Chapter 6. First Knowledge.
In the following months, my daily routine settled into a consistent pattern. I spent most of my time sleeping, and during my waking hours, I occupied myself with whatever I could. I quickly began to feel a hunger for information, so much so that I was even willing to read dry Wikipedia entries.
Fortunately, my parents decided it was time to start teaching me the basics of language. Often, either my mother or the nanny would stay with me, simply telling stories or occasionally trying to teach me how to pronounce words. So far, I could only babble something unintelligible—my tongue wasn't ready for complex manipulations yet. However, I could already stand on my own and even take a few steps while leaning against a wall.
As my birthday approached, I had learned the alphabet, could speak individual syllables, and had even mastered yelling when I felt the urge to, well, do my business. My motor skills were improving steadily. In the beginning, if I wanted to move my left hand, I might accidentally punch myself with my right. Now, I could hit myself with the hand I actually intended to use—progress was evident.
You can also congratulate me: I'm a man—well, more like a future man, still just a larva, but my masculinity will only grow. This momentous, epochal, unforgettable event happened a month ago when we visited a place that combined elements of a Russian banya and Japanese hot springs. Essentially, when not in use, the space resembled a simple pool. But Jun simply stood in a certain pose with a focused expression, turning part of the water into hot steam while leaving the rest warm. And yes, I learned my mother's name. As my hearing normalized, I often heard others call her by it.
That day, I discovered she was a powerful waterbender. Changing the state of matter isn't just manipulating ordinary water—it's far more complex. She stripped me down, laid me on a flat surface, and began examining me with healing water. I'll need to learn more about the traditions of the Northern Water Tribe. From what I've seen in the city, girls don't go beyond the basics and healing bending. According to the plot, combat bending is forbidden for women. So either Mom is hiding her skills well, or as the Chief's wife, she's allowed to go beyond basic manipulation to match his status.
Now, the main point: there was a mirror in the bathhouse, a large one, and they held me naked in front of it. In the mirror, I saw *it*—yes, it's still small, but I already see its potential. For the entire next month, a happy smile never left my face. I didn't even pay attention to the routine torment inflicted by the female population of the palace.
*
My mother's eyes watched me, seemingly burning with a tender expectation and faith in me. How could I refuse when she looked at me like that? I couldn't.
"Ma-ma," I said.