The next morning marked our first real day of classes.
The schedule was straightforward: the morning consisted of standard high school subjects—math, English, and the like. The afternoon, however, was dedicated almost entirely to Hero Basic Training.
Hero Basic Training is the cornerstone of the curriculum, a mix of lectures on the theory of heroism and practical exercises in combat and rescue. Regardless of the day's specific focus, it is undoubtedly the most critical subject for any aspiring hero.
While neither Himiko nor I harbor any particular romanticism toward the profession of "Hero"—albeit for very different reasons—I have sworn myself to the cause of peace and justice. The knowledge offered here will not go to waste. I am especially keen on the lectures concerning hero law and social systems; I had deprioritized those in my private studies, knowing they would be covered extensively here.
"Whoa... Mashie-san, you're eating an incredible amount!"
"Phew... so it's true. You really do eat more than twice as much as a normal person..."
During lunch, Midoriya, Uraraka, and Iida watched me with varying degrees of shock as we sat in the cafeteria.
Their reaction was understandable. Spread before me were three different types of salads, three large bowls of rice, and two full set-course meals. Furthermore, the food was disappearing at an alarming rate.
"It truly is remarkable!" Iida exclaimed. "Where does it all go? You're so small, and yet the volume of food you've consumed clearly exceeds the physical capacity of your stomach!"
I was inclined to agree, but I was too busy chewing to offer a rebuttal. Lunch breaks have a time limit, and for a person of my stature to consume this much fuel before the bell, I had to keep my jaw moving at all times.
Himiko, being used to our daily routine, stepped in to explain.
"Koto-chan uses her Quirk to amplify her digestive functions and nutrient absorption. The food is practically being processed the moment it hits her stomach, so theoretically, she can eat forever!"
"Is there nothing your Quirk can't do, Mashie-san!?" Midoriya cried.
Forgive me, Midoriya, I thought. I often wonder the same thing.
In truth, this "anything goes" utility isn't solely the result of a Quirk. As you know, my Quirk, "Amplification," usually requires physical touch. It has little effect on things I cannot reach—like my own internal organs. However, the Force bridges that gap. My Quirk's influence extends wherever my Force-awareness reaches, allowing me to target my own biology with surgical precision and no loss in efficacy.
Furthermore, the fusion of the Force and my Quirk allows me to amplify even abstract concepts like "stamina" or "efficiency." It is, frankly, a bit of a cheat. I suspect that if others could tap into the Force, their Quirks would undergo similar radical evolutions. The thought of finding and training such individuals for a new Jedi Order is a daunting one, mostly regarding the vetting process.
"Still... doesn't that make your grocery bill... kind of terrifying?" Uraraka asked, her face pale.
"We... don't talk about the food budget, Ochaco-chan," Himiko said solemnly.
"Ah... right. Got it...!"
For the record, my expenses are covered by the patent royalties from the droids and translation units. While the accounts are in my father's name, the funds are for my use. I felt a bit bad for Uraraka's sympathetic expression, but financially, I am quite comfortable. I am constantly grateful for my knack for mechanics; no matter how much one strives for a life of "Jedi simplicity," living requires credits—or in this case, yen.
"Thank you for the meal."