Part 30

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***

The consequences of the act awaited Guan Yu the next day. From his classmates and Sun Ce, to the teachers and Principal Fang, everyone had their say on his prank. It didn't seem like it was a big deal, but on the other hand, the whole school was left with a stigma. Some were jealous and some were worried that everyone would be punished. But according to Huang Gai, the Viceroy just let the situation go. Prince Airo and his entourage loved the enthusiastic boy who, in his Fire Nation uniform, greeted them from the roof of the building, standing at attention. Some people seriously thought that this was planned. Even Mr Tao Qian visited their school and spoke positively in front of the entire formation, praising not only the teachers for their hard work, but also the students. The one who spoke out the most aggressively was Sun Ce. Worried about the orphan's future, he said many 'flattering' things about the child when they met in person. With his head down, Yu listened to the reproaches, but his heart was warm. The realisation that he wasn't being scolded for losing the mythical reputation of the school or the Viceroy, but because the Lipin heir was worried.

The two days off in honour of the dragon slayer were filled with joy and merriment. Even the nervous teachers let go of their worries and succumbed to everyone's mood.

After being in the city for less than a week, Prince Airo recruited volunteers for his army. Along with his increased column, he travelled back north to complete the campaign. They left the city early in the morning, so few early birds saw them off in the streets of Lipin.

After the prince's departure, life returned to normal. Endless training consumed all the disciples, especially Guan Yu. With no reason to go out into the city, he devoted every day to his development, finally learning to relax and have fun like other children.

His classmates only shook their heads in astonishment, unable to understand where the child got so much persistence and zeal from. Only Teacher Gai and Sun Ce encouraged the boy, blessing his endeavours.

-You must understand one simple thing. When you finish your studies, each of these petty feudal lords will have bodyguards assigned to them. Especially Mr Tse. They will be surrounded by men who will give their lives to protect them. Everyone but you!

Listening to his mentor's speech, Yu continued to perform the exercise while hanging upside down on the bar.

-Maybe I'll be sent to a regular unit. There will be other soldiers there...

-You're not very smart, are you? You'll give anyone a head start in war-related studies, but simple things are not for you...

-What do you mean, Master Gai?

After being hit in the ribs with a bamboo stick, the child humbly continued to study, cursing himself for his long tongue.

-I mean this whole class is elite. Haven't you ever wondered why you were all gathered here? You can talk.

-Well, these are the best. Aristocrats too, and I'm here at the Headmaster's request.

-Yeah, and the other aristo classes didn't make you wonder? Why are there so many different age groups of kids here?

-Honestly, no, - expecting to get a new blow, the boy tried to group himself, - my business is small, sit and practise.

-Balda,' Huang Gai gave a symbolic punch and stood in front of the child's face, 'Mr Qie is of legal age. He's already a year old and should be leading people, yet he's still here for some reason. Any thoughts?

-Nope.

The slap of the stick was particularly loud. Shivering in pain, the cadet bent in half, rubbing his side with his hand.

-Idiot, that's because his entourage is still studying here. It is your class that will become his inner circle. Lord Sun Jian had worked hard to ensure that his heir was surrounded by the best of his generation.

During the exercise, the meaning of the teacher's words began to dawn on Yu. He had never racked his brain with such questions before.

-That means I'll be able to get into Mr Qie's entourage. That's great!

-Yes,' he hissed again, 'as I did in my time. Too bad you're not a mage. It would have been so much easier.

Unconsciously, the boy twitched at his teacher's last words, which did not go unnoticed by the old warrior. Squinting his eyes, he watched carefully as the cadet became more active in his exercises.

-Have you ever been tested? Maybe you have subduing abilities?

A new twitch convinced the old man of his doubts. The child behaved very strangely when magic was mentioned to him.

-No, Master Gaius. My father was a firebender, he tested me as a child, so I'm ordinary.

-Hmm,' the man walked around the orphan in a circle and scratched his grey beard, something about the child's words seemed wrong to him, 'Too bad, too bad. Though, maybe you have a talent for other magic. Who was your-

Before he could finish, Juan Gai lunged forward, catching the foolish boy by the leg. Hanging on his outstretched arm, the child looked at his mentor with dazed eyes. Ridiculous attempts to keep a nonchalant face nipped it in the bud.

-So that was it...

Turning the child over, he quickly looked around to make sure there were no prying ears. Kneeling down in front of Yui, Gai grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him violently.

-Why the hell didn't you say anything, you little retard? You're an earth mage! If I had known that from the beginning, this would have been a lot easier!

-Я... Я... Я...

-I, me! -Do you know any other words? Little brat, how much effort and nerve was wasted to get Mr Jian to accept this position. If I'd known about your talent from the beginning, you would have trained with me in person at the manor long ago!

-Why?

-Because the Viceroy is looking for loyal Earthbenders who are willing to fight for our country. Do you know how many Earthlings have joined the Fire Nation and are fighting in the war? Oh, do you know!?

Continuing to shake the child by the shoulders, Gaius threatened to rip the boy's head off. During his speech, without noticing it, he raised him to chest level, standing up to his full height. From the outside it looked as if he was just torturing the little cadet.

-Не-не-не-не-не-зна-а-а-а-а-а-ю.

-Three, my arse. Just three! And yet you hide your power, preventing your gift from being used for the good of the Fire Nation!

Deep down, the grey-haired bodyguard understood why the orphan was hiding earth magic. The persecution of earthbenders at the beginning of the war had severely damaged the reputation of the entire Fire Nation. In fact, the southern colonies still set up prisons for earth conquerors and rounded up everyone in sight. What else would a child do that was left alone in a city full of fire mages.

Lowering the boy to the ground, Gaius looked into the cadet's frowning eyes. Frowning his eyebrows and shaking with fear for his fate, Yuu awaited his fate.

-Stop shaking. I will inform the Viceroy and he will find you a teacher to conquer the elements. You will live in the manor for the entire training period and it's out of the question. I'll meet you at the exit with all your belongings by tonight.

Leaving Yui to swoon at the news he had received, the swearing teacher left. Stomping loudly and cursing his shortsightedness, Gai walked directly to the headmaster to break the news. Staring at the teacher's back, the boy didn't know how to react to all of this. He didn't want to be trained in earth magic, and he didn't want to stand out much either. It wasn't enough for him to be enrolled in an elite class, now he would be taught in the house of the ruler of the city. It was so easy to alienate everyone he knew. Clutching his head, Yu cursed his reaction to Huang Gai's words. Squatting down, he threatened to tear his hair out, so hard his hands clawed into his hair.

Standing at the gate of the school, Yu caught a lot of stares. Apart from the students and teachers, even the school staff stared at the boy leaning against the wall in bewilderment. When a couple of guards were about to approach the child, Teacher Gai appeared.

Grinning menacingly, the stern-looking man chased away the slack-jawed guards with a single glance. Picking up Yuu's duffel bag, he threw it into the boy's hands.

-What are you looking at? Let's go.

In complete silence, they walked through the streets of the city, followed by a multitude of stares. Whispers from the townspeople could be heard on all sides, and a few children laughed merrily, pointing their fingers at him. The whole atmosphere depressed the sad child even more. After passing over the service bridge, the couple found themselves on the Viceroy's Island. Even there, the servants and guards turned their heads in surprise and incomprehension, hoping that someone knew what was going on.

No one was waiting for them outside the inner gate, so Juan Gai escorted him to the room where the boy had slept last time and ordered him to rest.

Falling down on the bed in his clothes, Yuu pondered the whole situation that had happened to him. Teacher Gai had reassured him that everything would be alright, but the boy could hardly believe those words. Ever since he was a child, his family had convinced him that conquering the land was a gift that others shouldn't know about. Even his father, a captain by rank, had always reverently asked the boy not to show off his abilities in any way.

-Earth magic-.

Examining his open palm, Yuu twisted it in different directions. Memories of the wild excitement when he first used magic flashed through his mind. His foolish training with pebbles and anger that he could never become a great mage.

In truth, all those moments paled in the face of the true manifestation of the power of the elemental. The shattered body of Uncle Tay, the kind neighbour who often drank with his grandfather. The incessant noise of falling boulders. The screams of dying neighbours in Shu village. The rumbling of the rocks and the squelching sound echoed in his ears.

'Come on, my good man, we have to go. Everything will be...'

His mum holding his sister disappeared behind two slabs. Warm blood trickling into his mouth and running down his face. The soft brush he still holds in his hands.

With a shriek, Guan Yu jumped up from the bed. Grasping his chest, he looked around. The bright room in warm colours was lit up by the first rays of sunlight. The light showed the rare dust specks that swirled around the room.

Running his hands over his face, he felt that his eyes were swollen and his cheeks were wet with tears. Quickly washing his face and tidying himself up, the child went outside, hoping to distract himself with exercise.

'That's right Uncle Ping says, they always help shake the excess out of your head.'

Covering his eyes from the bright rays, the boy set off down the familiar path towards the dusty training ground. Walking along the countless trees and plants, he enjoyed breathing in the fresh forest air that permeated everywhere. Stopping not far from the entrance of the sand arena, Yu pressed his forehead against a powerful trunk. Not knowing the names of these majestic plants, he simply enjoyed the sensation that chased away bad memories and headaches.