Nishizue the Measured

The apprentices of The Crystal Highlands of Armaria call them the Measured. Their masters say it was foretold in the pools of Horoguramu that a figure of great balance would arrive. But the young wizards only see a quiet trainee in a bowler hat who takes exactly seven minutes to finish a piece of toast, not a second more or less. They watch Nishizue tend to their small batch of bamboo, tying each stalk with perfect, unhurried knots. "The prophecy wasn't about explosive power," one of the older scientists finally explained to a confused student. "It was about an anchor. In a land of spinning monoliths and chaotic magic, we needed someone who measures their life by the spoonful." The student then saw Nishizue nod once, perfectly content, a smudge of jam still on their face.