Chapter 40: The Witch Views You as Her Sun

"Bang—"

A booming explosion came from outside.

It was a high-level fire magic, fireworks ascending into the high sky and bursting at a single point.

The brilliant firelight even illuminated the dark night.

Inside Alenson City, the mages under the three major Church of the Gods—the God of Fire, the God of Blacksmiths, and the Goddess of Harvest—were continuously unleashing various powerful magics to demonstrate the great power of their gods.

Every year at this time, the Church of the Gods would secretly compete with one another.

Whoever could win would receive more believers in the coming year.

"Rumble!"

"Rumble!"

The intense noises caused by the various magical bombardments in the distant sky interrupted Xu Xi's memories.

He looked to his side; the young witch's expression was dazed, her hands tightly clutching the necklace and gold coins, still maintaining that empty, listless, quiet appearance.

The magic outside was truly too dazzling.

So dazzling that the light entered the room.

It illuminated half of Klisa's fair cheek, her soft, silver-gray long hair, and her small nose with its soft lines.

As well as her hands, which were uncontrollably and continuously rubbing the necklace.

Klisa seemed to want to wear the necklace, but she did not know how to do it, because in her past miserable life, there was only ever pain and torment, and her knowledge of necklaces was limited to looking at them.

Her slender white fingers touched the ring of the necklace, clumsy and cautious, touching it lightly and immediately withdrawing.

Afraid of accidentally damaging it.

Her movements were green and her fingers were at a loss, making one feel pity and affection upon seeing it.

"Klisa, let me help you."

"…Okay."

Xu Xi reached out to help, took the sea-blue necklace from the girl's hands, walked behind her, grasped the mithril chain at both ends of the necklace, and passed it around her neck with movements as gentle as possible.

During the process of putting it on.

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

It was a very strange feeling that made Klisa feel a bit itchy, a bit hot, and also a bit fond of it.

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

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

So she stood up straight again.

Feeling the warm hands lift her long hair, guide the two mithril chains to cross behind her neck, and finally press the silver clasp, a click sounded as the sea-blue necklace was secured.

Snow was falling, and it was lively and noisy outside.

Under the man's gentle guidance, the mithril necklace inlaid with the sea-blue pearl settled securely on the young girl's slightly warm neck.

Why was it hot?

The witch did not understand.

This was an experience she had never had before.

"Not bad, not bad," Xu Xi stepped back a few paces, looking Klisa up and down as she wore the necklace, a satisfied expression on his face.

"Just as I originally imagined, this necklace really suits you, Klisa."

Xu Xi smiled.

He praised her from the bottom of his heart.

Winter is bleak and cold, and even on a lively New Year's Eve, this point would not change.

But at this time, right at this moment.

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

Her ash-silver long hair slightly covered her snow-white neck; the scars of the past had disappeared, replaced by delicacy and softness. The emotionless witch lowered her head, her hands cradling the sea-blue necklace hanging from her neck.

Refraction.

Reflection.

Mirroring.

While Klisa gazed at the sea-blue necklace, that hazy, dreamlike blue radiance also swayed and was reflected in Klisa's empty eyes.

At first glance, those eyes seemed to have regained their liveliness.

Even if only for a brief moment.

It quickly dissipated along with the instability of the light.

But Xu Xi still felt that this moment was incomparably magnificent.

A sense of pride and emotion arose in his heart: my little witch is truly beautiful.

Then, Xu Xi asked the expressionless girl: "Klisa, how does it feel? Do you like it?"

The girl nodded gently: "I like it."

Then she politely added: "Thank you."

…

The night grew deep.

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

After giving the New Year's gift and the red envelope money, Xu Xi left the kitchen.

He walked towards the study, preparing to meditate to Breakthrough his Mental Energy before going to sleep tonight.

After he left, Klisa was alone, lost in a daze for a long time.

A long time, longer than all her past memories combined.

Very chaotic, more complicated than the chaotic thoughts in her heart.

When Klisa finally came to her senses.

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

She curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging her knees, and stared blankly for a long time without moving.

"Gift…"

"I also have my own… gift…"

A faint voice echoed in the air.

Very flat, without any fluctuation.

Even now, Klisa still felt that an object like her, which could be discarded at will, had no qualification to receive gifts or affection from her master.

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

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

But.

Listening to the master is also a must.

Since the master told her to accept it, she could not refuse. Klisa held the deep blue necklace on her chest, her eyes dazed yet carrying a hint of ripples.

Like…

Really like…

Really like this gift.

A heavy feeling accumulated in her chest, becoming heavier and more confusing, but she could not understand exactly what it was.

For a witch who had lost her emotions, it was too difficult to understand these feelings.

But it was not a big problem.

Klisa had her own solution; she didn't need to understand, nor did she need to vent. As long as she stayed by Xu Xi's side and obeyed his words and instructions, that was enough.

Rip—

Sunlight from outside the window caught Klisa's attention.

At this moment, she realized she had been in a daze in the room all night, so much so that she hadn't noticed the sun rising.

The first day of the New Year.

The sun's radiance was unprecedentedly strong.

With a domineering and violent posture, it forcefully pierced through the curtains and landed on the dazed girl of the Demon Race, just like the salvation that man had performed two months ago.

"Praise the great Sun God."

"May the Sun God protect you and me forever."

Outside.

The citizens of Alenson City walked out of their homes one after another, praying to the sun on this first day of the New Year, hoping the Sun God would protect them.

The sun, huh…

Klisa lowered her head, burying her cheeks between her legs.

She said in a volume only she could hear:

"Thank you, Sun…"

Not thanking the gods.

But thanking that 'Sun' who broke into her world, brought her out of the mire of despair, brought her light and hope, and belonged only to her.

In the midst of repeated cries for help, only he heard the witch's voice and was willing to extend a warm palm.

That warmth.

That compassion.

Had already been deeply engraved in the witch's heart, impossible to forget.

For this, the witch's future would only live for the "Sun." If she were to lose that gentle radiance, to lose that gaze upon her, then the witch would completely lose the meaning of her existence.

Falling into an abyss that even she herself feared.