𝕀𝕔𝕖 𝕋𝕠 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝔽𝕚𝕣𝕖 ᵇⁿʰᵃ

Chapter 18

Rina Todoroki, also known as North, walked confidently down the hallway, her heart pounding with anticipation. Today was her first day teaching Class 1-A, the renowned hero course at U.A. High School. As she entered the classroom, the students fell silent, their eyes fixed on her.

"I'm Rina Todoroki, also known as North, and I am your teacher for Heroic Strategy Class," she introduced herself. "Any questions before we begin?"

When there were no immediate responses, she continued, "All right class, for today's lesson, each of you will be playing chess on the computer in front of you. If I'm going to teach you all anything, I need to know just how knowledgeable you are at strategy. Before we do that, can someone tell me why strategy is important?"

Unlike Class 1-B, who had been eager to discuss the importance of strategy, the students in Class 1-A seemed hesitant. Judging by their uncertain expressions, Rina decided to rephrase her question.
Just as she was about to do so, five hands shot up into the air. Tenya Iida, Shoto Todoroki, Shion, Izuku Midoriya, and Momo Yaoyorozu.

Rina nodded. "Yaoyorozu, if you can please answer, why is strategy important, especially for heroes?"

Momo Yaoyorozu stood up, her voice confident. "Yes, ma'am. Strategy is important because it helps achieve effectiveness, mobilize resources, and secure advantageous positions. As for why it's important to heroes, it allows us to consider the potential outcomes and choose the path that will serve the greater good of humanity."

Rina nodded in satisfaction. "Very good answer. Heroes should always strive to do their best to achieve a good outcome, but be very careful with your choices. In the most dire of situations, your decisions could determine who lives and who dies. I won't sugarcoat anything because I don't plan on blinding you to the truths of reality."
She paused, her expression becoming more serious. "Villains are getting smarter and craftier. Heroes must have courage and resolve to endure risks, dangers, and even death in order to maintain peace. We have maintained peace for quite some time, and as much as I hate to admit it, most of it is due to All Might."

The mention of All Might seemed to spark a reaction in the students. Kaminari Denki perked up. "All Might is so cool! He's everyone's role model!" Kirishima Eijiro beamed, "Someday, I wanna be a hero like All Might!"

Rina slammed her hand on the podium, her voice sharp. "You will do no such thing!"
The class was startled by her outburst. Her eyes were cold, and frost began to cover the room. "It's true we have peace, but how much longer do you think it will last? For how much longer do you think All Might will be there?"

"I want all of you to remember this," she continued, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Heroes are not gods. We do not win every battle. And sometimes, we have to prioritize and retreat. But of course, if you want to be like All Might, be my guest. But fair warning, you'll lose your organs and your life in the process."

The students gulped nervously. Rina continued, "In this class, no, in this school, you will each become your own hero. You will each develop your own way of being a hero. Do I make myself clear?"

The class froze, then yelped in unison, "Yes, ma'am!"

Rina let out a breath, and the frost receded from the classroom. "Now let's begin the lesson," she said, her voice now softer. She smiled, as if she hadn't just terrified her students.

****

Later that day, during lunch, Rina was enjoying the company of Inko Midoriya, Mitsuki Bakugo, and Toshinori Yagi, also known as All Might. Just as they were settling into their conversation, Shota Aizawa, or Eraserhead as he was known to his students, walked in and plopped himself down in the corner of the room, his sleeping bag in tow.