Jael had turned back to watch his friend's second attempt at Firebending, but by the end he could only gape. A small part of Jael was wondering if Toku would get in trouble for breaking the wall (way to take the Fire Sage's command to "overcome the wall" literally). But mostly, Jael was simply impressed by his friend.
"That was awesome." Jael said, running over to congratulate.
Faedric too was looking at Toku with a sort of awe. But also, part of him was frightened.
The flames Toku conjured; they were far larger than Faedric's own. Faedric hadn't quite put his all into those flames he conjured. He could've put more effort into his breathing, his stance, his will. But it was not too far from his best. He was a firebending master, and this boy; he had outdone Faedric in an instant.
Faedric knew the Avatar was powerful, but he hadn't anticipated this. Faedric had much power politically, but physically someone had finally surpassed him. No, that wasn't quite true; the boy's form and control and theory were all pathetic. Faedric could still surely defeat him in a duel. But in the future, once Toku had been properly taught, that might not be the case. And that was, quite frankly, frightening.
No! Faedric could not be weak like this. He pushed any fears he had out of his mind. They didn't matter. As long as the Avatar was under Faedric's control, Faedric had nothing to worry about. Quite the contrary; the Avatar was a powerful asset to the Fire Nation. Faedric had to ingratiate himself now, to ensure that the boy remained loyal.
"You should be proud," Faedric said to Toku. "Your power is already at master level. There is still much to learn; a flame does not become a bonfire without kindling it first. But you have a strong foundation to work with. If in the future you have doubts about yourself, remember this moment. You have no need for those doubts."
This was the proper way to go about molding the Avatar. Wise, proper instruction that would make his learning one of quick progress and invoke an expectancy for him to do as asked. Followed by praise for success, which would inspire the boy to do well in the future. Sometimes humans could be rather simple.
A servant had come out to survey the disturbance. "Servant," Faedric said. "Tell the people gathering outside that there is no cause for alarm. I wish to continue my lesson with the Avatar, and do not wish to be disturbed."
He turned back to Toku. "We shall proceed to the next part of the lesson, yes?"