May You Not Be a Caged Bird

What is the definition of an object?

In the worldview shaped by the tragic childhood of the girl,

an object is something that is arbitrarily controlled by its owner and serves a certain purpose.

Only by being useful can one have food to eat, and only by being useful can one be deemed worthy of staying.

Having witnessed countless instances during her journey of wandering,

and having observed numerous scenes during her escape,

Krisha had seen too many "objects" abandoned by their owners because they could no longer serve a purpose.

Although Xu Xi had promised not to abandon her, although his words were so gentle that they earned the trust of the witch,

a tiny, lingering sense of inferiority within her still made Krisha feel compelled to prove something.

To prove that she was useful, to prove that she would not be a burden to her master.

For this reason, Krisha wanted Xu Xi to give up the idea of moving, unwilling to become a hindrance to him.

However,

suddenly,

Xu Xi said something to Krisha, smiling as he spoke: "Krisha, do you know why birds can fly?"

Although she didn't understand,

and couldn't grasp the meaning behind his question,

Krisha still answered truthfully: "Because birds have wings."

This was the simplest answer, and also the most fundamental one. Without wings, even the lightest bird would never be able to soar through the skies.

Xu Xi nodded, affirming the girl's answer.

"You're absolutely right. The reason birds can fly into the sky is because they have wings. Wings give them infinite possibilities."

"The meaning of flight, or where it ends, these things are not important."

"What truly matters are those unrestrained wings."

"If a bird is caged, its wings bound and unable to stretch freely, then the meaning of the bird is also stripped away."

He paused briefly.

The familiar, warm hand once again rested on Krisha's head, gently stroking her gray hair, bringing with it reassurance and affirmation.

"Krisha, you are like that caged bird now, bound by constraints that shouldn't exist."

"This is not what I want to see."

"So, come with me. I want to see you unrestrained once again."

Xu Xi's voice was soft,

gentle,

causing Krisha to remain in a daze for a long time.

A gust of wind swept through the hall, slightly lifting her long silver-gray hair. In the silence, a deep blue shimmer flickered on her chest—the reflection of the sapphire necklace.

Perhaps she had used her eyes too much today, as Krisha felt a slight sting in them.

She didn't understand Xu Xi's words.

Because she was an object that belonged solely to Xu Xi, a shadow living under the sun, not a bird free to fly.

But even Krisha, who lacked confidence in herself, who felt utterly useless, had one trait she believed she excelled at.

Obedience.

Yes, all she needed to do was obey.

The witch, who lacked her own will, chose to follow Xu Xi's words, packed her belongings, and left Wagge City.

For the first time in a long while, she stepped out of the courtyard gate, walking side by side with Xu Xi under the sunlight, in the light, her hand held by his as they moved toward a brand-new future.

Just like that autumn evening years ago, when Xu Xi had pulled her out of the stinking alleyway.

As long as Xu Xi was by her side,

the witch could face anything without fear.

Amidst falling petals, fluttering leaves, and the shadows of the sun, they walked toward a beautiful future she had never imagined.

...

[You saw the troubles that immortality brought to the witch.]

[You resolved to change this.]

[You gave up the idea of long-term seclusion in the same city. Within your limited lifespan, you wanted to take the witch to experience more of the world's wonders.]

[You left Wagge City, boarding a steam train to a coastal city further south.]

[This was the first time the witch saw the sea. Although, due to her emotional limitations, you couldn't see joy on her face, you knew her mood was much better than usual.]

[You felt deeply that your decision was the right one and decided to settle in the new city.]

Apogu City.

In the common language of the magical world, it meant the City of Water.

Unlike Allenson City, where they had lived before, this place had almost no winter, remaining warm and pleasant all year round. Bordering the endless sea, it was rich in water-attribute magical materials.

The shimmering waves, the rising tides, and the beautiful scenery.

Xu Xi was very satisfied with this city.

The scenery was good, the concentration of magical elements was high, and most importantly, it was far enough away.

Here, no one knew Krisha, allowing her to move freely without having to hide in the house.

Of course,

living in Apogu City was only temporary.

Over time, the mages here would also notice something unusual, and then they would need to move to another city.

"Let's go, Krisha."

Xu Xi called softly.

Taking the witch to their third city of residence.

...

[The brilliant sunlight, the surging sea, the howling sea breeze.]

[Having lived in Allenson and Wagge for so long, you had grown tired of snowy landscapes. Now, with a change of scenery, you felt your mood greatly lifted.]

[You began setting up magical formations in your new home.]

[The witch started purchasing the necessary furniture.]

[In the following days, you noticed that the sense of restraint on the witch had faded, as she could go out again to handle your shopping needs.]

[This made the witch feel that she was successfully helping you, that she was a useful existence to you.]

[You were pleased, pleased to see Krisha active again.]

[You were worried, worried that Krisha would never be able to break free from you, making it difficult for her to become independent in the future.]

[You and the witch settled in Apogu City, living a peaceful and tranquil life. But occasionally, the witch would receive stern lessons from you.]

[Because you often found her using water magic alone to catch various seafood from the sea.]

[The witch claimed that fresh seafood was more nutritious.]

[But you firmly shook your head, discarding those fish filled with magical toxins, which could easily end your simulation.]

[Year 15 of the simulation, you are 29, the witch is 21.]

[Krisha still maintained the appearance of a 17-year-old girl, but since they hadn't been here long, no one suspected anything unusual. Your lives remained peaceful.]

[Your path in magic had once again reached a bottleneck.]

[You sensed that your mental strength was about to break through, advancing from a Grand Mage to a Grand Magister.]

[Beyond that lay the realm of the Saint Magister, which you longed for, and the demigod with divine power.]

Apogu City.

A steam manor near the sea.

In the deepest meditation room.

The black floor was inscribed with a faint blue mental meditation array using the blood of a magical creature. Xu Xi, now 29, sat cross-legged on it, his staff laid flat.

An invisible yet surging mental force was forming a distorted field around him,

pulling and guiding various elements.

Rising and falling, sinking and floating, his mental strength merged with the elements, as if breaking through some kind of barrier. A faint tremor suddenly echoed in the air.