Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 162

Tienhai City. Airbender Academy. Yo.

"I understand perfectly that your brilliant minds are still wandering. But right now, that's exactly what's needed. Don't try to control the currents, don't overthink techniques—just surrender to the wind," I said, falling silent as I began to closely observe my students' progress. Occasionally, I'd appear beside a young man or woman, using quick and precise finger movements to relax their tense bodies.

This year, the walls of this magical institution welcomed its first batch of students. Over the past years, nearly a thousand new airbenders have joined. Of course, most are fairly weak talents who, without relentless effort, are unlikely to achieve any significant results. But there are also young people whose hearts, so to speak, burn with passion. It's these young men and women I'm focusing on now. The others, unwilling to dedicate themselves to full-time training, study at home and only come to Tienhai once a year to demonstrate their progress. After all, without even small improvements in their skills, they won't see any money. Financial rewards have greatly motivated their progress. Though Aang often grumbles that true Air Nomads shouldn't be trained this way. But he doesn't plan to change anything—he knows results speak louder than words.

No one but Aang and I can teach those who've unlocked the mysteries of airbending, so we're the only instructors in this massive building. He teaches one week, and I take the next seven days. Students are divided into two groups: one attends in the morning and leaves by afternoon, while the other trains in the evening. Every day, I spend at least eight hours here. I wouldn't say it's a burden, but there are other matters demanding my attention. At some point, I realized clearly that four bodies simply aren't enough. One is always in the Spirit World, I'm responsible for Tienhai and training young (and not-so-young) benders, and the other two shuttle between the Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, and Northern Water Tribe. Meanwhile, full-scale clashes often erupt in the Spirit World, requiring all my bodies to intervene.

It's a good thing no powerful beings are emerging from interdimensional breaches, and the military handles the lower and mid-level spirits that occasionally appear. We've created a decent "simulator" to train soldiers, and judging by the reports I've reviewed, the benders are progressing well in their skills and gaining essential battle experience against various spirits.

In the class, there were a couple of familiar faces from the animated series. The first was Lee, now a fully grown man, the son of the farmer Hansu, who dared to speak out against soldiers clearly abusing their power.

The second was a girl who strongly resembled Avatar Korra's mother, Senna. Coincidentally, her name was Senna too. The universe loves surprising me...

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The last notable student was Jin, the girl Zuko met in the original story. She'd actually come here from the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se. All three possess great talent in bending, and I hope to help them reach even greater heights.

"Relax your minds," my voice, filled with life energy, focused them on their tasks. Soft music played in the background, further enhancing their training. The bodies of those present were buffeted by gusts of air—sometimes strong, sometimes weak, fast, or barely noticeable. The specially designed practice room had numerous "vents" from which air was supplied. All this brought their training closer to what would've taken place in the actual Air Temples. Only there, the wind was driven by nature itself; here, science and technology lend a hand. It would be better if they trained in the Temples themselves, but few are willing to forsake the comforts of civilization to live like true monks.

Though I tried to calm my students' minds, my body—or rather, my intuition—sent alarms. Sometimes I think it'd be better to live without this nagging feeling, since it can't provide any precise information... Alright, I exaggerate—there are some improvements. For example, I now know the danger isn't to me, but to someone close. Before I could even think, Roku, Wan, and Yuki, who'd returned from the Spirit World, checked on our loved ones.

"Too bad no one on the Island Temple can contact me..." Only they remained to check on.

It felt like the lesson was moving much slower than usual. I wanted to end it as quickly as possible, as the sense of time slipping away grew stronger.

"We'll finish early today!" I clapped my hands, snapping everyone out of their trance-like state. Without another word, I sped up to maximum velocity, determined to get home as fast as possible.

On the island, Tomoko's, Kushi's, and Hime's auras were missing...

"They've been gone since morning," Gaia and Dria greeted me, worried. Though the girls aren't blood relatives, they care just as much. Celine had already gone searching for them. Usually, the girls let us know when they're going out. At this point, only a dozen high-level spirits or someone on the level of an ancient spirit could threaten them. The talents they inherited from their parents have fully blossomed, allowing them to already match peak high-level spirits.

"I saw them huddled together, whispering mysteriously," Shika spoke up. "Tomoko kept an air dome around them, muffling their voices, but I managed to read their lips—they were talking about the South Pole..."

"If only they were like Shika—calm, obedient, and not causing trouble!" a fleeting thought crossed my mind, only to be dismissed. I love the girls despite their mischievous personalities. "Wait! What day is it today?" Winter solstice... South Pole...

"I think I know where they are!" My loved ones tried to say something else, but I was already in the space between worlds. As I crossed the barrier, all my other bodies joined me. My spiritual senses kicked into overdrive, and my quadrupled mind quickly filtered through the "threads" of energy matching my daughters. After five seconds that stretched into minutes for me, I latched onto the right trail.

"Damn it!" It took so long to find them because an ancient spirit was blocking their signatures! Its heavy energy prevented me from appearing right beside them. Without hesitation, I materialized a kilometer away. My eyes immediately spotted an old acquaintance—a purple monstrosity that was part dragon, part snake, and part snail. The vile creature had long since learned to find me somehow, but it only attacked when other dark spirits were around. It knew it couldn't face me alone. Apparently, this time it sensed similar energies and correctly assumed the girls were my kin.

"Stop!" A roar burst from my throat. Only now could I see the girls' condition. Rage consumed my mind. Hime, far too pale, was missing her left arm. The bleeding had stopped, but she was more of a burden now. Kushi and Tomoko also had severe wounds, and much of their bodies had turned purple as their skin struggled against the creature's acid.

"You bastard!" In the acid spirit's eyes, I saw a mad glint of vengeance. Its gaping maw was ready to swallow my girls, and they clearly had no strength left to dodge! A massive surge of spiritual and life energy allowed me to literally shoot my body toward the spirit, lightning crackling across my skin, adding even more speed. But I knew I wouldn't make it in time to save them! Kushi turned, her eyes filled with profound sorrow, meeting mine.

"No! I won't let this happen!" I rarely hope for a miracle, but this time, I wished for one with all my soul... and a miracle did happen. Somewhere inside me, a distinct click sounded. The source of fire ignited beyond measure, and the lightning enveloping my body grew thicker and more dangerous. The energy radiating from me began to be madly absorbed by the fire source, signaling a transition to a new level. At one point, my entire body became lightning. It seemed like the world slowed down exponentially, though later I'd realize it was the opposite—I'd become exponentially faster.

The delayed sound of thunder struck the girls' eardrums. Before despair could leave their faces, they found themselves several kilometers away from the spirit. It was only beginning to realize its prey had vanished.

"We'll talk later," I shot the girls a stern look, tossing them a handful of life energy crystals.

In the next moment, I reappeared near the spirit's maw. The ability I gained from breaking through to the ancient level in firebending turned out to be partial transformation into lightning. Though that's not entirely accurate. The only thing I can do now is shoot myself forward at mind-boggling speeds, but I can't interact with other objects. To save my daughters, I became "physical" again for half a second, then somehow managed to transform their bodies into the same element, releasing their unharmed bodies far from the spirit moments later. In the heat of the moment, it all worked seamlessly, but now, without urgent need, my mind falters, unable to comprehend how or what I did...

For the next few minutes, I unleashed my fury on the spirit's body. I could've won this battle before, but now it was even easier. The spirit couldn't keep up with my movements, as my new ability allowed me to move through different planes in mere milliseconds. During the fight, I realized the lightning itself hadn't grown stronger—the ability is solely for extremely fast movement from one place to another. I think there's more to it, but it'll take time and practice.

"But the fire has definitely gotten stronger!" The temperature of my white flames melted the spirit's acidic spit before it could reach my body.

Stopping my playfulness, I began hurling waterbending and firebending techniques at the spirit, gradually draining its energy, which it was "pouring" into its defenses. I had to call in my last two bodies, which willingly dove into its maw, attacking from within using life energy-based techniques. A minute later, I watched with satisfaction as the spirit dissolved into elemental particles.

It was time to discipline the girls, who were still trembling...

"You!" At the sight of my daughters, words caught in my throat—their appearance was too pitiful. "Come here," I hugged all three. They could receive their punishment later...

"Forgive me, Father," Hime lifted her wet eyes to mine.

"Nothing to forgive, but I hope you've learned the necessary lessons from this," I shook my head, examining their bodies for severe or hidden wounds. Fortunately, nothing was irreparable, and she could regenerate her arm herself.

Upon returning home, the girls were taken into their mothers' caring hands. I, meanwhile, needed to "process" the battle and see what changes followed my breakthrough to the ancient level. But as soon as I crossed the threshold of my study, realization hit me... I could've been too late to save them. I set aside my tasks, and a glass bottle filled to the brim with a visibly toxic green liquid fell onto the desk.

"Come in, Aang," I said to the Avatar, who hadn't even had time to knock.

"Hey, glad the girls are okay," he said, wearily sitting on the couch. As soon as he learned they were missing, he'd immediately helped with the search.

"Want to join me?" I gently shook the bottle.

"Will I die?"

"...Raava shouldn't allow it," I replied uncertainly. After all, this alcoholic drink was made from Dria's plants—plants infused with the energy of an ancient spirit! Ordinary drinks had become plain water to me. My body, even with blocked life energy flows and closed chakras, easily handles any poison. And Dria's concoctions simply relax—I'm destined to be a teetotaler for life. "I'll dilute it with water," I thought. Wan Shi Tong and the other spirits would lynch me if I accidentally killed the Avatar...

Aang has grown tremendously, and I'm not just talking about his height. Now, I can have interesting conversations with him—after all, he views the world through the lens of his Temple upbringing. It's fascinating and quite useful to hear his perspective.

"I need advice!" Suddenly, he slammed his palm on the table. Oh, this table can't take any more. It was funny—just a minute ago, his gaze was clear, and his movements weren't sluggish, but within a few dozen seconds, his body gave in.

Aang then began sharing his troubles with me.

"Wow, Aang, you sly dog!" Pushkin's playful exclamation slipped out without my help. And it was said with admiration! My words turned out to be prophetic—Aang had taken a liking to two girls! And not just any girls, but his own students—Jin and Senna. And judging by everything, they weren't opposed to Aang's company either. I'd been wondering why they were ahead of the training program. "Go for both!" I then proceeded, to the best of my understanding, to enlighten the Avatar on the intricacies of relationships with multiple young ladies. He probably won't remember anything now, but my knowledge will definitely sink into his subconscious!