Too Many Avatar's Chapter 4 (Patreon)

Helim Ama's 'happy' expression was still a bit off-putting. But hearing how Tsunade was a debt-fleeing, gambling, drunkard half the time... Made me wonder if that Tsunade was the same one I was thinking about.

I mean, I woudn't be surprised if my sponsor idly threw some expies in here to fuck with me, as he obviously sent me to this area for a reason.

Either way, after I cleared my mind about Tsunade gambling the sect away. I asked Helim Ama more seriously. "So where do we go from here? Is there a discipleship ritual I need to be aware of?"

Helim Ama chuckled deeply as she swirled an elegant, deep brown lock of hair between her fingers, as she said casually. "Those brutes living in the mountains are the ones obsessed with martial values and heritage. I have no interest in having you make me a pot of tea and washing my feet to show piety, ufufu."

'Yeah... Not a guy with a foot fetish, sorry.' I thought helplessly, even though Helim Ama was definitely hot as hell.

Still, I asked curiously. "I hope this isn't too rude, but everyone I have heard from speaking about Tsunade... Well, they all had nothing good to say about her, besides her strength anyway." 

My teacher smacked her lips together before she looked upwards. Presumably towards the peak of the mountain, where the Sect Master's own halls were presumably?

"Well." She started with her face curled in disdain as she said flatly. "Besides her strength, beauty, and bloodline. She doesn't have much mess going for her. She is indeed a failure of a woman, a human being, and especially a teacher. As she is an addict to the three great vices."

And those three vices were obviously booze, gambling, and violence.

There was a moment of silence before Helim Ama refocused on me and said with a smaller smile. "But you, a simple little disciple, need not worry about the Sect Master. Now, how much earthbending practice have you actually had?" 

With that, I explained how I had been learning about my acu-points as well as learning some beginner earthbending moves in a gravel pit. From there she brought me over to a larger and much deeper gravel pit in another room inside of what was actually a cave mansion.

And she then had me demonstrate my Earth Shard Kick technique in that deeper pit, which was far harder as my feet couldn't properly anchor to the ground to send my ki outwards.

"Hmm, all bending styles originate from certain parts of the body, Hayato. The Fire Bender's breath brings their flames to life from their lungs. Air Benders likewise bend the air around them with an unfettered heart." 

She then pointed at my feet and said seriously. "Hayato, all earthbending starts from the feet and legs. No matter if it's lava or metal-bending. If you don't have a rock-solid foundation beneath your feet. You will rebound off the earth, or the resulting earth-bending will be a waste of ki."

"The gravel pit is deep, which makes it harder as well." I said, not complaining but stating a fact, with her nodding calmly as she said.

"Correct, you can never expect a perfectly even surface to use your earthbending. So suck it up and get used to bending past obstacles. Otherwise, if you don't train such a method, how will you earthbend in a swamp? Or in the sands of a true desert?" She spoke seriously at the end.

And as I practiced under guidance, I realized that although I could literally see the acupoint where I fucked up in my training space. Under Helim Ama's direct guidance, I understood the WHY I was fucking up at those points in particular.

After another half an hour of guided training, I became a good deal more adept with that particular technique and Helim told me to take a rest as she brought out a small pot of tea to share with me.

And after I drank from my own cup, I asked curiously. "Do you have any other students or direct disciples actually?" 

The brunet paused at my question before she shook her head and said bluntly. "Nope, I didn't want to take any other talented disciples and compete with Tsunade and the others. Too much trouble, and I am busy at times doing missions for the sect. Dealing with bandits, or spirits that trouble the roads between the city and neighboring towns and villages." 

'What? Am I supposed to not be talented or something?' I thought helplessly and she easily saw my expression and just chuckled.

"I meant no insult, Hayato Long. No, you are... Well, you are a good five years older at the very least than most children who just start bending. So, you are very unlikely to make drama happen between us Elder's and teachers." 

I just shrugged and said evenly. "It's understandable, then I suppose." Then I paused before I asked more seriously. "Do you want me to follow you on those bandit-clearing missions and such? I am unsure, how... Involved in your life I am to be as your disciple, actually." 

As I knew that for the male elder's who had retreated into the mountains to deal with the spirits, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. Their disciples followed their teachers very closely. To learn by doing, as well to be far safer in combat itself than to be outside their teachers' eyes in the dangerous mountains.

Helim Ama chuckled and said more easily. "No, not for a while yet. The vast majority of bandits aren't benders or warriors in general of any real skill... But there is always the odd one who has unlocked their second element and decided to rob some noble house and get greedy for such continued wealth." 

She then took a drink of her tea before she continued. "You just be a good disciple and absorb my lessons. Now that I have accepted you, I will take care of the resources you need. In that vein, give me a moment. I need to give you a new food card so you can get meat made from spirit beasts and such." 

And as Helim Ama walked over to a different room off to the side of this training hall, I couldn't help but appreciate her beauty in another way as she left.

But, hey, at least from what I have seen so far. She was a good teacher and not like... Completely insane or otherwise completely unreliable!