12. Talented Fellow

…

“Master Pakku,” Mona said, her tone serious.

Lee paused mid-bite, lowering his chopsticks as his eyes flicked between them.

Pakku turned slowly. “Yes?” One brow arched.

“…I believe Lee has completed his studies,” Mona said. “I’ve taught him everything you asked of me. There’s nothing left.”

A beat of silence followed.

“Everything?” Pakku repeated, studying her as though weighing whether she had gone mad. “He’s not even eight. You’re telling me he’s finished six years of studies in half the time?”

“I know how it sounds,” Mona said, a faint, crooked smile touching her lips. “But that’s exactly what he’s done. You can test him if you wish.”

Pakku turned his gaze to him and narrowed his eyes. “…No, that won’t be needed,” he said.

“Then,” Mona said, her tone hesitant. “What are your further instructions?”

Pakku let out a hum and continued to stare at him. “Since he has exceeded my expectations, he certainly deserves a reward of some kind. Why don’t we just ask him what he wants to do with the extra free time in his hands?” he remarked.

“Tell me, boy. Do you want to study further in a particular subject or increase your waterbending practice hours?”

Lee scratched the back of his head, an embarrassed smile on his face. “Actually… I was wondering if I could train with the warriors instead?”

“Train with the warriors?” Pakku blinked. He looked surprised. “Why? Already bored with waterbending?” he asked in a teasing tone.

Lee shook his head. “Bored with waterbending? Does such a thing even exist?” he scoffed before continuing. “No, it’s not that. Waterbending is a great art, but I’m sure there’ll be moments in the future when I won’t be able to use it. After all, there are places in the world where water is scarcely available.

“…I realised that I need a backup—something to protect myself and others when waterbending isn’t a viable option. A few days ago, I stumbled upon some warriors practising against each other. And, I couldn’t help but think that maybe I should learn the way of warriors as well.”

“I see,” Pakku nodded, looking thoughtful as he rubbed his chin. “Good thinking for someone so young and yet talented at waterbending. Most waterbenders tend to think too highly of themselves to learn martial arts and weapon techniques.

“They don’t realise or aren’t willing to admit that, no matter how great waterbending is, it is still a tool. A tool that can become useless under certain circumstances.”

He exhaled. “Very well,” he said, smiling softly. “If that’s what you wish, I’ve no problem letting you learn the ways of the warriors as long as it doesn’t interfere with your waterbending training. Give me a few days. I’ll introduce you to a good instructor.”

Lee’s eyes lit up in excitement. He quickly bowed his head in gratitude and thanked the old master.

Pakku glanced at Mona next. “You’ve done your job splendidly, girl. He may have a good head on his shoulders, but your efforts can’t be denied just because of that. Not only have you taken good care of him, but you’ve also taught him enough not to bring shame to my name.

“I don’t have any further instructions to give you. Just continue taking care of him until he grows enough to do it himself.”

“As you wish, Master Pakku,” Mona nodded before grinning slightly. “It’ll be my pleasure. At this point, he’s almost like a little brother that I never had.”

Soon, a peaceful silence settled over them as they focused on the dinner laid on the table again.

…

Lee stood a few meters apart from Bato, his face not showing any emotions. Both of them stared at one another, waiting for Pakku’s signal to start the duel.

Hakoda and Uluk stood to the side alongside Pakku.

Academics weren’t the only thing Lee was great at. Once Pakku began teaching him water manipulation, it was like he had grown wings.

His waterbending mastery grew by leaps and bounds with each moon cycle, and the rate of his improvement only increased as he grew older.

His adult mind and sponge-like childhood brain were partially responsible for the speedy growth. The other factor was the dense energy inside him. As he had rightfully guessed, it was greatly compatible with waterbending. It provided him with such talent that even Pakku sometimes gave him envious looks.

His talent was such that in only a few years, he caught up to Bato, who was six years older. It led to Pakku regularly pitting them against each other to sharpen their combat skills.

“Begin,” Pakku uttered calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.

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Lee immediately moved to the side. He might have the greater talent, but Bato wasn’t some nobody either. He hadn’t spent all these years lazing around.

The ice upon which he stood a moment earlier melted away. If he had been even a heartbeat late moving away, he’d have been swimming in ice-cold water right now.

He noticed that Bato didn’t intend to pause his assault to give him breathing room. He stepped forward, arms spinning in a tight, circular pattern, and in response, a tendril of water rose from the nearby hole. It twisted like a snake and lashed toward him.

Bato might have the greater duelling experience due to his age, but he wasn’t going to lose so easily.

By the time the tendril reached him, he was ready. Lee bent his knees and slid back, easily dodging the attack. He had formed a fresh layer of ice beneath his boots, similar to the blades beneath ice skates. He moved seamlessly upon the icy surface of their duelling ground at great speed, fully utilising the manoeuvrability provided to him.

His hands began performing the movements of waterbending kata as he moved in a zigzag pattern, dodging ice spikes fired at him by Bato.

Lee grinned. It was time to retaliate.