“The usual, Master Roy?” The fishmonger asked. After regular weekly meetings, they’d grown comfortable around each other. She was among the few people in the Onyx Dragon Academy’s vicinity who addressed him with a title. Only Control World residents seem to receive such respect.

“Yes, please,” Nil replied. “Master Seer can’t start his week without steamed toothfish?”

“Ah. Yes. His routine hasn’t changed in two centuries.” The woman appeared barely any older than Nil. He had long gotten used to the inconsistent aging processes of the world’s residents. His senses told him she wasn’t much older than him, but her comments said otherwise. When Nil found her stall, her eyes had been focused on the world tree’s canopy. As she weighed fish on brass scales and placed them in the salt-water-filled tub Nil had brought, the fishmonger glanced up at the dense network of branches again. “I have some fresh clams, sea snails, and—” She paused. Nil followed her eyes to Ashe’s canopy above. A small section was quivering. The woman sighed when it ceased. “—and sweet red prawns. Would you like any?”

The distracted fishmonger ripped the shell off a live prawn, deveined it with her thumb, washed it, and handed it to NIl. He popped the raw salt-water crustacean into his mouth without a second thought. Ashe Fall ran on magic and green energy. All waste seemed to be perfectly recycled, and Nil doubted his Earth would ever have waters that were so clean. The prawn carried a natural sweetness, and even though he tasted it raw whenever the fishmonger offered him a sample—which was every other week—it sent shivers down his spine.

“I’ll take two dozen,” Nil replied. He transferred her the necessary Schema Credit. “Half for Master Seer. Half for me.”

“People around here don’t trust Seed Worlders.” The fishmonger sighed. “If only they met the likes of you. By Yggdrasil’s sap, most local servants would happily purchase treats on their own credit.” The woman carefully counted twenty-four into Nil’s tub and then added a couple of extra. “They’re on me.”

“I appreciate it, but—”

“No arguments, Master Roy.” The woman glanced at the canopy again. “Do you want any clams for soup?”

“I’ll take one of those.” Nil pointed at a mesh bag sitting in the giant stone basin behind her. It was a kilogram, by his estimates. Are the oysters any good today?”

“I’m afraid they’re all reserved by the new forge master, but if you’d like, I can set some aside for the day after tomorrow?”

“No. It's alright. But please hold double the clams and three Black Pearl Spot.”

“Don’t worry, Master Roy.” The fishmonger smiled. “Our blind friend might not be harsh or cruel like some of the academy’s other masters, but I always set aside his regular favorites. Loyalty trumps big purchases.”

“Are you expecting something?” Nil asked when she looked up at the canopy again.

“You’ll see.”

The name Ashe Fall made little sense to Nil for months after his arrival to the Control World. He asked his host, peers, and even people on the street about it. Most asked Nil how long he’d be staying and then followed up with the same response. You’ll see. It was Nil’s ninth month on the planet, and it felt like the time for him to see had come at last.

As Nil walked through the market, casually carrying a couple hundred kilograms of groceries on his back, he found several vendors and shoppers occasionally glancing at the canopy of pale grey-brown, rich green, and gold that covered the planet. He scanned for meat, but it wasn’t unusual not to find any.

It took Nil a while to get used to the change. Meat was a big part of his diet. Most of the world’s fauna live on protected nature reserves or on farms. Cullings happened only a couple of times a year to prevent overpopulation. Vessels coming through the waygates also brought in live and slaughtered animals from across the multiverse, but only Ashe Fall’s richest and most powerful indulged. Meanwhile, the world’s oceans were rich with Life Magic—the same thing that powered Meatball’s Regenerate and ability to rapidly grow plants—filled them. Rapid reproduction and growth meant seafood was never in short supply. Most of Ashe Fall’s residents were pescetarians by choice or religion. A smaller subsection worshipped the world tree and ate only plant matter. The rest ate whatever they could afford.

Even though Ashe Fall had a supposedly utopic society, Nil couldn’t help but notice the wealth disparity. Everyone had decent accommodation, enough food to eat, medical care on the rare occasion they needed it, and all of their essential needs and comforts appeared met. Merit, coin, and contribution earned them the rest. Boxes with eggs, milk, grains, vegetables, mackerel, and daily essentials were dropped off at the academy twice a week. The quantity changed as the number of residents in Master Seer’s halls changed.

A teleportation circle took Nil from the seal level to the Dragon Onyx compound to about a thousand meters above the ground. The academy and forge sat on the side of a mountain. Students trained on the steep cliffs and green-speckled rock faces all day. Nil regularly trained by climbing it without assistance from his abilities. It had done wonders for his body attributes. He just didn’t have time for it on market days.

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Besides the essentials, the blind Immortal Realm cultivator, Seer, enjoyed more than the provided essentials. He liked to spend his earnings and Control-World-given allowance on fine fish and meats for himself and his students. And it was Nil’s responsibility to cook for the man, the dozen residents in his villa, and the regular guests.

After putting all the produce away, Nil got to work. His first job involved powering up the magitech equipment around his workspace. Master Seer had removed all the switches. Nil had to channel energy through them carefully. He held his breath, carefully feeding the first air-tight cupboard until the runes carved into it flickered alive with sapphire lights.

Well, that’s a relief.

Nil’s shoulders relaxed. The first dozen or so times he powered up the enchantment, he burned out the arcane circuitry and damaged the power supply. It was an exercise demanding precision and a light touch. Nil had neither when it came to emission and manipulation, but he was getting there.

Similar exercises followed as he powered up the stove and other equipment. Only the oven and steamer didn’t require cultivation techniques to activate. Nil only had to open the pipes connecting to the geothermal vents below.

Onyx Dragon Academy and Forge sat on a volcano, and the masters had learned to harness their powers to fulfill half of their energy needs. Nil believed that working with the Nexus and serving the Control Worlds would eventually help his Earth become a type-one civilization—capable of fulfilling all energy needs by harnessing the planet’s natural forces. Lack of magic would make it challenging, but Nil believed that they had enough technology to get most of the way there.

Nil filleted fish. Made a stock out of bones and clams. He pickled and steamed vegetables and also prepared rice, boiled grains, and bread. It took him a couple of hours, but come dinner time, he had a big spread ready with a variety of proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates, and a couple of simple desserts.

“What do we say, younglings?” Master Seer asked as they all sat down for dinner together.

“Thank you, Senior Roy!” The children said as one.

Master Seer, a blindfolded man, seemingly in his forties, sat at the head of the table in flowing robes. Ten children sat on either side of him, going from youngest to oldest. The group included only two teenagers. Nil and the other ‘helper’ sat on the opposite end.

“Don’t forget Senior Iris,” the master added. “Your lessons would be much harsher, and we’d have no tea or snacks if not for her.

“Thank you, Senior Iris!”

Then they all ate. The children merrily talked amongst themselves while the blind teacher listened. He appeared focused on his food but occasionally answered questions or told the youngest to behave.

“Great fish today,” Iris told him. She appeared in her late teens, but Nil knew better than to assume the age of the Control World or of people from other Seed Worlds like her. Iris smiled at him sweetly. “I love the broth. I haven’t tasted anything like it.”

“Merchant brought me a spice box,” Nil replied between bites. “I flavored the broth with tempered onion seeds and ginger.”

“It really brings out the clammy flavor,” one of the children seated by Master Seer said. Nil had learned that the man’s students were far harsher than any critics that visited Misdirection or anywhere else Nil had worked. She smiled at Nil. “I like it.”

“That’s high praise coming from you, Miss Silver.” Nil nodded, bowing his head.

“It’s Lady Silver.”

“No. No.” Master Seer’s reprimand was gentle. “No titles here. Nil Roy has every right to address you as Junior Silver. But he uses ‘miss’ to be nice. That’s already more than you get while still a student of the Eyeless Dragon’s Path. Young Silver is correct, though. Today’s broth is excellent. Enjoy Nil’s cooking while you can. It won’t be long before he returns home, and Grandmother Wen will return.”

“Not Dragonbreath Wen,” one of the teenagers groaned, getting several chuckles out of the children.”

Nil didn’t know whether Grandmother Wen had horrid mouth odor or her cooking made the children’s throats burn. He was just told they were glad she had taken a year off to help with her new daughter’s newborn twins.

The older students also thanked Nil for the lightly grilled prawns. Master Seer got two, while all but the youngest at the table received one. Nil had only brushed them with homemade garlic butter before swiftly cooking them over hot coals. He had the rest marinating for later.

After the meal, the students cleared the table, took the dishes away for washing, and finished cleaning. It was a part of their regular duties. Master Seer believed that cultivators should assist with regular tasks regardless of wealth and power. It kept them humble and in touch with the people they were training to protect.

Meanwhile, Iris and Nil remained at the table with their teacher. “Good job. The pair of you. Running things has been a breeze ever since you arrived.”

“You flatter us, Master Seer.” Iris bowed.

“I’ll meet you both in the training room at fifth bell tomorrow. You’re to be warmed up before I arrive.”

“Yes, master,” both Seed Worlders replied.

“You’re excused, Iris.”

Nil’s colleague shot him a concerned look, mouthing whether she’d see him in a bit. He shook his head. She bowed to Master Seer before leaving the dining room. Master Seer only spoke once the door was closed. “Can you please ask your girlfriend to stop breaking into the manor? It’s okay if she visits the compound, but the children here are of important families with secret techniques. If their parents or families find out about outsiders peeking in. There will be hell to pay.”

“I haven’t spoken to her, Master—”

“Yes. But, you could simply cease the note exchange. I know things have been hard because the Weave keeps her away, busy, or is limiting contact, but I don’t want to have the mountain’s wards block her for good.”

“Understood. I’ll warn her in my next note.”

The master of the manor sighed, shaking his head. “Run along. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When Nil returned to his quarters, a humble square room, it had no bed. The straw mat floor was soft and bedding sat neatly folded in a corner. Much like most tables in the manor, Nil’s desk only stood a foot above the ground. It wasn’t much, but Nil appreciated the private space and the view that overlooked the green expanse around the mountain. A note awaited on his work surface.

Are you trying to make me jealous, Nil Roy? Because it’s working.