Chapter 43: The Great Mage Breaks Through in an Instant

Cressa cherishes the magic staff you gifted her and finds it very useful.

She has become more dependent on you.

With the staff’s enhancement, Cressa’s strength has greatly improved, and her control over magic has significantly increased. You are pleased with this and begin teaching her more advanced magic.

In the past, as a mere magic apprentice, Cressa could only learn the most basic Level 0 magic.

Now, you can teach her Level 1, 2, and 3 magic.

After two months of teaching, Cressa has learned many new spells from you and mastered the combined use of fire and wind magic.

The Witch has grasped your ingenious creation—the Hairdryer Technique.

From now on, Cressa can cast fire magic with her left hand and wind magic with her right, combining them to produce warm air.

Previously, you used this technique to help the girl dry her hair after bathing, but now, she can do it herself.

You are pleased, but for some reason, the girl seems a bit down.

You are puzzled.

…

[Simulation Year 8, Spring]

You are 22, Cressa is 14, and the Witch has grown another year older.

It has been a long time since you first met Cressa, and you are both感慨 and genuinely happy for her growth.

Beyond her progress in magic, the most important thing is Cressa’s emotional growth.

Thanks to your help, the girl has successfully removed all demonic traits and can now walk and act as a human.

With your encouragement, Cressa has finally mustered the courage to step out of the courtyard. From now on, she no longer fears the presence of others, but she still prefers to stay only with you.

Only when supplies need to be purchased does Cressa rarely venture out.

As the girl puts it, such trivial matters shouldn’t be your responsibility, so she has taken full charge of replenishing daily necessities, food, and clothing for the courtyard.

Like your personal maid.

Under the sunlight, at the entrance of the white-brown courtyard.

Looking at the outside world, the Witch seems hesitant, too afraid to step out.

But just as Xu Xi once pulled her into the courtyard, this time, Xu Xi also takes the Witch’s hand, encouraging her to step outside.

“Cressa, look, there’s nothing to fear.”

After walking out.

Xu Xi comforts her in a gentle voice.

The Witch is somewhat dazed, looking at her legs that have already stepped out of the courtyard, then turning back to glance at the courtyard gate. Suddenly, she realizes something.

As long as Xu Xi is by her side, she will never be afraid, no matter where she is.

The fear in her heart has dissipated.

In its place is the “Sun” that forever exists in her heart, bringing her courage.

“I am… no longer afraid of anything. Thank you.”

…

[After your careful guidance and the加持 of her own talent, Cressa’s strength has become particularly astonishing.]

[Throughout the entire City of Allenson, the number of mages of the same level who can rival the girl can be counted on one hand. It’s not that their talent surpasses the Witch’s, but rather that their cultivation time is far longer than the Witch’s year and a half.]

[To be safe, and to avoid the Witch’s true identity being discovered, you did not let Cressa join the Mage Association of Allenson.]

[Cressa has no objections to this; she only wants to be with you and has no interest in anything else.]

[Your life together is incredibly peaceful.]

[There are no thrilling adventures or热血沸腾 legends, but you feel that such a calm and peaceful life is the most precious.]

[Your only goal is to cultivate as much as possible, to break through to higher realms sooner, and to watch the girl grow up safely.]

[Beyond that, you have no other desires.]

…

[Time flows again, Simulation Year 9.]

[You are 23, Cressa is 15, and you have developed your own unique insights into the path of magic. The Wisdom of Mortals is activating… The Observer is activating…]

[You gradually begin to understand the truths of how the world operates.]

[Your spiritual energy is rapidly increasing, and your use of magic has advanced further.]

[You sense that you are about to break through.]

[Simulation Year 10, Spring, you are 24, Cressa is 16.]

[It has been three and a half years since you adopted the Witch. Life during this time has been peaceful and beautiful, an experience that feels both incredibly long and yet as fleeting as a moment.]

[You have grown accustomed to life with Cressa.]

[She has never disappointed you or made you angry. The only regret you have is that, after all this time, Cressa’s emotional deficiencies have not improved.]

[You have still never seen her joy, nor have you seen her tears.]

[Through your diligent cultivation, your spiritual energy has finally reached its limit, and you are ready to break through.]

In the City of Allenson.

In the courtyard near the city center.

In the deepest, most hidden meditation room.

The light is dim, and the lamps flicker.

Xu Xi sits cross-legged, looking down at his left palm, where a glow floats, sometimes turning into raging flames, sometimes into roaring waves, and sometimes into howling winds.

“This is the limit,” Xu Xi murmurs. “Through the Wisdom of Mortals and Elemental Perception, I have mastered all the magic that an Elite Mage can control. It’s time to advance to Grand Mage.”

The Cultivation System and the Magic System are different.

Despite having experience breaking through to the Golden Core stage.

Xu Xi still approaches this realm advancement with 200% caution and care.

With utmost seriousness, following the experience notes he found in the Mage Association, he gathers all his spiritual energy, communicating and sensing the elements of the world.

Sensing, touching, establishing a connection.

Unlike before, when he simply controlled elemental forces.

This time, Xu Xi aims to merge his spiritual energy with the elements, becoming one with them.

“In the Association’s records, this step has stumped many magical geniuses, causing them to stop at the Elite Mage level.”

“This is also why the number of Elemental Mages is dwindling.”

“Compared to the Divine Church, where one can break through simply by devoutly worshiping deities, the path of an Elemental Mage is far too grueling.”

“However, I have the Elemental Perception trait, so this isn’t difficult for me.”

Xu Xi ponders.

Channeling his spiritual energy to merge with the surrounding earth, water, wind, and fire.

Everything goes as planned.

No, even easier than planned.

Xu Xi feels no resistance, as smooth as drinking water or eating a meal. His spiritual energy perfectly integrates with the elements, forming a harmonious relationship.

Grand Mage, instant breakthrough!

“Whoosh!!”

Like a tidal wave, surging spiritual energy, carrying vast amounts of world elements, rushes back into Xu Xi’s body.

At this moment, Xu Xi’s body becomes a bridge.

Establishing a connection with the elements of all things.

It’s an extremely special, indescribable feeling, so exhilarating that it makes one’s eyes shine.

“Before, using magic required painstakingly channeling spiritual energy to move elements, then arranging them into the desired form. But now… it seems that with just a thought, the elements can align themselves, making everything more efficient and convenient?”

In the meditation room, after his breakthrough, Xu Xi is surrounded by various elements.

He suddenly understands.

No wonder the names of the magic system’s realms are so straightforward.

Grand Mage.

An upgraded, enhanced version of a mage.

This makes perfect sense.

“Advancing to Grand Mage has made it easier for me to control elements. If this trend continues, higher-level mages will undoubtedly become even more adept, perhaps even… controlling all the elements in the world?”

Xu Xi pauses, thinking of the gods who reign above the world.

Perhaps those deities are not as mysterious or grand as they seem.

They are also mages.

Just the strongest mages standing at the pinnacle of the magical world.

“This world truly holds many secrets.”

“I hope to have the chance to explore them deeply in the future. For now, it’s time to take Cressa and leave Allenson.”