Steam and Machinery, Magic and Mystery

【You have experienced a painless transmigration】

【When you open your eyes, you find yourself in a world of steam and magic, and your body has reverted to that of a 15-year-old, frail and ordinary】

【You have no identification, no money, and not even a bowl to your name】

【As a transmigrator, you are not too panicked. You calmly survey your surroundings, ready to start from scratch in this world】

【Though the body of a 15-year-old is not yet fully developed, it is capable of self-reliance. This is your greatest asset and confidence. You cheer yourself on in your heart, struggling to climb out of the filthy water】

The roar of steam.

The meshing of gears.

The efficiency of magic.

At night, steel and steam, magic and mystery, together form the central hub of this massive city.

What wakes Xu Xi is an incredibly sharp, prolonged whistle.

“Doo—!!!”

He opens his eyes.

High red walls block both sides, leaving only a narrow space in the middle, revealing the dim sky and the faint glow of yellow streetlights.

Suddenly, scorching white steam erupts from somewhere.

It shoots high into the sky.

Collides with the cold night wind.

Forms a dense mist of scattered water droplets, which then dissipate into fog, slowly and evenly spreading to every corner of the city.

This fog greatly obscures vision, and from time to time, curses can be heard from various parts of the city.

Then.

Xu Xi sees it.

A figure in a robe, holding a wand, floats in the air, casually waving it, and a massive firestorm appears, devouring the fog.

The city falls silent once more.

Praise the omnipotent magic and the noble Fire God.

People pray like this.

This era is so wondrous, with the faith of gods spread across the land, the might of magic held high, and the convenience of steam. Yet, in the great corners, there are also some overlooked shadows.

“What can I say? Couldn’t the simulation have given me a better start?”

Xu Xi struggles.

He laboriously climbs out of the alley.

The alley is filled with black, filthy water, stinking and strangely corrosive. Compared to the last simulation’s famine-stricken start, this is just as miserable.

Xu Xi strongly suspects that the simulator is deliberately messing with him.

“In any case, I’ll first figure out the basics—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—and then consider delving into magic.”

After standing up.

Xu Xi staggers out of the alley.

In this new simulation world, he has no trace of supernatural power, nor does he possess the Eternal Tear, so he can’t rely on his sister’s support.

Fortunately, he has three trait talents, so self-reliance is still possible.

【You have taken the first difficult step】

【Through inquiries, you learn that your current location is Allenson City, located in the northern part of the world. This is a large city powered by highly efficient steam machinery, primarily worshiping the Fire God, the Blacksmith God, and the Harvest Goddess】

【As a newcomer, you choose to earn your first bucket of gold through manual labor】

【You succeed. Though you’re half-dead from exhaustion, you’ve earned your first meal and your first meager sum of money—a whole three copper coins】

【You count them for ten minutes】

【You are immensely relieved. Everything is going according to your plan】

【You choose to temporarily settle in the slums. Here, food is cheap and good, and you don’t need to rent a house. A few sheets of metal on a muddy patch of land become your new home】

……

【A year has passed. In this year, you have successfully grasped the basic intelligence of the world and know what to do next】

【This is an era ruled by gods】

【Countless people rely on their faith in gods to gain the ability to wield magic. The deeper the faith, the stronger the magic. Some are even chosen as the gods’ representatives, known as demigods】

【There are also those who choose to practice magic without relying on the gods, known as elemental mages】

【By perceiving all things and establishing a connection with the elements, they can unleash magic】

【This is an extremely difficult path. While faith in gods allows one to become strong in a short time with enough devotion, elemental mages can only progress step by step, and few choose this path】

【You smile. You happen to possess an excellent talent for elemental perception】

【At the same time, you have no interest in worshiping gods】

【You spend all the savings you’ve painstakingly accumulated over a year to buy a bottle of the lowest-grade slime mucus from a shop in the city center. This is the most inferior magical material known, and the only thing you can afford】

A year later.

The slums.

Ignoring the pervasive stench, Xu Xi sits expressionless in his ‘home.’

If a few sheets of metal pieced together on a muddy patch of land can be called a home.

“A year… tsk.”

“Though the senses in the simulation world aren’t as sharp as in the real world, I’ve truly had enough of this slum life for a year.”

Xu Xi sighs, shaking the transparent, colorless slime mucus in his hand.

The mucus is sealed tightly in a transparent bottle, slowly sloshing back and forth as he shakes it.

Using slime mucus for cultivation.

This is an impossible feat.

But Xu Xi is different.

Long ago, when Xu Xi chose the magic side as the new simulation world, he prepared extensively for it, having already secured meditation techniques for magic cultivation and studied various cultivation practices.

Moreover, in this simulation, he possesses the special trait of elemental perception.

Thus.

A miracle that should have been impossible is born in the slums.

……

【You have become a magic apprentice】

【Through meditation, you successfully perceive the life element within the slime mucus. Your mind is unusually calm, reaching the limit of what a mortal can achieve, and you engrave this elemental fluctuation in your spiritual sea】

【You have thus learned the 0th-level magic: Life Mucus Generation】

【You leave the slums and head to the Mage Association in the center of Allenson City, registering and enrolling as a magic apprentice, with a monthly stipend of 10 silver coins】

【Your life has genuinely improved】

【You have crossed class boundaries, rising from a slum dweller to a revered magic apprentice. Everyone is shocked by you and believes you to be a devout follower of the Life Goddess】

【For in this world, elemental mages are exceedingly rare. Even if someone wishes to learn, it is difficult to perceive the elements. They are considered to exist only in stories】

【You smile, neither confirming nor denying】

【In an era where everyone worships gods, atheists are seen as heretics. The misunderstanding others have of you allows you to live more safely】