Chapter 443 Character: Klisa (I)

Behind the prosperity of Alenson City lie foul-smelling alleys where dirty water flows freely.

Wreckage of steam machinery.

Discarded Materials from magic experiments.

And all sorts of household waste and unidentified flesh and blood tissues, mixing with rainwater and continuously fermenting to create a decaying, pungent, and suffocating stench.

When pedestrians pass by, they often wear expressions of disgust.

Their boots quickly step across the stone stairs.

They aren't even willing to let their gaze linger for a second longer.

Unseen by anyone, a small figure curls up against an alley wall several times taller than her, trembling as she hides in the shadows, her face showing a numb, blank stare.

Her hair is matted with filth soaked in muddy water.

She is wretched and foul-smelling.

There is no joy, no sadness; only a hollow void and fear of the unknown remain on her face.

Hunger and pain strike simultaneously, torturing the girl's body.

"…So hungry."

Her eyes are hollow and lifeless, so gray and desolate that she has lost all sensation; the girl clutches her abdomen, which is twitching and burning, as she sits in the muddy water waiting for death.

"…It hurts."

She reaches out and touches the wound on her neck.

It is the mark of a hemp rope noose that had been around her neck, left from being dragged by a speeding carriage.

Hated because of her Demon Race Bloodline.

Living because of her Demon Race Bloodline.

Contradictory and real suffering is like an invisible shackle.

It is so heavy that the witch finds it difficult to breathe.

"…So sleepy."

The witch curls her body up.

She hides even deeper in the shadows of the alley.

She thinks that perhaps if she dies, she can sleep forever and never be hungry again.

Just then.

Someone steps into the alley; the clear sound of footsteps and the sweet scent of bread cause the girl's survival instinct to begin to struggle.

She is hungry.

She wants to eat.

Involuntarily, her throat—long since dry and devoid of moisture—swallows with difficulty.

Embracing both apology and a longing for food.

The young witch struggles to climb up, muddy water dripping from her body; her bruised palm grips a small knife as she brandishes it threateningly toward the innocent pedestrian entering the alley.

"St… Stop!"

"Hand… hand over the bread!"

Will she get the bread?

Or will she be killed on the spot?

A few minutes later, the witch looks blankly at the bread in her hand, then at the palm before her, extended in an invitation.

"Come with me."

The owner of the hand speaks in a gentle voice.

The witch is confused, unable to understand the development of the situation.

Does he mean to make her a slave?

She thinks that might be a good thing, as it would mean she would no longer be a vagrant.

————

The witch prepares herself mentally.

Whether becoming a slave or an object to be used at will, it means being "needed," allowing her to continue living in the world.

But the man named "Xu Xi" is very strange.

He washes away the filth for the witch.

He brings new clothes for the witch.

He prepares a room for the witch.

And in a warm, soft tone, he asks for the witch's name.

"Klisa…" the young witch says her name, looking up at Xu Xi with hollow eyes, "Klisa Christina."

Xu Xi smiles.

He reaches out and pats little Klisa's head.

"That is a very beautiful name," he praises.

That was the first compliment the witch had ever received.

After entering the room, Xu Xi helps little Klisa tidy up and prepares the bedding for sleep.

"He is a strange master…"

Watching Xu Xi's busy figure, the witch feels even more bewildered.

This is quite different from what she had expected.

————

There is no hitting or scolding, no discrimination, and no reproaches.

The young witch had prepared herself for everything.

What she receives instead.

Are things she had never even considered.

"Klisa, we are going to study these today," the man says warmly, having Klisa sit opposite him as he teaches her knowledge and literacy.

Yes.

The witch is studying.

She doesn't understand why someone as ugly and lowly as herself would receive her master's teaching.

But the witch is very obedient.

Even if she doesn't understand, she obediently follows Xu Xi's orders.

She learns basic literacy, common life knowledge, and communication methods.

The deformed magic horns on her head, the fragmented Scales on her body—those alien Demon Race traits are no longer the source of the girl's pain in this small Courtyard.

Only, many times.

Past memories of pain are still clearly imprinted in the witch's body.

When she sees Xu Xi raise his hand, she hides in terror.

She lets out a miserable whimper.

She bumps into tables and chairs in her panic, finally curling up wretchedly in a corner, clutching her head tightly with both hands.

"No… don't… please, don't…"

The young witch is terrified, fearing her body will be devastated once again.

But she waits for a long time.

And the arrival of pain never comes.

Gradually, she tries to open her eyes.

What meets her eyes is a face full of apology, containing worry, guilt, and deep care and affection.

"I'm sorry, Klisa."

"…I'm really sorry."

The [Master] apologized to the [Object].

In little Klisa's understanding, this was an impossible occurrence, yet the reality before her eyes could not be faked.

Klisa falls into a state of confusion.

By the time she recovers her senses, Xu Xi is leading her by the hand into the kitchen.

Xu Xi brings the girl exquisite desserts, calling it compensation.

Klisa takes a bite; it is sweet, so very, very sweet.

It is so sweet that the young witch's nose begins to tingle.

Her cold, withered, and crack-filled soul is slowly filled with a warm light.

————

In the days that follow, Klisa still prepares herself mentally, waiting for the treatment a slave should have and the tasks an object should fulfill.

But she still never receives them.

Under Xu Xi's arrangement, Klisa begins to learn magic.

Earth, wind, water, and fire become the girl's aids, making her strong.

The girl is not happy because of this; instead, she becomes uneasy: "Mentor, is there anything you need me to do for you?"

The witch yearns to be needed.

She takes it upon herself to handle the household chores of the Courtyard.

Xu Xi agrees to the witch's arrangement.

Learning magic, cleaning the Courtyard, and taking care of Xu Xi.

Klisa's life becomes a routine of three points and one line.

She doesn't find it dull; as long as she can help Xu Xi even a little, as long as she can be closer to Xu Xi, the hollow in her heart is filled.

Later on, Klisa discovers something: when training her Water Magic, as long as she makes a slight mistake, her Mentor will gently use Wind and Fire Magic to dry her hair.

That is one of the few times.

That she can openly.

Enjoy close contact with her Mentor.

And so—

"Splash!" In the center of the Courtyard, a huge water sphere explodes in mid-air, the water pouring down and instantly soaking Klisa's entire body.

"I'm sorry, Mentor, I've let you down…"

"It's alright, Klisa."

Just as the witch had expected.

Xu Xi smiles, neither blaming nor reproaching her, but simply stands behind Klisa and uses magic to dry the young girl's soaking wet long hair.

"Thank you."

While the witch offers her thanks, her mind begins to calculate when the next Water Magic failure should take place.