A new opportunity
It took me 2 days to arrive. I managed to practice my airbending during those two days. My rations were running short due to me having an unexpected leap in my appetite.
Feeling someone shake me. I open my eyes, and in a flash, I use airbending to send me backward while simultaneously shooting pressurized air towards my assailant.
"My, my. What's a fire nation child doing airbending? And how did you get here?" My awakener was a tall bald man with a large blue arrow on his forhead streaking to both arms. He wore orange monk robes along with it.-
"Are we at the southern air temple?" I prod for information as the older man nods. "Indeed we are young ones. I must say your chi is like a bottomless pit. One so young possessing the reserves of two lifetimes, hmm." The airbending master speaks in a casual tone his voice just radiates wise.
"Train me!" I waste no time bowing down to the older man as even though I can't see him with my head down, I can tell his eyebrows have raised.
"Please answer my questions first, young one. Why is a young airbender in fire nation clothing?" His voice feels serious but peaceful seriously if that exists.
I contemplate lying, but I feel as if he can see right through me. So I suck in a breath and decide to tell the truth.
"My father is the son of an airbender, and my mother is a firenation noble! My grandfather spotted me airbending and attempted to either have me imprisoned or harmed! I want to be strong enough to free my mother!" I yell out the words in nervousness as their is a momentary pause before I hear a chuckle.
"Well, at least your honest young one. Can I get your name?"
Going back to standing up fully from my bow, I smile. "My name is Chen!" I have taken pride in my new name. It's the gift my mother from this world has given me, and I will cherish it forever.
"I see, Chen. Call me monk, Gyu. I'm the leadern of the southern air temple. No need to fear I will train you. It is against air nomad traditions to leave young airbenders untrained." I feel happy tears threaten to spill as I feel myself one step closer to freeing my mom
"Thank you, monk Gyu! I won't let you down!" I can't help but run over and hug the man tightly. Thanking him for the opportunity.
Chuckling at me monk, Gyu pats my head. "No needs for thanks, little Chen."
(1 day later).
Garbed in traditional air nomad clothing, I'm surrounded by other kids my age as we are being instructed by monk yang.
"Follow along, everyone! Today, we select your staff." Everyone excluding myself cheer. I'm excited as well, though.
"Hey Chen, are you excited to get your glider?" A slightly older boy walks over to me, smiling as I nod. This is Tomen. He befriended me the first day. This kid is honorable and genuine, and we get along well.
"I'm thrilled Tomen, I must admit."I decide to act a bit more seriously as now my goal is to become a master as early as possible. Masters get all the privileges, such as ancient airbending scrolls with secret techniques.
There are currently only 5 masters in this temple. The air nomads have strict standards for one to get their tattoos. You must either master all 36 forms or create your own unique airbending technique while having at least 30 forms learned.
"No need to be so serious, dude! You're scaring the others!" Tomen laughs as I feel a smile unwillingly rise. But I quickly focus ahead as monk yang clears his throat to silence all the chatter.
"*ahem* We will be conducting spars. The winners will get their gliders first, and the losers will randomly get their gliders after all the winners earn theirs." The air nomads are peace loving folk that usually avoid conflict. That's why only 10 of the 36 forms are offensive. But currently, with the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom being at each others throat, the air nomads are ready to defend themselves at any moment since they usually get dragged into wars.
Murmurs erupt as I'm called up along with a girl that's at least 13. 'Looks like they are testing me. why would I get an opponent more than double my age?' Watching my opponent jeer at me before getting into a traditional stance I don't let any emotion show as I stay standing with my hands to my sides.
"Begin!" I hear as the girl kicks 2 waves of air at me. 'Fast but not fast enough.'
Moving my hands in instinctual ease, I disperse both attacks before dashing forward. The wind pushes me as I close the distance, dodging and dissipating each of her attacks.
Once I'm 2 meters away, I use the momentum built from air running. Sliding to the ground, I spin like a break dancer, sending out a wave of wind that the girl manages to jump over. But that's what I want as I throw my open palm out into the air. Making a compressed blast hit her in the gut.
Watching the older girl skid a few meters, I get into a stance of my own as she slowly gets up. The other kids around us are clearly shocked by how this fight is going.
"How is Mandy losing to him?" I hear a voice speak to another,"he's scary. " Another voice speaks aloud.
The girl I now know is named Mandy, who gets up with a grunt, her face a scowl, making her look more like a firebender than an air bender.
"Mandy, can you continue?" Monk yang asks in concern as Mandy waves him off. Immediately after she dashes to me, copying my technique as the 3 meter distance turns into zero. Her palm aiming to strike me in the chest.
Using the wind to enhance my movements I redirect her hand just enough to the left making her miss her mark by a couple centimeters using the momentum I used to redirect her attack I spin with the air whisping underneath my leg before kicking out. Not hitting her body but blowing her back with air.
Walking over to her downed form, I offer her a hand as she glares up at me.
"Good fight, Mandy! You're strong." I compliment her, but she slaps my hand away and walks off a frown on her face.
I look to monk yang in confusion. "Did I do something wrong?" I'm genuinely curious because all I did was offer her a hand.
"No, young Chen. Mandy is just... very competitive. She's mastered 29 of the 36 forms and is very close to becoming a master. So, her losing to a new airbender is a great blow on her pride. Give her some time." The old man rubs his beard as he speaks the last words. I nodded along before walking over to the line of staff on the wall.
I grab the largest staff. It just suits me the best I grin down as I spin the staff around. The air now listening to my will much easier.
...
The next week was interesting. The Mandy girl has been straight up stalking me. I'm probably trying to find a weakness or something.
She sucks at it, too. Like, she's really bad at it. Every time I turn, she's suddenly looking away, whistling. I guess since I'm 5, she thinks I'm an idiot.
Sighing, I look at the girl with boredom. "You know I can tell when you are following me, right?" I speak to seemingly nothing before she walks out from behind a pillar with a scowl on her face
"I want to know how you beat me! You must have cheated! I have mastered 29 of the 36 forms I should be able to beat you! So tell me, how did you cheat your way to Victory!?" She immediately begins blabbering off about the fight that happened last week as I scratch the back of my head.
"Well, sorry to burst you bubble, but I didn't cheat at all, really. Also. I'm slowly catching up to you in the form of airbending mastered. I'm at 26, and I've been here a week, not to gloat or anythi-. " My musings are interrupted as I'm lifted by the collar of my air nomad clothing.
"Listen, hear you cheater! I vow from this day onward that I will be better than you now and forever!" She immediately storms off as i stare at the spot she left in confusion.
"Did I do something wrong?" I once again can't help but ask. I didn't have many interactions with people in person in my past life since I was what many would call socially inept, so I just couldn't grasp what I did wrong. All I have been doing this past week was train my tail off.
"Oh well, I'm sure she will tell me what I did to anger her sooner or later." I smile and go back to where I was heading. Today, we get to see if a sky bison calf will choose us.