"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The clear, ringing sound of the timekeeping bell came from outside the classroom, marking the end of the day's final lesson. All the students stared expectantly at the teacher, waiting for his last instruction.
Looking at the expectant eyes before him, which plainly showed that none of them had any mind left for studying, the teacher tossed his textbook onto the lectern and snorted.
"Class dismissed!"
"Goodbye, sir!"
The students stood and bowed respectfully to their teacher, then immediately poured out of the classroom like ducks freshly released from a cage, rushing toward the wider world.
"Class is over! Class is over!"
"Kahn, um, do you want to come play with us?"
"No, thank you."
"Kahn, I heard about what happened. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
Kahn slowly packed his schoolbag while responding with practiced ease to his classmates' concern. After leaving the classroom under the children's worried gazes, he could not help sighing.
What a hassle.
Word of what had happened to his family had evidently reached the school. Once he had been forced to return, this was how things had turned out.
His classmates' concern was undoubtedly a show of kindness and friendliness, worthy of praise and admiration, but he was no longer the original Kahn. Though he had inherited the memories, he could not muster any deeper feelings.
To his classmates, however, Kahn looked more like he was still mired in that tragedy, unable to pull himself free, so they became even more concerned.
Kahn: ?
With his schoolbag packed, Kahn did not head straight home. Instead, he planned to visit the school library.
It was the largest library outside the palace library and was open to the school's students free of charge. Kahn had spent most of his time there lately; it could be called the only place at school he had anything good to say about.
Several weeks had passed since he had come to this world. What had shocked and frustrated him most during that time was that the Fire Nation actually enforced six years of compulsory education. School was free for children aged six to twelve, and attendance was mandatory.
Though his circumstances were regrettable, at only nine years old, he could not simply drop out. In the end, the school had called him back to continue his lessons.
How miserable!
Still, if he was talking about misery, the very beginning had been worse.
For those first few days, Kahn had been utterly at a loss, scrambling about in confusion. All the household servants had been dismissed, and the inheritance his parents had left him had nearly been "turned over to the state."
To conquer the world, the Fire Nation had launched a world war nearly a hundred years ago, and that war continued to this day. Under these circumstances, every level of administration in the Fire Nation served the war effort.
Both of this body's parents had died, leaving him an orphan. Under Fire Nation law, he was supposed to be placed in government custody, with his property also entrusted to the government for safekeeping. That was why the household maids and guards had all been dismissed.
But plenty of things disappeared after being kept "safe" for a while.
Just like the red envelopes relatives gave you when you were little.
Fortunately, this father he had acquired for free, who had already kicked the bucket, seemed to have done fairly well in the military. He had even known an important figure who had stepped in to protect Kahn.
"Hey, Kahn!"
As he walked along, a voice called out to him. Kahn turned and saw a sturdily built middle-aged man.
The man had long, gray-white hair. He had gone bald at the front, but the rest of his hair was still thick, and its long strands joined his bushy beard. He looked imposing without a trace of anger, with a commanding presence.
What did a bald heartthrob look like? This was it.
The man grinned and waved to Kahn, looking very warm and approachable.
Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrived.
This was the important figure who had protected Kahn: Iroh, the former great general of the Fire Nation and his acquired father's superior. Most importantly-he was also the Fire Nation's current crown prince.
A very substantial leg to cling to.
As for why Iroh was called the former great general of the Fire Nation, it was because he had now been removed from his post.
Iroh had led the Fire Nation's army in a siege of Omashu, the Earth Kingdom's capital, for an entire year without breaking through its defenses.
After that year, Iroh had finally breached Omashu's outer wall, but his only son had died on the battlefield.
Overcome with grief, Iroh had ordered a withdrawal without authorization, marking an unprecedented defeat for the Fire Nation.
Before that, Iroh had conquered every stronghold and won every battle, earning the fearful title "Dragon of the West" from his enemies. This defeat shattered the legend of his military campaigns, shaking the morale of the Fire Nation's army while greatly bolstering the confidence of the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribe. They pressed their advantage and recaptured several stretches of lost territory in succession.
The news had also caused an uproar within the Fire Nation. Forced by circumstances to change its strategy, the nation temporarily shifted from offense to defense to restore military morale.
And so Iroh had lost his position.
Like Iroh's son, Kahn's acquired father had also died in that war.
Kahn had met Iroh only twice. The first time had been shortly after his transmigration, when government officials had arrived to seal up his family's assets and send him to an orphanage. Iroh had stepped in to protect him.
The second time was now.
Kahn walked up to Iroh and greeted him.
"Uncle Iroh."
Kahn was not deliberately trying to get close to him. Iroh had told him to use that form of address.
When they had first met, Iroh's hair had been disheveled and his expression haggard. Combined with his gray-white hair, he had looked just like a scruffy old codger. Out of politeness, Kahn had called him "Grandpa," which seemed to have dealt him quite a blow.
After learning his identity, Kahn had addressed him as "Your Highness," but Iroh had not been very happy with that either, so he had simply told Kahn to call him "Uncle."
"Long time no see. How are you finding life at school?"
Iroh smiled as he made conversation.
Kahn answered, "The library is great."
Nothing else is very interesting.
Iroh smiled, then teased him.
"Why are you walking around all alone? Don't tell me you haven't made any friends at school? Or are they leaving you out?"
No friends? Being left out?
Kahn scoffed.
"I have plenty of friends in class. I just prefer being alone. It's quieter on my own."
He was telling the truth, but Iroh thought Kahn was putting on a brave face. Ignoring Kahn's protests of "You're messing up my hair!" he smiled and ruffled the boy's hair, feeling a little guilty.
Kahn's father, Tate, had followed him onto the battlefield and had been one of his few trusted confidants.
He had always felt guilty about Tate's death. On top of that, Kahn's mother had broken down and taken her own life because Tate had died in battle. Iroh felt he had let them down, which was why he wanted to take good care of Kahn.
He had originally hoped that Kahn would talk more with his teachers and friends after coming to school, and that spending time with friends would help him emerge from the shadows in his heart. But the results seemed somewhat disappointing.
Good thing I came prepared.
"Children should spend more time playing with others their own age. You can grow better by learning from one another. I've brought a friend for you today."
Grinning, Iroh stepped aside. Only then did Kahn notice the little boy who had been hidden behind Iroh's broad frame.
Iroh introduced him.
"Get to know each other. This is my nephew, Zuko. Zuko, say hello."
The boy greeted Kahn shyly and politely.
"Hello, my name is Zuko."
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