Hero Super

“So, what’s like— a 'perfect’ meal for you guys?” Calvin asked out of nowhere while he skillfully flipped a wok full of fried rice and eggs.

“Anything with cheese,” Quinn answered, violently spamming a button. “Take that!”

“Meat,” Ina said succinctly before leaning her body forwards and squinting her eyes.

“Cheese and meat!” Helena declared, her loud voice irritating the ears of everyone in the room. “And eggs! How about you, cutie?”

“I l—like eggs too,” Sharle answered, Calvin barely hearing her voice.

“Anything sweet,” Alex shrugged, her child-like figure slumping back onto the couch before throwing the controller to the table. “You guys suck.”

“Please don’t shake the table,” Regina grumbled, holding her tea steady. “Healthy foods are quite nice.”

Calvin looked behind him, “Lonnie?”

“Perfect’s kinda subjective…” Lonnie muttered as he cut vegetables. “W—what about Mara?”

No one answered. Calvin looked over to the others, finding said girl slumped over and snoring lightly. He looked towards the others in the room, wondering how this happened.

Eight guests were currently idling in Calvin’s room early in the morning, sitting around a small coffee table next to his bed. Some of them were playing a game Ina brought, using Sam’s surprisingly expensive and high-quality television.

Ina and Quinn sat together on his bed, inseparable as always. Helena was on the ground in front of them, encasing the petite Sharle with the frame of a giantess. The meek girl was trying to dissociate from what was happening around her, focusing on the knitting needles in her hand. Alex was on one end of the table, sitting on a pillow she brought, while Regina sat on the other end, sipping tea and glancing towards Ina and sometimes Calvin.

Calvin glanced behind him, feeling much more relieved that Lonnie was there. He originally didn’t want to come, but Calvin dragged him in since he didn’t want to be in a room full of cooties. He was also the only one he could drag in without turning the room into a sleepover or a battlefield.

“Mara,” Quinn poked her cheek.

“Huh— ah, yeah,” Mara yawned, “sorry, what are we doing?”

“Waiting for more food,” she answered her. “You okay?”

“Yeah… just sleepy,” she yawned again, rubbing her tired and bagged eyes. “What do you mean more—”, her drooping eyes widened as she turned towards the dining table, finding its previous banquet-like state filled with dishes now like a hurricane had passed through and eaten it all, “—what happened to the food?”

“Ask pink girl,” Helena chuckled, gesturing to Quinn.

“She did, stupid,” Alex scoffed, shaking her head.

The two were still at each other’s throats after the cafeteria debacle. He wasn’t there when it happened, but he could easily imagine it knowing Helena.

“Alex ate just as much,” Quinn grumbled.

Alex coughed, “I’m a growing girl.”

“I can help with that,” Helena raised her fist with a grin.

“You want to have another go, Goliath?” Alex cracked her neck and glared at her.

“When don’t I?” She said, summoning her stick.

“Don’t—” “Stop—”

Pillows suddenly hit the two on the head, one held by Ina and the other by Regina. The two looked at each other for a moment before awkwardly looking away and back towards the two girls about to fight.

Calvin smiled wryly at that. Helena had loudly blurted out what Regina did in the cafeteria. He didn’t know how, but the girl could recite in verbatim what she said from start to end, even when she called Calvin a 'cute boy’.

“H—helena?” Sharle stammered.

“Sorry, cutie,” Helena chuckled, pinching Sharle on the cheek.

“I’ll punt the two of you into the stratosphere if you fight here again. I swear to god… you two need therapy,” The dorm room’s owner told them off with a sigh. “Also Sparky and Ivan are half the reason. They came by while you were asleep, Mara.”

“Ivan took almost half of it,” Lonnie added.

“Hmph,” Alex harrumphed adorably while Helena just kept smiling like it wasn’t anything to do with her.

“Whatever you say, cute boy,” Helena giggled, taunting Regina now.

Regina smacked her tea cup on the saucer, glaring at Helena, “You—”

“Hey, C—cal. Why are you cooking so much?” Mara interrupted, wanting to shift the atmosphere.

“Ahem—I was wondering that too,” Regina nodded, following Mara’s lead.

“It’s… a hobby,” He lied, looking away.

“No, that’s a hobby,” Alex pointed towards Sharla who seemed to have knitted a mile-long scarf from her anxiety. “No one cooks so much by themselves.”

In the past few days, Calvin had been inviting most of them to come eat the practice dishes he keeps cooking to find a 'perfect’ meal. Throwing perfectly good food away felt wrong, especially after spending his first few months being poor.

It was also a win-win, since a lot of them really do not want to go back to the cafeteria, at least not in the near future.

“I do,” Calvin shrugged.

“He just gets hyper-fixated on random stuff,” Ina said, giving a rough excuse as she gestured to not mind him.

The otherworlder-slash-chef raised a brow at her words, but she wasn’t exactly wrong in hindsight. She just didn’t know the reason yet.

Calvin hadn’t spoken to the two about the fact that he could evolve his powers practically at will since they hadn’t had time to themselves for a while now. He also felt somewhat paranoid, especially knowing what Dox could do. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to imagine that there’s someone who can hear or see what happens inside his dorm room.

“Hey, it’s free and delicious, I’m not complaining,” Alex gave him a thumbs up.

“Eh, I think he uses too much salt,” Helena chuckled. “Also all meals are free here, dumbass.”

“I stopped salting your food after the last time you complained, what do you mean?”

Helena looked at her dish in confusion, “What? I swear there’s salt?”

“Pft—”, Alex covered her mouth, failing to hide the smirk.

“He was asking about a perfect meal, Tomara,” Regina cut in before the two fought again.

“When will you stop calling me that?” Mara sighed.

“When I get my nickname back,” She stared at Ina.

Ina smirked and stuck her tongue out at her.

Mara looked between the two, “Why are you taking it out on me? Ugh… whatever.”

“So, perfect meal?” Calvin repeated the question.

She jolted from his voice, “I— uh, I don’t know. Something fresh? I feel like it depends.”

“On what?” He asked while plating the food.

“On what I want at the moment? On how cold it is? If it’s early in the morning? Or a late night snack? I don’t know… a lot of stuff. Perfect is too subjective.”

“That’s what I said,” Lonnie muttered.

“That salad’s taking a long time, man,” Calvin reminded him.

“Salad? Ah— oh, yeah, that’s what I was doing…”

“You forgot you were making a salad? What have you been—” Calvin turned around and shook at the sight of an entire forest of lettuce populated by various vegetables carved to look like woodland animals, “Holy shit— this is what you’ve been doing?”

“S—sorry, I got carried away,” He scratched his cheek. “It’s a hobby.”

“That’s definitely worse than Calvin’s 'hobby',” Alex shook her head.

After serving and eating an overly hearty but non-perfect breakfast, the nine of them started making their way out of the dorm and towards class. It was the first day of the week once again, which meant that this day had the only class most of them were dreading— apart from Math.

“What do you think we’ll do for homeroom this time?” Calvin asked as they neared the room.

“Punch a rabbit.” “Smack a bunny.” Alex and Helena spoke out almost simultaneously.

Calvin chuckled, glancing towards Ina who looked like she was about to say something similar.

Ina caught his glance and rolled her eyes, “Fluffkins.”

“It’s probably about our classes,” Mara offered a sane answer. “We’ll probably get busier this week.”

“I’ll take that over the bunnies,” Lonnie shivered.

They arrived in the room, mildly relieved that they weren’t greeted with the sound of the jungle.

There were already three people inside: Ivan, who was slumped and sleeping, James, who was slumped and not caring, and Alden, who was trying his best not to care about being a social outcast in his second week in the Academy.

As soon as everyone entered, Lillian, the bunny-like homeroom teacher, appeared behind the podium in front of the class.

“Everyone’s here, good. Take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chairs. “Today, we’re going to start customizing your schedule for the next few weeks. We’ll be doing this every month until the third month, where we’ll finalize the subjects you want to take for the rest of the year.”

“It’s not bunnies,” Lonnie sighed in relief.

“We’ll first discuss general subjects before moving on to one-on-one consultations.”

She clapped and a holographic screen appeared beside her, displaying every lecture and class available to sit in and their schedules.

From what Calvin understood, each week they could cram as many classes as they could as a sort of 'test run’ to see if it’s a class that’ll be helpful for what kind of hero they want to be. Of course, there were still classes that are highly recommended, mostly combat-related classes, but it’s still ultimately up to the prerogative of the student.

“And, that’s that. I’ll send all of you a list of courses I believe would be helpful, but you’re not really required to take them,” Lillian tapped on her holowatch, making everyone else’s vibrate as she sent the notification. “There are more classes in the directory, feel free to ask me about them during our consultation. Any questions?” Seeing no one raise a hand or even cough, she nodded. “Fifteen minutes. Read the suggestions, list which ones you want, and then we’ll start.”

After that, blue light surrounded her and she disappeared again, leaving the students to themselves.

Calvin

Introduction to the Superhuman World ★

Superhuman Physical Fitness ★

Combat Tactics and Basic CQC ★★★

Villain Psychology and Common Tactics 101 ★★★

Superhero Physiology 101 ★★

Supersuits 101 ★★

Secret Identities ★★

Metahuman Abilities 101 ★★★

Ethical Foundations for Superentities ★★★

Superhero History 101 ★

...

“Villain Psychology and Common Tactics 101,” Calvin read out one of the more unusual classes that he was slightly curious about.

“Seems kinda useless,” Alex shrugged. “You can just ask Goliath over there.”

“Don’t you two start now,” Regina sighed.

“Supersuits 101, Secret Identities 101, Ethical Foundations for Superentities 101… why is everything 101?”

“They’re introductory courses, Cal,” Quinn said before looking at Calvin’s list. “Pick this one.”

“Literature Reading for Supe— okay, just shut up,” he pinched her cheek, “Why is that even a course? And why’s there like three goddamn words for 'superhuman’?”

“Just start picking stuff you want to learn,” Ina reminded him. “Make sure you get Combat Tactics.”

They started planning classes to take for the next three months, each week a different set of classes to make sure they were taking ones they’d like. Quinn and Ina 'kindly’ helped him with creating his schedule so that it matched theirs somewhat. Calvin just let them, since he was interested in literally every single class anyway.

Still, there were a few he was very curious about and was adamant about checking out.

“Wilderness Survival?” Quinn read out one of the differences in their schedules.

“Seems helpful,” Calvin said, not wanting to admit that the real reason is because of all those survival videos he watched back on Earth.

She then pointed to another one, “And this? Hatchling Ecology?”

“You know why I want that,” He smirked.

“Cheater,” She muttered.

“Says the one that can turn buildings to dust.”

“Okay,” Lillian’s voice came from the front again, the woman having reappeared behind a podium. “I’ll call you one by one, starting with…”, she ran a finger through a list on her holowatch, “Calvin.”

“Really?” He sighed.

Blue light surrounded him and the homeroom teacher. Just like before, the world warped for a moment before he found himself already sitting on a foldable metal chair, facing the rabbit-like teacher who looked worse for wear now that she was closer.

“Is this an interrogation room or something?” Calvin muttered as he looked around.

The room was grey, cubed, and suffocating, quite literally. There were no windows, doors, or vents in any of the walls, only a desk, a light bulb, and two metal chairs. The only way to get out or escape was likely by teleporting, and Calvin doesn’t have that power.

“Ah. Sorry. I got up pretty late. Didn’t have time to redecorate,” Lillian answered quite groggily before she opened a panel beside her.

A few knobs twisted and a couple of buttons pressed, the room expanded quite a bit into something that looked like a proper teacher’s office. There was even one of those desk toys with hanging balls that swing perpetually if you make them hit each other.

'Didn’t have time… that took ten seconds,’ Calvin thought.

“Okay, let me see your schedule,” She gestured for him to send the file. She opened it up in front of both of them as soon as she received it. “Hmm… Physical Fitness? I don’t actually recommend you to take this one.”

“Why?” Calvin asked, somewhat surprised since that subject felt like the basic of basics that was needed.

“You don’t need it,” She pulled up a video on screen, showing Calvin jogging and exercising in the park at three in the morning. “At most, you’ll want a personal trainer since your routine seems generic— amateurish even.”

'Okay, now that’s creepy as fuck. They’re recording me just jogging?’ Calvin shivered. “Can’t I get that during class?”

“That class is mainly to build up discipline and for a routine, which you already do,” She said as she took down the videos. “You can get a personal trainer using the Academy shop, although that’ll cost some points. You can also just look up videos, but they won’t be as good as having someone who knows what they’re doing.”

“I’ll… consider it,” he nodded.

“Hmm, what else— CQC, you should definitely get that, take advantage of your Physic-like physique, Metahuman abilities 101 maybe could help you find other ways to use your power. Blocking and using them as footholds seems good enough for now, but eventually, you’ll need more 'moves’, so to speak. Being predictable is a detriment.”

“I mean… it’s kinda hard to get more creative with Gimmicks, no?”

“Some have done more with less,” she shook her head, “but it shouldn’t be a priority right now. What next… Hatchling Ecology and Wilderness Survival? Are you planning to be a Chaser?”

“A Chaser?” He tilted his head at the unfamiliar term.

“Chasers are Heroes that are more focused on stuff outside the walls. Whether it’s Villainy, Banditry, or other stuff.”

“Can I ask, what other stuff?” Calvin couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“You know, hatchlings. They make sure they don’t come close to the wall, 'chase’ them away as it were. Or warn the HQ so they can send appropriate Heroes before it turns into another No-man disaster.”

“No-man disaster?” Calvin shot another question.

Lillian looked at him blankly before writing down something on her holowatch. He wondered for a moment what she was doing before he realized the list in front of him updated.

Calvin (Update)

Introduction to the Superhuman World ★★★

Superhuman Physical Fitness ★★★

“Knowing history is important regardless of becoming a Chaser or Hero,” She ended it at that.

'Yeah yeah, I’m an ignorant otherworlder, sue me,’ he grumbled in his head but was nevertheless thinking that she had a point.

“Well, I don’t see anything else to point out in your schedule— ah, you put CQC for this week, huh?”

“Yeah? Is that a problem?” Calvin looked at the schedule again, the said subject is early tomorrow, after Math.

“No, no, just— good luck,” She chuckled before waving him away. “You can leave now.”

“Uh, teacher?”

“Just call me Lillian.”

“There’s no door, Lillian.”

“Ah—”

Calvin left homeroom as soon as Quinn and Ina finished their turn, which was a hell of a long time since Ina’s last name was in the latter half of the alphabet. Calvin only went first because he had no last name. Surprisingly, Ivan didn’t have one too.

The three hung out just as usual for the entire day before ending up in Calvin’s room again. The two continued playing games while Calvin cooked a meal for their entire friend group.

“I feel like I should be paid for labor now,” Calvin muttered, feeling somewhat fatigued after all that cooking.

“You’re getting paid social points,” Ina said, patting his back.

“A worthless currency,” He chuckled.

“You can buy favors with it,” Quinn smirked, showing him the wad of cuddle tickets in her pocket before giving one to Ina.

“How much for a favor?”

“Remember, you’re in debt, Sponsee.”

“That’s not very social of you.”

“I’m not a very social person.”

“Could’ve fooled me— ow.”

“Pft—” Ina chuckled as she hugged Quinn from behind. “So, perfect meal? That’s why you’ve been cooking?”

“It’s a thing I’m trying… I’ll tell you guys if it works,” Calvin steered away from the conversation, “oh yeah, I wanted to ask… is there any reason a superpower can’t evolve?”

“Luck? Some people are just unlucky?” Ina shrugged, resting her chin on Quinn’s head.

“It also depends on the power,” Quinn answered, “either it’s a Full Elementalis, like your colour thing, or it’s like mine.”

“Absolution prefix…”, He muttered, trying to remember the one time she explained it. “How do you actually find out? If it has that?”

“Just get another person with the prefix, the effects cancel out each other if they interact. Just 'poof’, and it’s gone,” Quinn sensed his seriousness and sat up, letting Ina release her, “Why? You think you have a power with the prefix?”

Calvin nodded, summoning an [Impervious Pebble] in front of her. Quinn stared at the pebble for a second before reaching out to touch it. An instant later, the pebble disappeared. It didn't unsummon, it didn't get destroyed, it was just gone.

“Well… there you go.”