Playing Waterbending (Avatar: Last Aibender SI)

Theoretical mathematics. In this world, it has little to no practical application unless used in advanced topics like complex mechanics or chemistry. But to someone like Wang, calculating the size of the sun based on a shadow, or the size of the planet using the height of a mountain compared to sea level, would be a very interesting subject.

People in times like the Avatar's era valued literature deeply. Those who wrote poems and stories also valued all types of sciences, knowledge, and philosophy. To be valued by the latter would be good to get respect whenever you go.

"Since when did Ryuk become smart and know arithmetic?" asked Toph.

"He's always been good at counting things," Katara replied. "But now that you mention it... wait, since when was he dumb in the first place for him to 'become' smart?"

"I dunno. He does act goofy sometimes," shrugged Toph.

'I am still here. I can hear you, you know.' I thought.

I forced a smile at Wang as he gave me an admiring look.

"You're a very bright one. Based on your theory… you can measure and calculate many things," he said.

'Wait until you hear about algebra. Though you'll have to wait for other fields to develop before you can use it.'

As someone who became an accountant, I had studied very advanced math at university—mostly theoretical stuff—only to end up using basic math at work.

So yeah, I felt pretty good showing off my knowledge to Wang. Anyway, the knowledge I shared wouldn't help anyone much on the battlefield unless they knew more about physics and wanted to apply it to launching projectiles or explosives.

I rubbed my ear and said, "Sorry, didn't you say, or hint, that we're not welcome in the library?"

"Well, if your purpose is sharing knowledge, you're welcome to stay as long as you like. I just don't appreciate visitors who destroy my books or use the knowledge to harm others," he said.

"Okay, girls, read calmly and don't cause trouble," I said. "Katara, just go to the fiction section so you don't get bored. As for Toph, can you read?"

"Fine by me," Katara shrugged.

Toph nodded calmly. "As long as I'm standing on my feet, I can scan the whole book as long as I focus. Though, I'll need a bit more time to process the words and understand them. I'd say three minutes is enough for me to finish an entire book."

It suddenly hit me.

Toph could be the fastest reader alive.

Some people could read up to 200 words a minute. Some maybe 400, which is considered fast. The technique involves memory and eye speed. But in her case, she didn't need to move her eyes to read. She didn't need to read word by word. She didn't even need to open the book.

It made me realize something.

I could use my water-sense to become a speed reader too—maybe by focusing on the water particles in the air and around the ink.

'But that would take time to learn. Toph has been using her extra senses for years, so it's second nature to her.'

"Too bad you can't enjoy it," I shrugged.

"I know, I finish faster than most men do. You can call me a premature reader," she shrugged.

I chuckled and laughed. That one caught me off guard.

"I don't get it," Katara said, glancing between Toph and me.

And to be honest, I was even happier that she didn't get it.

"Come with me, I'll explain it," Toph said as she grabbed Katara's hand and guided her somewhere deeper into the library.

I was left alone with the owl.

We walked together.

He asked, "So, when are you going to be free?"

"Free for what?" I asked.

"For knowledge exchange. Do you know any more advanced arithmetic?"

"Arithmetic… sure, I know plenty," I said. "I can teach you how to count fast."

"It strikes me as odd—you're a native of the South Pole. How could...?"

"Barbarian?" I said.

"An uneducated person from an uneducated place knows this much?" he asked.

"How do you know we're uneducated?" I asked him.

If I wasn't mistaken, in the canon timeline, Sokka was the one who managed to predict the eclipse and the comet based on minimal reading and some ancient tools.

Also, in the South Pole, even the grandmas knew how to read, and most adults did too.

It's not like we had a ton of jobs to do, and there were always stories written on the skin of polar dog bears and polar wolves.

"We've never managed to get a book from you—or your cousins," he said. And by cousins, I assumed he meant the people in the North Pole.

"Maybe because it's too cold?" I replied. "Besides, other than old myths about spirits, what else would you find?"

"Fair point… and besides, there's not much connection between your people and the rest of the world like there is with the North Pole to share literature," he nodded. "But I never knew your people were good—or advanced—at math."

"No, they're not," I replied. "But we're fast learners and creative people."

"It seems you're just a genius," Wang said. "Anyway, I'll leave you to read. I'll check in later."

-x-X-x-

I wandered through the library and noticed how well-organized everything was. I picked up a few books from a shelf to see what they were about. Sure enough, books on similar or related topics were placed next to each other.

It was very easy to navigate this library.

Wang probably knew about the Hundred Year War.

If I wandered toward the section on the comet's date or astronomical predictions, I might raise his suspicion and we'd be kicked out—if we were lucky. If we weren't lucky, we might get locked up here forever.

And spirits, especially ancient ones, were powerhouses. It would take many benders to deal with even one. Not to mention, even the Avatar in the Avatar State would have trouble fighting them.

Speaking of spirits, I was curious about spiritual power.

Maybe the Air Nomads would have something on it.

After all, the Air Nomads were monks, very much fascinated by the spiritual realm.

I walked around aimlessly.

I figured I still had time—by that, I meant a couple of weeks—so I decided not to rush things and tried to read something.

I stopped by a book called The Art of Cooking.

And suddenly, the word "Bitch" crossed my mind.

I picked up the book.

Suddenly, a notification rang in my ear.

[You've found a skill-tree skill book: Cooking.]

[Do you want to learn?]

Learn how to cook?

Hell yeah.

[Skill: Cooking has been learned.]

Hold on a second.

I started to wonder why the hell I never knew about this—this whole function of learning skills through books.

I widened my eyes.

'I've never read a book, even after regaining my memories from my previous life…'

I put my hand on my head.

I stared at the ceiling of the library and felt like a big idiot. Sure, I'd felt like a bigger idiot at times—like wondering if a girl was flirting with me or just being nice, only to realize it was the former.

I skimmed through the book and read it.

[Cooking Skill +500 exp]

[Cooking up to level 3]

I know I came here to learn about Sozin's Comet.

But, you know, sometimes distractions happen.

And believe me, I wasn't that distracted.

I bounced back fast from the detour and refocused on my goal.

[Cooking +++]

[You have achieved half-step grandmaster]

[Cooking — Level 12 (50,000/120,000)]

Yeah, believe me.

A large pile of books was stacked beside me.

All of the recipes I'd learned, along with knowledge about fire control, texture techniques, and more, were engraved in my muscle memory and mind as if I'd been a chef for a decade.

'I guess I could use this as a chance to level up the skills I couldn't afford to waste precious experience points on,' I thought.

Things like Martial Arts. Stealth. Hunting… etc.

I might even unlock new skills.

Although it would take a bit more time, it was a side quest with a high reward, so I decided to go for it.

I picked a random book, which didn't hold any skill or anything, just pure knowledge, and I got this notification:

[Knowledge is a result of experience]

[+500 accumulated experience]

-x-X-x-

Meanwhile, Wang was observing Ryuk. He was quite surprised to see him absorbed in cooking books, reading them with such passion.

It seemed, according to the psychology books, that the new visitor was more interested in gaining knowledge than learning how to take his enemies down.

Those who were educated were surely above the pettiness of war.