Chapter 44: Reflections on Four Years of Time

Xu Xi met Cressa in the late autumn of the sixth year of the simulation.

Now, it is the tenth year of the simulation.

In other words, it has been nearly four years since Xu Xi saved Cressa, took her away from the filthy, stinking alley, and gave her a “human” life.

Four years of time, four years of companionship—how heavy is that weight?

Even Xu Xi, who experienced it firsthand, cannot give an accurate answer.

*Tap—*

*Tap—*

Pushing open the door of the meditation room, Xu Xi, who had successfully advanced, walked down the corridor. The slightly thick soles of his boots made heavy, muffled sounds that echoed continuously in the air.

The hum repeated, lingering and unending.

Suddenly, Xu Xi stopped in his tracks, slightly raising his head to gaze at the azure sky and the bright sun outside the corridor.

“Today’s sunlight is really dazzling…”

The overly glaring sunlight had completely evaporated the water vapor that usually lingered over Allenson City. The sun was so bright that Xu Xi instinctively squinted his eyes.

The halo of light triggered memories.

In a daze, Xu Xi recalled many things—the bits and pieces of his life after arriving in the simulation world.

In the ten years of his simulated life, Xu Xi spent six years living alone, and the last four years living with the Witch.

It was strange.

Even though the former period far exceeded the latter, he didn’t remember many details from those earlier years.

What he remembered were the daily moments spent with the Witch.

For example, two years ago, when Cressa worked hard to practice cooking and finally made a decent meal. Although the surface was a bit charred and the taste slightly bitter, Xu Xi still ate it all.

Or a year ago, when Cressa was practicing Level 3 Water Magic. Her talent with water elements was so strong that it caused a flood in the courtyard, washing away all the flowers and plants.

She herself was drenched, dripping with water from head to toe.

Cressa immediately apologized to Xu Xi.

Xu Xi smiled, not scolding or reproaching the girl. Instead, he helped her change into dry clothes and, for the first time in a while, used a combined wind-fire spell to dry her wet hair.

These little moments of daily life, though seemingly insignificant, felt like faint miracles flickering in the ordinary passage of time, bringing warmth and beauty.

“It’s just a pity that we have to temporarily say goodbye to this life.”

Xu Xi’s gaze remained fixed on the sky. The clear, cloudless sky was beautiful, like a picturesque scroll evenly spread out, free of any annoying moisture.

But it was precisely this that made Xu Xi feel a strong sense of crisis.

This situation was not normal.

“To power the entire city, the underground steam engines in the center of Allenson are extremely massive. Their output and steam volume are far more intense than what we’re seeing today.”

“But over the past month, the activity of the steam engines in the city center has been decreasing.”

“Moreover, steam airships have been frequently deployed, transporting people away from Allenson.”

Something is wrong.

Absolutely wrong.

Xu Xi once went to the Mage Association to gather information, but to his surprise, the high officials of the association, like the nobles, had disappeared without a trace.

Only the most basic staff remained, keeping the Mage Association running.

From this, Xu Xi concluded: *Something is about to happen in Allenson City.*

With insufficient information, he couldn’t determine what exactly, but staying away was definitely not wrong.

“I’ve already advanced to Grand Mage. Even if I move to another city, I won’t have any financial problems. We must evacuate as soon as possible.”

Xu Xi pondered in his heart.

A magic shield appeared in front of him, blocking the overly dazzling sunlight.

It wasn’t his own magic.

“Thank you, Cressa. Your magic shield is well-cast,” Xu Xi said, looking to his right. At some point, the 16-year-old Witch had walked up beside him.

Four years had passed, and the Witch was no longer the frail, pitiful girl she once was.

She had grown taller.

Her features were delicate.

Her silver-gray hair cascaded past her neck and shoulders, like overlapping ripples of water. When the wind blew, it gently swayed, creating light ripples.

She didn’t have the liveliness typical of girls her age.

Her expression was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow.

But this didn’t diminish her beauty or charm.

She wore a light white dress with a pale blue short coat, adding a gradient effect. Her outfit was simple, without any flashy decorations, but paired with the Sapphire Necklace Xu Xi had given her, she easily outshone the so-called noble ladies of her age.

Her natural beauty, polished through hardship, was even more radiant and unique.

“You flatter me. This is what I should do,” Cressa said, standing beside Xu Xi with her hands crossed in front of her abdomen, remaining very quiet.

Her voice, like her face, contained no emotion.

Looking at the obedient Witch, Xu Xi felt a pang of regret. Over the past four years, he had tried many times but still couldn’t restore her emotions.

“Cressa, while I was away, was there any news outside?”

Walking on the path to the living room, Xu Xi asked.

“According to your instructions, I kept an eye on the use of the steam airships. The last three steam airships left this morning.”

“Morning? This morning?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Cressa’s calm reply, Xu Xi paused, his sense of crisis stronger than ever.

“Something’s wrong. They didn’t leave even a single one behind. Does this mean they’ve completely abandoned Allenson City?”

“It seems we’ll have to leave too, Cressa.”

“We’ll leave today.”

Xu Xi took a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, and then opened them again.

He turned to the girl: “Cressa, go to the market now and buy as much food and daily necessities as you can. Pack them into the Spatial Ring and bring them back.”

“There’s no need to hide your magic anymore. Go ahead, use the Wind Riding Technique to fly there directly.”

“Yes, as you wish.”

Without asking why, Cressa nodded lightly, then took out her wand, *Gray Rekindling*. With a wave of her arm, wind elements enveloped her body as she soared into the sky.

As for Xu Xi, he quickly entered the study outside the courtyard.

He pulled out two magic books from the shelf.

The sense of crisis in his heart grew stronger.

His intuition told him that Level 4 and 5 magic alone wouldn’t be enough to deal with the unknown danger.

So, he decided to use the short time while Cressa was shopping to learn the Level 6 and 7 spells that only a Grand Mage could use, adding to their chances of a successful evacuation.

[The atmosphere in Allenson City has become strange. You keenly observe something.]

[Observer Trait activating… continuing to activate…]

[You sense the crisis hidden behind the events. The departure of all the steam airships makes you realize that the crisis might descend upon Allenson City soon, perhaps even today.]

[You send the Witch to urgently purchase supplies.]

[You begin learning magic to increase the feasibility of evacuation. Wisdom of Mortals continues to activate…]

[You observe the workings of the world. Your understanding of magic is rapidly improving. You’ve learned your first Level 7 spell. You’ve learned your second Level 7 spell.]

[You begin creating new magic…]