The school year turned, and as planned, I skipped a grade to become a third-year middle school student. Around the same time, I finally finished my lightsaber. At long last, I had the proper trappings of a Jedi—or, more accurately, a Padawan.
The completed weapon was a small-scale model suited to my current physique, with a shorter blade. Technically, it fell into the category of a shorto (shoto) lightsaber. I had intentionally capped its output to roughly the level of an Initiate's training saber.
While it was essentially little more than a glowing baton, a lightsaber is famously a "universal cutting tool"—a dangerous weapon. Since the heroes of this world are expected to avoid killing or even seriously injuring their opponents, the low power setting was a conscious choice. Of course, I've confirmed that I can use my "Quirk" to restore the blade to its true lethality should an emergency arise. I simply pray such an emergency never comes.
Interestingly, the blade's color turned out to be orange. In my previous life, no matter how many times I forged a saber, it was always green. I suspect this is the influence of my new environment. I am aware that I have changed, however slightly, from who I once was.
For the first fortnight after finishing the weapon, Anakin put me through rigorous saber drills. Despite my past life, the gap in my training was immense, and my opponent was a man whose skill had once rivaled Master Yoda's. Far from scoring a hit, I could barely even get close to him.
It did make me wonder: how could he, a non-corporeal Force Spirit, clash blades with my physical self? The Force truly works in ways that defy human logic, though I'm perhaps too close to it to appreciate the mystery.
In my past life as Avtus, I had specialized in Form VI: Niman. It was a form that distilled the strengths of the previous five styles into a balanced whole. Its greatest trait—and its greatest flaw—was its focus on generalist versatility over specialization. Because it was less physically demanding, it became popular in the peaceful era before the Clone Wars, allowing Jedi to dedicate more time to study and diplomacy.
"But because Niman gathers elements from so many forms," Anakin explained, "it takes at least a decade even for the gifted to master. By trying to do everything, you risk becoming a master of nothing. In a world as volatile as this one, where you'll often be fighting alone, it's not the ideal choice."
He wasn't wrong. As a Jedi Knight, Avtus had been a "jack-of-all-trades" on the battlefield—serviceable, but hardly a powerhouse. I liked to think I was a decent support fighter, but that was likely just my own biased perspective.
Ultimately, Niman is not a form built for the chaos of modern combat, especially when outnumbered. Thus, as Kotoha, I decided to set it aside.
Instead, I chose Form IV: Ataru.
Ataru is an acrobatic style that emphasizes physical prowess and agility. It involves using the Force to enhance one's jumps and movements, attacking from all directions in a blur of motion.
I had several reasons for this choice. First, it was the primary form of my Master in my previous life. Second, it was the signature style of Grand Master Yoda. Both were smaller in stature than their peers—Yoda especially so. Despite his age and size, once he drew his saber, he was the most formidable combatant in the Jedi Order.