MTLNOVEL Chapter 80: Chapter 80
We're a little late to the South Pole. Anyway, I had to train them. It wasn't too hard for me, and I enjoyed it. But one day I was asked to give an Avatar a test. In water magic. I remember promising Zuko something like that, so I agreed. Their training ground was outside of town. About the size of a football field. A house, a few courts. Made of ice and dirt and metal.
They took me to the house. I don't know why I didn't go straight to the playground. But I was curious. Anyway, we went inside. It was beautiful inside. I'd even say it was cozy.
«Korra, come here», a little girl comes running down. Seven years old, disheveled hair and two braids on her temples. She's not even petite, she's a damn child. «She's an Avatar», the old man said, somehow even pathetically.
«And I'm supposed to check her out?» I asked, deciding whether to walk away or keep looking.
«Yes», he replied proudly. A third wish came up. To check out the old man.
«Good. I'll check her out», I scratched the back of my head. The old man glared, «Only it'll be you after her», the old man stopped smiling, «And I won't hold back», and now he turned pale, «Get dressed, kid. Let's go to the ring», she called excitedly (?) and ran upstairs. Yeah. I wish I had her motivation for my students. Eh... dreams.
«Maybe you don't have to?» the old man asked, sweating.
«Yeah», I nodded importantly, «Remind me what you're good at.»
«Fire», he said sourly. Yeah, bad luck for him.
«Could be worse», I remarked philosophically, «Earth, or if it was Azula», I grinned, watching him turn even paler.
«I'm ready», the Doodlebug said, swallowing the letters.
«Good. Let's go», he led the way, stepping out first. And went to the shelter. «Show me what you can do.»
«Yes!»
A blast of air and a small fireball flies towards me. Another and a small rock flies at me. A soft lunge and some water. I didn't even dodge, just gently deflected her attacks. She lasted about five minutes, then just collapsed.
«Get up», I said, and she got up, albeit with difficulty, «Go sit by the house for a while. Now you'll see how you have to fight.»
She went and sat down on the steps in front of the house. I looked at the old man. He was pale, sweating, and stepped into the arena.
«That arena», I pointed to the farthest one, the metal one. We stepped into it, «You may begin.»
A thud and a fireball shot into me. A bigger one. About as big as my head. I ducked. Man, I'm bored with him. This isn't Azula hitting squares when she fights me. This is boring. Body left, body right, duck. Boring. So to keep him from getting bored, I started sending him his own flames. It got more interesting. We stood like this.
He throws fire at me, I turn him around, speed up a bit, make the old man jump. Ten minutes and he gets hit in the chest with his own ball. Nothing to yawn about.
«And you train an Avatar?» I asked in surprise. He rubbed his eyes, «Anyway, she's not ready. When she's about sixteen, call me.»
And so that the little one would understand what to strive for, I waited until the old man was out of the arena and concentrated, struck upward. Two huge streams, spiraling, flew upward. Twenty meters.
I turned and went home. The Order is degenerate. Very much so. There used to be masters. Those who could do something. Airo, Bumi, Piandao. They were masters worthy of respect. I offered to rejuvenate each of them, but they refused. And I respected them for that. They were worthy of respect. They deserved it. But this... There are no words.
The level of a common soldier in a time of war. With training like this, the little things will never be ready, and they'll be here all their lives. It's a sad sight.
Walking up to the cliff. More steps. But water magic helps me. A little time and I'm at the door. I turn and look at the steps. Maybe one day I'll climb them. But not today. I turn the key and open the door. Warm air hit my face. I walked in and closed the door.
«How was your trip?» asked Azula, lying on the couch and flipping through magazines. Where did she find one of these? I doubt there are any swimsuit magazines around here. Or is this just a hint to get the hell out of here?
« The Order is degenerate «, I shrugged and threw off my sweatshirt, «Do you want to go home?» I asked bluntly. She turned to me and I pointed at the magazine.
«Not that I want to», she stretched, «Just homesick», she tossed the magazine aside and rolled onto her back.
«Well, there's nothing keeping us here», I shrugged, «At least now we can go back.»
«But it's boring at home», she frowned and pursed her lips cutely, «I'm tired of it already. The island is already the best in the world, and you don't need to take care of it.»
«What do you suggest?» I asked, sitting down next to her and picking up the magazines in my hands. Picking out a sexier swimsuit for his wife is a direct responsibility of every man.
«I want to have fun», she said. And for the first time, I regretted not keeping my mouth shut. But that was later.
«The Mage Tournament? It's fun», I shrugged, not really thinking about what I was saying, «Yeah, and the prize is big. A million, I think.»
«Tell me more about it», she picked herself up, took the magazines from me and sat down in my arms. And judging by her burning eyes, she was interested in the idea.
«I'm going to regret this», I said to the ceiling, but I had to tell the gist and then the little details.