Avatar: The Red Dragon

Chapter 6: The Headmaster

A little summary of what happened in the last chapter:

Nanami finally had her first firebending lesson, but it didn't go as well as she had hoped it would. Her special firebending was now stronger and the flames she had created couldn't be put out by water, making her teacher, Toh, end the lesson prematurely.

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The next day, when Nanami entered her classroom, all eyes were on her. The rumors of yesterday's incident had already spread like wildfire. Mocking laughter arose throughout the class, some students pointing at her and sneering. Ignoring them, she quietly returned to her place.

"People are so stupid, right? That's why I don't like to associate myself with others," Hiroki commented, without taking his eyes off his book.

She sat down and chatted with Miya and Saki until Toh walked in.

Today's lesson was about the United Republic of Nations. Toh taught them how Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang had united all former Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom to create a new republic where benders and non-benders could live together in peace.

He also talked about the United Republic's Military, The United Forces, which included troops who came from three of the four major nations — Air Nomads being pacifists, weren't a part of any army. Waterbenders, earthbenders and firebenders, as well as non-benders, made up the troops who protected the new republic.

This time, Nanami made sure to pay attention to the lesson. However, at the end of morning, when all students were heading out to eat, Toh called her. He told her to wait in the main building's hall after lunch, near the stairs which led to upper floors. The Headmaster wanted to see her.

"What did I do now? I've followed the whole lesson today!" Nanami complained to her friends as they were walking towards the Common Hall to have lunch.

She didn't understand why she had been summoned by the Headmaster.

"I hope I won't get expelled! Toh said that meeting with the Headmaster meant expulsion." She recalled Toh's words on the first day.

"Do you think it's about what happened yesterday?" Saki asked her.

"Well, probably. Toh must have told him. Ah... I'm so nervous now!" Nanami sighed.

After lunch, they sat down on one of the benches near the stairs in the hallway and talked about trivial things so as not to put more pressure on Nanami, who was already anxious enough.

Toh suddenly appeared before them, ending their conversation. "Follow me," he told Nanami, and headed upstairs. The other three watched their friend, wishing her luck with their eyes. They walked off in silence towards the main courtyard.

Nanami went up with Toh. The Headmaster's office was on the last floor and it was the only room on the whole floor. Arriving at the end of the last staircase, Nanami looked around. There was a rest area with two sofas, one in front the other, and a low table in the middle of them. A little further was a single door that led to the Headmaster's office.

She was feeling more and more nervous, her hands sweating from the stress, and she gulped when Toh knocked at the door while announcing their arrival. A voice answered and he opened the door, gesturing for Nanami to enter first. The young girl did as she was told and walked in.