My Will

I heard the origin of my father for the first time. It is a common dream of a child in this world. He wasn’t a heroic child, a chosen one, with the genes or destiny to defeat the Demon King from the moment he was born.

Heero said, “I didn’t know, did you fail at becoming an Imperial Knight. I never expected that possibility.”

I said, “Not actually.”

It started with a childish dream, and from there to the end of the story is my father as he is now.

Heero realized, “Ah, listening to you like this. Even if you don’t become an Imperial Knight. If you have something else you want to do, I think it’s fine. I wanted to do it, it was my will.”

I heard it, and felt happy, “Father…”

Heero continued, “I’ll still and your mother too. We’ll support you.”

Even if I don’t become an Imperial Knight, I’m a child of my father and mother. I guess that’s what it is. Somehow I felt myself getting hotter, in such a cringe atmosphere, as my dad seems embarrassed while he talked.

Heero said, “By the way, what kind of warrior do you want to be?”

He doesn’t doubt that I’ll become a warrior. Nonetheless, what I want to do now, I’m not sure what I want to be. My immediate goal is the upcoming match.

I’m not thinking about the rest. On the contrary, whether or not I become a warrior in the first place. 

We check in on the women, Akari says, “Is it all right? I wonder if they can talk to each other properly. Do your best ~ Terran ~ Heero ~”

Sadie replied, “Madam! If you’re worried, why don’t you go chat with them.”

Akari said “Because! It’s a father and son talk, right? It’s a difficult period, to watch over as a mother.”

Sadie said, “Sure, little man seems to have changed a lot recently.”

I can hear something. When I glanced at her, my mother and Sadie were watching me and my father in the shadows.

Akari said “Isn’t that the other day you mentioned he had secretly hidden some smutty books from me in his room.”

Sadie confirmed, “Two more books were added recently.”

Akari gleefully smirked, “Really!? Hey, what kind of books? Hey, what’s it like?”

Sadie was taken aback, then speaks up, “…… Madam, your eyes are sparkling.”

Akari said, “When I found out he was hiding an ero-book, I felt the bliss of a mother realizing her son’s growth!”

Sadie replied, “When you were on your adventure with the Master, you hated lewd matters. You would hit the master for saying things like Ero-erotic Great Demon.”

Internally I was thinking, Speak a little more quietly, we’re right here!

My father said, “Ah! Terran, well, you’re old enough to be interested in that!”

What’s with the thumb! I want to break it! Stop! Such a warm gaze like Father understands your feelings, I’m a bit more embarrassed than angry!

I complain, “Shut up! Argh, what’s this old lady saying! And Sadie snitches on every single thing!”

The moment I spontaneously snapped, my mother had me in a headlock. saying, “Hnn? Who’s an old lady! I’m~ forever 17!~”

I react with “That hurts!"

Akari then says, “Basically, you’ve been sexually harassing Sadie, and you’re reading sex books too! Go on a date with a girl once in a while!”

I replied, “Thanks for being so loud Mom, it’s none of your business”

Akari questions me further, while still in her headlock, “Yes, you. Miss Uriko. What about the princess? Are you getting along? Hnn hnn~”

I am flustered and struggling, saying, “Just wow, can you, well damn. I don’t know. I’m always looked down on, I’m being preached to, and I’m fed up. Also, she is, well she’s, just so-so.”

Akari gasps, “Wow!”

I ask, “What’s with that face?”

Akari sounding so sweet, still pressing me, “You know~ You’re so close to a princess~. As a man~, don’t you want to make a princess your girl?”

Damn this eternal annoyance. I really wish my parents would spare me this love story.

I said, “In any case, Reval confessed to the princess the other day. If he wins the upcoming match, he could be considered a fiancée candidate.”

Oh, this time all three of them leaned back at the same time, with all their eyes shining. These guys, they’re too involved in their children’s love affair!?

Heero speaks first, “Huh, that so, was Reval like that.”

Akari says, “Uha~ Young Reval will do it too.”

Sadie asks, “Hoho. So, how did the princess respond?”

I replied, “Ah. She left it unsettled.”

How did the princess respond. as I think back on that question, come to think of it, she didn’t even give a reply after all. Certainly, the princess usually has the impression of making quick decisions, but that time was different. Because I intervened without reading the mood.

Sadie asks, “Undecided? Why? Miss Uriko doesn’t do that, does she?”

When I think about it, I might have done wrong by Reval. However, he’s always looking down on me and I’m sick of it.

I told them, “I declared to Reval. I’m the one who’ll win the championship.”

This time, all three of them leaned forward in their excitement, raised their voices, and hugged me. ”Eh!!?”

I said, “So, because of what I said-”

Heero cheered me, ”Thatta boy!! That’s it, Terran! It’s important for a man not to retreat!”

Akari said, “As a mother, I happy to see your growth more strongly with those words than with those books.”

Sadie said, “Lil’ Terran, I’ve been hoping for a victory before, but it seems you’re serious. I’ll definitely come to cheer for you that day.”

So, stifling. Yet, somehow, I felt like I had been building a wall until now but unexpectedly, when I talked about it, it was so easy. 

Heero said, “If that’s how you feel, your dad will be happy. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Do it to your heart’s content.”

Akari said, “Yes. You will do your best to win. Mothers are happy just to be there.”

Sadie said, “I’ll stand by you, little man. I’ll support the challenge you face to the end.”

Why not? My father, my mother, and Sadie seemed to be satisfied with my words. No good. Is it because I’m so cynical about it? I felt that the three of them were satisfied just because I worked hard, and don’t expect me to win the championship.

I’m not just working hard. I really want to win. There’s also Sadie’s reward, but that’s not all. I want to show everyone my strength and surprise them. That’s why I’m working so hard. 

But in the first place, all three…

Heero asked “Hmm, Reval and Poh seem really strong. You’re prepared for that, right?”

I know. They are stronger. Are you trying to say, don’t be disappointed even if there is too much difference in ability? I look at my father.  

Heero said, “Yes. So don’t overdo it. No matter what the outcome is, both your father and mother are watching you, aiming to win the championship.”

What’s that? Again, that smile says, they are satisfied with words alone.

“Then, let’s have a big feast on the day of the game. On that day, I’ll make all your favorites.”

What’s that? You’re going to have a pity party for me who can’t win the championship anyway?

No good. Neither my father nor my mother, not even Sadie said a word of that. No, I’m not even thinking about it in the first place. Maybe I’m just twisting it around and simply imagining it. 

Rather, I’m still a bit weary. To be honest, I don’t have an appetite. It’s been a long day, so I excused myself and went to take a rest. This wasn’t a lie. Honestly, I’m not fully healed yet.

When I said that, all three of them looked sorry, but they didn’t try to force me to sit at the table with them, and they cared about my condition. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t eat the meal. 

Sadie said “Little man. Sure. Then, I’ll prepare soup in case you get hungry.”

Enuma asked "Are you alright?"

Before answering Enuma's question, I left the living room and quickly went back to my room. Unable to control my restless urge, I immediately closed the door to the room.

I asked, "Enuma, I have a request"

It was not for the sake of Sadie’s reward, nor was it successfully inspired by Enuma. This is my will. So, I bowed for the first time.

I annouced to Enuma, "I want to show them all. Not I did my best. I don’t want any consolation! I want to win! I want to show them, those who don’t believe I can win!"

Enuma smirked, "Hoh!"

I further said, "Please! I want to train me more. No, I need to train! I want to be strong! I won’t discard it no matter what kind of effort. So, please! Osu!"

I don’t want a reward, I don’t want to be scuttled, I don’t want to be praised. I want to win. I don’t want to lose. This is my will.

Enuma said, "Hmm. Have you no notion of who your teacher is? Of the one who took you on as his disciple? Do you believe I would be content with merely having my disciples win a fighting championship?"

I was surprised but I smiled. Glad that Enuma was there agreeing with my will. 

Enuma said, "It is good to hear those words from you without the need to hang a carrot. Together, we shall extract the spirits of the heroes and those simpletons!"

"Osu!!"

I’m hungry. I have no good reason to fight the princess or Reval. It’s all about my own. It’s just my feelings. But I still don’t want to lose! I’ll win!

Enuma understood and with wide grin, the demons said, "All right, then rest and we shall start tomorrow…is what I would like to say, but we will begin the day after tomorrow. Take a day off tomorrow."

I reply, "Os- Eh?"

So, starting tomorrow, more than ever. I was fired up, but the unexpected words uttered by Enuma shook me. 

Enuma explained, "You are now under the influence of the magic remodeling and the fatigue that ensues. Physically and mentally. Overwork is counterproductive. Taking time to rest is good for training."

I am pumped up now, so I ask, "No, no, but-"

Enuma calmingly said, "I understand your impatience. The feeling of ‘your will’ is sufficiently transmitted. This is why you can rest your body and mind, that you may be fully prepared to train. Trust your mentor on this."

I see. Is it also training to rest the body? I’m pretty tired with ladders, sparring and using Domain. It’s counterproductive to do more training in this situation.

As I thought, how amazing this guy this guy is. You’re looking out for me a lot. Enuma then change the topic. It was at that time. Enuma looking away while crossing his arms, and glancing at me, seeming restless.

Enuma said, "S-Speaking of which, is it not about time? You know, as aforementioned. Umm, just that, it is not available."

What’s going on all of a sudden? About time? Arrived? 

I finally recalled something, saying, "Oh~… you, can’t read the novel since you’re dead. The one you asked for at the bookstore."

This guy, certainly making it feel like I’m taking a day off, just so he can read.

Enuma asked, "What, why that look?"

I hit a nail on the head, "True, that’s right. Well then tomorrow let’s be carefree and read."

It’s okay. I’m really indebted to him. If this much is enough for a thank you. Enuma being true to his demon hertiage, gave an evil laugh "Kokukoku!"

But I’m happy. Somehow, the tension I felt suddenly loosened up, and in a good way, I felt a little better.