes the initiative to do household chores】

【You don’t stop her】

【Because you clearly know that to heal a broken heart, besides giving confidence, you also need to give a sense of existence】

【Helping the girl blindly and showing kindness and love without reservation won’t make her recover, it will only make her confused and lost】

【Therefore, you give the girl a sense of “value”】

【Through the busyness of household chores, the girl feels that she is needed and valuable, not just trash that can be discarded at any time】

【This approach effectively enhances the girl’s sense of security】

……

【Time flies, and it has been two months since you adopted the witch】

【It is now the end of December】

【Your popularity in Allenson City has slightly declined, but among the lower-class civilians, you are still a well-known topic. People often discuss how devout your faith is, enough to move the Goddess of Life to bestow her blessings】

【You laugh it off because you are not a believer of the Goddess of Life】

【Allenson City is located in the northern part of the world, where winter comes earlier and is more severe than in other cities. Snowflakes begin to fall from the sky, and the people on the streets shiver】

【The snow falls heavily, and the cold is biting】

【In such extreme conditions, even breathing becomes a painful experience. The cold air ruthlessly cuts through the nose and mouth, rushing into the body and wreaking havoc】

【But this has nothing to do with you. Your house is equipped with a full set of steam equipment, and you can also use fire magic to keep warm】

【You accidentally learn from the Mage Association in the city center that beastmen are launching attacks on a border city further north of Allenson】

【The harsh winter not only torments humans but also these extraordinary alien races】

【This news does not cause a stir in Allenson. The border is guarded by several mage legions, and multiple divine churches assist in defense, making it impossible for the beastmen to break through】

【The new year is approaching】

【From nobles to commoners, everyone is preparing for the first day of the new year】

【This day is known as the “Day of Divine Creation,” a great day celebrated by many divine churches as the day the gods created the world together, a day of joyous celebration in the midst of winter】

……

Bustling.

Clamor.

And hubbub.

Xu Xi sits in the warm and cozy study, quietly listening to the lively sounds from outside.

Since the weather turned cold, he hasn’t heard such lively sounds for a long time. There are children playing and adults laughing, adding a bit of color to the silent winter.

In previous years, Xu Xi spent the winter alone.

But this year is different. Xu Xi has a witch by his side.

“Mentor, please.”

A calm voice sounds by his ear, without any intense fluctuations or emotions, like a gently flowing stream or a breeze brushing past the treetops.

This is the unique, beautiful voice of Cressa.

“Thank you, Cressa,” Xu Xi looks to the right.

After two months of nutritional supplements.

The once emaciated and pitiful-looking little girl.

Has regained her basic complexion and figure.

Her gray-silver hair is very smooth, flowing naturally like a waterfall. She is dressed in a black and white magic apprentice outfit, standing quietly, holding a cup of hot drink.

【Chaka】

This is a magical drink popular among humans.

Xu Xi understands it as the coffee of the magical world.

Taking it from the girl’s hand, he takes a sip. The warm liquid soothes his body while making his mind clearer and his perception of magic deeper.

This is the effect of Chaka.

One cup costs 1 gold coin.

“Ridiculous,” Xu Xi smacks his lips, feeling that this so-called Chaka is nothing special, far inferior to his three traits.

But on second thought, the local mages of the simulation world don’t have trait bonuses. It’s understandable that they would hype up Chaka for the slight boost it provides, driving the price up.

Shaking his head.

Xu Xi stops paying attention.

He puts the cup back on the tray and stands up.

“Cressa, I need to go out for a while. Please take care of the house.”

“Yes, please rest assured.”

Xu Xi, wearing the robe of an official mage, casts Wind Barrier and Warmth of Fire on himself, then uses the Wind Riding Technique to ride the air currents and fly out of the courtyard.

The girl stands at the courtyard gate, quietly watching the receding figure.

Until it completely disappears.

Then she returns to the house 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, buy some new magic books, and incidentally show his face.

Xu Xi is not keen on social interactions, but the identity of the “Slums Mage” has brought him too much popularity. Many mages, out of curiosity, rush to befriend Xu Xi.

Through these connections, Xu Xi has obtained many useful supernatural materials and learned a lot of information.

The news of the beastmen invading the border was learned from here.

So 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, come, let’s drink to our heart’s content!”

“Damn it, Tidaofu, you old cheat, using wind magic to mess with my dice again, your tricks are useless!”

“Hmph, can a mage’s actions be called cheating?”

Upon entering the Mage Association of Allenson City.

Some familiar faces greet Xu Xi, while others are immersed in their entertainment.

Compared to usual.

The association hall is much quieter.

“It seems most people have gone back for the New Year,” Xu Xi ponders, nodding in response to those he knows, then skillfully walks into the inner part of the association to settle some previously accepted commissions.

With the commission money in hand, his wallet suddenly feels much heavier.

Xu Xi buys some supernatural materials and magic books he hasn’t read yet.

With the red trait “Wisdom of Mortals,” Xu Xi can quickly integrate supernatural materials and knowledge, turning them into his own knowledge reserves, advancing further on the path of a mage.

There is a famous saying in this world: The stronger, the more profound.

Meaning that powerful mages possess profound knowledge.

Conversely, it can also be understood that the more profound a mage’s knowledge, the stronger they are.