Blossoms of the Dark

CLXXXI Shouto: Steps

If there is one thing praiseworthy about Endeavor, it is that he keeps true to his word.

Being a better father has yet to be seen, but so far he has done a good job of being a mentor at the work-study.

This separation of emotions from responsibility makes it so much easier to be in his presence.

I even manage to learn new things.

For example, we begin the morning chasing after a harmless yet pestilent rogue. Endeavor beats the three of us to it, but I notice new techniques in his modus operandi. When he was attacked by the noumu immediately after the latest rankings announcement, he compressed his flames to boost his acceleration and impact. I tend to do something similar but with ice; only once did I use my fire for speed. It's a monumental, impressive feat.

The challenge only motivates me.

So when he charges ahead, I take use both ice and fire to catch up to him. It does not escape my notice that Bakugou also adjusts his stance slightly after I point out my observations to him. Midoriya uses his own quirk to increase his speed. Individually yet somehow unitedly, we are trying to improve. Just as Endeavor wanted us to do.

Maybe it's a good thing that Endeavor observes these subtle changes, too. "During my fight in Kyushu, I was able to split the work with Hawks," he says, "But a true hero must be someone who is able to handle every role on their own."

Then, "Bakugou. You said you wanted to learn what you couldn't do, right? I'll admit that your ability is top-notch. Well, for a rookie at least. But as you are right now, you will never be able to surpass me." I look at Bakugou. He is wearing a sneer. Endeavor continues, "This winter might just be training, but if you're too slow, you won't be able to use your normal excuses anymore. This is not a classroom. If you're ever too slow, you won't be losing points ... rather, human lives." He punctuates his statement by punching the front engine of truck-kun that was about to isekai a civilian to the royalty afterlife.

My instinct tells me that although he used Bakugou's name, the message was intended for me, too.

I get confirmation of my hunch when he gives Bakugou and I the same task: storage and release of power. Either we learn to draw forth the maximum of our abilities for an instant, or focus our ability on a single point. In both cases, we must practice that skill until we can do it subconsciously.

Endeavor buys us some kurimpan during our break. He also takes this opportunity to offer advice. To me, he suggests the second option is better. I should concentrate on the image of my ice and apply it to fire. To Midoriya, he recommends the first idea. Midoriya can already utilize the most of his quirk, but he cannot do it completely subconsciously.

"I can with my Full Cowl," Midoriya explains, "But for my Air Force ... I still have to think about it."

"In that case, your first step will be to earn to use Air Force subconsciously. Forget about your 'secondary ability' for now."

"But to do that, I need to learn how to think in parallel."

Since we are at height, Endeavor looks down at the busy street below. He pauses a moment, taking in the scene, before speaking again. "Listen up." An order for the three of us. "Everyone on Earth is already capable of parallel processing on a daily basis. And subconsciously, too, to boot. Just look at that guy, yawning and driving at the same time. It's not like he's always known how to drive. Steering. Acceleration. Braking. Processing what's ahead of and behind him at all times. He learned each of those one by one, then practiced until he could do them all together subconsciously.

"Start by learning to do two things together subconsciously. When you're done with that, add a third. No matter how strong or powerful an ability may be, that power is built on a foundation of smaller parts, stacked on top of each other, one by one.