Yuki. Northern Water Tribe. Chief's Palace.
The rays of the bright midday sun seed to penetrate every open space, filling the lives of the people with color. This is most beautifully seen here, at the North Pole, where almost every structure is made of ice. The combination of the local sun and frozen water creates a srizing spectacle.
"I still can't believe it—maybe all four of them..." Kaya mused, still lying in our bed.
"Soday I'll demonstrate it in real life," I said, trying on my not-so-large wardrobe. Today, I need to look a hundred and ten percent. "Hmm, turns out all my clothes are casual, not a single formal outfit for public appearances..."
"Your mom and I knew you'd wait until the day of the event to worry about your clothes," one of the best won in the world rolled her eyes. "That's why we ordered new clothes to be made," she glanced at the sun's position and continued, "In about half an hour to an hour, your formal outfit will be ready."
"What would I do without you?" I winked at her through the mirror, unable to resist another long look at her exposed body, so temptingly peeking out from under the blanket. I just want to latch onto those juicy breasts... Fresh mories of last night's wildness flashed through my mind, making want to ditch all plans and focus on more enjoyable activities...
"Ah," she noticed my burning gaze and shook her head, "Or we might not have ti to prepare. Rember, 'Work first, then play,'" she finished, wrapping herself completely in the blanket to avoid tempting into mischief.
Forcing my eyes away, I used blood magic to calm my "battle-ready" soldier. It's awkward how often I use blood magic for this instead of combat... For now, I have enough self-control to keep this massive life energy in check, but with each new chakra opened, its quality only improves. Thanks to Dria, since our more intimate relationship began, my body has more or less cald down and doesn't demand "energy release."
My actual age is thirteen, but due to many factors, I feel like a teenager in his most turbulent phase, making want "it" all the ti. I'm not eager to delve too deeply into my body, afraid of doing sothing wrong and suffering later.
Right after my return, I had a serious talk with my family and close circle. I revealed almost all my secrets, only omitting how I ended up here. They were more upset by my lack of trust than by the news itself. Only the next day did a flood of clarifying questions co, once the news had been fully absorbed.
Arnuk took the information calmly, only happy about my achievents and strength, as well as his impending retirent as Chief. Sokka was curious about everything—my exact powers, elental control, and even the customs of other countries. This all ca after his long depressive state. The news that his mother, essentially my future wife, was t with mixed feelings. He was glad it was soone close to him but couldn't accept it quickly.
The won were the most curious. My mother wanted to see the other and was eager to et Shizuka and Suyuki.
My little sister Yui glared at Kaya like a wolf; the jealous brat didn't want to give up her brother. For a few days, she acted all grown up and grumpy, making it impossible to look at her serious face without smiling. As for Katara, I've long been the object of her naive, childlike affection, so she wanted to join Yui. But after a secret talk with my mother, she suddenly cald down and acted as usual. I still don't know what they discussed, and whenever I ask, Kaya just smiles mysteriously.
It was nice to see that my parents believed in my vision of the future—no, they believed in . So, my father already gave his consent to all my plans, as long as they didn't harm the people.
By the way, another crucial issue was resolved. My parents, learning of my mastery in healing magic—specifically, controlling life energy—gave their blessing for all necessary procedures to extend life. Judging by their satisfied smiles, a new family mber is expected soon.
Many changes have occurred and are still happening in the city. The capital had to be expanded. Young families want their own space, and there are many of them now—a real baby boom. I think it's temporary, as with a higher standard of living, the need for offspring drops, if not to the bottom, then sowhere in the middle of priorities.
Many tribes that had lived separately on the vast expanses of the North Pole decided to move to the city permanently. This is the second reason for expanding the capital. No one could have imagined so many people lived outside the walls; the census had always been conducted only in the capital. We had to urgently take action, find new jobs, register newcors, and handle countless other related tasks.
Abandoned settlents are now used as lodging for hunters. A new hunting system has erged. One group of hunters, usually five to seven people, stays in one of the villages for a week, hunting around the area. At the end of their shift, a new group takes their place, while the old group returns ho with their catch and rests for a week. If an area is depleted, they leave it alone and move to another.
The Northern Water Tribe is rapidly advancing toward a high standard of living. Yui's greenhouses, along with experints by others, have provided the people with a variety of vegetables and fruits. The skills of Healers improve year by year, and the first non-magical dical branches, like massage therapists and bone setters, have erged.
The techniques of the Yu Yan archers inspired our craftsn to delve deeper into the mystical life energy. There are no visible results yet, but the conquerors' techniques didn't appear overnight either. I think there's still much to co.
"Okay, I'm off, dear," I kissed Kaya on the lips before leaving.
Outside the door, it's like a completely different world. People are rushing about, each busy with their tasks. It seems everything was prepared a week ago, but my mother wants everything to be absolutely perfect.
It all started right after my arrival, when it was decided that I would take the title of Chief. The transfer of power is no ordinary event, and I sowhat understand why such large-scale preparations are happening.
"Hiro!" I called to my acquaintance, one of the palace guards. "Any idea where Balto is? That four-legged friend needs watching."
"Good morning, Chief," he greeted cheerfully. "Nope, he must've run off to the tundra again, you know why," he replied with a knowing smile, already familiar with the bear-dog's habits.
The stray dog has taken to bringing his pregnant mates right into the center of the settlent. Luckily, there haven't been any accidents yet, as female bear-dogs are extrely aggressive during pregnancy.
Of course, it's great that new future helpers are appearing, but that rascal could've at least waited outside the city and asked for formal permission. Now he's running from , knowing my hand is heavy. I wonder who he takes after, being so promiscuous?
"So, I've got the outfit, prepared the speech..." I ntally listed the completed tasks as my feet carried toward the Palace. Less than an hour remains, and people are already starting to gather in the square in front of the Chief's Palace.
From around the corner of a house, a familiar face cautiously peeked out. Our eyes t. Mine narrowed threateningly, while his darted around in panic.
"I'll deal with you later, just you wait," I managed to show Balto my fist before his head quickly disappeared.
There was enough ti to change into my formal outfit and freshen up. At the appointed ti, I was already in the corridor before the balcony, where my father was now giving his final words of advice.
"I'm proud to have been your Chief, and most of all, I'm proud of you, my brothers and sisters. You gave motivation..." I had no idea Arnuk could deliver such heartfelt speeches. Now my prepared words don't seem so "powerful."
"I'm fine, Mom," I muttered, as soone kept adjusting non-existent wrinkles on my outfit.
"You're so grown up now, but it feels like just yesterday you were so tiny," my mother got emotional. "And with such a serious look, you always lay there, as if planning world affairs. I rember you hated pooping; you'd scream when you were ready to go," she blew her nose into a handkerchief handed by Yui.
That was a long ti ago, and it's not even true! The younger ones huddled closer, ears perked up, listening with open mouths, as if receiving divine revelations. My years-long built reputation was shattered by a few sentences...
"Phew, it's been a while since I spoke in front of such a crowd," my slightly sweaty father appeared. "Enough with the tears. Co on, Yuki, it's your turn," he patted on the back with his second hand.
Taking a final breath, I opened the doors and stepped into full view. The concentration of attention was so intense it felt like my head was spinning. It's nothing like the tis I perford in the arena during battles.
"Why are you silent? Speak up!" my father whispered from behind the door.
"Today, we bid farewell to the great leader of our glorious people!"—this isn't even in the script! "And that ans I must surpass my father! Achieve even greater deeds! Right?!" The crowd murmured, supporting my words.
"I'll keep improvising," I thought. "Seems like they're enjoying it."
"Our people are like water! We are water!" Oh God, what am I saying... "Though there's nothing weaker or gentler than water, it can destroy the hardest object! To be strong, one must be like water! No obstacles? It flows! A dam in the way? It stops! The dam breaks? It flows again! In a square vessel, it's square! In a round one, it's round! Because it's so yielding, it's the most necessary and strongest of all!" I heard that speaking confidently and expressively wins people over...
"For the Water Tribe!" I shouted at the end, raising my hands and summoning towering columns of water. Clenching my fists, I instantly turned the water under my control into fluffy snowflakes. There's a superstition here: snow falling on a montous day signifies prosperity and good fortune. I understood from this morning that there wouldn't be snow, but who said I couldn't create it myself? We are the creators of our own destiny!
"Yes! For the Water Tribe!"
"I am Water!" Soone was seriously moved...
"For the new Chief, Yuki!"
With the crowd's cheers, I finally managed to breathe easily. Seems like I didn't ss up.
"Good words, son," my father appeared, unnoticed due to my nervousness. "Now this is officially yours. This ornant has been passed down from chief to chief for centuries," he handed a pendant with teeth from various animals.
"Is this the one that cost us several good successors in the past?" The teeth on the pendant are trophies from animals defeated by forr chief candidates. Previously, one had to kill one of the most dangerous creatures of the north to prove their right to lead the people.
This practice was abandoned when the most promising candidates were eaten by the animals...
"Cough, yes, that's the one," my father confird, slightly embarrassed.
Afterward, I had to sit through almost an entire night of feasting in my honor. It felt a bit unusual; usually, I sat slightly lower, to the right of my father. Now I sit on the elevated seat, while my father sits in my forr place.
"I hope the situation won't require our intervention," I quietly told my father, nodding toward the loud argunts between Jong Jong and one of the water masters.
"They squabble about sothing every day. It's fine; at most, they'll wave their fists and part ways," my father reassured , sharing a bit of backstory.
The forr admiral's sons are young and hot-headed, and like everyone, they want to start families. Here, they already feel more or less at ho. Now Jong Jong is negotiating with the girls' relatives. So prejudices still remain.
Toward the end of the banquet, Admiral Jong Jong and Water Master Karu demonstrated their hand-to-hand combat skills, though for so reason, they only managed the "drunken fist" style, likely from the wine they'd drunk. They barely landed hits on each other, but the audience was in high spirits, cheering enthusiastically for the fighters.
"Escort them to the guest rooms," I ordered, summoning guards, right after they passed out, hugging each other.
"I told you, everything's under control," my father laughed at the silly sight of the esteed masters. "See, after this, we'll definitely have another mixed family." I agree with those words.
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