Chapter 40: The Sorceress Sees You as the Sun

“Boom—”

The outside world was filled with the roaring sound of explosions.

It was the high-level fire magic of fireworks ascending into the sky and concentrating at a single point to burst.

The dazzling flames even illuminated the night.

In the City of Allenson, the Divine Churches of the Fire God, the God of Blacksmiths, and the Goddess of Harvest were continuously unleashing various powerful magics to showcase the might of the deities.

Every year at this time, the Divine Churches secretly compete with each other.

Whoever wins will gain more followers in the coming year.

“Boom! Boom!”

The intense sounds of magical bombardments in the distant sky interrupted Xu Xi’s reminiscence.

He looked beside him; the young Witch had a blank expression, clutching the necklace and gold coins tightly, still in that empty, lifeless quiet state.

The magic outside was too dazzling.

So dazzling that the light entered the room.

Illuminating half of Cressa’s fair cheek, her smooth silver-gray hair, and her small, softly contoured nose.

And her hands, which couldn’t help but continuously caress the necklace.

Cressa seemed to want to wear the necklace, but she didn’t know how to do it because, in her tragic past life, there was only pain and torment, and her understanding of necklaces was limited to seeing them.

Her slender white fingertips touched the necklace loop, clumsily, carefully, lightly touching it and then immediately withdrawing.

Afraid of accidentally damaging it.

Her movements were inexperienced, her fingers awkward, making one feel pity upon seeing her.

“Cressa, let me help you.”

“…Okay.”

Xu Xi extended a helping hand, took the Sapphire Necklace from the girl, walked behind her, grabbed the mithril chains at both ends, and gently passed them around her neck with the softest possible motion.

During the process.

Xu Xi’s fingers brushed against the girl’s neck.

It was a strange sensation, making Cressa feel a bit itchy, a bit warm, and a bit fond of it.

She subconsciously rubbed against it, her neck moving the chains on both sides, creating a pleasant jingling sound.

But the girl quickly realized that this would cause unnecessary trouble for Xu Xi.

So she stood still again.

Feeling the warm hands part her long hair, guiding the two mithril chains to cross behind her neck, and finally pressing the silver clasp, with a click, securing the Sapphire Necklace in place.

Heavy snow fell outside, the streets bustling with noise.

Under the man’s gentle guidance, the mithril necklace embedded with the sapphire gem rested securely on the slightly warm neck of the young girl.

Why was it warm?

The Witch was puzzled.

This was an experience she had never had before.

“Not bad, not bad,” Xu Xi stepped back a few steps, looking up and down at Cressa wearing the necklace, a satisfied expression on his face.

“Just as I originally imagined, this necklace really suits you, Cressa.”

Xu Xi smiled.

He sincerely praised.

Winter is harsh and cold, even on the bustling New Year’s Eve, this fact does not change.

But at this moment, right now.

Xu Xi felt he saw something beautiful enough to melt the winter chill.

The silver-gray hair slightly covered the snow-white neck, the once visible scars were gone, replaced by delicacy and softness, the emotionless Witch lowered her head, her hands holding the Sapphire Necklace hanging from her neck.

Reflecting.

Gleaming.

Mirroring.

As Cressa gazed at the Sapphire Necklace, the hazy, dreamy blue glow also swayed, reflecting in her empty eyes.

At first glance, those eyes seemed to regain their liveliness.

Though only for a brief moment.

It quickly dissipated with the instability of the light.

But Xu Xi still felt that this moment was incredibly splendid.

He felt a sense of pride, such emotion, my Witch is truly beautiful.

Then, Xu Xi asked the expressionless girl, “Cressa, how do you feel, do you like it?”

The girl nodded gently, “I like it.”

Then she politely added, “Thank you.”

…

The night deepened.

It was time to part on New Year’s Eve.

After giving the New Year’s gift and the Lucky Money, Xu Xi left the kitchen.

Heading towards the study, preparing to meditate and break through his spiritual energy before sleeping tonight.

After he left, Cressa was lost in thought for a long time.

A long time, longer than all her past memories.

Chaotic, more complicated than the turmoil in her heart.

When Cressa came back to her senses.

She realized that unconsciously, she had already cleaned up the dishes and returned to her room.

She curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging her knees, motionless, lost in thought for a long time.

“Gift…”

“I also, have my own… gift…”

A faint voice echoed in the air.

Very flat, without fluctuation.

Even now, Cressa still felt that someone like her, who could be discarded at will, was not qualified to receive gifts, or the affection from her master.

An object should have the self-awareness of an object.

Should not crave more things that do not belong to it.

But.

Listening to the master is also a must.

If the master lets her accept it, then she cannot refuse, Cressa held the deep blue necklace on her chest, her eyes confused, yet with a few ripples.

Like…

Really like…

Really like this gift.

The heavy feelings kept accumulating in her chest, becoming heavier, more confusing, but she couldn’t figure out what it was exactly.

For the Witch who had lost her emotions, understanding these feelings was too difficult.

But it’s not a big problem.

Cressa had her own solution, she neither needed to understand nor vent, just to always follow Xu Xi, listen to his words and commands was enough.

Rip—

The sunlight from the window caught Cressa’s attention.

Then, she realized, she had been lost in thought in her room all night, so much so that she didn’t notice the sun had risen.

The first day of the New Year.

The sun’s radiance was unprecedentedly strong.

In a domineering and violent manner, it forcefully penetrated the curtains, falling on the dazed Demi-Human Girl, reminiscent of the redemption that man had brought two months ago.

“Praise the great Sun God.”

“May the Sun God always protect us.”

Outside.

The citizens of Allenson City gradually stepped out of their homes, praying towards the sun on this first day of the New Year, hoping for the Sun God’s protection.

The sun…

Cressa lowered her head, burying her face between her legs.

In a volume only she could hear, she said:

“Thank you, sun…”

Not thanking the deity.

But thanking the ‘sun’ that had barged into her world, pulled her out of the quagmire of despair, brought her light and hope, the ‘sun’ that belonged solely to her.

In the repeated cries for help, only he heard the Witch’s voice, and was willing to extend a warm hand.

That warmth.

That affection.

Had been deeply engraved in the Witch’s heart, unforgettable.

For this, the Witch’s future would only live for the “sun,” if she lost that gentle light, lost that gaze upon her, the Witch would completely lose her reason for existence.

Falling into an abyss even she herself would fear.