Chapter 25: One Hundred Days
After dinner, Yu Xie and Peruere stood by the window in the corridor, silently watching everything outside.
They had just learned that Clervie had been called to the office by Crucabena.
It seemed that Crucabena had deliberately avoided Yu Xie and Peruere, summoning Clervie when she was alone.
This was not good news.
"We're a bit late; there's no way to stop it now," Peruere said.
"I will remember this," Yu Xie replied. "I'm someone who holds grudges."
Time passed slowly, and the sky darkened completely. Light footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
Clervie approached slowly, injuries visible on her body.
Seeing Yu Xie and Peruere in the corridor, she looked a bit lost.
She paused for a moment, forcing a smile onto her face before stepping forward again.
"Yu Xie, Peruere, why haven't you gone to rest yet?"
"We're waiting for you," Yu Xie said.
"Waiting for me? Why?" Clervie gave a bitter smile.
Yu Xie didn't say more; instead, he took out a bottle of medicine.
By the time he finished treating Clervie's wounds, it was nearly midnight. The atmosphere was quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind.
"My mother said that what I did is a challenge to the rules she set, a challenge to the Hearth Manor," Clervie said, sitting on the window ledge and gazing at the night outside. "Today's punishment is a warning to me; if there's a next time, she won't hold back. Yu Xie, Peruere, can we really still see the outside world?"
Clervie's eyes dimmed, as if the fire in her heart was gradually extinguishing.
"You will see it, I promise," Yu Xie said, pulling out a book. "Clervie, take a look at this."
"What is it?" Clervie leaned in to see.
"The Teyvat Travel Guide," by Alice.
This author was a legendary figure with many titles, including but not limited to "Adventurer of All Worlds," "Elder of the Witch's Association," and "Guardian of Old Mondstadt."
"This, this is..." Clervie recognized the cover and instinctively glanced around to see if anyone else was nearby.
This book was a bestseller throughout Teyvat, but it was strictly forbidden to read or keep it in the Hearth Manor.
"You've always wanted to see this book, right? I thought of a way to get it," Yu Xie said with a smile as he handed the book to Clervie.
Holding the book in her hands and feeling its tangible weight, Clervie's emotions became complicated.
She had asked herself many times if there was really a chance to change her fate. Would she truly be able to see the outside world?
Everything recorded in the book might ultimately just be a beautiful fairy tale for her—something desirable yet out of reach.
"What's wrong?" Yu Xie noticed Clervie's hesitation. "Don't you want to look at this book?"
"No, it's not that," Clervie replied. "It's just that I..."
"Don't doubt yourself, Clervie. You will definitely be able to see that wonderful world outside," Yu Xie said. "Sorry we came late today. We promise that whatever happens in the future, we'll be there for you."
Clervie was taken aback, feeling a sudden sting at the tip of her nose. Tears seemed to be welling up in her eyes, but she held them back.
"Clervie, what Yu Xie just said is also what I want to say," Peruere said, looking into Clervie's eyes.
"Yes! Yu Xie, Peipei, thank you both!" Clervie nodded with conviction and opened the "Teyvat Travel Guide."
The world outside unfolded like a series of paintings before her, and a smile blossomed back onto Clervie's face, her eyes shining with renewed light.
"Look! This is Dragonspine! It's so high..."
"And this is the Sacred Sakura in Inazuma... What a huge tree! It kind of looks like a fox!"
As Clervie gazed at the content in the book, she couldn't help but share her thoughts with Yu Xie and Peruere.
Yu Xie and Peruere sat beside Clervie, acting as attentive listeners.
....
More than eight years later.
Eight years—neither a long time nor a short time.
Crucabena's rules remained the ironclad law of the Hearth Manor during these eight years.
Now sixteen, Yu Xie sat beneath the tree where he first met Peruere, eyes closed.
Information floated in his mind.
Name: Yu Xie
Age: 16 years
Remaining Lifespan: 100 days
Skills: Mastery of Martial Arts (Epic), Mastery of Swords and Daggers (Epic), Pure Soul of the Blessed Land (Epic)
Like equipment in typical games, skills are ranked from low to high, divided into six tiers: "Common, Elite, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythical."
Skills at the legendary level can match those of typical archons, and if one reaches the mythical level, they can easily surpass most archons.
Over the past decade, under Yu Xie's rigorous training, his skills have all reached the epic level. While he might struggle against an archon, he knows very well that his opponents are not archons.
"What are you doing?" A sweet voice rang out.
Yu Xie exited the system and opened his eyes.
Standing in front of him was a tall girl with silver hair interspersed with strands of black.
Over the past decade, she had grown from a little girl into a striking young woman, exuding both beauty and confidence.
However, her curse had spread from her hands to her arms.
"I'm just daydreaming," Yu Xie replied with a smile.
"You're sitting on Bambi's grave," Peruere said as she sat down beside him.
"Really?" Yu Xie exclaimed, shifting his position slightly.
"Just kidding," Peruere replied with a smirk.
"So you can joke too..." Yu Xie sighed in relief, turning to look at her. "How's your curse? Is it still manageable?"
"It's fine," Peruere said, raising a hand to inspect it. "When it flares up, I can feel flames coursing through my veins, but when it's calm, I'm just like anyone else."
"Have you thought about trying to lift the curse? There might be a way."
"I thought about it a long time ago, but it's unnecessary now. This curse still has its uses for me."
"Alright," Yu Xie nodded, guessing what Peruere meant by "uses."
He wanted to say, "I'll help you with whatever you want to do," but ultimately held his tongue.
"By the way, about the Vision..." Peruere continued.
Recently, a fire element Vision had quietly appeared at Peruere's waist.
At this moment, she was indeed carrying the Vision, but not in such a conspicuous place as her waist.
"How to use the Vision, you'll have to figure it out yourself. I don't have any relevant experience to share," Yu Xie shrugged.
"I just wanted to ask if those who receive a Vision are all recognized by the gods?"
"It seems that way," Yu Xie replied. "When a person's desire is strong enough, the gods will take notice, and the Vision will manifest."
"The gods can't possibly manage all the wishes of the world," Peruere said softly.
"You have a point," Yu Xie said, pursing his lips. "By the way, where's Clervie?"
"She should be at the training ground."
End of chapter
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