"And today class, we have a very special guest here today! Everyone, welcome the hero known only as Raven!"

("Great. It's gonna be another generic hero in enchanted armor or something."

Stepping into my class was a 7 foot, towering monster of a hero, clad in rad armor! Pretty much everyone was gushing over this guy...and not gonna lie, me too.

"Today, Raven will be here to teach you all the importance of becoming a hero if you so choose to when you all get older. And due to our class being the highest rated in the school, you all are the first students to head to the gym and listen to Ravens words!"

All the other students already jumped out of their seats like sugar hungry fiends. Eventually we was led by our teacher to the school's gymnasium to be the first to learn from this *mysterious* Raven guy.

("Pfft. Just because he's cool doesn't mean he's all that. I bet he probably uses nothing but enchantments and such!!")

Leading us into the gym, I stared in awe at what was done to the place. It wasn't just this raven hero. Apparently there was many other heros here, all with different booths and such. Probably wanting kids to look at their stupid hero schools or something stupid!"

"Hey!!! Kak-Yak!!"

I turn my head to find that my friend walking up to me. "Ah! How's it going dude?"

*Fist bump*

"Yo, you saw that guy in that cool armor? Looked like something straight from a book man. And did you see that sword he's got?!"

I nod. "Yeah, he's gotta be pretty dang strong to hold that thing. Pfft, whatever though, it's probably got enchantments or something like that!!"

"Maybe." I tense up at the feeling of him playfully slapping my back. "Hey!! You always go crazy talking about this hero stuff!! Now's your chance to get into a good school in the future dude! You know, learn some stuff."

*groan* "I don't know. I mean do you KNOW of the stupid rules they need to follow and all that? Oh, don't hurt criminals this way, don't use this and that magic, oh remember to-"

"Ok, yeah, I get it dude. But I'm just saying, you WANT to be a hero right? Well, now's the best time to at least think of applying to one of the many hero schools. I mean you don't wanna be a tavern barkeep or something simple."

*eye roll* "I am NOT being a barkeep." *Crosses arms, looking to the many booths* "I don't want to be bound to some stupid code. I wanna be bound to MY code. My own rules and principles, not some stupid written rules." I turn to my friend. "I want to be a hero that doesn't bow to the norm, if that even makes sense."

"Don't worry dude, you'll figure it out soon. Anyway, I'm gonna go check the hero's out. I'll see you!"

*High five*

As I watch my friend leave, I turn my attention to the giant in the room. Raven, who's got an entire crowd already surrounding him. Or is it a her? I don't know, nor do i really care.

"Kak-Yak."

I jump a little at the call of my name, turning around to come face to face with my teacher.

"Aren't you going to join the others? There's plenty of opportunities here. Collages! Hero schools and much more."

*Annoyed groan* "Fine sir."

Annoyed, I head over to the group of kids already listening to Raven speak. I try to overhear what he's saying, but the amount of students and staff talking prevents me from getting a good jist of what the hero's even talking about.

"Ewwww, it's the freak!"

"Oh my gosh, why is this loser here!"

"Freak!"

*clenches paws*

"Why are you even here freak? We all know that the cat folk who has multi colored faces are abominations!"

"Yeah, like, why are you even alive?"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Yeah you look like a doll whose face has been painted over and over again by a toddler!"

*Grits fangs*

("Just ignore them...just...ignore...")

As the mockery of my appearance died down, I was shocked to find that the hero had made a path forward...to me. I practically froze up as i saw him look down at me. I was like an ant to this giant. This tall, intimidating figure. They kneel, maintaining eye level with me.

"...I have overheard the other students talking rudely to you. Now that is not a way we treat anyone." He looks to the other students. "Is it?"

They all practically froze hahahaha!! Scared of being called out! Take that you jerks!

The hero returns their gaze back to me. "...Tell me, young one. What is your name?"

"Oh! U-uh, it's Kak-Yak sir! Kak-Yak."

"...Hmmm...I shall remember, this name. Kak-Yak."

I could tell they were thinking about...something, to say I guess, as I just stood there stiff as a rock.

"Little one. Do not ever, let anyone talk down upon you because of your unusual face markings and colors. In fact, take pride in it. For it is rare of your species to birth one of such a variety of color. Now tell me...what type of hero do you want to be? If you don't want to be one that is fi-"

"No!" I say, cutting him off. "I one hundred percent wanna be a hero! But not the usual one!" *Deep breath* "Sir, I want to be a hero that doesn't follow any rules. Well, written ones at least. I want to be a hero that follows his heart, not the rules of some higher order within an organization or something stupid. Like a guild! They take hero's money from the things they collect and all that, and don't even pay them the stuff they exactly found on the adventure!!"

"..." *low, deep chuckle* "Mainly because guilds and hero associations need to make money from their heros somehow, while still paying them a livable wage.

However...I do see what you mean, little one. And I am not stranger of going off course of what I've been expected to follow."

"Wait!! You're like me then!"

"Perhaps."

To everyone's shock and awe, the hero takes off their sheathed sword from its holster...and turns it...to me?!

"I see great potential in you. You may not realize it now...but I can see that you have a soul that beams with potential, determination and strength. You'll be a fine hero someday."

They hand me their sword. As I take it within my grasp, I feel a sense of peace and happiness enveloping me.

"This weapon is unchanged. Unaltered from when it was created. When you get older, and if you decide to become a hero, you may alter this blade as you see fit. For it is now yours."

He stands back up, towering over me. "I must get back to the others...don't forget what I've said to you this day, young one."

They go back to their original position and begins waiting for any students to say their questions to them, with some asking for items from him too. Hahaha!! He, she, whatever, they are gave ME the sword, ME, not you guys!! Take that. Ahahahahaha.

One gigantic, boring time skip later.

"I write my woes here, for aging is boring and responsibilities suck big time. Journal, be my venting relief from now on!! Ahahahaha!! Me and you journal till the very end!!!"

*door creak*

I quickly slam my journal shut as my mother steps into my room.

"Yaki." She says, voice both judging and solemn. "Is this really what you want hun? This...hero nonsense, it's both dangerous and reckless! I wanted you to go to college!"

"Pfft, i already took the better collage already. The hero one!"

"Yeah, and you dropped out of it." *sigh* "I know I can't stop you at this point, so I've decided to put together some of my savings for you."

"W-wha?"

She hands me a satchel, continuing various goodies, the main one being cold hard cash! Lots too!!

"Ma, seriously, I don't need money."

"Please, take it. To help you with your beginnings as a hero."

With a sigh, I put the satchel onto my waist bait. "Fiiiiiine. Thanks, ma."

Silence engulfed the air before she spoke once more. "So when will you be heading out?"

"Midnight. The prime time!! Ahahaha, for I am the shadow in the night that hunts the beast in the darkness!!"

"How...heroic, sweetie."

Whilst gathering all of my things into one big bag, I look up at the clock ticking down on the wall. "Oh!!! It's already midnight!! Welp, gotta go ma! Hahahah."

I dash out of the room and run downstairs, exiting the front door all in a matter of seconds. I giggle to myself, taking in the fresh air of adventure!

"Son."

I turn around to see my ma at the front door. Seeing tears leaving her eyes, I realized I'm being to...fast, with this. I set aside my bag and go up to her, embracing her.

"I'll be sure to send little gifts and treats to you all! Hehehehe, after all I'm gonna be a hero!"

She didn't respond, silently taking in the reality that her eldest...was leaving. For good.

"..." *sigh* "Ma, I'll visit you guys every once in a while.  I promise."

*Tight squeeze before letting go*

"I love you mom."

*Sniffle* "You too, my darling, baby boy."

And with that, I had let go of everything. My home. My family. Friends too! Heck, and all because I wanna be a hero?! Pfft. It ain't like I'm not gonna visit my family and home town in the future! Obviously I will!!! But first...adventure awaits AHAHAHAHAHA, soon, soon I'll make a name for myself!!! As the first ever full moon birthed, Suxarine hero!!! Just you wait and see world. Kak-Yak the fearless will become a legendary hero."