The World

I yelled, screamed, and threw myself all over the place. Running around I repeatedly kicked stones, struck the ground, and hit my head against the trees. Anger, sadness, and so on just getting tangled up, but I can’t do that forever.

I couldn’t even feel hunger, all the same I was worn out. It was already night. I left the Imperial City and ran around like crazy, so I don’t even know which way the city is.

Is this the first time in my life I’m sleeping outdoors? Besides, I left with just my clothes, so I don’t have any money, what’s going to happen to me?

I muttered, “Haha… shit, damn it.”

As I lay upon the meadow with my arms stretched out, I could see the myriad of stars shining in the night sky. I never knew. There are so many stars. I knew for the first time that I had always slept regularly indoors at night.

There was Enuma, right beside me. As he spoke up, "At last, have you calmed down a little?"

It seems that Enuma left me alone until I stopped venting.

The tears stopped. However, the fatigue came out suddenly. “Well… I’m beat.”

I feel tired and feel depressed, something that is likely to come up again.  Yes, father and my mother and now with everyone.

Enuma asked, "If you are calm, return to the Imperial City and talk to your parents. Are you nervous?"

Maybe so. When I get back now, at least my father. My father and mother would have a lot to say to me, but I felt like they would welcome me.

Yet, with what I expect to face, I don't think I should go back, I don’t want to go home, I felt I couldn’t go home.

I finally spoke with crack in my voice, “I can’t. Already-”

Enuma agreed, "Yes, it is, I do not believe."

I still “No, I can’t. Everyone hates me. My father and my mother. Sadie, too. Even though I didn’t know, I hurt her.”

Enuma consoling tone, "You are his only son. There is no reason not to love you. However, they may be renowned as hero and heroine, but they were just lacking as parents. Do not give up on them. As an adult, you forgive that is also an option. That warrior sis -- 』

Enuma may be right, but my heart still couldn’t choose it. I said, “I can’t.”

In the first place, I threw away everything close to me and ran. “Me, Sadie, and surprisingly more than I thought, my father and mother. Maybe I liked it.”

Enuma stared at the boy, "… It is so."

I rambled, “So, feared by Sadie. My father and mother looking at me like that. Then I said all that. I already, I can’t.”

I can’t face those eyes anymore. I’m scared of it. That’s why I ran away.

Enuma asked, "Do you hate me?"

At that moment, I was suddenly awakened by Enuma’s unexpected words. “What?…Why?”

Enuma looked me in the eye and told me straight. "At the very least, had I not deemed to demonstrate that technique to you, none of this would have come to pass."

I couldn’t say anything to Enuma. To think he felt guilty here. Certainly, none of this would have happened is I wasn’t trained by Enuma. With how I spent these two months. Would it be better if I didn’t. 

I would absolutely disagree. “What are you talking about? I’m the one who finally learned from you. I mean, if you think calmly, I used the technique of the Demon King, I should have known that my father, mother, and everyone would make a big fuss. Yet I was so excited about getting stronger day by day that I didn’t even consider it.”

Enuma remained sheepish, "I see"

However, many people he had killed as the Demon King, In the first place, I don’t know about the era. I don’t know him at that time. So maybe I didn’t understand it comes with a payoff.

Father, mother, Sadie, and the world’s feelings for the Demon King were different than mine. The Enuma I know is a pretty sore loser, with a terrible naming sense, decent mood, and a good sense of humanity.

Enuma said, "Well, what will you do now? Leave your home."

I replied. “I’m not thinking about anything now. I just ran.”

Yes, I’m not thinking about anything. I just ran away. But I don’t want to go back. No, I can’t go back anymore. I threw it all away.

Also, I thought about why I felt like running away. I said, “There’s no point in going back anymore. I wonder what it was. My life so far, no one looked at me.”

Saying that, as I lay down in the meadow again, I looked up at the sky. Looking at the enormous breathtaking night sky, I was sick of everything. 

Then, Enuma sat next to me, his eyes looking far away. Enuma said, "Hey, boy. Listen to me a little."

I asked, “What?”

Enuma said, "Things may seem inconceivable, but so long as you still live, there are many different routes to take. You are young."

“Ah.”

Enuma continued, "But unfortunately, whatever your path, it may be impossible to earn a reputation other than son of a hero, by normal means."

“Eh!!??”

Talk about throwing salt to a wound. Although it was already obvious, it was a severe remark. 

Enuma said, "It may be abominable to you, but the name of Heero, the Great Hero Who Defeated the Great Demon King is bigger than I could have imagined. As such, no matter how grand your performance in that match, the only evaluation from the masses would be as expected, he is the son of a hero."

I know. I heard those words many times during the match. That’s how it’s been the last fifteen years. It was impossible after all. The reality hit pretty hard.

I said, “Then, it was impossible from the beginning. Why do you look at me, not as I am, but as a hero’s son.”

Whether I am using the technique of the Demon King or warrior disqualification, I’ve fallen further. Well, even if I didn’t put in any effort from the beginning.

Enuma then said, "But there is only one… way to make them recognize you as Terran Kamina, not as the son of a hero."

I ask "What is this one way? “H-Hey, you’re not going to tell me to become a Demon King and raise my infamy, are you?”

Enuma reject idea, "Wrong. In general, the only thing that resonates with notoriety is the evaluation that the son of the hero was the worst after all. Still, if you are fine with it, you can beat the people speaking ill of you, that is a different story."

I said, “That’s just-”

Enuma stopped me and said, "Rather, do not equate the Demon King with infamy! This is the same narrow-minded outlook of the masses, attaching labels like dark and evil to demons while opting light and justice for themselves. Well, not that it matters much to me."

I apologize, “Ah, I see. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean.”

Enuma said, "Oh, it is fine. Anyway, what I want to say is. Oh~ what to do."

I got up again and looked at Enuma. There is only one way to do something that should not be possible. What is it? The story seemed to deviate a bit.

I corrected it and Enuma spoke to me in a calm tone. "For example, boy. I once unified hundreds of countries and tribes. Managed them, led them to fight against the human race. Not only the war, but also troublesome politics and coordination, such hectic days. Yet everything functioned."

It’s an old story of Enuma’s that I’ve never heard of before. 

Enuma continued, "Yes, I was a supreme being, and I was beyond descriptors such as a genius. From childhood, magic, wisdom, and combat ability were all called the strongest in history. Well, I lost to your father. With a cowardly and obnoxious hand. I mentioned it twice because it is important. And here I shall ask you one question."

At first, I thought he was overly prideful, but he suddenly changed to a serious face. Enuma asked, "Who was the strongest in history before I was called the strongest? Do you understand?"

I replied. “Huh? Come on, I don’t know.”

Enuma nodded and said, "My point. Naturally. Most likely, even amongst the demons this is not known. The one who was the strongest before me."

I don’t know anything, so I just remain quiet and listen.

Enuma explained, "In other words, no matter how many people have made a name before. If more appear, people will replace previous with the new big name, even if they do not mean it to. This is how things go."

I confused and say, “Replace?”

Enuma confirmed "Yes, Boy!"

With that said, Enuma stood up with powerful words. "If you want to break away from being the son of a hero and still be recognized as your own existence. You take your father ‘s feats, and achieve one a far greater."

I am stunned,  “Eh. Achieve greater than defeating of the Demon King.”

It was, as I was to say, a story of an indescribably large scale. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Enuma said, "Do that, and not only the Empire, but the world will recognize Terran Kamina!"

I mutter aloud, “A feat beyond my father. Ha ha… What’s that? What could it be?”

Enuma said, "Do you know of such a thing? I know nothing of the world as it is today, and I do not know if such a feat exists in the world after the war ended. But unless you do that, Terran Kamina will remain the son of the hero who ran away from home."

From there, I don’t know Enuma. What is the feat that exceeds my father who defeated the Demon King and saved the human race?

Enuma then said, "Still, I do not know what it may be. But the answer is not in the Empire. This leaves no choice but to go through the lands where your father’s influence does not reach, to push forward to find something, to overcome numerous trials with your fists, to see many things, to learn many things, and to do something at the end. Something to surpass your father!"

A feat that exceeds the legend that defeated the Demon King. I don’t know what it is, but I will need to do it.

That’s how Enuma showed me the guiding principle on which to proceed, even though he didn’t know the answer. Enuma cheerfully said, "Aim for the World, Terran!"

I manage to croak out, “Surpass father.”

Enuma rambled on, "If you cannot do that and still want to dispose of your detractors. Well, I have neither reason nor duty to stop you, but-"

I said, “But, It’ll be me.”

Enuma smiled and said, "Well, decide what you like. You are still alive, unlike me. So long as you do not return home, you must decide on your own future."

Don’t aim for my father. Surpass my father. That’s the only way to get acknowledged. When I was a kid, I would say, I’m going to be a hero like my father. 

No. There was, that time. No, when I was a kid, I said it without thinking.

~ Poh is the best wizard in the world! Reval is the best swordsman in the world! Uriko is the best spear master in the world! And I’m going to be the strongest hero in the world, better than my father!

So, a childish dream, and in a sense the origin. I already knew the answer. I laughed at the mere recollection. At that time, it was a pure child’s dream that said out loud without thinking deeply about it.

However, I gradually lost my confidence and stopped speaking. To think I would remember it in this way and be able to do it. Suddenly I noticed it, something was boiling up from deep within me. A feeling that fired me up. “Okay, bring it on.”

Easy to simply say I’ll surpass him, but there are many aspects. To the world, in the sky, to the stars, I shout, “I’m not a great hero, but still let’s become something that surpasses my father!!”

Strength, fame, achievements. We don’t yet know what to surpass. So then, cross the world in search of that something. Aim for the world.

I’m not dead yet. Terran Kamina is still here. As I yelled, my eyes began to tear up a little. Enough already, I rather howl out my feelings with all my might.

Enuma chuckled, "Seems you have reverted a little bit of yourself. Such a simple fellow. But it is fine. The defeated is beaten down, and stays prone forever, never to rise back up. So, you have not lost yet. Well, a tad of a crybaby, but for today I witnessed no such thing."

I reply. “Slander. But thank you, Enuma. You’re alright.”

Enuma said, "D-do not be mistaken. I desire to see the rest of the world. This is simply more convenient. It is not for your sake!"

I chuckle, “Hahahahaha, what’s that?”

Oh, I’m simple. This was the worst day in my life, yet I’m about to rise back up. That’s all there is to it. 

Enuma asked, "Well, anyway shall we proceed?"

No matter what the Demon King is to my father, no matter what happened in the past, it won’t change anything. I cross the world with this guy.

I said, “Oh, let’s go.”

Enuma gleeful said, ”To the End of the World!!”

A new life of the master and disciple has begun.