The answer is already decided. I am a Jedi Knight. A guardian of peace and justice. That identity is the very core of my being. I have been reborn, yes, but so long as my self-identity remains firm, no other answer is possible.
Therefore, my immediate goal is to stand once more as a Jedi. Then, I must find a way back to the Republic and see the war against the Sith through to its end.
Of course, if a child who has only just ceased being a literal infant were to say such things aloud, his sanity would be questioned. However, this world has the profession of "Hero." While it differs from being a Jedi, there is an overlap in their roles.
Because of this, my aspirations have been categorized as the "Heroic Ambition" common to any child on this planet. Since shouting about the Jedi would only complicate matters, I have accepted this label for the time being.
Besides, if I cannot even become a Hero, becoming a Jedi would be a physical impossibility. A Jedi does not maintain peace through force alone. Force is a last resort; the true work lies in the tireless negotiation that connects heart to heart. If that is the case, I have no objections to becoming a Hero as a first step.
As a result, I have secured an ideal environment where a toddler practicing meditation and physical conditioning is not viewed as strange, but rather encouraged—within reason.
And so, except for the hours I am confined to the facility known as Yochien (preschool), I spend my days dedicated to my training. However...
"...It's no use. I cannot feel the Force."
No matter how deeply I meditate, the connection does not return. I am beginning to fear that this body is simply not Force-sensitive.
As I have noted before, the Force is the essential requirement of a Jedi. It is no exaggeration to say that the Force defines the Jedi, and the Jedi define the Force. Without it, my dream is precisely that: a dream.
"...Is it time to give up?"
With a heavy sigh, I looked out toward the horizon.
I was on a small hill owned by the Masue family, located behind a temple. I had come here to immerse myself in meditation, searching for that lost connection. Below me, the cityscape sprawled out.
In the distance, I could see a person with the appearance of a Geonosian clutching a large safe, leaping from one building to the next. A moment later, a man followed in pursuit, flying while emitting a soft, light-like glow. Another noisy day; another criminal being chased by another Hero.
I want to help... I should help... and yet...
"Ngh..."
Reality is relentlessly cruel. A second sigh escaped my lips.
...No. In the end, the Force is not strictly necessary to be a guardian of peace and justice. What is truly required is resolve and action.
While that may be difficult in the body of a child, it is not impossible to practice it in my immediate surroundings. Specifically, within the preschool.
I have already begun. Setting aside things that happen out of my sight, I make it a point to actively mediate any disputes that occur within my reach. I ensure no child is unjustly harmed.
Thanks to this, the teachers seem to view me as a "low-maintenance leader" among the children. However, most people would act the same way if they were thrust into a group of toddlers with the consciousness of an adult. I am not particularly special. I cannot yet claim that my actions are truly meaningful based on this alone.
So, if I cannot be a Jedi, how can I stand for peace and justice? On this planet, it seems the only path is to use a Quirk.
If that is the case, my return as a Jedi may never happen... but if I can contribute to the order of this world, perhaps I should accept that fate.
It is not that I crave the Force. To crave power for its own sake would make me no different from a Sith. A Jedi uses the Force only for protection.
"Hmm..."
I turned my thoughts toward the nature of this world, opening and closing my small, soft palms as I contemplated.
The primary cause of this planet's instability is the existence of Quirks. Therefore, to counter them, one needs a Quirk of their own. Will one manifest in me?
From what I have heard, Quirks usually manifest around the age of four—excluding "Heteromorph" types whose bodies are born with their traits.
If a Quirk lies dormant within me, it should be making an appearance soon. Yet, as someone who came from a world where no one possessed such things, I feel a lingering anxiety. I have no idea what a Quirk might do to me. I have a bad feeling about this.
In preschool, the chaos is already escalating as some children awaken their powers while others wait. The addition of even one more Quirk-user increases the disorder exponentially. I have no desire to be a contributor to that chaos.
"...Well, in any case, impatience is a trap. Regardless of the Force, there are many things I still need."
What I need most right now is knowledge, followed by the rhetorical skills to utilize it. Then come pure physical function and cognitive ability. Experience in handling all of the above follows. Combat power—whether through the Force or a Quirk—is actually lower on the list of priorities.
Yes. I am feeling calmer now.
There is no need to obsess over the Force. It would be a blessing to have it, certainly, but my first priority must be to live my life as a Jedi should.
"Time to study. I want to master the Joyo Kanji before the year is out."
Having convinced myself, I pushed myself up from the ground.
In the distance, the commotion had died down. It seemed the glowing Hero had successfully completed his task.
I let the view burn into my eyes for a moment longer. A peaceful cityscape is, after all, one of my ideals.
"Alright."
I slapped my cheeks hard with both hands to steady my resolve.