*Time is lost, it has been eleven years since you met Elvynna. You’ve been so engrossed in studying magic that you even forgot to celebrate Christmas…*


    *You’ve broken through to Practitioner Lv2!*


    *Another spring has arrived, marking your fifteenth year as Elvynna’s apprentice. The peach saplings you planted together have grown into towering trees, providing shade in summer and bountiful fruit in autumn…*


    *You’ve broken through to Practitioner Lv3!*


    *In your sixteenth year together, the neighbor’s little brat has blossomed into a graceful young lady, awakening her first feelings of love… and you’ve reached Practitioner Lv5!*


    Two breakthroughs in one year? Eirik felt a surge of excitement.


    Elvynna has also achieved Practitioner Lv9, becoming an Elemental Mage!


    In this moment, she could summon elemental giants, her power transcending the ordinary!


    Yet, she seemed to be hitting a bottleneck, unable to advance to the next significant realm beyond Practitioner: the Savant!


    Indeed, the major magical realms in this world are Stalwart, Practitioner, and Savant!


    As for whether there are realms beyond Savant?


    It’s likely, but Eirik doesn’t know for now.


    *"After sixteen years, I’ve assisted Elvynna to Practitioner Lv9…"*


    It seems commendable, but he felt the pace was a bit slow. He had promised to help Elvynna become the next Elf Empress.


    This might just be the beginning!


    *"Just as Elvynna is stuck at a bottleneck, I should suggest we go out and gain some experience, perhaps tackle the next dungeon."* Eirik pondered.


    *"Going out for training sounds perfect!"*


    Elvynna was eager to explore; despite the rich knowledge she had gained in the game, she had never ventured into the outside world.


    How far could this simulated projection technique take them?


    Elvynna felt a thrill of anticipation.


    However, the upcoming events would far exceed both her and Eirik''s expectations!


    **In the seventeenth year, a great crisis erupted in Aelsryel City.**


    *Special seeds buried underground had been watered with the blood of geniuses for decades, and finally, an ancient divine tree rose, its branches casting a shadow over half of Aelsryel City, instantly draining the blood of a vast majority of its citizens!*


    Behind these words was a shocking illustration of a terrifying tree, erupting violently from the city, its branches piercing through ordinary people and scholars like serpents!


    ??


    What’s this? An ancient divine tree?


    A great opportunity has arrived?!


    Eirik’s heart raced; in games and novels, such ancient divine trees usually bestow treasures upon the protagonist!


    However, this tree seemed sinister—it was more akin to a demonic tree.


    Notably, this divine tree appeared to be nourished by the blood of geniuses.


    Eirik recalled that Elvynna had mentioned some talented students from the Starlight Academy of Magic had gone missing over the years.


    The academy had done little to intervene.


    That’s why Elvynna preferred to study magic in seclusion rather than venture out.


    With Eirik’s ability to accelerate magic learning, it made her secluded study far more beneficial than exploration.


    *"I thought studying in seclusion would help us avoid disaster, but I never imagined it would escalate to this point…"*


    At that moment, Elvynna’s heart raced as she gazed at the shocking scene in the game.


    In reality, talented students continued to disappear from the Starlight Academy.


    If these projections were true, then someone was indeed nurturing this demonic tree with the blood of geniuses?!


    Moreover, it filled Elvynna with dread:


    This demonic tree fed on human flesh, far from a typical monster—it was likely a harbinger from the treacherous realms!


    If this creature fully matured, it wouldn''t just be Aelsryel City in peril; countless lives would be at stake.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.The entire northern region could become a forbidden area of the demonic realm.


    A new forbidden zone manifesting among mortals would surely lead to devastation…


    Meanwhile, within the game, numerous scholars had begun to attack the demonic tree.


    In an instant, the entire city of Aelsryel was filled with elemental power, creating an immense and terrifying spectacle.


    Sadly, these scholars stood no chance against the demonic tree.


    Every branch of the tree was like a sword, seemingly possessing its own consciousness, easily fending off the city''s mages.


    What’s worse, its vitality appeared endless; even when severed, it would regenerate instantly.


    Many scholars attacked for long, suffering heavy losses, yet the demonic tree remained unscathed.


    In fact, after absorbing the blood and flesh of numerous scholars, its form grew even larger, nearly enveloping the massive city of millions!


    *"This tree… must have reached the legendary Savant Lv2, an immortal body!"*


    Someone exclaimed in horror.


    Savant Lv2?!


    Eirik’s heart sank; this was serious.


    His own strength was merely Practitioner Lv3, and though Elvynna was powerful, she was only at Practitioner Lv9, while this being was a Savant of the second rank, an immortal!


    No wonder it slaughtered the citizens as if they were mere cattle!


    *"Looks like we need to fall back and let the NPCs handle this. Perhaps we can find a way to survive…"*


    Eirik muttered quietly, but what he didn’t expect was…


    **Elvynna, unwilling to witness the slaughter of innocents, charged towards the demonic tree, engaging it in a fierce battle.**


    *She summoned numerous elemental giants, each colossal enough to crush a mountain, yet the demonic tree was even more fearsome. From its trunk, enchanting melodies resonated, the demonic music echoing through the skies, shaking hearts and souls alike, as if threatening to shatter the very essence of the city''s inhabitants…*


    *The battle between the two, one human and one tree, caused the skies to seem on the brink of shattering, with elemental forces clashing…*


    *Ultimately, Elvynna was no match for the demonic tree, and her body was cleaved apart by its razor-like branches.*


    *Your chosen future empress has fallen in battle, leaving you heartbroken. At this moment, your choices are…*


    ???


    She’s dead?!


    Eirik was stunned, thinking the appearance of this tree heralded a great opportunity, yet the heroine had perished?!


    After years of nurturing her, she was gone in mere moments?


    Eirik had a million curses to unleash,


    but he couldn’t help but admire Elvynna. Knowing she stood no chance against the demonic tree, she still stepped forward.


    Such valor was truly commendable.


    Now, Eirik faced three choices.


    *【1. Survive, seeking refuge with junior sister Pixie, whose esteemed lineage might provide a way out of the city.】*


    *【2. Life and death together. Heartbroken, you choose to end your own life.】*


    *【3. Charging forward, you follow her will, battling the demonic tree until the last moment.】*


    Forget it; if my wife is gone, how can I survive alone?


    This game was meant to assist the heroine in becoming an empress.


    Though the first option might lead to a new heroine, he had barely held Elvynna’s hand; giving up now felt too wasteful.


    Eirik sighed deeply; he had to take on that tree. If he was to die, so be it. At worst, he could restart the game.


    Next time, he’d definitely seek revenge on that tree!


    *“You watched as Elvynna perished, heartbroken and resolute, you followed her path, charging towards the demonic tree, ultimately meeting a tragic end…”*


    *Game over.*


    Just like that, he was dead? It felt rather swift.


    *"That demonic tree must be the first boss of the game, right? Dying once is normal; I’ll need to be cautious next time and eliminate the tree before it fully matures."*


    The game’s conclusion screen soon appeared before Eirik.


    *【Your first life has ended, and your achievements are rated as white.】*


    Achievement levels seem to come in many colors; gold and purple being the best, while white is the worst.


    He received a white rating this time, indicating a poor performance.


    Well, it was his first playthrough.


    *【Name: Eirik】*


    *【Your early life was filled with poverty and abandonment, merely a useless citizen. Though your later years led you to the path of a magic scholar, your talent limited your potential.】*


    *【In the catastrophe caused by the demonic tree sweeping through the north, you heroically perished, becoming dust, forgotten by the world.】*


    *【Overall image: A mere insect of another world】*


    *"Insect…"*


    Eirik stared at the term for quite a while; the system''s evaluation felt harsh.


    *【Settlement Reward: Mirror of the First Life】*


    A mirror?


    What is this?


    Curious, Eirik quickly clicked on the system’s description.


    *[One Life Mirror: Can reflect real-life talents in the simulation, duration: twelve hours.]


    Huh?


    So after all that, this is just a regular mirror?


    I don’t have any talents in reality, so this item is practically useless, right?


    Even a direct transfer of the memories from this simulation would’ve been nice.


    That Grimoire of Arcane Mastery was something he really desired!


    “Maybe it’s due to the low score? I need to try again, definitely aiming for a higher rating this time!”


    Eirik pondered quietly.


    The system had previously hinted that the higher the score, the more abundant the rewards.


    There were even legendary magical traits and rare spellbooks he could potentially earn.


    This time, though, the white achievement level was indeed quite low.