*"What’s happening to me?"*
Pixie groaned, feeling as if the pressure inside her was about to make her cough up blood.
Eirik felt just as frustrated.
He knew he couldn’t solve this on his own.
No matter how much he mulled it over, the answer kept eluding him. After some thought, Eirik decided it was time to take Pixie to **Elaresar**, the capital of the **Dawnstar Dynasty**.
They had been lying low for a long time, ever since Eirik killed the emperor's envoy.
Rumor had it that the emperor, enraged by the envoy’s death, had sent several other emissaries to investigate.
However, almost everyone who knew the location of the **Starlight Range** had perished, and Eirik had concealed the region with powerful wards. For centuries now, imperial spies had failed to track them down, allowing Eirik and his companions to study magic in peace for nearly a millennium.
Now, with so much time passed, Eirik figured the world might have forgotten them. While the journey to Elaresar was dangerous, it wasn’t out of the question.
However, he knew they’d have to stay under the radar. The current emperor was still the same ruler from a thousand years ago—**Raedric**.
That’s right. Raedric had lived for over a millennium. Some said he was an immensely powerful **Savant-level** master. Others whispered that he owed his longevity to a mysterious elixir crafted by **Violanda**, the legendary **Master Alchemist**.
Eirik’s mission this time was to meet Violanda, now the **High Priestess of the Church of Light**. Not only had she reached **Savant Lv. 5**, but she was also known for her ability to brew powerful elixirs. Some believed that without Violanda’s alchemical potions, Raedric would have long since perished.
Eirik’s hope was to seek her expertise and uncover what was wrong with Pixie.
---
"Eirik must be insane,"
muttered Selene, amazed by his resolve.
"Pixie’s a wreck, and he’s still willing to go to such lengths to find a master alchemist for her?"
Selene couldn’t help but feel envious.
*How lucky can someone be, having someone like Eirik in their life?*
She imagined herself drooling, metaphorically at least.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
It was no small risk to head to the imperial capital, especially as a man who had once slain the emperor’s envoy. If anyone recognized them, death would be the least of their concerns.
But to Eirik, none of that mattered. He wasn’t playing the game to survive. He was playing to support the heroine. If Pixie was broken, the game might as well be over. Winning didn’t matter anymore; without her, there was no reason to keep playing.
*"Man... If I could find a husband like that..."* Selene hugged herself, feeling a bitter emptiness gnaw at her heart.
She had been alone ever since the simulation started, even after her previous husband died in the first few years. She never considered finding a new partner—how could anyone compare to Eirik? Every other man seemed dull in comparison.
She wasn't the only one, though. Even Liora, her usually shy companion, remained single. When asked why, Liora always responded with a timid excuse:
*"I... I’m just too introverted to meet anyone..."*
But in truth, Liora simply found relationships too troublesome, especially with the risk of exposing her many little secrets. It wasn’t just them—many others in their group had also remained single, for various reasons.
Selene started to wonder: *Was this a strange pattern? Had the simulation selected only those who were destined to be alone?*
---
Eirik didn’t dwell on such thoughts. Accompanied by Pixie and their son, **Thalion**, he set out for the capital. A thousand years had passed, and Thalion had grown into a fine young man, now a **Savant Lv. 1**. As a **universal elemental**, his combat prowess was not to be underestimated.
When Thalion insisted on joining the journey, Eirik hesitated but ultimately agreed.
“At this rate,”Eirik thought with a wry smile, “my son will become the strongest being in the universe before my wife does.”
But then again, would that even matter? *No real rewards for that... Just bragging rights.*
With three Savant-level powerhouses traveling together, there weren’t many in the Dawnstar Dynasty who could pose a threat to them. On the contrary, people flocked to them, hoping to serve or align themselves with such powerful figures.
The journey was smooth, and after a few days, they reached the grand city of Elaresar.
---
Elaresar lived up to its reputation as the capital of a magical empire.
The grandeur of the city was breathtaking, with countless buildings and manors suspended in the sky. Magicians, magical beasts, and otherworldly beings flew through the air in all directions, making the city a mesmerizing spectacle.
Pixie and Thalion, despite their strength, had rarely left their secluded home. Now, exploring the capital was like a dream come true for them. They wandered through the bustling streets, marveling at everything they saw, as if they were carefree tourists on vacation.
Eirik allowed them some time to enjoy themselves before they finally made their way to meet Violanda, the legendary alchemist.
Ordinary people would find it nearly impossible to secure an audience with someone like her, but when Eirik revealed their identities as Savant-level masters, word spread quickly. The commotion piqued Violanda's curiosity, and she personally invited them to meet her.
---
*"So, this is the Master Alchemist..."* Eirik thought as he laid eyes on her.
Violanda was as ethereal as the rumors described. Dressed in flowing white robes, her serene beauty radiated a sense of holiness. Her long hair was tied in an elegant knot, and a faint golden glow shimmered between her brows, exuding both divinity and allure.
Her aura reminded Eirik of **Elvynna**, Both women possessed an otherworldly beauty, cold and distant, as if they stood above the mortal world.
Yet, there was a subtle difference. Elvynna’s coldness carried a trace of nobility—like a princess from a fallen kingdom. Violanda, on the other hand, exuded a mystique that blended aloofness with a hint of seduction, making her presence utterly captivating.
---
*"I’ve heard of your plight,"* Violanda said, her voice calm and analytical as she studied Pixie closely. *"It is rare to see someone reach the Savant level only to find themselves unable to progress further..."*
She grasped Pixie’s hand, her gaze thoughtful as she examined her body with meticulous care. Moments passed in silence before Violanda’s expression changed, her brow furrowing with disbelief.
---
Far away, within the heart of Elaresar, Violanda sat cross-legged in meditation. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, filled with shock.
*"A simulation...?"* she whispered, her voice barely audible. *"What is this? Why is it unfolding within my mind?"*
The alchemist’s ruby lips parted slightly as she murmured in stunned disbelief, unable to comprehend the strange vision that had invaded her thoughts.