NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59:
Chapter 59: I Hope You Won’t Be a Caged Bird:
What defines an item?
In the three perspectives shaped by Krisha’s tragic childhood, items were things meant to be used by their owners, as long as they served a purpose.
Only those with utility were allowed to eat, and only those who proved their worth could avoid abandonment.
Having witnessed countless discarded “items” during her wandering and fleeing, Krisha understood this grim reality all too well.
Though Xu Xi had assured her she would never be abandoned, and though his words were gentle and filled with sincerity, the lingering humility in Krisha’s heart drove her to prove her usefulness. She couldn’t bear the thought of being a burden.
For this reason, she resisted Xu Xi’s idea of moving away, believing it unnecessary and fearing she might be holding him back.
But then, Xu Xi smiled and said to her, “Krisha, do you know why birds can fly?”
Even though she didn’t understand his intent, Krisha answered truthfully: “Because they have wings.”
Her reply was simple, grounded in the essence of what made birds soar. Without wings, even the lightest bird could never take to the skies.
Xu Xi nodded in agreement.
“You’re absolutely right. Birds can fly because they have wings. These wings give them limitless possibilities.”
“But the meaning of flying, or its destination—those aren’t what matter.”
“What truly matters is the freedom of their wings, unrestrained and open.”
“If you cage a bird and bind its wings, it loses its ability to stretch and soar. And when that happens, the essence of being a bird is taken away.”
His voice softened.
His warm, familiar hand gently rested on Krisha’s head, stroking her silvery-gray hair with a touch that carried both hope and affirmation.
“Krisha, you are like that caged bird right now, restrained in ways you shouldn’t be.”
“And that’s not what I want for you.”
“So, come with me. I want to see you fly free once more.”
Xu Xi’s voice was soft and kind, carrying the warmth of a spring breeze.
Krisha stood still, her thoughts a blur.
A gentle draft lifted her long gray-silver hair, and the light refracted off the ocean-blue necklace resting on her chest. Her eyes stung slightly, perhaps from overuse that day.
She couldn’t fully grasp Xu Xi’s words.
After all, she saw herself not as a bird meant to soar, but as an “item” belonging solely to him, a shadow destined to remain by his side.
Still, even as doubts clouded her heart, Krisha clung to one defining trait she considered valuable—obedience.
Yes, obedience was her strength.
Without questioning further, the witch chose to follow Xu Xi’s wishes. She packed her belongings and prepared to leave Wage City. For the first time in a long while, she stepped out of the courtyard gate, walking hand in hand with Xu Xi under the sun.
It reminded her of the late autumn day years ago when Xu Xi had pulled her from the filthy alley, offering her a new life.
As long as Xu Xi was by her side, Krisha could face anything without fear.
Together, they walked past falling flowers and swirling leaves, moving toward a future she had never dared to imagine.
…
[You saw how eternal life troubled the witch and decided to change her circumstances.]
[You abandoned your plan for long-term seclusion in one city. With your limited lifespan, you resolved to let Krisha experience more of the world’s wonders.]
[You left Wage City, boarding a steam train to a coastal city further south.]
[For the first time, the witch saw the sea. Though her emotional deficiency kept her face stoic, you could tell her mood had significantly lifted.]
[Feeling validated in your decision, you decided to settle in the new city.]
Apogo City.
In the common language of the magical world, its name meant “City of Water.”
Unlike the icy winters of Allenson or Wage City, Apogo enjoyed a warm, pleasant climate year-round. It was situated by a vast ocean, rich with extraordinary water-based materials.
The waves sparkled, the tides surged, and the scenery was breathtaking. Xu Xi was very satisfied.
The city’s beauty, high elemental concentration, and distance from their previous lives made it an ideal choice. No one here knew Krisha, allowing her to move freely without fear of scrutiny.
Of course, their stay in Apogo would only be temporary. Over time, local magicians would inevitably notice something unusual about Krisha. When that happened, they would move again.
“Let’s go, Krisha,” Xu Xi said softly, leading her toward their new home.
…
[The bright sunshine, surging sea, and howling sea breeze welcomed you to your new life.]
[After years of living in Allenson and Wage City, you felt rejuvenated by the change of scenery.]
[You began arranging a magic circle for your new residence.]
[The witch took on the task of purchasing furniture and supplies.]
[Over the following days, you noticed that the witch’s sense of restraint had faded. With the freedom to run errands again, she felt useful and content.]
[Her renewed activity brought you great joy, but you couldn’t ignore the underlying concern that she might never achieve true independence.]
[You and the witch settled into a peaceful routine in Apogo City. Occasionally, however, the witch’s behavior required your guidance.]
[For example, you discovered that she used water magic to catch seafood directly from the ocean.]
[The witch insisted fresh seafood was more nutritious, but you firmly discarded any poisonous fish that could endanger your simulation.]
…
[In the fifteenth year of simulation, you were 29, and the witch was 21.]
[Krisha’s appearance remained unchanged, frozen at 17. But since your stay in Apogo had been brief, no one suspected anything unusual.]
[Your magical progress reached a bottleneck again.]
[You sensed that your mental power was about to break through, advancing from a great magician to a great mage.]
[This would bring you closer to achieving the Holy Land Mage status and, eventually, the Demigod level.]
…
Apogo City.
Steam Manor by the sea.
In the deepest meditation room, the dark floor was inscribed with a light-blue spiritual meditation array using the blood of a supernatural beast.
Xu Xi, now 29, sat cross-legged in the center, his magic wand resting flat before him.
Invisible waves of mental energy created a distorted field, pulling and merging with surrounding elements. Rising and falling, sinking and floating, the mental energy intertwined seamlessly with the elements.
A sudden tremor echoed through the air, signaling the breaking of a barrier.