Today was another boring day.
Well... I say that, but the captain in charge of training my unit decided to recommend me for the royal guards and now I'm waiting my turn in line for the test. Ugh... I didn't want to have to do such a monotonous job like guarding royalty.
What? Am I gonna be guarding some old heads already on their deathbed?
Not that I know much about who the royal family consists of, since I've never paid attention to all that stuff. There's definitely the Fire Lord, his wife, some kids... and maybe some relatives?
If I have to guard some stinky old man, I swear...
"Cadet Sozo! At attention!"
The booming voice of the captain prompted me to stand up from my seat.
"You are up next. You are to demonstrate your skills against one of the Royal Soldiers. His Excellency Fire Lord Ozai, Prince Zuko, and Princess Azula will be there to witness this demonstration. Do not disappoint."
His face turned deathly serious as he warned me not to mess this up. Well, I'm glad he cares for me so much. Not me, per se, but for my skills as a firebender.
"Yes, sir!"
I gave the captain a firm salute as he stared at me with expectation in his eyes. He motioned me to follow him inside the throne room.
When the door opened, I was greeted to a large arena set up in front of a throne of literal fire. Well, the fire was actually in front of the ones sitting down, but that's besides the point, it's plain intimidating, but also really cool.
The man in the middle must be Fire Lord Ozai, and the one besides him are his children from the looks of it. The boy is Zuko and the girl is Azula.
I'll say, the princess is actually quite cute. As expected of a royal family, their looks are quite up there.
The captain and I get on our knees and now down to the royals. I've had this bow drilled into my very being the day my captain decided to recommend me to be a royal guard. It was impossibly annoying, along with learning the proper etiquette to interact with royals.
(A/n: I don't know the etiquette when speaking to the Fire Lord, so I'll just wing it lol.)
"Captain Rai, at the service of The Fire Lord."
"Cadet Sozo, at the service of The Fire Lord."
"Hmph... Captain Rai, you claim this boy has the skills to guard the members of the royal family? ...This had best not be a waste of my time."
Ugh, this guy gives me serious narcissistic vibes...
"Well, this is interesting..."
I heard a whisper from The Fire Lord's left. It was that cute princess. I took a small peek at the throne and saw her looking at me and leaning forward while smirking.
Huh... I thought she looks cute, but now she looks a bit overbearing.
"I apologize, Fire Lord... but I have personally confirmed this boys abilities. He is the best in not only his age group, but also the best in the whole academy...! I only wish to see him succeed, that is why I recommended him to take this test."
Yeah, right. You didn't recommend me, you forced me. You just wanted the credit of teaching a promising student.
"Get on with it then. Commander, test this child."
The Fire Lord motioned for a guard adorned in a really cool looking set of red armor. Man, if I could wear something as awesome as that, maybe I won't mind being a royal guard.
"Yes, Fire Lord!"
The Commander bowed and made his way to the arena. I looked to my captain and I could see him sweat buckets.
"Wh-what...? I didn't expect the Commander of the Royal Guards himself would test Cadet Sozo...?"
"If he is as good as you say, then he should not have much trouble getting at least one hit on Commander Tai Zhong."
The Fire Lord smirked at the captain while he picked up the tea cup in front of him and took a sip.
The Princess simply smiled at me, while the Prince looked like he was a bit worried.
"Cadet...Sozo, was it? You may begin your test."
"Yes, Fire Lord."
I salute and walk into the small arena, standing a few meters in front of the middle aged Commander. He looks like he's been to many battles. Not.He looks like he's been guarding indoors all his life. No tan, no scars, no sunken in eyes from the terrible battles he's seen... nothing. I don't doubt his skills, but maybe he was just chosen as a commander simply because he comes from a noble family?
"Ready yourself, child. I will not hold back if you are willing to become a royal guard."
The Commander took a stance and smirked at me like I was nothing. I don't mind the condescending stares, calling me a boy or a child, but I do mind getting hurt. I'll keep this test short for that reason alone.
Unlike the Commander, I properly pay respects to my opponent by saluting, then I get into a stance.
Since The Fire Lord said to begin, I decide to take his word for it and I don't hesitate to dash towards the Commander, boosting myself with firebending, and giving a fire-enforced roundhouse kick to the head. The Commander was sent flying out of the arena, unconscious. Hope he's not too hurt, I don't want any problems from his family.
The explosive boost of my white flames caused the arena floor under me to get slightly melted. Even my cadet uniform got singed at the edges, making me look like i was emitting smoke from my body.
I was always a powerful fire bender, shooting out blue flames when I was only six. Unluckily for me, that caused me to get adopted by some minor Noble family who saw potential in me. They trained me and sent me to the military academy in hopes of making a general of me. Then this captain of mine, who oversaw most of my training time at the academy, decided it would be in his best interest to make a royal guard outta me.
This pampered Commander was a joke.
I look to The Fire Lord and get on one knee and bow.
"Fire Lord, I have finished the test. Please allow me to apologize for damaging the floor."
"...Heh...Hehehehe... Hahaha! Captain why was I not made aware of such a powerful bender amongst the cadets! You... Sozo, will be a valuable asset in the coming battles... Advisor Zho, take him to get measured for his uniform."
The Fire Lord seemed uncharacteristically excited as he stood up and motioned for his Advisor to take me to wherever I'm to get measured.
"...Father, I have a request...!"
The Princess turned to The Fire Lord and put on innocent eyes.
"What is it you want, Azula?"
"Well I find training by myself with old Lo and Li, and having a sparring partner would be nice. Couldn't you place him as my personal guard? Please?"
The Princess pleaded to her father and bowed respectfully.
"Hmm... Lo and Li have informed me of your progress... Very well, a training partner would only be a benefit to your skills."
"Thank you, dear Father...!"
The Princess smiled wide and bowed again. She then turned her face to me, her smirk still plastered on her face. Now she's just creeping me out...
"This way, Cadet Sozo."
The Advisor came up and guided me to the exit on the right while my captain bowed to The Fire Lord and followed us out.
Once we were out of ear shot of the throne room, the captain came up and patted my back hard and began to laugh excitedly.
"Gahaha! That was perfect Sozo! I honestly didn't expect you to land even a single blow on the Commander, yet you finished the fight in just that! A single kick! Gahahah!"
"...Thank you, Sir. I was just doing what you told me to do."
"Indeed! You certainly did not disappoint! The Princess was so impressed that she even requested for you to guard and train with her personally! Just imagine what people will say about me! 'The Legendary Captain that taught the Mighty Sozo'! Gahahahaha!"
Gosh, his laugh is insanely annoying. And how come he's 'legendary' and I'm only 'mighty'? Why does everyone that have Noble backings so full of themselves?
The Advisor took me to a room inside a building located on the far side of the palace. The Armory or something, I'm guessing.
"Please enter here. A servant will come in shortly to take your measurements."
The Advisor bowed slightly and left, the captain following behind after saying his goodbyes.
I enter the little room and sit down a a chair in the corner, awaiting the servant that's on their way.
Sigh~ I guess luck isn't on my side. I have to spar and guard a seemingly stuck-up and spoiled girl. Why couldn't that boy ask for me instead? He seemed more down to earth and calm... I would've just chilled if I was his guard...
Well, at least she's cute...