Chapter 8

A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year. During these solstices, the spirit world and the physical world are significantly closer to each other compared to the rest of the year. Therefore, during one of the solstices, it is somewhat easier for one to cross into the spirit world or vice versa.

This happens when the tilt of the planet's axis was most oriented toward or away from the sun, causing the star to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme in the sky during the day. The sun is also at the closest angular distance to the equator.

The winter solstice and the summer solstice are the only times when the spirit world and the natural world come close together enough to interact freely with each other for extended periods of time. During the solstices, spirits can exert incredible power in the natural world.

Well, that's what the history and the lessons that was passed down in schools or academies and the teachings from parents and elders from the passage of time.

"So you got an eye ability after you touch a spirit. I'm envious, I want to touch one too" Ty Lee spoke this time after listening to Ling's story.

"So what can you do with your eye?" This time Azula interjected who already calmed a little, a while ago.

"Well, I can see things clearly and it helped me when I'm fighting" Ling answered with a smile. Though he can reveal the sharingan but that's it, he won't just divulge all of it's ability when he can't trust that person with his life. Well, even if someone will discover it in a few years or decades, what they can do about it? Steal it? They're kidding.

"Hey Ling, I can call you that right? How did you do those moves" Ty Lee said who was already so close infront of Ling's face.

" ..... "

" ..... "

"You're too close" Mai pulled Ty Lee who was in front of Ling.

"Well, then if that's the case let's have spar" a voice not too loud or soft spoke this time. It was Azula who assumed a battle stance. Raising her arms and widen his legs. She exudes an aura that signifies that someone was ready to battle.

Ling looked her in the eyes while his sharingan was still activated. Noticing her stance and muscles, he can guess that Azula was not trained by her father yet, only the instructors that the royal palace hired trained her. After showing her genius traits in firebending from what he remembered in the series. Ozai began to put all of his attention in raising her to be the best tool he can have, for the good of the Fire Nation. He began training her after he successfully being crowned as the new Fire Lord which will happen yet for the next three years if by chance General Iroh's son Lu Ten will die in the siege of Ba Sing Se.

"No, I'm tired. Let's just do it another time" Ling said with a soft smile while turning off his sharingan and his eyes returned to normal.

" ..... "

" ..... "

" ..... "

"Y-you"

Azula was stunned yet again, this is the first time where her orders were not being followed by someone. Well, it's to be expected, she is a princess and all of her demands were easily fulfilled by anyone. 'I'm so angry right now. If that's the case I will force you' Thinking that this boy was a non bender she let out a smirk. Though she forget the speed he demonstrated recently.

"Hey how come you thr--" Ling wanted to ask them why they were here in the first place, since the academy dismissal is still in the late afternoon but ...

SWOOSH

A stream of fire came suddenly from his direction. Mai and Ty Lee was shocked at this event. They never imagined that Azula will firebend this time.

"Watch out!!" They both shouted.

"Well" Ling was very calmed. Although he can see the fire going on his direction, he didn't panicked. He estimated that right now Azula was a low tier bender due to the size of the fire, the heat and the speed it came to him. 'Having a mid genin capabilities in this age, she is really a prodigy'

While then two girls were worried for his safety, the one that conjured the fire released another volley of it to his direction. After taking back her right arm Azula then followed up by punching in her left arm, following with a sweeping kick creating blazing arcs of fire to his direction.

"Princess, you're really a genius"

This time the trio can see that Ling was still standing there while looking at the fire which was coming to him. When Azula heard his comment she was delighted but seeing that he just stood there, she can't understand. She knew that he was a non bender and expecting to dodge her attack but ...

"But, you're still far behind"

Before the flames reached to his body, he suddenly vanished. Azula and the rest was startled, though they can see a lot of soldiers or firebenders training but this is the first time they witnesses this kind of speed.

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Ling arrived in front of Azula and poke her forehead.

"Well, princess it seems I win" Ling said with a smile. Yes, Ling used the D rank technique from his arsenal, the Body Flicker Technique.

The Body Flicker is a high-speed movement technique. By using it, a person can move short to long distances at an almost untraceable speed. To an observer, it appears as if the user has teleported. It is accomplished by using chakra to temporarily vitalise the body and move at extreme speeds.

This was the move he did recently. Before the fire even reach him, he already used his chakra to generate enough amount to dodge it and reach in front of Azula. The amount of chakra required depends on the overall distance and elevation between the user and the intended destination.

Azula was still shocked on what happened, though she already saw his training with throwing weapons but seeing it and being used it to her was still another matter.

"Eek" Azula lightly shrieked in a cute manner and backed away for a few centimeters. Well she was surprised when the boy who was 10 meters away from her suddenly showed up in front of her and poked her forehead. She suddenly stumbled her feet and loses her balance. Knowing that she will fall to the ground she just closed her eyes and waited for the impact.

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But she didn't feel her butt hurting or touching the ground instead she felt someone grabbed her waist softly. Opening her eyes, she saw the face of the one who held her. His eyes has a look of concern and warmth.

"Are you alright"

Then this time she noticed that their body was so close to each other. Though Azula always teases her brother and orders the palace guards and male servants, but this is the first time where she was held by a handsome boy and looked her as a girl with concern. Her cheeks blushed and her ears went red.

"Get off me"