Chapter 5.05- And so the Dragons Danced

What does it mean to be strong? Truly strong? That was the question Grandfather had asked me before I left the home for my first semester, and as I prepared myself to return back to the manor, I bothered myself with thinking through it. Was I any stronger than I was six months ago when I’d gotten in here? Well, my body was much stronger, at least. If Hiroshi had any talent, it was in strengthening bodies. I hadn’t even gone above and beyond, just sticking to the regimen he made all of us go through ,and my body had seen steady but consistent change over time.

The first day I was here, I considered jogging around the academy to be a form of cruel and unusual punishment, but now? I was making good time near the top of the class as we made our way across on our third and final lap. Of course, it would look like I was the one in front, but that was nothing but a lie. Yes, I’d gotten so much better, but Toji had started out so far beyond me that with daily workouts, he’d turned into some sort of monster out of a story. Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. His development was nothing beyond possible parameters in this universe.

The problem? Possible didn’t always mean probable. What did that mean? Fourth and fifth years, who were years older than us, often found themselves shamed by Toji’s athletic prowess. It had gotten him, and me by extension a few months ago when the bastard had snuck into one of their own classes and amused himself by proving better than most of them. Toji himself had managed to turn himself into some sort of legend in just a few months of being here. Turns out, he was going to hit the record for most detentions achieved by any student in just his first year at the school.

It was funny to some, and infuriating to others. He was a walking reminder of the inequality in our society. Anyone with a different last name would have found themselves expelled so quickly, they wouldn’t even have had the time to heat up their tea. The whispers among the upperclassmen  had become more and more negative as the days went by and it became clear that Toji Zenin would suffer no consequences more serious than detention for all his antics. Of course, I was not spared the judging eyes. Simply from the fact that Toji refused to leave me be, and I was from the family I was meant that we were lumped together more often than not. Never mind that beyond us, our families had little in the way of dealings, and I’d been a model student since that very first night. Even Shin hadn’t managed to get me to do anything monumentally stupid with all his snide comments and looks.

One day, I would not be able to calm the fire in my blood. One day, sooner or later, I would fight him. Only when I could win, however. The thought of defeat held me back. If I ever fought Shin it would be in Agni Kai, and whatever thoughts I had about my name sparing me from consequences, challenging a teacher to an Agni Kai and then losing would not end well for me. Even if I wasn’t expelled (unlikely), I’d still suffer serious injuries. Shin might even go ahead and kill me as was well within the rights of those who participated in Agni’s glorious combat.

Because of that, I trained. Day and night. My body got stronger, and my firebending followed. More lung capacity from breathing exercises and increased physical fitness meant my breaths could go even deeper, and I could stoke my flames even more. I’d kept up with every single kata I’d ever learned, keeping a weekly schedule that saw me practicing each one at least twice. My body would keep growing over time, and if I didn’t ensure I was familiar with every inch of it doing every possible movement that I’d ever need to, I might find myself caught lacking when the moment of truth came. I wasn’t just studying for grades and classes. I’d be right on the front lines in Eight years as a commissioned officer. It was my duty. I would not fail. Never.

A/N; This isn’t edited, by the way. I should be able to write some more of this later today but I’ve got a flight to catch so see you guys later. Just uploading this in case I do end up dying on the plane (Yes, I’m scared of flying. I just am. Something about not being able to see what the pilots are doing tickles me all sorts of wrong ways.)