Avatar: The Red Dragon

Chapter 7: The Fight

Nanami came back home with a gloomy face and headed upstairs as soon as she stepped over the threshold. Upon entering her room, she threw her bag on the floor, lay on her stomach, and let out a big sigh.

I can't believe I'm not allowed to practice firebending anymore...

She had tried to look good in front of her friends and her brother, but now that she was alone in her room, she couldn't pretend anymore.

What's wrong with me? Why can't I firebend like everyone else?

A tear rolled down her round cheek and the little girl sniffed quietly, as the tear dampened her bedsheets. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, feeling frustrated and depressed.

I wasn't even good at it... Maybe I should just forget about firebending and only train in martial arts.

"Nanami, come down! We're eating now!" her sister yelled from the bottom of the stairs, interrupting her train of thoughts.

Nanami quickly wiped a hand across her face and went down the steps one by one.

"What's wrong, sweetie? You don't look as cheerful as usual. Are you not hungry? You haven't eaten anything yet," her father commented, seeing his daughter's mournful look.

"I've been made exempt from firebending practice. I'll be training in martial arts instead," Nanami told her family, head down, staring at her still full plate.

"What? Why?" her sister inquired, her chopsticks clattering to the table in her surprise.

"They said that it was to avoid unwanted accidents and that they'll look into the matter."

"That's okay, my little princess. I'm sure you'll be allowed to go back to firebending training soon enough. They can't miss a firebender as talented as you," her grandfather comforted her and, as he was sitting besides her, he patted her head.

"I have no talent Grandpa... I couldn't even do the simplest moves..." she replied, looking up at him with teary eyes.

"Nanami, my little child. You are still young and have a lot to learn. You'll have to be patient to see the results of your training. Don't give up just because you failed once. You must work harder to succeed," Grandfather Nobuo advised.

Nanami nodded, giving him a smile. She was now feeling a little better and started to eat her dinner.

❁

A few days later, during lunch break, Nanami and her friends were sitting at the fountain in the main courtyard. The four first-years were enjoying their break time, leisurely talking about trivial matters.

A band of students from their group popped up out of nowhere, interrupting their discussion.

"Hey, look guys! That's the loser who's been expelled from firebending lessons," a boy, who seemed to be their leader, sneered at Nanami, accompanied by his followers' smirks.

"She was already in the weakest group, and she couldn't even stay in that lame group," a girl mocked her.

"What do you want from me?" Nanami demanded oldly, glaring at them.