"Tell me once again," the imposing prince paced the front of a classroom, a small extension of the palace, reserved for the uses of the royal family whatever they may be. Despite that, nobody ever really used it, it was more of a formality than anything these days, but today it had visitors. "What is it that makes the Fire Nation strong?"
The desks were bolted to the floor in perfect five by five rows, but only one of them had anyone in it. A small girl, barely out of infancy, her legs dangling out of her chair as she raised her hand despite the fact that there was no one else there.
Ozai nodded at her, emotionless.
The girl looked back at him, her tone never wavering and not bothered in the least by childish pronunciations or stutters as she listed – almost chanting – the reasons, "The Fire Nation is strong because even though its people are passionate and determined, our people know that obedience, loyalty and strength in unity is the only manner in which to claim victory."
"What else?"
"The Fire Nation is the land of ingenuity and innovation. While the Earth Kingdom struggles to control its vast and dispersed culture, the Fire Nation gathers itself and focuses its efforts in smooth efficiency. While the Water Tribe relies on snow and ice alone to create their homes, the Fire Nation creates materials entirely new to this world. While the Air Nomads isolate themselves off, the Fire Nation seeks to expand its horizons."
"Good," Ozai smiled briefly, his eyes still carefully on his daughter, "Very good. Now tell me what does the Fire nation require of its soldiers?"
"Strength and discipline."
She was intelligent, it was obvious to Ozai. She learned her lessons feverously and memorized all the Fire Nation principles with the utmost care. It was expected of all youth to have an intense interest of their Nation, but Azula seemed enamored with every detail of their country and she had the mind to grasp it in its entirety. She sat in rapt attention in every private lesson Ozai gave her and at the end she always succeeded in reciting nearly exactly what he said.
But that wasn't enough. Azula was royalty, not some autonomous soldier meant to be thrown uncaringly into the battlefront. This teaching method had its uses, but for the Ozai's – and Azula's – needs, it wouldn't suffice.
"Very good, Azula. You've exceeded my expectations." Ozai said calmly, "In fact, you've done well enough that these lessons can no longer apply to you. It is time we deviate from the standard and begin my own variation of the Fire Nation education program." He tilted his head down and peered at her, "Are you prepared for that?"
The girl looked up at him eagerly, but she managed to keep her face expressionless, "Yes, Father."
"Good." Ozai smiled, "I'll begin then, by asking you a simple question which you will answer to the best of your ability."
Azula nodded vigorously
"What must you be in order to win?"
"At what?" Azula asked, cocking her head.
"At anything, it doesn't matter." Ozai replied as unperturbed as ever.
The little girl, five years-old, her age showing more than ever as she bit her lip and stared down at her desk.
Finally she looked up, "Obedience, loyalty, strength and discipline?"
"For a Nation of people, yes, but for you?" The prince shook his head, "No. Something much more simple and much more difficult to obtain."
"What?"
"Perfection and ruthlessness." Ozai smiled at his daughter's confused face, "The simplest way to achieve victory is to be perfect. To have the perfect amount of training, strength, discipline, speed, not only physical things, but also intelligence. You must exceed in everything there can possibly be and if you can outdo anyone else in the world, then you can readily claim victory. Second is ruthlessness, there is no point to being perfect if you don't have the will to use it. Find a way, anyway you possibly can to achieve victory and if it is the best possibly way, take it. Without a single moments hesitation, take any chance you can get to victory."
Azula stared at her father, wide-eyed, silent for a moment before slowly – and nervously – asking, "How do I know when I've won?"
That stopped Ozai for a moment. He hadn't expected her to take it all in so suddenly, but it was a valid question, so he had no choice to answer. He thought quietly to himself and then slowly answered, "When you have no one else to beat."