Good Day, Lord Wizard

【A New Life Begins】

【You are immersed in secluded cultivation, unable to extricate yourself】

【You continue to ponder, the "Thinker" trait steadily in effect—you begin studying unfamiliar three-ring spells】

【Every morning, you fly a lap around the area, observing changes in the outside world and the real-time movements of the sun and moon】

【At the same time, you receive greetings from the Brave】

【"Good day, Lord Sorcerer."】

【On the desolate mountaintop, Servia swings her sword again and again, each motion precise and sharp, her aura fierce】

【Witnessing this scene, you feel the Undead Sword Saint is beginning to take shape】

【The sunlight is brilliant, the moonlight pure】

【The overly normal world brings you some peace, though you know this beauty before you will not last】

【Death, war, destruction, parting… this world is filled with far too much chaos】

【You can’t help but wonder】

【Is this beauty before you the world’s final flicker before the end?】

……

【The First Month on the Mountaintop】

【The world is tranquil, with no special events occurring】

【In your observations, as the sun and moon return to normal, the sorcerer’s world regains a sliver of vitality, no longer as barren】

【Faded stained glass refracts the dazzling sunlight】

【Moss creeps silently, stubbornly spreading through the ruins of villages, giving rise to weak slime creatures】

【Hansen and Mina are frightened by this】

【You eliminate the slimes, securing ample research materials while also setting up defensive spells for the elderly couple to protect them from monster attacks】

【To you, this is but a trivial act】

【Yet the old couple’s faces are filled with shock, and in trembling voices, they hail you as "Lord Sorcerer"】

【You sigh and try once more to persuade them not to address you so formally】

【Finally】

【After your efforts, Hansen and Mina no longer call you "lord"】

【Instead, like Servia, they refer to you as "Lord Sorcerer"】

【You look up at the sky, silent】

【Thinking it at least sounds better than "lord"】

"Lord Sorcerer, the world is so quiet now…"

A soft, delicate voice.

Through the tremor of soulfire, it mimics the sound of life.

Its owner.

Sits at the entrance of the workshop’s first floor, gazing blankly at the bright scenery outside.

Since summoning the Netherworld, the sorcerer’s world has lost the meaning of seasons—now divided only into times of snow and times without.

The sweltering heat of summer.

Under the black sun’s rays, once felt desolate and eerie.

But now.

The summer sun, like golden gauze, burns hotly upon the earth once more.

Servia watches from afar as leaves shimmer emerald under the sunlight, swaying in the wind, rustling faintly to reveal tiny insects within.

A sight once so common.

Now a rare miracle.

Xu Xi closes a thick-bound book, following the undead girl’s gaze to the verdant trees and crimson sun outside.

"A beautiful world is always quiet, Servia."

"Precisely because of that, it is fragile—vanishing as easily as a dream."

As if echoing Xu Xi’s words.

Outside, the summer world grows even quieter, so silent one can hear the warm wind brushing through the sea of trees, the rustling friction of leaves.

Servia gently closes her eyes.

Stretches a hand beyond the workshop door.

Though encased in armor, though lacking flesh and nerves, listening to the rustling in her ears, she feels as if she has returned to a time a thousand years past.

When family remained.

When beauty remained.

When everything stayed as it should be.

Not lingering too long in nostalgia, Servia opens her eyes again, murmuring beside Xu Xi in the serene afternoon.

"It was a lovely dream, Lord Sorcerer."

Her voice is soft.

Carrying away the echoes of the illusion.

……

【The Second Month on the Mountaintop】

【The sunlight remains radiant】

【You still observe no significant changes in the world】

【Your comprehension and development of three-ring spells reach a critical stage—using your self-advancing innate talent as a reference, you successfully identify several directions】

【Diligent and hardworking, you employ elemental techniques from the magical world to develop three-ring elemental spells】

【You are in high spirits】

【Servia notices your joy and asks if a lavish dinner should be prepared】

【You agree to the proposal but veto the inclusion of roasted fruits】

【The hearth’s flames rise, emitting faint light and heat, boiling clear water in a copper kettle—amid the rhythmic clatter of the lid, you brew yourself a cup of firebloom tea】

【Meanwhile, you light a necrotic mushroom for Servia】

【As evening falls】

【One holding hot tea, the other a smoldering mushroom, you gaze together at the bright full moon outside, speculating how long it will last】

"Lord Sorcerer, I’ve absorbed all the soulfire you gave me, but…"

"But what?"

"I can’t materialize the soul energy to break through to the second ring."

"Take your time, Servia. There’s plenty of it."

"Eh? But at just the first ring, I’m no help to you at all."

"Not true," Xu Xi smiles. "My experiments rely on you. Without your help, I’d be quite troubled."

The undead girl looks at the moon outside.

Cradling the lit mushroom in both hands.

Bringing it closer to her face.

Letting her soulfire savor its fragrance more intimately.

"I understand, Lord Sorcerer. I’ll await your summons, ready to offer this body at any time," she whispers.

With the mushroom obscuring his view, Xu Xi cannot see Servia’s eyes.

But they must be—

A deep, vivid green.

……

【Recording the changes of each dawn and dusk in a magical tome】

【By the hearth, sizzling fresh monster meat roasts】

【Jagged rocks and aged wooden beams cast shadows of varying lengths under the alternating sun and moon】

【At your fingertips, the shadows of daylight gather】

【That is time slipping away in silence】

【The number of three-ring spells you master grows with time—you are becoming a proper three-ring sorcerer】

【At the same time, you begin researching the advancement of your Nether Raven】

【You feel that future journeys will require greater speed in flight】

【From the mountaintop, you gaze at distant lands—where grass and trees flourish, where seas of flowers sway—the dreamlike beauty often fills you with an eerie sense of impending storms】

【You decide to keep waiting】

……

【The Third Month on the Mountaintop】

【The passage of time erodes all things equally】

【Farmer Hansen and his wife Mina were once the only residents of this mountain, wary and fearful of your arrival—but now, that fear has long since vanished】

"Lord Sorcerer."

"Lady Servia."

【The elderly couple no longer trembles but greets you with warm smiles, occasionally bringing gifts of fresh produce】

【Each time, you accept them graciously】

【Later, you orchestrate various "accidents," allowing the old couple to stumble upon ample food to repay their kindness】