Apogu City.

The steam engines at the city center roared relentlessly, like the heavy breaths of a titan, sending towering plumes of steam skyward, as majestic as the mythical Babel.

The scorching sunlight warped the heat haze, $2nly for the sea breeze to blur it further, $2ntil it formed a thick, humid fog that spread across the entire shoreline.

Even an emotionless witch would feel discomfort and irritation in such conditions.

"Wind."

An invisible gust lifted her feet.

"Water."

The rolling waves propelled her forward.

Expressionless, Krisha brandished her wand, commanding wind and tide as she ventured deeper into the sea.

At this moment, $2he witch had achieved a balance between order and chaos.

Her lifespan eternal, her appearance unchanging.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Xu Xi had taken the witch and relocated to a new city—Apogu City.

The girl harbored guilt, believing she had disrupted Xu Xi's life.

Thus, $2risha wanted to make amends.

"...I must replenish my teacher's nutrients."

Tilting her head slightly, the witch quickly locked onto her target.

Soaring high above, she gazed down at the sea, stirring the waters with her magic, turning the currents into raging waves that flung countless sea creatures into the air.

Splash!

Splash!

Amid the churning waters, $2risha's spiritual energy captured a bounty of seafood—

massive, otherworldly fish, vibrantly colored unknown sea beasts, and sturdy-shelled crustaceans.

"Hmm, very fresh."

Krisha leaned in for a sniff.

She was certain today's haul would make for a lavish seafood feast.

With another wave of her magic, Krisha turned back, flying swiftly toward their residence in Apogu City.

"Teacher, I'm back."

The witch's flight was so swift that only when she spoke did Xu Xi, standing in the courtyard, realize she had even left.

"Krisha, what is all this...?"

"Hunting."

"???"

Under the man's bewildered gaze, Krisha dispelled her water magic, letting the heap of fresh seafood crash to the ground—some even bouncing to his feet.

Krisha elaborated, "These fresh catches are rich in nutrients. I thought you might need them."

Her concern for Xu Xi was evident.

Clumsily counting on her fingers, $2he listed off cooking methods for the seafood:

braised, steamed, stewed, grilled, fried.

"Teacher, which do you prefer?" Krisha sought Xu Xi's opinion, eager to prepare the meal his way.

"Krisha."

"I'm here, Teacher."

"About these catches... I think most should be returned to the sea."

"Eh?"

The witch blinked in confusion, her voice trailing off in a dazed drawl.

Then, $2u Xi gently explained, revealing the hidden toxins beneath the seemingly ordinary appearances of the fish and shellfish.

"Teacher, even with your culinary skills, can't the toxins be removed?"

Krisha asked.

"It's possible, but it's safer to start with non-toxic ingredients."

Xu Xi replied.

The trees rustled; the sea breeze pressed the grass low.

A passing cloud cast a fleeting shade.

Following Xu Xi's advice, Krisha sent the toxic seafood back into the ocean.

By evening, $2he small remaining portion of safe seafood was turned into a pot of seafood soup by Krisha.

"It tastes wonderful, Krisha," Xu Xi smiled, praising her cooking—but the witch remained unsatisfied.

Her heterochromatic eyes—gold and black—

first lingered on the soup, then drifted to the bright moon outside the window.

"Not enough. Far from enough."

"The quantity is too small to replenish Teacher's nutrients."

The girl resolved to prepare a grand seafood feast.

"Hiss—"

The next morning, Apogu City's steam engines released their first hiss of the day.

The towering plumes, bathed in sunlight, stretched magnificently between sky and sea.

Krisha flew toward the ocean once more.

The sea wind whipped at her black-and-white robes, making them flutter wildly.

Her wand danced, commanding wind and water to carry her forward.

Soon, $2risha was far from shore.

The churning waves, frothing with white foam, churned violently, their misty spray filling her nostrils with each breath.

"What should I catch...?"

The witch hesitated.

She wanted to gather seafood for Xu Xi, $2ut her lack of knowledge left her unable to distinguish toxic from safe.

"I mustn't disappoint Teacher."

A storm brewed, stirring monstrous waves, $2et it calmed in Krisha's presence.

Her gaze swept the sea, shifting left and right as if selecting a target.

When her eyes stilled, her choice was made—time for the real "fishing."

Beneath the surface, $2 colossal shadow glided through the depths.

Its sheer size placed it undeniably at the top of the marine food chain.

Krisha might not know how to identify toxins, $2o she opted for the simplest solution:

catching a creature she knew was safe.

"I think it's called... a storm whale?" She wasn't entirely sure of the name, but she knew the massive shadow before her was non-toxic.

With a flick of her wand, $2he sea parted.

A divine spectacle unfolded by Krisha's will.

The fathomless ocean split down the middle, sending the behemoth crashing onto the seabed with a terrified shriek.

In the next instant, $2he storm obeyed the witch's command, $2ifting the panicked leviathan from the abyss.

"Teacher will surely be happy when he sees this."

Krisha stood quietly, her face devoid of expression, $2et an intangible joy radiated from her serene demeanor.

To ensure Xu Xi received his nutrients promptly, $2risha hastened her pace, $2ragging the island-sized storm whale back to Apogu City.

The "prey" was too massive for her spatial ring, $2orcing her to resort to this primitive method.

"Krisha, did you catch this?"

"I did, Teacher."

"Krisha... perhaps we should release it."

"Eh?"

Once again, the witch let out a soft, puzzled sound.

Though confused by Xu Xi's hesitant demeanor, $2risha complied, freeing the storm whale to return to the sea.

The storm whale was terribly rude—

not even a word of thanks, $2ust a frantic retreat into the depths.

The witch stood beside Xu Xi, hands resting naturally at her sides, $2arrying a bag of fruit as she followed him.

Her thoughts wandered slightly, $2ondering what to catch next time.