Drinking Sweet Juice in my Father’s Prestigious Environment

Instructor announced, “Well, I’ll be handing out the Volunteer Warrior’s Notice before everyone goes home.”

During the lesson, I spent my life training, and my mental energy rather than my body was greatly diminished. I lay down exhausted on the desk, but there was a piece of paper from the instructor in the class. It confirms the will of the Academy students in terms of their career path after graduation.

Enuma notice what was written, "Huh, path..."

Instructor said “Oh. And this is delivered to the destination, and the organization of choice will send you notifications of interviews and the examinations.”

There are columns from No. 1 to No. 3 in the application form. If there is no employment up to the third level, it becomes a consultation again. 

Instructor said, “You all know that it’s not an exaggeration to say that this will decide your future life. So seriously think of your choice before submitting it. By the way, the number one in popularity for aspiring warriors will naturally be Imperial Knights, but last year’s pass rate was 20 times. Please think about that and decide. Well, I doubt the top five students will have to think about it.”

That’s right, the Imperial Knight is truly best position for warriors. Higher salary than hunters and magicians. In addition, it is possible to rise to the administration class such as the aide of the king if promoted. To be honest, it’s no exaggeration to say that most of the academy’s students are aiming to be Imperial Knights.

Enuma said, "Well, this is quite a high acceptance rate. However, an elite lineage such as you. Yet you will only graduate to a soldier."

I elaborated, "No, that’s right. The war ended ten years ago, and the world is peaceful. Because there are enough soldiers.”

Enuma was astonished, "Huh, I see. Not only the level decline, but also the sever disarmament. This is the price of peace."

Yes, in the days of war like in the past, the country’s budget was put into the military, and the Imperial Knights were being enlisted more.

If peace comes, we will be able to focus on reconstruction and development, and the hiring of high-income imperial knights has been reduced. Well, it doesn’t matter to me. 

Enuma said, "By the way, what about the top five students earlier mentioned by the teacher’s man?"

I explained, "The top five members of the Academy are Imperial Knights with most certainty. Not needing any recruitment exams, and only interviews in the form of recommendations." 

Right. The top five applicants will be prepared for the success course unconditionally. Of course, as second place I can ride the course. 

Enuma asked, "And what path will you go?"

I was puzzled by Enuma's obvious question. I said, "So I’m second in my grade. Even if I don’t do anything, I’m still get my position as an Imperial Knight."

Enuma asked, "You want to get ahead in life?"

Taken aback, I said, "Wh-What? "

Enuma pointed out what should have been obvious, and said, "Assigned to Imperial capital. In other words, you seem rebellious toward your father, but you mean to end up drinking sweet juice in your father’s prestigious environment after all."

Embarrassed, I gasp, "Eh"

Demon King eyes as if they were making a fool of me. The moment I saw his eyes, my heart roared. I asked, "Wh-What are you saying?"

Enuma said, "Now that I mention it, I have yet to hear your story. Why do you want to be an Imperial Knight?"

Elaborating on the question of 'Why'. Enuma stung me and continued to say, "From you, ‘I will protect this Imperial Capital and the peace’. I never heard of anything fishy, like protecting the Emperor. This is why I assumed that the purpose was simply to succeed in life. Unless, is there something else you want to be for any reason?"

Lost in my many thoughts, I stumble to find my answer.

Enuma further said, "You repel against your father, if as an "Imperial Knight" the annoying public assessment you gained would continue to follow. If sweet juice and success are not the purpose. Why become an Imperial Knight?"

Why did I want to be an Imperial Knight in the first place? However, I was brought up in an environment where I had to be. Wait, there never was a moment from my father, my mother, and Sadie had told me to be an Imperial Knight.

In the past, I wanted to be an Imperial Knight like my father, but what about now?

My classmates are also talking about the volunteer warrior report handed to them. The conversations went like so:

“Oh, what are you going to do?”

“The Imperial Knights, of course! I’m going to take the exams and interview preparation, and I’ll protect the Empire!”

“I’m applying to the Magic Institute. I want to study more.”

“I’m… Well… After all, I can’t give up. We have to try!”

Each of them is thinking a lot about the future. It’s a dream, it’s a goal. Well, it’s natural at this time of year.

Uriko asked me “Hey, what’s the matter?”

Awaken from my thoughts I reply, “Eh, oh, Uriko”

In front of me, there was a Uriko looking down with her arms folded.

I said, “Nothing in particular.”

Uriko being nosy said, “Is that right? Somehow, I’m worried that you’ve been neglecting your classes lately.”

I replied “No, no, it’s okay.”

Uriko said, “I hope so. Anyway, you need to be firm.”

I was confused “Firm? I don’t-”

Yes, Uriko is the princess of the Empire. Although she is the academy’s top student, she will never become a warrior. 

Uriko had quickly said, “Then, you’ll be at the top of the class. Do not be ashamed as our representative, I hope you will do well even in the capital.”

As soon as I thought on why should I be an Imperial Knight, Uriko approaching now made me panic. So, I couldn’t properly give an answer to the princess. She had no doubt that I would become an imperial knight.

After graduation, she will certainly go on her way as a member of the royal family. There’s politics, and there’s a lot more to it, like marrying someone somewhere and securing a succession. In fact, the current emperor married in his teens, and that will not be far in the future.

That’s why as next in the class when we graduate, I’ll rank first in the class among the candidates for the Imperial Knights. Still curious of her thoughts, I asked, “In the capital, what?”

Uriko said, “Yes, make a solid achievement in the capital, and eventually you will become Warrior Chief after your father.”

That is, naturally what my life will turn out to be. So, I replied, “I don’t know. Even if I became a warrior. In the end, I’m not as good compared to my father. If I leave any achievement, as expected, he is the son of the hero ‘Heero’, and that would be label of my life.”

Uriko said, “Yes. I-if that’s the case, e-everyone would agree with me about it.”

I’m still talking to Uriko, and I started to think a little bit, and gradually I felt like I could understand what Enuma described my life. 

It’s boring. When I think about my life from now on, I felt that way.

Sure, I haven’t thought about my life or the future, but every time I did, I was under the impression that there was no choice. But for some reason, now I don’t think so.

The more I think about it, the more I can’t think of a reason why I want to be an Imperial Knight, and I can’t think of what I want to do. And Enuma seems to be correct, I really only wanted to drinking sweet juice in my father’s prestigious environment.