10.Master
- I see it! I see who the water masters have chosen! – one of the big-eyed people on the podium shouted, pointing to one side of the beginning of the arena.
- It's Gozu! I've heard that his conquering is really strong... Even a master needs to be serious when fighting with him, – a tanned man with rough features said thoughtfully.
- Yes, it seems that the masters decided not to spare the son of the Leader, although he was the one who started this mess... but no matter how he loses the incentive to move forward after his defeat, – an already gray-haired old man with the aura of a wise man gave his comments.
While people were discussing one of the opponents, Gozu himself walked with a relaxed gait to the center of the arena and assumed, in his opinion, a heroic pose. Unwittingly creating the impression that he is being opposed not by a twelve-year-old boy, who is one and a half times younger than him, but by a whole fleet of the Army of Fire with the Dragon of the West Iroh himself at the head. Some people have noticed that someone really quickly fell in love with being the center of attention.
Most of the people sitting here did not strongly believe in the victory of the Leader's son, although he looked at his full twelve to fourteen years old, because of his somewhat "doll-like" appearance, made everyone want to hug and protect him. People's memories are short, so it's not strange that they started to forget what a big fuss he made at his birth. What a miracle he created for the birth of his younger sister... and what rumors there are among those who have seen his almost masterful conquest of water. It's hard to believe just rumors if you haven't seen it with your own eyes...
A couple of minutes later, a handsome white-haired teenager appeared on the other half of the arena. The stands fell silent. Most of the townspeople began to stretch their necks, trying to get a better look at Yuki – yet the majority of the people saw the Chief's son for the first time.
- Uh, did the Chief have two daughters?! Why do I see a little girl? – how the silence was broken by a loud exclamation from a particularly loud kid.
Hearing such a "flattering" comment, our main character's eye twitched or... maybe we just imagined it.
As soon as the first whispers sounded, a hubbub began in the stands, which is why it was impossible to hear something separate and coherent.
At the same time, Yuki approached his opponent in the arena with a bored expression on his face.
The elder who should monitor the course of the battle, seeing the readiness of the participants, himself entered the arena.
- Dear tribesmen, please pay attention for a moment! – his deep voice rang out over the entire arena. And as soon as he finished his sentence, the people began to calm down a little. - Ahem, thanks for the silence. On this momentous day, two outstanding water magicians will fight in this arena, who will defend their interests, – he finished his speech very smoothly.
- The rules are simple! Only water magic is allowed! The winner will be the one who remains conscious! Critical damage to one of the participants, which inevitably threatens death, is an automatic loss! Yuki and Gozu can give up at any moment! The participants should respect their opponent and show us all your skills, – the judge said, coming closer to the center of the arena.
- Do you understand the rules? – the judge asked the water magicians, but seeing their synchronized head nods, he continued. - Then as soon as the sphere of water I launched explodes in the sky, you can start!
While the judge was walking away, Gozu decided to chat a little, or show off…
- Hey, kid, I apologize in advance for my victory – the masters said to finish with you as soon as possible. You must have pissed them off a lot, – Gozu said with a small grin on his face. – Don't worry, I won't hit you too hard. Maybe you'll give up after all? Water magic is not a toy for you, you know...
Yuki, on the other hand, crossed his arms over his chest, raised an eyebrow and gave him a contemptuous look, which infuriated Goza.
– Heh, so you don't want to be a good boy. Okay, but don't cry later, – he said, already gloating.
As soon as the sphere of water exploded in the sky, time raced. Gozu had just started moving to accept one of the racks for better manipulation of the water, when... two ice needles whistled dangerously close to his face. One of them went very close to his temple, leaving a small bleeding line there, while the second flew along the edge of his neck.
It took Gozu a couple of seconds to realize that he was on the verge of death... If the needles had been even a little closer, he would have bled out. His whole back was sweating in an instant, and his legs stopped obeying. Plopping down on the ground, he continued to sit with a stupid expression on his face and touch the places where the ice needles had whistled recently.
The spectators in the stands did not really have time to realize what exactly happened. All they saw was Gozu falling onto the icy floor of the arena almost immediately after the start of the match. The bewilderment of the crowd can be understood – the needles flew at a rather high speed, only experienced warriors and magicians had enough reaction to see a flash of light that occurred on the battlefield.
The judge, who was closest, was able to see Yuki's attack, and now he looked with mute shock at the one who carried out such a filigree attack, only deliberately changing the trajectory of the flying needles.
The water masters who sat closest to the stands had cloudy faces, but some of them even began to sincerely rejoice at such a talented student, who would undoubtedly study with them.
After the judge quickly recounted the sequence of events, the people in the stands also began to look at the son of the Leader with shock and even with some degree of fear. It's one thing for water magicians to show energy-consuming and spectacular techniques in battle, but it's another thing to use such inconspicuous attacks aimed precisely at a person's weak points.
Only the leader's family looked at their son with pride and firm faith in their eyes, as if healready knew the result of the fight in advance.
Soon, people arrived and helped Gozu get up and leave the arena. Being still in a state of prostration, he followed them meekly. Yuki had an unconditional victory and everyone understood it perfectly.
However, he was in no hurry to leave the arena, but still stood with his arms crossed over his chest. People don't know when the created senbon made of ice lazily rolled between his snow-white teeth. People, not understanding what was happening, were also in no hurry to leave.
- Come on, brother! Now beat these old masters! – a young voice came from the front rows.
Some people already wanted to reproach the child for expressing such disrespect for the highly respected masters of water, but when they saw her on the lap of Chief Jun's wife, they immediately pretended that nothing serious had happened. Just because she was the daughter of a chieftain was a good reason to turn a blind eye to her sharp words. Such a young age also played on her side, besides, it is not necessary to offend the daughter of a water magician from the Huts of Healing, who treat all the victims... In short, look for other fools.
- Two years ago, I promised that I would fight and win against the master of water! – a clear and melodious voice rang out from the center of the arena. Yuki, who had been standing motionless before, made a shallow bow towards the masters, saying:
- I ask you to fight with the water master Izamu!
After his words, the people present simply exploded with a wave of new screams and conversations.
– Don't be so arrogant, boy! We all recognize your great talent here, and the bet that was made between us has already been won by you. Don't try to jump over your head! – Izamu, the water master, who was not the least powerful, but also did not stand out among the other masters, said almost calmly.
– I'm not going to take back my words, let our magic speak for us, – Yuki said, still impassively.
– I think I should still teach you a lesson, – he began to say, climbing into the arena, – and show you why we get our title of master.
The judge, imperceptibly shifting his gaze to the Leader, silently asking: "Is everything all right?" After seeing Arnuk's barely noticeable nod of his head, he had to become a judge again.
Seeing no point in empty dialogues, both magicians stood ready to fight. The judge wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and launched a ball of water into the air. After that, he began to quickly leave the epicenter of the unfolding events, afraid of being hurt by their techniques.
As soon as the water exploded over the mages' heads, Master Izamu began to surround himself with a huge whirlpool of water, which served as a good circular defense against all attacks. This was done very timely, because as soon as the entire body of the master was under the protection of the mobile element, two water needles and one ice needle immediately hit it, which, having failed to penetrate the protection, got stuck in it.
Seeing no more reason to fight defensively, the master lifted himself with the help of water to the very top of the whirlpool and, already being on it, and began to send strongly compressed clumps of water into the son of the Leader with the movements of his feet.
Yuki, apparently not wanting to waste his energy reserve once again, created ice skates on his feet. He began to maneuver around the entire arena, dodging the attacks of Master Izamu, in parallel, he imperceptibly imbued his energy with the icy surface in the arena. Continuing to dodge an increasing number of dangerous projectiles, which the master began to send with all four limbs, Yuki finally finished saturating the ice. In the next second, he abruptly turned the floor of the arena into a state of steam, which covered the entire arena for several seconds stretching like a clock.
The master, who did not expect such a sharp step, did not fail, falling back into the center of the whirlpool. When the steam that blocked the visibility of the arena finally dissipated, a shocking picture was revealed to everyone of how more than a hundred different ice weapons were hovering in the air with a point at Izama.
The face of the water master took on a grayish hue, if the attack had not been so large–scale, he could still have fought, but if all the weapons hanging in the air rushed at him in a single rush, no defense would stand.
Izamu remembered those needles that were sent to him at the very beginning – he couldn't help but be amazed at how much energy such small attacks took away. One thing is clear, the Yuki element seems to have a higher density even compared to him. Roughly speaking, each needle of Yuki harbored the same power as a full-fledged attack from his side, which he had to spend time and a lot of energy on.
Seeing no point in resisting anymore, Izamu dispelled his control over the water.
– I give up, – his voice rang out over the arena. Looking at Yuki with a complicated look, he still solemnly said, – Our water tribe can be proud that we have such a strong conqueror of water. I think your name will eventually be known by all nations... As one of the masters, I give my recommendation to award you the title of master, – he finished his speech to the stormy applause of the people, who rejoiced at the appearance of a new and so young master of water at five minutes to five.
Arnuk and June looked at their son with a somewhat contradictory expression, knowing that the water tribe was too small for him, and over time, the ice walls would only limit his potential. However, even knowing this, they hoped that the moment of parting would come as late as possible.
Yui, who had been fidgeting all through the battle, couldn't stand it anymore and ran to her beloved brother. However, before that she managed to show her tongue to the masters who were sitting next to her. Arnuk could only send an apologetic smile towards the old masters at his daughter's behavior.
Yuki, picking up his joyful sister in his arms, went towards the places with the masters.
- There is no place for hostility and resentment in one tribe, let today's duel be an act of starting something new. I will always be glad to share my experience with you, – Yuki calmly told the masters.
- The kid is good, two years ago he was glad to learn, now it's just an exchange of experience... In a couple of years, you'll be teaching us yourself, right? – said one of the most ancient and respected old men with a laugh. – Okay, you have the right – we will also be glad to join our ranks, - all the masters agreed with this statement. They also, having lived for so many years, have learned to accept their wrongness and make compromises.
On such a joyful note, the confrontation between the twelve-year-old son of the Leader and a group of masters ended. This event was heard for another month, reaching even the most distant tribes of the North Pole.
The people who lived by inertia with this event seemed to start dumping stagnant snow. The members of the Northern Water Tribe saw in the strong Yuki a future Leader who would confidently lead their people to prosperity. The old people still remember the times before the war, when the capital was filled with life... when there was not enough space for ships to arrive in ports all the time, and any product from every corner of the world could be found on the shelves of shops.
Thus began the formation of the Legend of the Conqueror of the elements.