There are four academies, each for the north, south, east, and west of the continent. The Hero Society created the academies to train Heroes that will inherit their will.
It is jointly supported by the kingdoms, merchant unions, sects, and the empire.
Their goal is to create heroes that will enforce their interests in the Hero Society.
The Hero Society is aware of the politics that came with the establishment of the academies. It is inevitable, but the gains outweigh the risk.
The academies are Hero-Maker, Hero-Icon, Hero-Hold, and Hero-Crest academy. Each is led by principals who were once Heroic Champions themselves.
Deron joined the Maker academy. So is Alfir.
Deron came to this academy at Eron's recommendation. This is the same school the current Hero King graduated so Deron is feeling more excited than usual.
But behind his vibrant smile hides a sad regret… He recalled the day that the orphanage burned through the ground. Maybe he could've done more, saved more lives, and helped for the better… By thinking like this, he was torturing himself.
It is only through busying himself, that his sadness can be momentarily forgotten.
...
From a distance, Alfir saw a certain red hair who was a stark contrast among the commoners milling around, the sight didn't illicit any curiosity from Alfir.
Choosing to stay far from this trouble magnet called Deron, Alfir walked away. With his typical black hair, he hopes to blend with the crowd.
Black hair and brown hair are the norms among the peasants of this world. But hair color among mutants tends to differ as they grow.
After a year or two, people with black hair and brown hair will then become the minority in this academy.
...
Deron is a little bit jumpy today. There are lots of strong people in this place.
Excluding the teachers, the students with purple, white, green, blue, and blonde hair have the aura of a worthy foe. After awakening his mutation, Deron is now able to sense the strength of others. And as a side effect, he felt an impulse to battle, but he restrained himself.
There will be an opportunity.
Deron glanced at the noteworthy characters he felt danger from. It is not just Deron who is observing them though. Alfir who sat in his perch just right above a tree watched these 'special characters' come and go.
Purple ruffled hair. Deron felt a devouring force coming from him threatening to swallow his spirit. Pierre Wallace emanates a swamp-like aura. He is surrounded by his lackeys, also strong people, but such grunts pale in comparison to Pierre's aura.
Pierre has a somewhat dark backstory that almost turned him into a villain. Even now, this darkness remained in his heart explaining his gloomy persona.
White straight hair. Deron feels profound strength from him. Cain Wiz Solomon is aloof and untouchable. People are literally making a path for him, splitting the crowd with his presence. Pierre is just as handsome, but Cain's powers have an idol effect, like a halo of light further giving that boost of flashiness.
Though he likes to fight, Cain is a germaphobe with an unhealthy obsession with cleanliness. In the novel, this battle junkie attitude is what caused him to have many enemies.
Green bob cut hair. She has a meek demeanor that adds to her charm. Deron can feel strong vitality from her. He can feel a soothing aura like the companionship of plants and nature. Deron noticed the 'people' staring at her with derision, but why? Deron doesn't show it, but he's curious.
Sheila Sunscreen is a disconnected commoner that lacks clues about the political ongoings in the academy. The problem with her identity is that she's a daughter of an infamous villain… quite a controversy in its own right…
Blue single braided long hair. Jana Weizer Bluefield is Sword Blue's younger sister. Sword Blue is a hero known for her weak persona— she never answers to duel challenges, never participated in combat-oriented operations, and never met her own sister even once after a decade of separation.
Jana doesn't want to be a hero, despite the power and genius she wields. She only wants to meet her big sister who is most often not at home due to hero work. Deron can feel a dangerous scent from Jana, akin to a natural disaster.
Blonde wavy hair. People are keeping their distance from her. It's because of her sensitive identity, she is imperial-born, the eldest daughter of the second prince. Blonde is not common really, it's just the empire has a radical history of slaughtering blonde commoners. Their reason is stupid, saying that these people might claim their inexistent imperial rights and that these blonde commoners don't make a good sight for the imperial family.
Lorie Lorena Arandragon exudes a different kind of danger— that if someone irks her in the smallest way possible, that someone will meet a bad end. To Deron's eyes, the danger is too vague to his powers but is vividly threatening in his mind.
"I am pumped up."
Deron bumped his knuckles ready for action. The school assembly and the greeting ceremony will only occur an hour later, at 9:00 in the morning. But there is already plenty of students here. It's not just Deron who is feeling the excitement.
The academy accepts students no matter what age, as long as one has a Special Ability. So, the presence of old men, uncles, and different kinds of people can be expected. But for the uncultured Deron, this is too overwhelming.
For a kid who grew up and was educated in an orphanage, the academy is too foreign of a place for him. Notwithstanding how many times he hears the story of this place, experiencing it himself firsthand is totally a different story.
As long as you can complete the 4 years with passing marks, you can become a hero. Failing so, the student can choose to repeat the subjects he failed until he gets a pass or he gives up. Of course, the ratio of students whose age is above their 20s is not that big either, about one adolescent for every eight youths.
The question is, why do they insist on becoming heroes?
It's because of SPIRIT! The mutual feelings of contributing for the better good. To embody a hero's will.
???
Ha! Hahaha! As if... Yeah sure, that was the core principle that functions behind the known Hero System, but there is more to it!
It's because it drowns people with wealth, fame, power, and more power! It is banal, yet an irrefutable truth. People willingly drown themselves in it… It's sad that time distorted the meaning of 'Hero', but that's the way of the world now.
Deron knows this, but rejects the notion that this is the ultimate truth… this is not the absolute definition of a hero. By coming to this academy, Deron hopes to change it. Represent it. Become it!
Maybe one day, orphans will be no more in this world. Every son and daughter would have a father and mother they would call their own. Villainous organizations would also cease, and instead, there would only be peace.
…
Separated by a metaphysical barrier, the principal of Heromaker academy watched his would-be students with interest. "This is going to be a dreadfully annoying year... Sigh..."