The pale light of dawn stretched lazily across the frozen landscape of the Northern Water Tribe, spilling through the cracks of Lian's small igloo. Inside, the boy stirred, groaning softly as every muscle screamed in protest. His small frame felt heavy, but he welcomed the pain—it was the sign of growth, the reward of his relentless training.
As the sun climbed the horizon, a familiar golden shimmer appeared in his mind.
Library of Heaven's Path Analysis:
Body Strength:Marginal improvement; skeletal and muscular density increased.Stamina:Energy reserves stabilizing; recovery time shortened.Waterbending Proficiency:Beginner-level consistency achieved; basic control of small volumes refined.
Lian's eyes narrowed. It's still not enough.
He swung his legs out from under the furs, ignoring the cold bite of the ice floor beneath his feet. Outside, the village was waking, but Lian had been awake long before them in spirit. This day was going to be different—today, he would break his current limits.
The training grounds were a vast expanse of frozen earth and hardened snow. To an ordinary child, it was inhospitable and cruel. To Lian, it was a forge—a place where weakness was burned away and strength emerged.
He began his routine the way he always did—push-ups, squats, and planks, each movement precise, his breathing perfectly timed. The Library hovered in his mind, analyzing flaws as they appeared, like an unrelenting master.
Flaw: Arms shaking under pressure.
Correction: Shift weight evenly; activate shoulder stabilizers.
Flaw: Knees wobbling during squats.
Correction: Adjust alignment; engage core for balance.
Lian corrected himself with every motion, as if his body were a work of art being chiseled to perfection. He counted each repetition in his mind, sweat dripping into the snow as the hours passed.
By mid-morning, his muscles were burning, his arms and legs threatening to give out. But instead of stopping, he stood tall, taking slow, deep breaths.
"Pain is temporary. Weakness is forever."
His voice was barely a whisper, but the determination behind it was unshakable.
For days, Lian had focused on mastering small volumes of water, refining his flow and connection to the element. But waterbending wasn't just about elegance—it was about power, and today he intended to test that.
The Library had given him an idea the previous night:
"A body without endurance cannot channel strength. Build the body, then push the bending to match it."
Lian's small frame stood before a large chunk of ice, one of the training boulders used by warriors to practice combat bending. He raised his hand, palm open, and focused.
"Feel the water," he whispered.
At first, nothing happened. The ice sat stubbornly still, unyielding. Lian grit his teeth, closing his eyes. He stretched his senses deep into the boulder, feeling for the water hidden within the solid block. It was there—frozen, but waiting.
Pull, don't force. Flow, don't command.
He inhaled deeply, raising his other hand. This time, his motions were smoother, his focus sharper. The pulse of the water resonated faintly in his mind.
The surface of the boulder cracked.
Lian's heart pounded, excitement coursing through him. He clenched his fist and pulled harder. The ice groaned, splintering as a thin stream of water forced its way out, swirling around him in a slow arc.
His breathing quickened, sweat beading his brow. The strain on his mind was immense, his young body trembling under the effort. But he didn't stop.
"Move!"
With a final shout, the water obeyed. The stream shot forward, slamming into the ice boulder with enough force to fracture it. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the surface, a sharp CRACK ringing out as the chunk split cleanly into two.
Lian stumbled, gasping for air, but the sight filled him with triumph.
"It worked..." he breathed.
The Library appeared in his mind, shimmering faintly.
Progress Update:
Control over frozen water achieved (Minor).Energy reserves depleted faster than optimal. Recovery time needed.
Lian chuckled to himself, wiping his brow. "At least I know it's possible now."
As Lian sat cross-legged on the snow, recovering his strength, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He opened his eyes to see a boy—tall for his age, with sharp eyes and broad shoulders.
"Lian," the boy called.
Lian recognized him immediately. Kuruk, the son of a warrior, a prodigy in waterbending training. He was well-known among the children for his natural talent and confident personality.
Kuruk stopped a few paces away, eyeing the shattered ice boulder. "Did you do this?"
Lian nodded slowly. "I did."
Kuruk raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Impressive... for someone like you."
Lian ignored the backhanded compliment, brushing snow off his knees as he stood. Kuruk smirked faintly. "You've been training a lot lately. I've seen you."
"And?" Lian replied, meeting his gaze evenly.
Kuruk's smirk faded slightly. "Don't fall behind. I'll be the strongest warrior of this tribe, and you're not going to take that from me."
Lian's lips curled into a faint smile. He didn't feel anger toward Kuruk—if anything, he appreciated the challenge.
"We'll see," he said calmly.
Kuruk turned, walking away without another word. Lian watched him go, his determination only hardening further.
"I'm not here to compete with you," he whispered to himself. "I'm here to surpass everyone."
As night fell, Lian sat quietly by the frozen sea once more, the sound of the waves lapping faintly against the ice. The moon shone brightly above, its silver light reflecting off the endless snow.
His body was heavy with fatigue, but his mind felt sharper than ever. He breathed in the cold air, closing his eyes to focus.
The Library shimmered faintly in his thoughts.
"Library, show me today's results."
Current Progress:
Frozen water control achieved at beginner level.Strengthened connection to water's pulse.Physical endurance increased slightly.Energy reserves expanded by 3%.
Lian opened his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. He was moving forward, one step at a time.
The vast ocean stretched before him, silent and eternal. Lian raised his hand, and a stream of water rose to meet him, hovering gently at his palm's command.
"Not enough," he whispered, the determination in his voice unyielding. "Tomorrow, I'll push even further."
The moon watched him silently, a silent witness to his promise.
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