Sylphia, the Undead Sword Saint

The domain of wizards is vast and all-encompassing.

Rooted in the power of the soul,

it enables the transcendence of the self, the convergence of truth's possibilities, and the arrival at the world's end—unprecedented and uncharted.

Knowledge of potions, enchanted artifacts, and arcane formulas serves as the ladder to truth.

It is not that powerful wizards dominate these realms,

but rather, only those who master these domains earn the right to ascend as higher-ranking wizards.

Nightfall.

Xu Xi was crafting an enchanted artifact for Servia to wield.

"The venomous fangs of a female wyvern may not be the finest forging material, but given Servia's current strength, they should suffice."

"Additionally, there's a bit of silver ore, star-iron, and the shattered armor of a headless knight."

"I hope my current skill in artifact crafting doesn't waste these materials."

Inside the workshop,

within a chamber etched with noise-dampening runes,

Xu Xi pondered alone, surrounded by hovering tomes of considerable weight. Pre-prepared spells were activated—some to provide ample illumination, others to stabilize the flow of soulfire.

Then,

Xu Xi raised his hand slightly, and an object resembling a wand appeared, grasped lightly in his palm.

The wizard's system shares similarities with the magic system,

including the habitual use of wands.

Yet, in the world of wizards, a wand is not a necessity. Many spells depend solely on the caster themselves.

Xu Xi used a wand simply out of habit.

"Then, let us begin."

Holding the wand, he tapped it lightly against the ground.

Deep-blue soulfire twisted and swirled, transforming into pure soul energy that surged into the prepared materials, reshaping them at a microscopic level.

It was a process of flawless fusion, combining the supernatural properties of each material—

an artistry in motion.

"According to the original plan, the body armor should prioritize lightness and ease of movement."

"At the same time, I'll inscribe a few spells to slightly enhance Servia's combat prowess."

"As for the knightly sword, its length will mirror Servia's current blade, augmented with edge reinforcement, durability enhancement, and soul-channeling amplification."

"With this..."

"Servia's strength will rise significantly."

The mesmerizing azure resembled ocean waves,

unbroken and endless,

rippling across the walls of the temporary workshop.

It also cast shifting patterns of light and shadow upon Xu Xi's face.

A flick of the wand, and the formidable soul energy materialized, turning the tranquil blue into a raging tempest that engulfed and compressed all materials.

Destruction, reconstruction, creation.

This cycle repeated multiple times until the artifact crafting neared its conclusion.

Pop—a sound like a bursting bubble echoed, followed by the dull thud of something heavy hitting the floor.

A full-body armor of gray and silver, paired with a gleaming, razor-sharp longsword.

These were the enchanted artifacts Xu Xi had prepared for Servia.

The offensive sword,

the defensive armor—

both bore intricate spellwork,

appearing fantastical and ethereal.

"Perhaps a bit too eye-catching," Xu Xi murmured, waving his wand once more. All activated spell patterns returned to dormancy, becoming trigger-based.

Only when Servia willed it would the patterns glow anew.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Outside, the shrill howl of wind currents drew Xu Xi's attention.

Instinctively, he glanced toward the entrance. Under the blood-red moon illuminating the night, everything was bathed in crimson. Amidst that eerie, unsettling glow, a figure ceaselessly swung her sword.

Stroke after stroke, without pause.

The aura of death still clung to her—

an unchangeable, despairing truth.

In the scarlet night, all things grew sinister and silent. Even the distant town twisted and warped in the darkness, as if morphing into a monstrous maw.

Only that lone figure remained unchanged.

"Servia is as diligent as ever today..."

Xu Xi watched for a long while.

To him, the skeletal silhouette, tirelessly swinging her blade and sending out waves of sword-song, seemed to shimmer with a faint, intangible radiance.

It was something formless yet undeniably real—

Servia Clawphire's unwavering knightly spirit, and the tiny dream she had carried since childhood: the yearning to change herself.

"Servia is flawless in every way—except she fears loneliness too much."

Xu Xi lifted his gaze to the moon. The crimson orb hung in the sky like a massive, blood-dripping eye, coldly observing all beneath it.

Raised in a noble household, Servia received a comprehensive elite education.

She was resilient.

She was kind.

Even after being cursed, with half her body turned undead, she never succumbed to true despair, still helping others whenever she could.

Such a Servia was brave—and achingly lonely.

Longing for someone to speak with.

When the people of Clawphire's lands all departed, Xu Xi saw it clearly: the desolate gloom etched across the half of her face that remained.

It was impossible not to worry.

A burden? A hindrance?

Xu Xi didn't think so.

"Servia's swordsmanship is exceptional. Even if she cannot become a wizard, I can enhance her undead body to indirectly boost her strength."

"Perhaps this is... the birth of an Undead Sword Saint?"

The blood moon cast its cold light onto Xu Xi's outstretched palm.

He smiled faintly.

Already, he looked forward to the day Servia would charge into hordes of undead, cutting them down in her wake.

...

[You have forged new equipment for the Hero.]

[The Hero dons the Death Knight's Armor.]

[The Hero wields the Venomwyrm's Blade.]

[Servia expresses deep satisfaction with the new gear and thanks you.]

[Facing the revitalized Servia, you can't help but feel like you're playing a character-raising game.]

The blood moon descended.

The black sun rose.

In the dim world, Servia—now clad in her new equipment—ran her fingers lightly over the armor before raising her sword to scrutinize its engravings.

With half her face missing, Xu Xi couldn't discern her expression.

But the tremulous emerald glimmer in her eyes,

the eager way she looked at him—

said everything.

"How does it feel, Servia?"

"Thank you! I love it!"

Servia turned the blade over and over, caressing it with unrestrained delight.

Her joy wasn't merely that of a warrior acquiring a fine weapon—it was more akin to a child receiving an exquisitely delicious lollipop.

"Great Wizard,"

she turned,

her single remaining eye—bright as jade—peering out from the bandages swathing her face.

Xu Xi's reflection shone clearly within it.

"I truly... love it so much!"

A child who once basked in the light, only to plunge into the abyss of solitude, had now—after so long—received a gift from that light once more.

"Then I am relieved."

Hearing Servia's reply, Xu Xi smiled.

"Great Wizard,"

Servia spoke again, gazing curiously at her sword. "It's almost like a story—receiving fine equipment and setting off on a grand journey."

"Servia, rather than being in a story, you are crafting a new one."

Xu Xi amended her words.

Crafting a story...

The undead hero paused. She didn't believe herself worthy of such a thing, yet an inexplicable flicker of anticipation stirred within her.