I Have Confidence in Roasted Pastries

【You and Servia walk through the tower】

【A normal body brings normal sensations】

【The warmth of sunlight, the sound of a breeze, the coolness of flowing water】

【These everyday things deeply move Servia, who reaches out like a child, overjoyed】

【You gaze tenderly at Servia like this】

【You feel an hour is far too short and consider casting the spell again】

【But the girl refuses the offer, quoting your own words back at you】

【She doesn’t want you to overexert yourself】

……

【In the remaining half hour, Servia wants to taste food】

【After some thought, you decide to cook yourself, celebrating Servia’s brief return to life】

【Ingredients, neatly arranged】

【Utensils, fully prepared】

【Under the bewildered gaze of the Hero, pots and pans submit to your will, and swiftly cooked ingredients begin to emit faint golden light】

【Your legendary culinary skills are on full display】

【Your cooking proficiency steadily increases +1】

【While waiting for the meal to finish, Servia grows slightly bored and decides to prepare a dish herself】

【Hero Servia starts a fire】

【Hero Servia takes out a sand-astringent fruit】

【Hero Servia begins roasting the sand-astringent fruit】

……

The presence of supernatural power

shortens cooking time significantly.

In just over ten minutes, Xu Xi prepares a feast—four dishes and a soup, fragrant and mouthwatering.

Glazed roasted meat paired with tender greens.

Aromatic broth accompanied by crisp mushrooms.

A mere glance is enough to imagine the delicate textures and savory richness melting on the tongue.

“Hmm, my skills haven’t dulled.”

Xu Xi nods slightly, watching the steam rise from the dishes.

Overall,

the meal is a success.

The only flaw is the charred fruit at the corner of the table, its skin cracked open to reveal blackened flesh.

“Servia, what is this…?”

“Great Sorcerer, I wanted to test my own skills.”

The girl explains her reasoning.

She wanted to try roasting the sand-astringent fruit herself,

to see if it truly was as terrible as claimed.

“Great Sorcerer, to be honest, I was quite confident in my roasted sand-astringent fruit,” Servia smiles, taking a small bite of the blackened fruit.

“……”

“……”

Servia silently puts the fruit down.

“Great Sorcerer, please… forget what I just said…”

“This is… a bit embarrassing…”

【Servia adores the meal you prepared】

【Rich in flavor and exquisitely seasoned, it’s an unparalleled experience she’s never had before】

【If possible, Servia would love to eat your cooking every day, but the duration of flesh regeneration is too short to sustain a normal life】

【The hour ends】

【Under your watchful gaze, Servia’s body reverts to a skeletal form】

【She carefully folds her clothes, retrieves her armor from a spatial ring, wraps herself in cloth, and dons her cloak—returning to her usual appearance】

【You step forward】

【Apologizing】

【Explaining that, for now, you haven’t found a way to restore her body permanently】

“It’s alright, Great Sorcerer.”

“This is enough…”

“Being able to regain my body for an hour now and then, to taste your cooking… I consider myself very fortunate.”

Servia’s eyes shimmer with warmth.

Perhaps because you’ve just seen her true form,

facing that familiar face, Xu Xi no longer sees it as incomplete—instead, it feels like the final piece of a flawless puzzle.

“Servia.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“You’re beautiful as you are now.”

“!!!”

Xu Xi’s gaze softens as he reaches out, gently pinching the Hero’s cheek.

The radiance within her soul is almost blinding.

……

【Simulation Year 31, Age 48】

【The Salvation Tower travels to more lands】

【Desolate, barren, haunted by wandering undead】

【Time confirms your suspicions—the current world of sorcery, aside from the Salvation Tower you created, is nearly devoid of life】

【Perhaps in some hidden corner, a powerful sorcerer lingers】

【But their numbers would be vanishingly few】

【Gazing at the black sun in the sky, then at the wasteland below, you contrast it with the serene beauty within the tower, struck by the stark difference】

【What began as a jest in naming now feels prophetic】

【The Salvation Tower, carrying countless lives, plants, and magical beasts, resembles the mythical Noah’s Ark, sailing toward an unknown fate】

【Simulation Year 33, Age 50】

【Your soul grows more refined】

【The abilities of a Fourth-Circle Sorcerer shine uniquely in your hands】

【You master several profound and esoteric spells】

【At regular intervals, you cast flesh regeneration for Servia, allowing her to shed the stillness of undeath and experience life anew】

【At first, the Hero wanders the tower freely】

【Later, she stays solely by your side】

【When questioned, she explains she wants to lighten your burdens, to be of use】

【You find this touching】

【You notice that each time Servia regains her body, she wears a different outfit】

【The styles vary, and while you appreciate their uniqueness, what lingers in your memory are her deep emerald eyes—gem-like and luminous】

【You believe the Hero’s innate brilliance outshines all else】

【At some point】

【After learning your thoughts, Servia stops changing clothes frequently, settling on the white dress from her first revival—elegant, beautiful, and confident】

“Servia, you should spend your time on more meaningful things.”

“Great Sorcerer, I believe this is the most meaningful.”

At the summit of the Salvation Tower,

within Xu Xi’s private study,

he conducts research on tower-spirit modifications while Servia stands beside him, assisting with spell calculations and inspiration, her platinum hair swaying gently in the breeze—her beauty reserved for him alone.

Not a moment of her precious hour is wasted.

Servia has always devoted herself to what matters most.

From beginning to end,

it has always been so.

……

【Simulation Year 34, Age 51】

【The Salvation Tower arrives at the former Dragon’s Valley, once a gathering place for the world’s dragons, now a graveyard of bones】

【You are ambushed by a bone dragon】

【For unknown reasons, your attacks prove devastatingly effective, and you slay it with ease】

【The Hero stands dazed, her sword barely drawn】

【Simulation Year 36, Age 53】

【The decade’s Undead Tide descends, flooding the world with monsters】

【You prepare in advance, unleashing the tower’s firepower to harvest countless soul flames】

【Powerful undead entities emerge repeatedly】

【Even with your presence, the tower’s barriers shatter multiple times】

【Simulation Year 37, Age 54】

【Your research on cross-dimensional travel yields breakthroughs, along with fragments of intel on the Endless Netherworld】