Toph gazed at Arya, utterly astonished.

Renee had never uttered such words to him. When they were close, he was the one showering her with compliments. Now that they had drifted apart—apart from urging him to fight for his inheritance against Zuko and criticizing his drawings as having no future—she remained silent.

A sharp pain pierced his heart when he heard Arya's words, causing his eyes to well up with tears.

"Hey!" Arya was taken aback and quickly comforted him. "What's wrong? It's alright!"

"I'm okay." He sniffled. "I'm just so happy... Your approval means the world to me!"

"I'm actually quite lonely at home," he confessed. "My parents don't understand art. While my brother appreciates it, art is just a hobby for him, not a career. My grandma is an artist, but she lives in Southeast Aciatic. It's far away, and I can't always talk to her.

"Now that I have the opportunity to create comics, I..." He became emotional as he spoke, only managing to regain his composure after a while.

Arya smiled and handed him the draft. "Since you have a passion for art, stay determined! But I must warn you, it's not an easy path. I drew for seven years before gaining recognition. I worked for various studios and sometimes didn't even get credit for my work..."

She gazed at him with clear eyes. "Can you endure hardships, Toph?"

hesitation. "All the challenges are worth it when you're doing

Arya's dimples made her

saying that went: "You can only go far when you do something

no regrets as long as one wholeheartedly pursued what

drawing board and pen immediately, starting the new design with high spirits.

two were so engrossed that they didn't realize the sky had turned dark. Their rumbling stomachs snapped

for

and busied herself by bringing out an array of snacks before

relief upon

thanks to

at him. He appeared composed, devoid of

to Arya...'

him reproachfully. "Do you realize that your absent-minded words could stir

criticizing me?" Zephyr smiled cryptically.

back to

being stubborn." Zephyr held

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