Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 98. Memory.

Roku. Omashu Palace.

I decided not only to be a nominal successor to Bumi but also to get involved in the city's affairs by familiarizing myself with its operations. Over the next two days, I discreetly observed the work of officials at various levels and reviewed some paperwork.

"Why not implement your idea of transporting people along postal lines?" Bumi suggested. "The people would definitely appreciate it."

For this purpose, I was allocated two lines that wouldn't significantly impact the overall postal system.

"If only Mechanist were here, he'd figure this out quickly..." I sighed to myself, having spent hours designing a new mode of transport. To ensure the system's success, I had to consider the weight, length, and width of the cabins. Additionally, the postal rails themselves needed modifications for greater safety.

"Flight Thirty-Two... Hmm, slight rocking at maximum speed, risk of cabin derailment," I noted. Yes, the number of attempts to create something decent had surpassed double digits.

But progress was being made, and according to my calculations, the final result would be achieved after twenty flights. So, by the end of the day, we should definitely be done.

"Roku! This is too comfortable! No danger, it's all so slow and boring!" Toph complained. She was among the test riders.

"That's how it's supposed to be," I replied. Did they really think I wanted to make it faster? Their main task would be to transport specific groups of people downhill, for whom high speeds would be harmful.

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The primary passengers would be the disabled, the elderly, and pregnant women who found the descent challenging. Each cart could hold six people, and one such line would serve an entire district. The only drawback, which overshadowed many advantages, was the inability to transport residents uphill. The route was one-way, so they'd have to return on foot.

To enable a round trip, a moderately strong earthbender would be needed to lift the considerable weight of six people. Such individuals were simply not cost-effective to employ. Therefore, only less powerful benders would operate the lines. Steps were created for them to push the cart back uphill. The design had to be modified by raising the bottom, but this conserved more of the workers' energy.

The principle was simple and clear. At the front of the cart was a "driver's seat" where the earthbender on duty would sit comfortably. They would accompany each trip, using their feet to slow down or speed up as needed. Afterward, they'd ascend with the cart and repeat the process. After some time, another bender, full of energy, would take their place. For added safety, another earthbender would stand at the bottom to assist in stopping the cart if necessary.

Only on the third day was the new mode of transportation officially launched. And I thought... Let knowledgeable people handle such things, while I'll stick to using magic to teach troublemakers a lesson.

"Let's test your new technology," said an unfamiliar elderly man, the first to volunteer. After him, others gradually gained the courage to board.

"Let's go!" I commanded, standing right behind them. I knew everything had been checked and rechecked countless times, but I decided to follow closely for the first few trips.

After about forty seconds, we reached the end. Thankfully, my assistance wasn't needed.

"Didn't even feel a bump!"

"So convenient! Thank you, Mr. Roku!" The first passengers immediately shared their impressions and thanked me.

"Be sure to thank the people who'll be transporting you every time!" I said. A young guard was immediately surrounded by grateful residents. He truly deserved the praise.

By the end of the day, I secretly walked around the city to gather feedback. Overall, people loved it, and they weren't even bothered by the fact that they'd have to climb uphill the old-fashioned way.

"I think the University of Earth will soon find bright minds eager to modernize everything," I thought. Most importantly, the name Roku was no longer just a scare tactic for bandits.

One day, Bumi shared his research on vibrations with me. The most memorable technique was one that destroyed a person from within, and in theory, it could even kill a narrow group of spirits.

"I've noticed that every living being contains tiny particles of earth," he said reluctantly. "Simple earthbending can't control them, but with waves, these particles can become deadly..."

Soon, I realized that "earth particles" referred to the metals inside a person. By manipulating them, we literally destroy the organism. As far as I remember, metals make up about three percent of a person's body—no small figure!

"Not only waterbending can be bloody..." He didn't demonstrate the technique, only explaining its principle, but even from his words, it was clear why he was reluctant to share it. "But he still told me about it," I thought. Most likely, he had already accepted me into his inner circle.

Our last day in Omashu began strangely and inexplicably. Everyone, from the cooks to the guards, seemed unusually quiet, their footsteps almost silent.

"Lao, do you know what's going on?" Toph and I turned to him.

"It's not my story, and I'm not supposed to know," he said quietly, apologetically shrugging. Toph was clearly unsatisfied with that answer! It was obvious this had something to do with her grandfather Bumi, who hadn't appeared for breakfast.

"That stubborn old goat! Because of him, I have to climb up this height every year!" An elderly grumble was heard nearby.

The voice gradually approached, and soon its source came into view. A frail old man moved slowly toward us, aided by a wooden cane.

"Where is that 'King'? He couldn't even bother to meet me!" he repeated, his tone unchanged. Toph quickly realized he knew something.

"Old man, need help?" she asked, swiftly positioning herself beside him.

"Who's old here? I'm still as good as ever!" he snapped, but upon seeing who was speaking to him, his demeanor subtly shifted. Suddenly, he became much kinder, though selectively... "Hey, what are you standing there for? There's a blind girl here, help her quickly!" the old man barked at us.

A minute later, we clarified the situation. Toph didn't want to miss any secrets, so she firmly grasped the old man's arm and asked about his business at the Palace.

"Today is the death anniversary of my sister, and that old man, who's still acting like a child, took all her belongings!" he said, clearly referring to Bumi. "And every year, my joints and bones endure the folly of those who designed this city!" he continued, seemingly eager to talk...

"Who's old here! I'm still young enough!" we'd heard something similar before. Bumi suddenly appeared right in the wall. "And I send earthbenders to escort you to the Palace every time!"

"I don't need your favors!" the first old man huffed.

"That's it! You're impossible to talk to!" the second old man—Bumi—turned away.

"Hmph!" the first old man also turned away.

Only after five minutes of bickering did they calm down slightly. Toph watched the exchange with a touch of fondness. She had thought her grandfather had no friends left, but here was one. It truly seemed like a meeting between two old friends who could afford to speak their minds without restraint.

"Come with us, I think she wouldn't mind," Bumi said. She...?

"Yes, she loved large gatherings," the old man, Chomu, sighed sadly. Judging by his tone, he was Bumi's sworn "friend."

A short walk through the Palace's secret corridors led us to a cozy room. On a long table were several burning aromatic candles. In the center stood three paintings of different sizes. Against the wall, on a stone mannequin, hung a set of old Earth Kingdom armor, bearing chips and cracks that testified to countless battles.

"Aika, we haven't seen each other in almost a year," Chomu said softly, sitting on a rug and addressing his sister's portrait. "I hope you've started a new life."

Bumi sat beside him, gazing at the painted girl with melancholy and love. The portrait depicted a lovely young woman of about twenty, her brow line giving her a certain sternness.

"Sometimes paintings convey emotions far more powerfully than words," I thought. The artist had clearly poured their soul into this work.

The second painting captured a family of four. There was the familiar girl, still a teenager, with a funny little boy clinging to her legs. His features resembled Chomu's.

The third painting showed seven people of roughly the same age: five unfamiliar young men, Bumi, and Aika. Young Bumi towered over the others, a true giant! His slightly mad gaze seemed unchanged by time. Aika's smile had softened, her eyes were closed, and a new long scar marked her cheek. Everyone in the painting bore marks of their intensely lived lives.

"Her name is Aika, my late wife," Bumi began softly, his demeanor uncharacteristically serious and calm. "I hope her memory will endure even after these old men are gone."

*

About a hundred years ago, a boy named Bumi had no idea how to entertain himself. The other orphanage children were too boring and couldn't keep up with his energetic nature. Somehow, the future King turned the entire city into his playground. His games always had consequences, but that never stopped him.

"You're a notorious troublemaker!" a girl declared, pointing at him with a stern yet adorable tone.

"I'm just a little to the left!" Bumi waved his hand.

"Sorry, my eyesight's poor," she said, turning in the right direction. "Hey, don't change the subject! I won't be fooled, Mr. Criminal!" she struck a dramatic pose, placing her hand under her chin, clearly mimicking someone.

"You'll never catch me!" Bumi had no idea what she meant... but apparently, the girl wanted to play with him.

"Stop!" she chased after him.

From this odd exchange began the friendship between Aika and Bumi. Over time, they grew close. They taught each other earthbending techniques and spent hours lying under the clouds, sharing their deepest dreams.

"I'll become the strongest earthbender, so strong that even Avatar Kyoshi would envy me," Aika said with fiery eyes. "With such power, I'll protect our people from enemies!"

"Well, Avatar Kyoshi's been dead for a long time," Bumi replied, picking his ear.

"But if she were alive, she'd definitely say, 'Aika's too strong for me.' What about you? What do you want to achieve?"

"I don't know, I guess I'll just follow you," Bumi admitted, ashamed to confess that he considered her his closest person.

"That's not right! Everyone should have a Great Goal!"

Time passed, and by decree of the King of Omashu, all children aged nine to thirteen could become the King's successor. Each new King chose their own method for selecting their replacement. Appointing children or relatives was forbidden.

"This is my chance! I have to sign up!" Aika couldn't miss this opportunity.

Bumi followed her. Out of all the children, only a hundred were selected. Each month, their number dwindled. Daily training and memorization accompanied them for years. Monthly tests mercilessly eliminated the weakest.

Soon, only twenty of the most talented and diligent boys and girls remained. The King's next task was to complete military missions. At that time, Fire Nation forces were approaching their province's borders.

Time marched relentlessly, and several more years passed. Of the twenty, only seven remained. The rest had perished in the crucible of war. In one skirmish with the Fire Nation, Aika lost her sight entirely.

"This only made me stronger! Now no one can get close to me!" the loss of such a vital sense should have plunged her into depression, but not Aika. Within a week, she learned to see the world through earth.

Eventually, Bumi mustered the courage to confess the tender feelings he'd harbored for years.

"I thought I'd have to take matters into my own hands!" Aika laughed, joyfully embracing Bumi.

The seven candidates had become close friends, having covered each other's backs countless times. Rivalry for the throne should have bred enmity, but fate left only the best companions.

Everything changed one day... A simple information-gathering mission ended with Aika's death. No one knew that on that day, a General and his personal guard had arrived at the base. Aika was spotted and surrounded. After taking half the base's contingent, her life was ended by an archer's precise arrow.

The next day, Bumi sensed something was wrong and decided to go to the base. Upon arrival, everything became clear... Maddened with grief, he finished off the remaining warriors and carried his wife's cold body home.

Just a week ago, they had happily planned their wedding. Now, he carried her to their home, which would never hear her laughter again...

That same day, the King faced Bumi's wrath. Bumi truly believed Aika had been sent on a suicide mission.

"She was the best among you! I had no reason to kill her!" the then-King shouted fervently. "Don't destroy my Palace!"

There were injuries, but it was better to face Bumi alone than all six students... That's what the city's ruler thought.

"I've trained you to my own detriment," the King complained, spitting out reddish saliva. "I'm also grief-stricken by her death, but... she would've wanted her closest person to fulfill her dream."

Only later did Bumi realize the King had exploited his weakened state, pressing on his emotional wounds to ensure the most worthy successor took his place.

"Forgive me, son, but you're the one who'll help this city through its darkest times," the King said, watching Bumi's solitary figure depart.

*

"If he were still alive, I'd gladly count his bones again!" Bumi concluded his story menacingly.

"But in one thing he was right—you became a good King," Chomu said softly.

"What? What? Speak up, I didn't hear you!" Bumi cupped his ear, his smile clearly showing he'd heard everything.

"I said I'll find my own way home, you deaf ruin!"

"Looking for a fight?!"

"After all these years, still unable to love anyone... How strong your feelings must have been, Bumi."