Iroh is the Crown Prince, so his brother is a Prince. Zuko is Iroh's nephew, which means he is his brother's son, a Prince's son, and thus a Royal Grandson.
Got it.
"Prince Zuko..."
"You two are about the same age, just call each other by your names."
Iroh forcefully interrupted Kahn, and said to Zuko, "His name is Kahn, he's a friend's son. I hope you two can get along well."
"I understand, Uncle Iroh."
Zuko obediently nodded, then said to Kahn, "Hello Kahn, you can just call me Zuko."
Kahn glanced at Iroh, and replied, "Alright. Hello Zuko, it's nice to meet you."
"Me too!"
Zuko happily replied.
Like an eager iguana-pup.
Kahn silently judged Zuko in his heart.
Is it too rude to evaluate a Royal Grandson like that?
"I'm glad you both made a new friend. I think you'll need some space to get to know each other."
Iroh patted both of their shoulders:
"I'll stay a little further away from you, hoping you can get to know each other well."
He walked to a spot a comfortable distance away from them, a distance that wouldn't disturb them but also wouldn't let them out of his sight.
"Hey."
Kahn looked at Iroh's departing back, feeling quite helpless. I don't want to get to know a little kid.
"..."
"..."
After Iroh left, Kahn and Zuko looked at each other in silence.
Kahn couldn't find anything to say to a child, so he simply stayed silent. Anyway, he wasn't afraid of awkwardness.
As long as he didn't feel awkward, others would.
However, Zuko wasn't awkward either; he was just a little shy and excited, trying hard to organize his thoughts in his mind.
Finally, Zuko was the first to speak, "Um, Kahn, what do you usually do for fun? Can we go play together?"
What do I usually do for fun?
Kahn couldn't help but recall. In his mind, scenes appeared of him imitating poses and reciting classic lines from heroes in Ember Island plays in his yard when bored, and his most anticipated bedtime brain-dump mini-dramas every day...
Speaking of which, recently he'd been particularly fond of imagining and imitating characters with fire abilities, because now he could also play with fire. Not only could he add special effects when imitating movements, but it also satisfied his interests while simultaneously practicing his Firebending. It was truly feeding two turtle-ducks with one crust.
Ahem, I'm getting off topic.
But these things definitely couldn't be said. It wasn't a matter of shame or not, the main reason was fear that little Zuko wouldn't understand.
So Kahn thought for a moment and replied:
"Usually, it's mainly studying and practicing Firebending."
That's right, I'm just such a diligent and studious little academy scholar.
Kahn affirmed himself in his heart.
Hearing Kahn's answer, Zuko was a little disappointed: "Isn't that the same as what I usually do?"
Then he had an idea and suggested again:
"Don't you play with other people? Why don't we go find others to play with?"
"But I prefer studying; studying makes me happy."
Kahn replied seriously.
He had just rejected someone else's invitation; how could he go find them now? He had to save face, right?
"Then, then, then..."
Faced with Kahn's refusal, Zuko was a bit at a loss, looking to Iroh in the distance for help, hoping to get some assistance.
But Iroh just smiled and waved at him, with no other actions.
Looking at the somewhat flustered Zuko in front of him, Kahn suddenly found this child quite cute and interesting to tease (?).
But this guy is also a Prince. It wouldn't be good to make him cry. What if he holds a grudge and comes back to persecute me?
So Kahn took the initiative to speak, "I was planning to go to the library earlier. Do you want to come with me?"
"Okay!"
Zuko immediately agreed happily, instantly forgetting who had just rejected his suggestion and left him at a loss, seeking help from Uncle Iroh.
This kid is quite interesting, after all.
At this moment, Kahn seemed to have awakened a certain interest.
Walking along the road, Zuko looked left and right, his face full of novelty, as if he was seeing rare scenery, but there were only students in groups of three or five and some ordinary sights around.
Kahn asked, "Have you never been out before?"
Zuko shook his head: "Father King doesn't allow me to leave home to play, but our family occasionally travels together, but I can't run around, or I'll get scolded."
"Today, Uncle Iroh is with me, so I was able to come out."
Kahn expressed his sympathy for him. For a child, being cooped up at home all day long was indeed miserable.
However, Kahn could understand Zuko's father's actions. After all, Zuko is a Royal Grandson, and for Zuko's personal safety, it's true that he shouldn't run around everywhere.
Then Zuko pouted again: "Only Azula runs around everywhere and doesn't get scolded."
"Azula?"
A strange name suddenly popped out, leaving Kahn a bit confused.
"Yes, Azula, she's my younger sister."
Zuko nodded, then complained:
"But sometimes I even doubt we're siblings at all. She's simply a lunatic!"
As soon as Azula was mentioned, Zuko clearly became annoyed and was about to complain to Kahn about something, but then he heard Kahn say:
"We've arrived at the library."
Upon hearing this, Zuko immediately forgot about complaining about Azula and looked up.
Before them were three sets of nine-step stairs, atop which sat a vast, ancient-looking library.
Although the imperial palace's library was more magnificent and solemn than the one before them, Zuko still found it very novel, because the palace library didn't have as many people coming and going as this one.
Before even entering the library, the surrounding noisy environment quieted down. Most of the people entering and exiting the library were older than them, but there were also some about their age, holding scrolls, very quiet.
Zuko subconsciously held his breath, almost suffocating himself.
Kahn chuckled, patted his back, motioned for him to relax, and then walked forward: "Come on, let's go in."
Zuko snapped out of it and quickly followed behind Kahn.
Zuko was not a student of this school, nor a teacher, nor had he paid any fees, so by rights, he shouldn't have been allowed in. However, the library administrator recognized the Fire Nation Crown Prince who was following behind them.
The administrator respectfully stepped forward, and the two exchanged a few quiet words. Iroh was smiling, and after their conversation, the library administrator bowed to Iroh.
Although Iroh suffered a great defeat, he still seemed to be very beloved by the Fire Nation people.
After entering the library, Kahn walked directly to his target bookshelf and began searching for what he wanted.
Zuko, standing nearby, casually pulled out a thick scroll. It was titled "History of the Fire Nation, Volume Three." As he opened it, the dense text made him dizzy, and there were many characters he didn't recognize.
So this was the history section of the bookshelf.
Zuko was very surprised and asked Kahn:
"Can you understand the scrolls here? There are so many words I don't recognize."
Kahn scratched his cheek: "Me? I'm alright; basic reading isn't a problem."
Who knows why the writing system of this world is identical to the traditional characters of my past life, but it's very convenient. Although I can't write some, I can understand most of them.
"Ah, found it."
Finally, Kahn found the book he wanted on the top shelf. Zuko curiously leaned over and saw that the book was called "History of the Avatar."
"Avatar? I know about that. My mother told me about it when she read bedtime stories."
Seeing a familiar name, Zuko was a little excited.
"Telling history as a bedtime story?"
Uh, it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with that.
Kahn was surprised at first, then immediately relieved.
As a world with superpowers, history looks pretty much like a novel, especially this "History of the Avatar" in his hand. The content is simply fantastical, even hard to believe it's real.
He himself reads this thing like a novel.
After getting the book, Kahn prepared to start reading, but seeing Zuko standing beside him, he thought for a moment and suggested:
"How about I read it to you?"
"Okay!"