Chapter II

Zak lay in bed with closed eyes as he practiced moving the chi throughout his body. It had been a few months since the system appeared and he diligently practiced his chi circulation along side his breathing control. The system had yet to issue any tasks and Zak assumed it was due to his age.

The days in the outer building weren't anything interesting. The only ones here though were Zak and his nanny. For food, a servant would usually deliver it from the main house and Nanny An would prepare it. It was incredibly peaceful.

However, one day, the servant who delivers food brought some startling news with him.

The master was getting remarried.

Hearing this, the maid and Zak were dumbfounded.

'What the hell? I thought this guy was deeply in love with my mother. It's only been a year since she died and he's already getting married?!'

"W-Who is it?" Nanny/Maid An asked with a shaky voice.

"I believe it's the finance minister's oldest daughter. They're looking to merge the families through a marriage alliance."

Unlike nanny An who seemed unable to believe it, Zak wasn't sure what to think. In all sense, he could care less whether or not his father remarried but what comes after is the problem. There's a high chance that if a son is born between the two, Zak will be forced out of the family for good or he might even be killed.

He was desperate to do something but he was still a baby. He could only hope that for once in his life, he'll receive some form of good luck.

Two weeks later, Zak's father got married. Zak and nanny An weren't even invited to the wedding. He could only watch the procession from the outer building but he only looked out of curiosity and lost interest soon after. The face of the bride was covered but Zak guessed she was beautiful.

The day after the wedding, Zak was expecting someone from the main house to come kick them out but no one did. Perhaps his father really forgot all about him.

Well, it was fine that way. He wouldn't get involved in troublesome matters and could grow up peacefully. Nanny An was also expecting some sort of message but slowly relaxed after no one came and the days in the outer building continued as usual.

===========================

(5 years later)

In the deserted courtyard of the outer builder, there stood a small boy no older than 6, holding a stick and swinging it continuously. The young boy was obviously Zak who was practicing his sword technique.

He stopped after the 100th swing and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Afterwards, he opened his stats.

[Host Profile =

Name: Zak (6 years)

Title: First son of the House of Lu

Origin: Fire Nation]

...

[Host Stats =

Strength: 5

Endurance/Stamina: 5

Dexterity: 6

Intelligence: 20]

...

[Host Skills =

• Breath of Water: ( First Form > Water Surface Slash: 1 / 10 )

• Chi channelling: (30 / 100) ]

[Daily mission of 100 swings is complete. Reward of 15 credits is added to your account]

"Hmm. Not bad. I'd say I'm going at a pretty decent pace. System, add 3 credits to strength."

[Strength increases by 3]

"Add 3 credits to Endurance and Dexterity. Place remaining credits in savings."

[Endurance increases by 3]

[Dexterity increases by 3]

"Huuu..." Zak felt the increase in his stats and grinned. Being only 6 years old, he could probably take on a fully-grown adult and nearly win. He sat down on the ground and meditated allowing his senses to calm and circulate his chi.

"Young master?!"

Zak opened his eyes when he heard his name being called. "Coming!"

He cut his meditation short and quickly ran to nanny An.

She smiled when she saw the little master trot towards her with a serious face. She found it amusing how he always liked to act mature but never complained since he barely caused her trouble.

"Come sit Young Master. Lunch is ready,"

"Thank you," Zak was feeling hungry after all that training and hurriedly sat down to gobble up the food. Nanny An's cooking never failed to impress and after the meal, he felt like a little ball.

"It's amazing how such a small boy like you can eat so much." Nanny An commented glancing at the small bloated belly of the child. She couldn't help but notice how much he could eat and still not get that fat. He definitely consumed much more food than other children his age and at one point she was worried.

Seeing as he didn't gain weight though, she assumed him to be just a big eater.

Zak knew his big appetite was the result of his training. His training took a lot of energy out of him so he needed to eat big amounts to make up for it.

"Nanny, has there been any news from father?" Zak asked.

"...No. And I don't believe there will be," Nanny An said in a dark voice.

"Why is that?"

"The madam had another miscarriage apparently."

It had already been five years since Zak's father, Minister Lu, got remarried. However, he and his new wife have been unable to have a baby so Zak was still the only child. The first time the new madam got pregnant, she had a miscarriage at 3 months. The second time, which is now, was only 2 months.

Zak was silent. He knew it was terrible of him but he couldn't help but feel relieved. After all, another child will most likely bring disaster to Zak and he still wasn't at a stage where he could face it.

Nanny An mistook the look on his face for sadness and exclaimed in her heart, 'What a loving child! To still care about those who do not want him, he must have a heart of gold.'

She was very mistaken of course.

Zak had no idea what she was thinking seeing as he was caught up in his own thoughts.

'This was just another close call. No doubt the madam will get pregnant again which means I need to work harder and plan my leave.'

It was going to be difficult and Zak knew that all too well. He still had yet to master even one form of the water breathing technique and he knew time was going by fast.

'By the end of this year, I need to fully master the first and second form. Only then will I have at least a fighting chance unless I get lucky again and the madam doesn't get pregnant.'

Filled with renewed spirit, Zak thanked nanny An again for the food and ran off to complete his training.

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A/N: Lemme know what you think of Zak's attitude towards his stepmom's miscarriage.