Reflecting On My Image

I actually wanted to straighten out the princess who is bad-mouthing me, but no matter what I say, I would only come off as vindictive, and that is worse. So, all I could do was pretend I didn’t hear a word and walk away, showing my pride. As I was about to leave, Taek, the instructor who was the referee the mock battle between me and the princess, put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a passionate cheer. “It’s a shame, Terran. But don’t be discouraged, keep pushing yourself again and again and become stronger.”

The instructor continued “You know? Your father, Heero, also suffered as many defeats as you from Solidad who was the strongest in the academy when he was the prince. And yet, at the end of the day, he earned a spectacular victory in their [Graduation Commemorative Match]. So, keep it up!”

The instructor gives a thumbs up and some encouragement. Following his lead, my classmates send encouragement after encouragement one after another. “That’s right, Terran. Let’s see you awaken your heroic genes at the end of the day!”, “Oh yes, Terran is the son of hero, Heero!”, “Will he show the talent that could defeat even the Demon King?”

Every time I receive such encouragement; I’m moved by my friends’ consideration. But what about you guys? I mean, you’re worse than I am in the rankings, so first you should do your best! And enough with the heroic genes already! However, I do not say any such thing.

I just walked away from everyone and responded with only a vacant look and one word. "Okay"

Overall, the first place is occupied by a genius who is called a prodigy even though she is annoying. Admittedly my efforts are probably pointless to compare. So, there’s no shame in not being able to beat her. In this country, there actually aren’t that many of the same age that can beat her. Even these guys have lost to the princess. And yet, they don’t look frustrated at all, nor do they have any intention of winning in the first place. It’s vexing, but I’m beginning to think that I have no choice but to accept that I can’t win.

However, enough about this, because there’s something else, I can’t get my head around. I heard voices from the corner of the passageway of the training ground. Grown up voices. Perhaps the Imperial Knights are chatting. They were talking about me without knowing I was listening.

“How many consecutive wins does the princess have over Heero’s son?”

“No matter how much of a prodigy the princess is, it’s pathetic that the son of a hero can’t win even once.”

“Well, the child of the Hero is not a hero.”

“The princess is exceptional, but ultimately, the level of the generation below us is still lacking. Well, it’s also proof that we’re living in peaceful times.”

“This year’s Academy Graduation Match will be attended by royalty from other countries. I’m worried that they will be disappointed when they see the incompetence of Lord Heero’s son.”

“Even though he is the son of Lord Heero, his writing and practical skills put him in second place. It’s shameful that he can’t take first place even once.”

“That’s true. And second place is also a problem. It’s because ‘those two’ aren’t here.”

“Oh, them. Those two, who are currently studying abroad, have already fully demonstrated their talents and were awarded medals by the King of another country the other day, right?”

“Yes, it is. In other words, Lord Heero’s son being second in the absence of ‘those two’… actual places him in fourth, so disappointing.”

I heard this kind of talk in many places. When I was a child, I was able to get perfect scores on tests and show better magic than others, hence they would always say “as expected of the Son of the hero, Heero.” Then, at 13 years old, I joined the Academy and competed with others for the ranking. As a result, I always kept the Academy’s Top-Class ranking. Second place was my highest and I never took first place.

However, the Academy is a warrior training institution where excellent children from all over the Empire and aristocrats would gather and enter after passing a difficult exam. In other words, a gathering place for the Empire’s elites. That’s why I think it’s a great achievement to be ranked second place there. But people around here don’t think so it seems.

Terran comes to a stop behind the knights “I’m sorry.”

The knights react with surprise, ”what!?”

Two men who seem to be in their thirties look back. Adorning armor engraved with the symbol of the empire.

Terran continued “I’ve shown something pitiful to the Imperial Knights”

They appeared slightly anxious with my appearance, but they laughed to cover it up and spoke to me in a friendly manner.

“No, no, no, no, no, I can’t be helped by the princess. The princess already has the power of the Advanced Warrior class at the moment.”

“But you can’t be too relaxed either, can you? Your father acquired the Advanced Warrior at the age of 16, just a year after graduating from the Academy, and he defeated the Demon King when he was 18.”

“After graduating from the Academy, the Apprentice Warrior is, of course, recruited as an Imperial Knight, right? The current academy standard is quite rudimentary, so your training will be restarted from scratch, Young Master.”

“That’s why as the son of a hero; you have to give it your best.”

That’s what I was told by the people I was most familiar with. Instructors, classmates, and even people I just met say things like this. Of course, even my real parents say it.

Another man with booming loud voice speaks up, “That’s right! By all means, please treat my dumb son well once he graduates!”

I panic at recognizing the voice of my father ”Eehh!!??”

The knights react, “L- Lord Heero!?”

The hero greets his fellow knights “Hey, don’t be like that. Training hard? You got an advanced promotion exam soon, right? Good luck with that.”

“Oh, thank you!”

The hero moves to another knight, “You’ve got a baby on the way, right? Gotta show 'em how great Daddy is!”

“How did you know that? I’m humbled….”

With the same scorching red hair as mine. He always has a cheerful laugh and a friendly demeanor and is loved by everyone. I heard he has a fan club in Imperial City, the members are mostly women in their early twenties.

His sword skills and magic power have been classed one of the strongest in the world, and if you combine the two, his Magic Spellblade makes him the strongest hero in the world. As a kid I admired and respected such a father with eyes shining. Nowadays, not so much.

Lord Heero turns to his son, “Hey, Terran. I left work early and came to the training ground, but I heard you lost to the princess again.”

Terran is deflated at the knowledge that his father heard the events in person. The father who taunts me with a nasty grin. So annoying.

Heero rambles, “Her father Solidad and I were in the academy together. I never won a match against His Majesty other than the [Graduation Commemorative Match]. But your opponent is a girl, right? Isn’t losing every match pathetic?”

Terran getting crushed by his father's words “Uhh”

Heero speaks out again, “Well, your dad was in a pinch before graduation because of the written exams. So, you might be better off. In the end, what truly makes a man is this.”

Saying that, my father gently hit my jaw with his fist. Is the man trying to say, “Power is what makes a man”?

Nervously Terran speaks up “Well, then again, my dad could help with my sword training. If you taught me the swordsmanship the Hero used to defeat the Demon King, could I beat the princess?”

Half serious and half in jest, a little, I asked my father to examine my progress. But my father laughed. “I don’t know. I’d like to guide you, but I’m too busy with work. So, diligently follow your training instructor or Sadie. Besides, you can’t use that sword yet. So, we’ll see.”

Again, it’s the same as always. Heero cheerfully says, “Well, you’re the type to grow slowly. Take your time and do your best.”

I’m my father’s son. Yet, I have never been taught swords, magic, etc. by my father. I am compared to my father even though he has never passed on his skills and teachings to me. And to top it all off, when he was my age, he was inferior to me as a student, but I’m the one being looked down on.

Terran replies, spitting out a click with his tongue, “Tch… Presently, am I not working hard enough?”

Heero hesitates, “Terran?”

Internally Terran thinks “Type that grows slowly? Such a hurtful thing to say.”

It’s annoying. That’s why I want to shout like a child. “Why? Why am I a disappointment? I’m content! I’m second place in the Academy ranking! Isn’t that great!? Praise my efforts a little instead of consoling me! Were you ever in second place? Yet you’re disappointed? Second place isn’t good enough for you? Why do I have to be in first place?”

unable to control it even though I’m aware of it myself, but I’m still a kid and I’m full of self-loathing.

The father trying say more “Terran-"

Terran clicks his tongue at his father “I’m fine”

Before I knew it, I pushed past my father and ran away.