Impure Motivation

At first, he was all sorts of furious and declared that he would train me, but now he has an awful smile on his face. Because he thought it would be interesting, or because he was sealed for so long, but apparently, he had no intention of withdrawing his word to train me anyway, I just can’t tell what his true intentions are. However, I was also carried along by the momentum, and was forced to buy various things that he said are necessary for training.

Looking at the supplies I spend my allowance on, I say, ” All this such a pain. We only have two months, right? That’s not a lot of time to make a difference.”

Enuma expressed with confidence, “This is dependent upon your feelings on the matter. Especially a child such as yourself, the early stages of your growth are a simple matter.”

I added, “I guess I’m in trouble because I’m not growing fast enough.”

Yes, I don’t know why, I’m just doing what I can. Not only in the academy, but also with Sadie helping me study and seeing to my training herself. However, as if to reject such notions, I am taken down by that prodigy. Far from my efforts bearing fruit, I’m disappointed that I’m ‘the son of the hero’. Then, I gradually felt like an idiot.

Enuma Said, "I see. You lack proper motivation. It tends to happen when you feel far away from your goal and become depressed, or when you know not your own path. I would like to ask if I may, what are your plans and goals for the future?”

I am unable to say anything promptly, eventually saying, “I don’t know”

Enuma asks, “In your future, what do you desire to become and what do you wish to accomplish?”

It was like an adult asking a child about his dreams for the future. However, when asked again, I couldn’t find the right words.

I say, “Come on, even if you ask me that for the time being, I’m going to be an Imperial Knight, but hope that I will be a great warrior”

Enuma challenged me, “Is that something you decided for yourself?”

I could not refute the question, I painfully admit, ”No, no.I don’t know, b-but it’s just everyone thinks I’m going to be-”

The Demon King exhaled a sigh as he said so. Enuma pushes the training, “I see then this is where to start. If you lack a clear goal, an image of your future, how would you know what you train for?”

I stammer, “No, but I-”

Enuma shared an idea. Saying,“To not lose to the princess or to live up to the expectations of others. Well, that may be the case, but as sources for motivation they are feeble.”

I didn’t expect the Demon King would ask about my path or my future. Even my motivation, as well. But I certainly don’t believe I want to be a warrior.

When I was a kid, I might have thought that I wanted to be like my father, but now I don’t think that’s the case. I said, “Even if you say so to suddenly ask me I don’t know.”

I’ve never thought deeply about it before. When I said that there was no way I could understand even if I was suddenly asked, Demon King nodded and then whispered.

Enuma kicks things in gear, "Right, then let us do this. Putting aside the future for another time, and first of all, we will set a clear goal and a time frame close at hand. The training will be for that purpose.”

I inquired, “Close? That’s to get a win over the princess.”

Enuma clarified, “Simply put, this is your victory at the ‘Graduation Commemorative Match’ in two months time.”

He said something pretty difficult as a clear goal to give to me, as I’m a bit flustered about my future and my goals.

Well, there might be a point where defeating the Princess, and the next thing we need is an area for training.

Enuma announced, “Naturally. Rather than just being told to do so, it is more effective to possess the will to devote yourself to training. So, is there anything that would motivate you?”

I know what he’s trying to say. But if I knew that, it would be the least of my worries. Because I don’t have that kind of motivation, I’ve been stagnant lately.

Apart from that, I don’t have any great reason to become an imperial warrior and pursue peace in the Empire.

Enuma explains, “To find motivation, rather than abstract notions such as justice or peace, it is better to have something impure, is it not?”

I ask, “What do you mean? Impure?”

At that time. I doubted my ears at the suggestion of the Demon King, who sees through my inner feelings. Enuma led me with more explanations, “This is so. Because a person cannot maintain a clean and pure heart forever. Even more so, it is rare for one to remain motivated by trivial and noble things forever. I know the ugliness and desires of humans better than you do.”

I reply, “Oh, yes, that’s right. Is that what you’re talking about?”

Enuma lecturing, "As such, what do you desire, be it wealth, or the promise of reward such as having your father treat you to a meal if you win, anything will do?”

It’s better to be impure than for a noble reason. I hadn’t thought about it, but is that how it works? However, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, but the problem is that I don’t want to eat with my father and am not hurting for money either.

Nothing came to mind either, and I’m still groaning., “Hmmm… Impure motivation, is it?”

And then the motivation came to me. Sadie speaks up, “Oh, Little man, welcome home.”

I arrived at the mansion, and Sadie, who was cleaning the garden in front of the entrance, greeted me. She immediately squinted at what I had in my hand.

Sadie said, “Little man, you’re free to stop by and shop, but… what is all this? That is. It seems you have bought a lot, but what do you intend to do that you buy a ‘Ladder’? That bag is… sewing needles? No, acupuncture’? Either way, we have all this in the mansion, right?”

Yes, there was a ladder among what Demon King had me buy because it was needed for training. As she said there was also one in the mansion, but I should have a personal one for training, so I bought it.

To be honest, I don’t know what I’m going to use it for right now, but for the time being, I need to bluff; “W-Well, just a little-”

Sadie with her wicked smile says, ”Trying to take a peek at me in the bath, are we?”

I stammer, “Of course not! I’ll use it for a bit of training.”

Sadie, who sometimes sees to my training, tilts her head and is confused, “Huh?”

I tend to become so free with my tongue when talking to Sadie, I try to bluff again, “That’s right, Sadie. About my meals from today. Can I see the menu schedule?”

Sadie says, ”Okay?”

Yes, I was trying to follow the Demon King training regime. He said that meals are one way to increase the effectiveness of training, and that menus for morning, noon, and evening will be thorough. Of course, I’ve never made such a request to Sadie before, so she’s surprised.

Sadie said. “I don’t mind, but what’s going on? Little man. You’ve never been bothered by such a thing before and have always said that what I made was so delicious that you wanted me as a bride.”

I explain, “Well that too anyway, it’s for the sake of winning.”

Sadie was actually surprised, “Yes?”

It’s all for the purpose of winning the ‘Graduation Commemorative Match’ in two months. I’m still not certain. I’m in the mood now, but will I later? I guess I’m not motivated enough when I think that way.

Sadie realized what it was about, says “What do you mean you’re going to win, little man? What happened? If you have any problems, I’ll not bully you today, so I’ll give you a consultation. If it’s a ridiculous reason, you’ll be teased.”

I love that Sadie was worried about me, she’s cute. Motivation… Impure… Oh! Suddenly, I came up with a dumb idea.

Speaking up I call out, “Hey, Sadie.”

She asked, “Yes, what is it?”

I lay out a proposal and ask, “In two months I have the ‘Graduation Commemorative Match’.”

Sadie said, “Yes, I know. I’ll be cheering for you that day.”

I continued, “If I do it. Win the tournament. Afterwards, just once I want to go on a date Sadie. In casual clothes.”

Sadie was astonished, “Eh!? Wha-, eh!? L-Little Man? N-Now, how? Is it a hallucination? Is the little man himself… today?”

You’d be surprised. I’m not very motivated these days and I’ve given up a lot, Sadie knows enough to understand all this. From my mouth, due to the word “win” that I have never uttered before, Sadie is unusually confused.

And I say, “Well, if I win the tournament”

Damn, I’m getting nervous! If it’s just that, Sadie might do it, too.

The thoughts race in my head, Dating… Walking hand in hand… say ‘aah’ for a bite… Hugging, kissing… then, after that, then, depending on the atmosphere… at night…

Oh, Sadie is very angry with her smile. Also, the Demon King might tease me later.!

Sadie replied with an evil chuckle, ” Little man… Ufufufufu, Hohohohoho, it was such a horrible joke that I shouldn’t laugh, and yet I’m laughing.”

I instantly start panicking “Oh, haha. I-I’m sorry. My mistake. Forget it.”

Sadie said after a pause, ”I see. Alright.”

Stunned speechless”… Eeh?”

Sadie explained, “To be honest it should be reported to the Master as a matter of sexual harassment. Yet, Little man has recklessly declared victory for a moment my heart was shaken.”

Saying that, Sadie faces me with a serious expression. She confirms, “So, it’s absolutely a secret from the Master, but if you can win little man! Then you can play around all day!”

Astonished at my success I am speechless.

Sadie continued, “My goodness the Princess and others will aim to prove the Empire’s military prestige to the Imperial People and other countries by winning this tournament. It is considered noble and honorable to show everyone that they will lead the future era, but for Little man it's my body.”

Did I hear her wrong? Although she’s looking at me with cold, vicious eyes. Sadie says, “What are you staring at? You’re winning the championship, right?”

Then, looking a little embarrassed, Sadie finishes cleaning and returns to the house. Leaving me alone in front of the entrance.

I stumble words in my excitement “Oh, Yesh! LETS GOOOO!!!“

Oh, now I’m motivated! I never imagined any of this!? What, pure love? What’s that? No idea!

Enuma interrupts my excitement, “W-well, as suggested this is better for your aim to be impure.”

I sweetly praise Enuma and say, “Great Demon King! No Enuma! I’ll definitely win! So train me! I’ll do as you say!”

Out loud said, “Please, Osu!”

Enuma remained quiet. In order to show courtesy to Enuma, who I’m asking for guidance from now on, I bowed for the first time in perfect form.

The Hero’s child bows to the Demon King, irrelevant. From now on, we’re in a relationship between a master and a disciple.

And Enuma sighs as if unconcerned. Saying, “Uh-huh, let us proceed! Then, in two months time, you will win the championship, and the bride”

I swore to my soul that I would achieve it even with my life on the line.