Chapter 68: The Final Year

Why was it that every time Xu Xi woke up, he could always hear Klisa's greeting immediately?

Why was it that every time he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was always Klisa's face?

The answer was simple.

So simple it was startling.

Every time he fell into a deep sleep, every time he slumbered, Klisa would watch Xu Xi lie down and then quietly sit by the bed, accompanying the passage of time on a small wooden chair.

Sitting quietly, sitting until the sun and moon rose and set in the sky.

Waiting, waiting until the seasons of the world changed.

Klisa accompanied him in silence, waiting in the loneliness where only she remained, sitting motionless, her eyes fixed only on that increasingly aged figure.

Was it painful?

Was it boring?

Klisa didn't think so.

Because when that figure fell into silence, the world the witch could see became nothing but gray; she could feel no vitality and see no color, having actively blocked out everything.

Only when Xu Xi woke up did the witch's deathly silent world start moving again, regaining its normal colors once more.

“I have been, always, always, waiting for you.”

Sunlight shone through the window into the bedroom.

Due to the angle of the slant, it formed a beautiful layout of half-light and half-dark.

At eighty-five years old, Xu Xi showed his age; he lay on the bed, positioned right on the bright side, where every wrinkle and every strand of white hair was illuminated clearly.

And by the bedside, not far from Xu Xi.

Klisa sat in the shadows, sitting upright and quiet, her hollow eyes reflecting the posture of the light.

Her calm, exquisite face was clearly expressionless, yet when her light gray-silver hair swayed slightly in the wind, it seemed as if countless emotions were bursting forth.

Waiting for you.

Always waiting for you.

Klisa Christina spoke thus.

She was a heartless witch, without her own joy, without her own sorrow, an "object" that followed her master's orders her whole life.

Therefore, the witch always stayed by Xu Xi's side.

Waiting for Xu Xi to wake up, waiting for Xu Xi's next command.

That was the only meaning of her existence.

Facing such a Klisa, facing the witch who had waited through countless days and nights.

For a moment.

Xu Xi didn't know whether he should criticize and educate the witch to make her stop this meaningless behavior, or praise and admire the witch for her unchanging Persistence.

In the end, Xu Xi neither criticized nor praised her.

Because it wasn't important.

He gently took the witch's hand, grasping her slender fingers and bringing them into the range of the sunlight.

“Come for a walk with me, Klisa. After lying in bed for so long, I feel like I'm losing sensation in my body.”

“…Yes.”

Klisa was very well-behaved and obedient.

Together with Xu Xi as he got out of bed, she walked out of the bedroom door, through the silent and empty corridors, and finally into the sun-drenched green courtyard filled with flowers and trees.

Xu Xi walked very slowly.

A feeling of weakness emanated from within his body, spreading bit by bit to his legs.

The feeling was very subtle; with every step, he could clearly feel the sluggishness of his body, like a performance that could end at any moment.

“It's truly beautiful.”

Suddenly, Xu Xi stopped walking.

Before him were the lush courtyard plants tended by the witch; branches and leaves intertwined, flowers sent out their fragrance, and clusters of crimson dragon blood grass bowed to the wind, looking like small undulating waves.

“Klisa, you've managed this very well. I am very satisfied.”

“Thank you for your affirmation.”

Xu Xi looked to his side; the gray-silver-haired witch stood quietly. She was so indifferent, possessing an indescribable emptiness, as if isolated from everything in this world.

This point was exactly the same as when Xu Xi first met her.

But that scrawny, pitiful girl of yesteryear.

Had long since grown into a reliable adult.

Looking at the courtyard, looking at the flowers and grass, looking at the warm sunlight, and looking at the grown-up witch.

Xu Xi slowly closed his heavy eyelids, feeling the sunlight fall upon him, warming his loose, sagging skin, bringing him a bit of warmth and peace of mind.

He no longer had anything to worry about.

Thump—

[You walk with the witch in the courtyard]

[Everything in the courtyard, including the dragon blood grass you care about most, has been managed very well by Klisa]

[Even if you managed it personally, you couldn't do better than this]

[In a daze, you recall the witch when she was young; comparing the two, you find the grown-up witch is exceptionally outstanding and no longer needs your supervision or teaching]

[Perhaps it is time for your duty as a mentor to end]

[You feel relieved, you sigh, you laugh softly; since a long time ago, you have always worried about the witch's future, and now, you are certain that even without you, the witch can live very well]

[The anxiety that has supported your constant awakening has disappeared]

[Your consciousness suddenly falls silent, and your aged body falls forward, nearly hitting the ground, but the witch acts in time to support you]

[Having been awake for less than an hour, you fall into a deep sleep once again]

“Mentor!… Mentor!”

A sorrowful cry echoed in the darkness.

Xu Xi was very tired, so tired that even though he heard the voice, he could not give a response.

Like a small boat in a raging storm.

His consciousness, his Soul, and his thoughts were all swallowed by the endless darkness, assimilated into eternal peace.

Only a tiny bit of self remained, still stubbornly existing.

…

[Simulation Year 72: You are 86 years old, Klisa is 78 years old]

[Since the day you fainted in the courtyard, you have slept for a year, yet you still show no signs of waking up]

[Klisa says nothing, merely sitting by the bed on guard, waiting for your return]

[Inside the room, she witnessed another Reincarnation of the four seasons]

[Simulation Year 73: You are 87 years old, Klisa is 79 years old]

[You are still in a deep sleep]

[Klisa still maintains her eternal 17-year-old appearance]

[This year, Klisa's strength reached the upper limit of a Sanctuary Archmage; she once tried to Breakthrough to Demigod, relying on the power of a god to heal you, but she failed]

[The previously all-powerful Equilibrium did not allow the witch to Breakthrough her Realm; the witch was stuck at Sanctuary Archmage]

[Simulation Year 74: You are 88 years old, Klisa is 80 years old]

[Some furniture has begun to age and become less useful; the witch ignores it, still keeping watch in your room]

[Simulation Year 75: You are 89 years old, Klisa is 81 years old]

[The witch is still waiting]

[The witch is still waiting]

[The witch continues to wait]

[Simulation Year 79: You are 93 years old, Klisa is 85 years old]

[Your spirit is still in a deep sleep, but your body has aged beyond recognition; the years have left indelible marks, gouging away everything you once possessed]

[Your face has gradually become something the witch doesn't recognize, your skin dim and full of wrinkles, like a piece of rough, ugly tree bark]

[The witch no longer sits quietly]

[She gently holds your palm, feeling that withered branch-like texture, once, twice, constantly calling out to you, praying for your return]

[You opened your clouded eyes]