Hold Her Hands

Arriving at the edge of the mountain peak,

Xu Xi gripped his staff, unleashing his soul energy in a sweeping motion. Using the mountain rocks as raw materials and combining them with the uninhabited houses from the village, he began deconstructing and reshaping everything.

A rumbling echoed.

Wood and stone collided.

It was like assembling giant building blocks.

Moments later, a temporary workshop stood atop the mountain.

The weather-beaten rocks formed rough, uneven walls, stacked layer by layer, their weighty presence glinting under the sunlight.

The structure was divided into three levels—

For cultivation, rest, and daily life.

"This should suffice," Xu Xi murmured, nodding slightly as he examined his handiwork.

Though it couldn’t compare to a true Wizard Tower, it was more than adequate for temporary lodging.

"Now that I’ve advanced to a Third-Circle Wizard…"

"It’s time to start preparing for the construction of my tower."

With Servia in tow, Xu Xi stepped inside, methodically arranging his belongings—arcane materials, wizardry instruments, and ancient tomes—each placed in its proper order.

Soon, the once-empty workshop grew dense and cluttered.

No longer cold and desolate.

"Wizard," the armored girl spoke, her gaze scanning the interior with a hint of confusion. "How long will we be staying here?"

Servia still remembered—

Xu Xi’s goal was the Divine Plateau.

To uncover the truth behind the world’s upheaval.

"As for that, I don’t have an answer," Xu Xi replied, his eyes fixed on the radiant world beyond the door. The brilliance of the sunlight made him pause, staring for a long moment.

"Servia, without knowing the true nature of the world’s changes, acting recklessly would be dangerous."

"We may stay here for a long time."

"Or perhaps just a few days."

"Once the world shifts and we gather more information—that will be our time to leave."

His voice was calm, explaining the reasoning in simple terms.

Servia pondered. "I see. I understand now, Wizard."

Tap—

Tap—

Their footsteps ascended to the second floor.

The stone steps rang clear under the knight’s iron boots, scattering dust in the air.

Xu Xi retrieved a spatial ring—a relic he had scavenged from an abandoned Wizard Tower during his travels.

Now, it served as his portable storage.

As he arranged the workshop, he spoke to the undead girl beside him:

"Servia."

"In this time, I’ll be practicing Third-Circle spells and researching other matters."

"Your task is to absorb more soulfire, striving to grasp the essence of materializing soul energy—so you can advance to a Second-Circle Wizard."

"I understand, Wizard."

Servia followed closely, committing his words to heart.

Obedience—

Was the duty of research material.

Loyalty—

Was the virtue a knightly attendant must uphold.

All this time,

Servia had felt like a false hero.

But at the very least, she could fulfill her roles as research material and attendant knight.

With Xu Xi’s help, she had stepped away from the darkness, facing the blinding light once more.

"Wizard, is there anything else you need me to do?"

The false hero wished to be needed more.

She trailed behind him,

Offering herself freely to his commands.

Xu Xi only smiled. "No need, Servia. The rest of the time, you may do as you please."

"Eh…?"

Her emerald eyes blinked in confusion, reflecting Xu Xi’s figure.

Below, her skeletal frame was concealed entirely by armor.

To an unknowing observer, the suit of steel would seem to house a youthful, vibrant body—not a hollow, pale skeleton.

"Sit down, Servia."

Xu Xi led her to the third floor.

The space was empty, devoid of furnishings, and intended to remain so.

In the overwhelming silence, only sunlight poured freely,

Dancing across the stone walls’ textures,

And settling in the girl’s jewel-like green eyes.

A slight blink—

And the emerald irises shimmered with a new layer of radiance.

A warm, golden hue.

The third floor was designed openly, allowing one to sit at its edge and take in the world beyond—perfect for observing its changes.

Xu Xi stepped forward, seating himself at the precipice.

Then, he patted the spot beside him, gesturing for the girl to join.

"Yes, Wizard."

Servia moved softly, settling beside him.

Her hands folded neatly over her lap.

At this distance,

She was closer to the outside world.

Naturally, the brilliant sunlight pierced the clouds,

Streaking across her armored form,

Glinting sharply, nearly blinding.

Noticing this,

The girl quickly pulled her cloak over herself.

Lest the glare disturb Xu Xi’s eyes.

He almost said it wasn’t necessary—

As a Third-Circle Wizard, such faint light no longer affected him.

But seeing her cautious gesture,

The words on his tongue shifted.

"Thank you, Servia."

He expressed gratitude for her kindness.

And in response, the girl’s eyes brightened further.

To be needed—

To be acknowledged.

To be thanked.

These were the things the girl yearned for most in her heart.

Xu Xi understood that feeling—precisely because he did, he wanted Servia to rest a little more.

"Servia, you've worked hard these past four years."

"Ah, Wizard Xu Xi, it is I who should thank you. I haven't done much..."

"Haven’t you been doing it all along?"

Sunlight spilled across the land like golden sand, gently filling every crevice between the stone bricks.

The shadows of the stones stretched long and thick, mottled and dense.

Xu Xi recounted the deeds of the warrior—aside from the agreed-upon research on her body, Servia had slain countless undead, rescued people from suffering time and again, and provided timely aid whenever Xu Xi needed it.

She had also stood guard against malice on his behalf.

Xu Xi was grateful to Servia for all this, and so, he wanted her to spend more time doing what she loved, to relax when she could.

The life of a warrior.

The life of Servia Clawphire.

It could be so much more vibrant.

"But I..." Her green-tinged eyes flickered with uncertainty. The girl had grown so accustomed to following Xu Xi that, for a moment, she couldn’t think of anything else to do.

"Forgive me, Wizard Xu Xi. I can’t think of anything."

Servia shook her head at him.

"Is that so...?"

"Then we’ll wait until you think of something."

Xu Xi didn’t press her, smiling gently instead.

He had brought this up only to give Servia more freedom in her life. Matters like these were best left to unfold naturally.

"Oh, Servia, give me your hand."

"Yes, Wizard Xu Xi."

The girl lifted her hands slightly. Her entire skeletal frame was encased in silver-gray armor, though its once-gleaming surface had long been worn dull by countless battles.

Scars and dents covered it densely, its wear and tear unmistakable.

Especially around her fingers.

The joints of her finger bones were faintly visible beneath the battered plating.