"Hmph!"
"Ha!"
On the training platform, Kahn moved fluidly through a Firebending form—each motion sharp, deliberate, and balanced. Flames sparked from his hands and feet as he twisted and struck, heat rippling around him in rhythmic bursts.
Firebending, as the name implied, was the art of manipulating fire—but it was more than that. The movements themselves formed a complete martial discipline. Each stance, each strike, built strength, focus, and control.
Whether in a bending duel or hand-to-hand combat, Firebending was a Firebender's foundation.
Whoever designed this was a genius, Kahn thought. One system to train both body and spirit—efficient and elegant.
After finishing his lessons for the day, he was now reviewing the techniques his instructor had demonstrated.
The flames danced in harmony with his movements—sometimes roaring forward in bursts, sometimes flickering softly before vanishing. To an outsider, it looked impressive, even beautiful.
But the truth was, Kahn knew his skill was only average.
After days of hard work, he had just managed to return to the original body's Firebending level stored in his memories—and that level had only been upper-middle among students.
"It's still really difficult, huh…"
He exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Besides the Firebending forms he already knew, Kahn had been trying to self-study some advanced techniques from a scroll he'd found at home—one of the few real treasures he'd discovered after waking up in this world.
But Firebending wasn't something you could brute-force your way through. It wasn't about simply copying the movements.
Each strike had to carry spiritual energy, guided through the body in precise flows. Timing, force, and breath—all had to align perfectly.
If your energy flow was off by even a little, no amount of practice would make it right.
Without a teacher's corrections, it was hard to notice mistakes on your own.
Still, the fact that he had managed to recover the original body's skill level and learn beyond it on his own meant one thing—Kahn was, objectively, a prodigy.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Kahn! Are you home?"
The cheerful voice outside was unmistakably Zuko's.
Kahn dusted off his training clothes and walked to the door. "Coming!"
Since their first meeting, Iroh had often brought Zuko over to visit.
Kahn had taken quite a liking to the boy—polite, curious, and surprisingly earnest. He treated Zuko like a younger brother.
For Zuko, these past few days had been the happiest in a long time. Kahn was his first real friend—a calm, patient one at that.
Unlike Azula, who was always chaotic and terrifying, Kahn made him feel relaxed. His mother even approved, saying she was relieved to see Zuko spending time with someone so well-behaved.
Normally, Zuko wasn't allowed to leave the palace. But with his father busy and Uncle Iroh supervising, he'd managed to slip out to play. And every time, he went straight to find Kahn.
When Kahn opened the door, he found Iroh and Zuko waiting outside.
"Uncle Iroh, Zuko," Kahn greeted.
"Kahn!" Zuko grinned brightly.
"Practicing Firebending again? Diligent as always," Iroh chuckled. The faint smell of singed fabric in the air gave Kahn away immediately.
"It's just homework from my teacher," Kahn said modestly. "Please, come in. Uncle Iroh, I bought some new tea leaves—you're welcome to brew a pot. My brewing's still awful, though. There are some snacks too… I'll go clean up first."
The last time Iroh had visited, he'd been horrified by Kahn's "barbaric" brewing technique and spent half an hour lecturing him about water temperature, leaf oxidation, and spiritual balance.
Kahn hadn't forgotten.
But Iroh waved him off. "No need for that, my boy. I actually have to return to the palace soon."
Kahn blinked. "Then why did you bring Zuko over?"
Without Iroh around, Zuko usually wasn't allowed outside.
Iroh stroked his beard and smiled mysteriously. "Well, that's because—"
"I want you to come to my house to play!" Zuko blurted out before Iroh could finish. "My mother wants to meet you too!"
Iroh's "mystery" instantly died under Zuko's enthusiasm.
Kahn stared at the boy's expectant eyes and sighed internally. How am I supposed to say no to that?
"…Alright," he said. "But… are you sure it's okay for me to go into the palace?"
"Of course! Don't worry," Zuko said proudly. "I'll bring you in myself. Just don't wander off."
Iroh nodded in agreement. "Once you've cleaned up, we'll leave together. Oh, and while you do that, I might… sample your new tea."
Kahn shot him a look. He talks about tea like it's contraband.
"Alright, Uncle. Help yourself."
A short while later, Kahn had changed into clean clothes, and Iroh had finished his "sampling." Together, the three made their way toward the Fire Nation's Imperial Palace.
Despite his calm expression, Kahn's stomach twisted with unease. The palace wasn't just a home—it was a nest of power and politics.
He might've been a transmigrator, but right now he was still a kid. If something went wrong, there'd be no way to talk his way out of it.
He glanced at Zuko. "Hey, are there any palace rules I should know about? Things I shouldn't say or do?"
Zuko frowned in thought. "Hmm… a lot."
No kidding.
Kahn groaned inwardly while Iroh, walking behind them, laughed heartily.
"Don't worry," Iroh said. "You're just visiting as Zuko's friend. Act naturally and you'll be fine."
"Really?" Kahn muttered skeptically.
Something about Iroh's carefree tone made him doubt the man's sense of caution. This guy runs an empire and still spends most of his time drinking tea. The Fire Nation's future is in the hands of a tea addict.
Still, they arrived at the palace without issue.
Once inside, Iroh was called away by a servant to attend to business. "I'll come get you later, Kahn," he said with a warm smile.
So Kahn followed Zuko deeper into the estate.
"By the way," Kahn asked casually, "is your father home?"
Zuko shook his head. "No, he's busy. Father and Uncle Iroh both have meetings today."
That explained a lot. From what Kahn had gathered, Ozai was strict—borderline terrifying—and probably wouldn't have approved of Zuko inviting a friend over.
Still, Zuko added quietly, "Mother really wanted to meet you. She likes you a lot."
That eased Kahn's nerves a little.
After a long walk through endless red walls and golden pillars, they finally reached a smaller palace courtyard.
Zuko pointed ahead. "We're here."
But before they could enter, a teasing voice called out from above.
"Well, well… is this your precious little friend, Zuzu?"
Both boys looked up.
Perched on the wall, legs swinging lazily, was a girl with sharp golden eyes and a smirk that could slice through steel.
Zuko stiffened immediately, his tone wary and annoyed.
"Azula!"