The Real Me, the Fake Me

【Thinker's Glossary effect active...】

【You are thinking efficiently about how to proceed with this undead surgery】

【You begin the shaping process】

【The soft material in your hands takes on an unusual delicacy as you study Servia’s face, sculpting features of equal proportion】

【You know that a face shaped this way will inevitably differ—never as natural as the original】

【But from the start, your goal was never to restore her true visage】

【What you aim to do is fill the hollowed half of her face, so that Servia no longer appears terrifying】

【This is Servia’s torment—the erosion of undeath has made people revile her, see her as a monster, fueling her desire for restoration】

【You cast a first-circle spell: Wizard’s Hand】

【Your soul energy coalesces into a spectral hand, applying the prepared material to the warrior’s face with precision, shaping it as it rapidly solidifies】

【Once set, it adheres firmly to the hollowed skull】

【Yet remains pliant, mimicking the texture of living flesh】

【Eyes, ears, nose, lips...】

【With your aid, the warrior Servia regains a human face—at a glance, none could discern the void beneath】

D-did it work?

Temporary workshop.

Every corner of the room is cluttered with arcane tools, faint traces of supernatural energy lingering in the air.

The undead girl opens her eyes.

She senses something new on her face—a jelly-like substance that shifts slightly with her movements.

Drip—

Drip—

The soft sound of liquid droplets echoes from the surrounding instruments.

Gentle arms reach out.

Guiding Servia to sit up from the examination table.

"How do you feel, Servia? Any rejection?"

"N-none..."

The girl shakes her head dazedly before making a request.

"Great Wizard... may I see my face now?"

An expected question.

Anyone who undergoes such a change would first wish to witness the result.

"Of course. Sit still first." Xu Xi retrieves a vial of liquid—sap from a Blue Crystal Flower, capable of neutralizing undead miasma.

Dipping his fingers in,

he applies it gently to Servia’s face.

The touch falls on the numb, sculpted half—Servia feels nothing.

But as she watches Xu Xi up close,

the warrior senses something intangible stirring within her.

One stroke.

Two strokes.

Only when the vial is empty does Xu Xi pause.

He steps back, studying Servia’s face as if confirming its integrity, then conjures a water mirror for her.

At last, Servia sees herself.

No longer a hollowed skull, but a face alive with movement—when her real eye blinks, the false one follows.

Yet,

the crafted eye grants no sight.

Her world remains half-dark.

So this... is me now?

Servia gazes at the reflection—emerald-green eye, "whole" face, delicately sculpted features—an image of perfection.

"Your craftsmanship is remarkable, Great Wizard."

"...Thank you, Great Wizard."

Her voice is grateful, yet her expression wavers.

How strange—when Xu Xi had asked, she’d agreed without hesitation.

But now, with her face filled by artifice, no longer a horror of undeath, her heart feels hollow, chaotic.

"Are you unwell, Servia?"

Xu Xi notices her unease.

Servia shakes her head lightly.

"I’m fine, Great Wizard. Just... confused."

She lowers her gaze to her skeletal frame, thoughts tangled in uncertainty.

A facade can never replace truth.

Warrior Servia endured villagers’ scorn—their hatred, their disgust—all because her undead form terrified them.

Thus, she hid beneath heavy armor,

concealing her true self entirely.

Playing the part of a valiant hero to earn their trust.

And now?

Even after leaving Clawphire, must she don another mask to live anew?

Must she wear this false face daily, even with Xu Xi?

The warrior believes someone holds the answer.

"Great Wizard."

"Am I still... myself?"

The half-true face lifts toward Xu Xi, posing this question.

Not the Emerald of Clawphire who speaks,

but Servia—the undead girl sealed away by misfortune.

"Servia..." In that moment, Xu Xi understands. His eyes reflect her undead visage.

Hesitant, anxious,

the girl awaits his reply.

"The Servia I know has always been right here."

A calm voice affirms her existence.

No matter the form,

he remembers Servia Clawphire.

Not for her appearance, but for who she is.

"I see..."

The unease in her eyes brightens.

The warrior realizes what she truly wants—yes, she prefers honesty.

"Great Wizard, may I have a cloth strip? Thank you."

Taking the fabric from Xu Xi,

Servia grips both ends, winding it tightly around her face, covering the sculpted half.

When she finishes, only her true flesh remains visible.

Yet there is no horror in that face.

Her jade-green eye shines brighter than ever.

Even masked, even with just one eye, its brilliance outshines the stars—alight with mirth and mischief.

"Forgive me, Great Wizard."

"I’ve wasted your efforts."

"As penance, assign me any task you need."

Seeing her renewed spirit, Xu Xi relaxes. "It’s nothing. It was made for you—no waste at all."

"No." The warrior insists stubbornly. "I must atone for squandering your work."

A warrior has principles.

Mistakes demand consequences.

She vows to protect Xu Xi without fail.

Just then, thunder booms—the sky darkens. Servia instantly curls into a trembling ball.

"G-Great Wizard, f-fear not."

"I-I can handle this."

She clings to Xu Xi’s arm, bones rattling violently.

Xu Xi sighs. This warrior fears storms yet refuses to admit weakness.

"Reminds me of Ying Xue somehow..."

"Great Wizard, what did you say?"

"Nothing. Just thinking you’ll need a new weapon soon."

"Ah... You’re right. It is time."