12.
Why was the most annoying question on the face of the earth. It was the worst when the answer seemed the most obvious. But she wasn't around so he could yell it at her and get the oh a lot of adults got before they resigned themselves to no longer getting involved and left him to it.
Except when she did come back, it was with that big old grin his mother got after a long satisfying day at work. Then, she declared to him (and the rest of the world probably), that-
"I've decided! I will train you into a hero!"
Him? Quirkless old him?
"There's a reason that heroes in old stories have powers, you know." It's half hearted to say because his entire being is thumping with excitement. His whole soul is threatening to explode out of him in bursts of light and sound and glowing teeth.
She nodded, like she expected this objection already. "Yes, yes, but I can help you with that. If you let me. ANd if you're willing to work."