Mr Atlas sat there in deep thought.

“So a club which functions under normal work methods of heroics clubs but the main activity of the club is related to low end power research. Basically obtain information on abilities, try out testing powers to see if they have hidden underline secrets.” He said and frowned. “I’ll be honest, children, it is an ambitious path for sure. There are actually two other research clubs in this highschool. One of them focuses on researching and adapting tech to heroics course students, since every year brings different abilities, and the other is focused on middle range powers trying to do the same thing to elevate them to a higher ability or find features that made them higher so that it might bring out the potential to make heroes.” He explained.

“Why doesn’t anyone do low end powers? I mean, your power clearly has the potential to reach a braveman if not a hero as long as you constantly merge your stones.” Robin said with a frown.

Mr Atlas smiled but sighed quietly. “We aren’t sure but also because people with even a mid level power have usually trained since their youth to get their license and proper high school training. Those whose powers improve later on in life won’t really change their stable profession when they don’t have the mentality or training that those who trained for it do.” He said.

“Then what about doing this activity for younger people as well as adding activities to frequent the institute of power disabilities as part of the heroics curriculum and try to help people figure out powers and study in depth, the biological deficiencies occuring.” Shoji asked.

“Well… I mean it is possible.” Mr Atlas said.

“It would likely pass if you set it up like that because that is basically training for future ability researchers. There are tons of medically skilled strong and brave men who study their own abilities or type of power to the point of becoming specialists.” Shoji said and took a glance at Robin, “Captain Stretch, for one, is that kind of person and when Robin awakened his power, it was during an accident and he gave the initial analysis.” Shoji said.

Robin instantly scowled but Milo and Lola were confused and shocked. “How do you know?” Lola asked.

“It was right after Ruth was recruited to his academy.” Shoji said, simply clearly seeing Robin’s expression getting worse and worse. “So, are we able to get you to help us make the club?” Shoji asked.

Mr Atlas breathed in deeply, “Alright but is it only you four?” He asked.

“Until now it has always been our group's thoughts to have that kind of future. Robin was the one who coined it when he decided to find his cure and we went along because we each honestly didn’t have ability or desire for the extreme hero desire.” Lola said.

“Well, you know that many people form companies that support themselves right? To teach students how that works, heroic clubs have to follow a similar ideal. We ‘can’ make a club with 4 heroic club members early on but you need to be able to recruit enough people to cover basic positions that a company would have including someone who is good at handling a lot of money.” He said.

They all frowned but they looked at Milo and Shoji.

“I’m pretty good with money management, though I honestly have the mind to set up my production chain for my netherworld pills for bone strengthening.” Milo said.

“Hmm?” Mr Atlas muttered and Robin looked and chuckled. “What pill? Are you making drugs? Child, you shouldn’t be messing with that!” He said getting extremely worried.

The four kids began to laugh before Robin stepped in, “Mr Atlas, the pill you took that suddenly enhanced your entire skeleton originated from Milo. We discovered that many people have direct access to the netherworld which his power is connected to and have bred many plants and herbs in that world and even made medical recipes that work on the living and undead. The pill you took is just one of them.” Robin explained.

This time it was his turn to be slack jawed. “Y-You made those? Seriously!” He said.

“Yeah, we thought we could get a contract and money from the government through the institute to be able to help it as well but we were told that without a heroics club and trainee licenses we would not even reach the negotiation table with the government representatives. We would only be able to distribute, safely, the body oil that is healing Robin but it is vital to a large number of people as well. We planned to have them as our brand-named product since it is tied to the abilities of both Milo and Lola.” Shoji explained after his laughing subsided.

“This… this is a lot of money that will pump through this... I think I will need to talk to the principal first. The accountant might not be able to be a child if that is the case. Still, besides accountant, you need Marketing Generalist, Produce Manager, Sales Rep and Customer support Rep. In an actual heroic company, you also have to add Business Development or Financial Analyst and Human resource Professional. A total of 7 people taking care of these outside of the people in heroics to properly run and obtain funding.” he said.

“Well, if we can make the club then we can also recruit people. Can we recruit normal highschool people?” Robin asked.

“Yeah, they are the ones who will do those jobs while you are the face of the club.” Mr Atlas said.

“Then we are cool.” Robin said.

“Okay, but one thing. Have you children decided on a name?” Mr Atlas asked.

The four looked at each other and Milo cut in before the others could say anything, “What are the names of the other two research groups?”

“The first is ‘The Power Technology Research Society’ while the other is ‘Heroic Power Research Division’.” He said.

“Wow, they sound almost official government style.” Lola said.

“Yeah, this is because most of them actually go on to work for the government through the research facilities for some time while doing their common jobs so over time the name got modified and became more and more official like.” Mr Atlas explained the history of the two clubs.

“We should go like that. Maybe take a page from the second group.” Robin said.

“You mean like ‘Civilian Power Research Division’?” Lola asked.

“Sure, why not. But add a bit more, ‘Civilian and Power Disability Research Division’. That would basically fill in the last and likely largest research group we could make.” Robin said.

“That sounds like a good name.” Shoji said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Alright, I will check with the principal and then submit your application. If you are lucky, we can get aid for the accountant position. That said, you had best figure out how you will display your club’s position. The two research groups always bicker and honestly, many research groups have tried to appear over the years.” he said.

“Well… if we look at it objectively, they have no reason to.” Shoji said. “One is high end research, the other is middle end. What we are trying to occupy is the low end which no one has thought of figuring out before.”

“Honestly, if these actually come to try and get rid of the club then they are bastards who only try to suck up to the pros and the powerful without thinking of the poor and unfortunate.” Robin said coldly.

“Don’t let it get to you kid, you will learn that that is just human nature and maybe even the law of the jungle.” Mr Atlas said.

“Yeah but the law of the jungle doesn’t apply for a stable society.” Robin said.

No one replied and got up. Mr Atlas headed out to do his part and said if they could properly get the club set up, he would be their monitor.

When Robin got home, he didn’t go train. Instead he went to his room and started to research something he vaguely knew about and that was the Institute of Power Disabilities. The specific information he wanted was the number of these facilities throughout America and how many people in total the huge number of institutes housed, and how much funds is used by the government to sustain them and the research funds.

He was honestly surprised by how low the funding was even for basic needs.

After that he asked his parents to take him to the institute where he took some pictures and before going home and building a small slideshow that he could use to try and convince people with possibly similar points of views.

The following day, the group presented their own things and they joined it up and organized it before meeting up with Mr Atlas.

“So, did it get approved?” Robin asked.

“The principal approved but not the accountant. He said that every club has to deal with their own money problems including their accounting. Oh right, I took the liberty to open an account for the club so you can receive the funds.” He said.

“Okay, it isn’t really important that we have more help or not.” Robin said.

“Good to hear that you aren’t discouraged. Now, you kids get to home room, club recruitment will happen during PE with every student from Heroics and later the civilian student body.” he said.

Like that the group split up but were already reciting their parts.

However, at PE, when a stage was built, one by one the club representative came up and explained their clubs.

At the turn of new clubs forming, Robin’s group was in the middle stage.

They watched as some clubs drew interest and applause while others didn’t.

At his group's turn, they introduced their club as a research club for civilian class and defect power research. It drew a lot of talk in fact and some people actually booed because it didn’t make sense but Robin shocked them all when he explained just how many institutes of power disabilities existed in all of America and the rough average of people who actually suffered from power disabilities.

He made a speech saying that these people are ignored and funding for each barely sustains the facility itself, forgetting about research. They were children but the first step is focusing on this problem and then slowly working towards a goal.

It got some applause because the goal was worth it but that was about it.

However, after everything was done, the group waited and handed out fliers to the club room they were given. There was an entire building meant for clubs and each club was assigned one room but if they can’t even build a basic staff then the club would be revoked and taken back.

Besides doing the basics, almost everyone ignored their fliers and some just took it to see.

They did it again during the civilian student body and were shocked by the difference. The civilian class was actually happy that there was a group that actually thought of them. In fact, Robin got a little into it and explained both his and Mr Atlas’s story of success drawing admiration.

They got more attention compared to others who needed business personnel to help run the club instead of the heroic course for doing actual jobs.

Finally, at the end of the day, the five of them gathered.

“Heroic course students really don’t give a damn about the civilian class huh?” Shoji said, smiling weakly.

Mr Atlas sighed, “The most likely thought is, why would we do that. It would increase competition.”

Robin snorted, “Better to have a small group of like minded friends then a large group of hypocrites. The civilian class showed a great response so we won’t have to worry about filling in the business group.” he said.

“Should we head to the club room?” Milo asked.

Everyone agreed and headed to the club room. Surprisingly a young boy was there waiting. What was strange about him is that everything except his face was covered in thin yellow feathers almost looking like a 20th century character that was a giant yellow bird.

“H-hello, I’m Rudy Rocks, I was at the club meeting and I heard you guys want to research civilian level abilities! I-I was hoping you could help me!” He said.

The group was shocked but with a nod, they entered the room. It was pretty messy and they first opened up the blinds and windows before fixing up the room and getting some chairs out. Finally when everyone had a seat, Robin took out a notebook.

“Okay, we don’t mind helping really. Can you tell us about your power?” Robin asked.

“Okay.” he said and suddenly his feathers started to rustle and started to come off his body like a cloud until he was reduced to a bald but otherwise normal kid. “My parents call it chicken feathers. My dad has eagle wings and my mom had feathers that extended to her arms and could barely make it detach like mine. I mostly inherited her power but my dad’s power drastically enhanced it and I can mentally control every feather within a 20 meter range of my body.” he said.

“That is pretty neat. Can they support weight?” Lola asked.

He sighed depressed, “If i put a lot of them to work together they can.” he said and almost half the cloud went to a box and began to move it and fix up the room but it was clear by his expression that it was taxing.

“So, exactly how did you imagine them developing?” Robin asked.

“Ah, well. To be honest, if I could just make them stronger and each feather be able to support more weight or maybe be able to turn stiff and be used like a sword.” Ruby said blushing.

Robin chuckled and knew the source was from some comics with a similar power but the hero only had a pair of boneless wings formed fully of feathers that were strong with high carrying capacity.

“Can you fly?” Robin asked.

“Yeah, to a certain point.” he said and stood while the feather gathered and Robin smiled as he saw the feathers skillfully gathered on his back and connected to form a small pair of wings barely longer than his own arm length and flapped frantically and lifted him up.

He stopped soon after, “My highest limit is 5 meters but it takes a lot of energy.” he said.

Robin nodded and wrote it down and began to tap on the table. “What kind of things have you done to try and make it grow stronger?” He asked.

“Well, for the most part, I’ve only tried to train in what I have said.” he said.

“Do they regrow when burned or destroyed?” Robin asked.

“Yeah, it takes about a day for it to regrow.” He said.

“Do you want to use fire?” Lola asked, frowning.

Robin laughed, “Well, I was thinking more along the lines of using destruction to make it stronger. To be honest, those feathers look like baby bird feathers. They don’t even look like adult feathers which makes sense why it wouldn’t carry much.” Robin said.

“Uh um… I’ve actually tried that. Some years ago, I had that idea and burned them all. The only thing left was the feathers' central blood vessel.” He said.

Robin’s brow twitched but then his mind turned towards another direction. “Only the blood vessel was left? Was it not even charred?” Robin asked.

“No, it actually turned a little red but after a few minutes it went back to pale yellow.” Rudy said.

The other three were looking at Robin and watching him.

“Okay, just one last question, why did those six tail feathers not come off?” Robin asked.

“Huh?” the boy asked and looked back at the small feather tail and blushed, “They actually are what help me control the others.” he said.

“Really, wasn’t it a mental thing like telekinesis?” Robin asked.

Mr Atlas was getting interested now because it reminded him of his own power back then.

“Um… I don’t know what it is but the tails have a source of energy and that is used to control the feathers. I get tired if I use it for more than 10 minutes or use it to carry things too much and the energy runs out.” He said.

“We can figure that out easily. Most clubs have energy analyzers in case we need to scan someone and identify invasive energy.” Mr Atlas said and got up. He looked around until he pulled out a familiar tool that was used on his stones back then.

He asked Rudy to come over and sat on the table with the feather under the machine.

The machine slowly analyzed it while he controlled the feathers and made the feathers release the needed energy.

Ding!

“Okay. Seems the energy is… a mix of life force and normal energy, aka stamina. Makes sense why you get tired then.” He said.

The others nodded while Robin was writing down the information. He tapped his chin before turning to Lola. “Is it hard to make a small flame?” he asked.

“If I don’t fire or consume it then no. Do you want to test fire?” she asked.

Robin nodded so she summoned Lily.

“Rudy, can I get a pair of feathers that are the same size.” he said.

“Sure.” he said and two similar feathers came over.

Robin looked at them and measured the length as well as the length of the center vessel before tossing one of them into the fire ball that the demon formed.

They watched it burn but to their surprise, soon only the vessel came out clean of any feather.

Robin took it and measured it and smiled. “Common feather length of the vein is 3.5 cm. Burned vein is 6 cm long.” He said.

He held it and watched as it got duller and before their eyes the feather slowly got smaller but at the end, it was still about 5 cm in length.

“Huh!” everyone exclaimed as soon as they compared it.

“Lola, make another fire.” he said.

“Another test? Remember that I have a limit to how much life force I can spare for this.” she said.

“Yeah yeah, just make it already.” Robin said and took the other feather but instead of tossing it directly in, he took it from the top and pointed the tip of the vessel forward.

Then he carefully just put the tip.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as they saw the yellow vein slowly turn red and to their shock, without the feathers burning, it kept lengthening and the yellow down feathers expanded into a feather that was nearly 15 cm in length and full red.

“Heh, so it really is like that.” He laughed and took the feather away as he felt it heating up. “These feathers can absorb element energy.” he said.

“Element energy? What is that?” Rudy asked.

Robin smiled and took out a poster and using some tape, he put up their categorization diagram.

“Among energy powers, there are people that seem to be able to inexhaustibly use their power to use elements with only their body's limit as their limit. There seems to be no source at all for all this power which doesn’t make sense in the law of nature conservation. After some time of going through these powers, I feel that the energy comes from the surroundings itself. Basically it is the power of the elements itself concentrated until it takes form with enough force to become usable.” He explained.

“So, basically my feather absorbs that energy?” he asked.

Robin nodded, “That said, we can’t say how many elements. We barely have any equipment to work with and our own abilities are pretty limited as it is so we can’t extensively experiment.” He said.

Rudy nodded as he understood.

“Can i join your club? You did what no one I spoke with could do. I can help with club work while you do heroics.” He said.

“Sure.” Robin said smiling.

They quickly got an application and handed it to mr atlas.

After they finished they talked but half way through, Rudy pulled the feathers back, including the large red one and connected it back to his body. At that time he started shouting as everyone saw the feather shrink as the fire energy was injected into Rudy and the feather was reduced into a white feather twice the length of the others.

While he was rolling in pain, they all saw two of the tail feathers start to glow as they slowly lengthen.

Soon the pain faded and Rudy was helped up and he looked at his tail. “T-the energy passed through my body and went to the tail feather.” He said.

He removed the feathers and showed the injected area had turned red from burns. “Hmm, as expected, you resolve one problem and reveal another.” Robin sighed and had Lola bring out some skin cream. They tried first the life force cream in case it had an effect but when there wasn’t they used skin cream that was helpful against burns.

When he looked at the feather he was surprised it had developed.

Testing it, everyone was surprised it had gotten stronger.

“It seems your feathers develop as it consumes and injects element energy into your body. However, it seems you only have six tail feathers and only two absorb the fire energy. Maybe you have three elements instead of having tons of elements.” Robin said.

“That makes sense, powers have limits to them so to a certain point they will never go beyond that without having time to develop.” Mr Atlas said.

“Three elements…” Milo muttered.

“Did you think of something?” Shoji asked.

“Hmm? No, I was just thinking that a bird that can absorb fire brings a phoenix to mind. However, when I think of phoenix it makes me think of it’s two other variants. Thunderbird and Ice phoenix.” He said.

When Milo said that, everyone looked at one another and Robin looked around. “Where is this room’s power outlet?” he asked.

“Let’s not get over our heads now.” Mr Atlas said, stopping Robin. “Remember that an outlet has a large charge going through it and we can’t really control how much the feather can handle. Let’s calm down first. Tomorrow we can meet up, I will get a few wires and connectors and we can use machines that control electrical currents to channel that. However, for ice, I think we need to go to the cafeteria for that.” He said.

Everyone was ready to go but at that moment the door knocked and Shoji went there and found several students from the civilian classes who wanted to join the club as well as get help with their own powers.

They decided to leave the experiments for tomorrow. Rudy would be able to test the ice at home since it was safe since he simply needed to place it against ice or in a fridge to see if it worked.

In turn, they met the others, had them make applications and they heard about their powers.