Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 12 – Motivation

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"……So, are you serious? You…… are going to train me?"
『Well… I may have been a bit flustered earlier… but I do have some free time, and it could be entertaining.』
"No, but the Great Demon King training the son of the Hero…"
『Actually, 'tis even better! I shall shape Heero’s child to my liking! Fuhahahahaha! I can already envision the anguish upon Heero's face!』

At first, the Demon King, who declared to train me while being furious about various things, now wears a wicked grin.
Because he finds it amusing in one way or another, or perhaps because he has been sealed away for a long time, everything seems enjoyable to him now. I can't really grasp his true intentions, but one thing is clear: he has no intention of withdrawing his word about training me.
Nevertheless, I was also caught up in his momentum and ended up being coerced into buying various things he deemed necessary for training…

"……It's such a hassle…"
『Oii!』
"Come on, we only have only two months, right? I can't imagine that anything significant will happen in such a short time."
『Such matters depend on one's mindset. Especially for a fledgling like you, it's easy to show initial growth.』
"No… I'm struggling to make progress, so I'm really frustrated…"

Yes, despite everything, I've been doing what I can.
Not only studying at the Academy, but also seeking guidance from Sadis and secretly training on my own.
However, that prodigy just dismisses it all as if it were nothing.
Instead of seeing my efforts bear fruit, I end up being a disappointment as the son of the Hero.

『I see. It's a case of decreased motivation... That often happens when one feels distant from their goals and becomes melancholic, or when they're unsure of their own path... By the way, let me ask you something: What are your future plans and goals?』
"……eh?"
『What do you want to become in the future, and what do you want to accomplish? 』

It felt like something an adult would ask a child about their future dreams.
But when I was asked again, I couldn't find the right words to respond.

"W-well… even if you ask me that…… for now, I guess I'll become an Imperial Knight…"
『Did you decide that for yourself?』
"……N-no…it's not like that… but…… everyone expects me to become one…"
『I see… So that is where it starts…』

The Demon King sighed and continued.

『If you don't have clear goals or a vision of your future self, then why are you training in the first place?』
“N-no, but I…”
『If your sole motivation is to not lose to the Princess or meeting the expectations of your parents and those around you… Well, that might be something, but 'tis a meager fuel to sustain your motivation.』

I never expected that the Demon King would ask me about my path or future, let alone my motivation.
But now that I think about it, I might not necessarily have a strong desire to become a warrior.
When I was a kid, I might have wanted to be like my father, but I don't think I feel that way anymore.

"Even if you say that…… to suddenly ask me out of the blue…… I don’t know."
『Well, I suppose that's the case…』

I've never really given it much thought before.
When I said that it's impossible for me to answer out of the blue, the Demon King nodded as if understanding.

『Alright, I understand. Let's put aside thoughts of the future for now and start by setting clear, immediate goals and a timeframe. Think of the training as a means to achieve those goals.』
"Immediate goals…? You mean like defeating the princess…"
『Simply put, winning the Graduation Commemorative Match two months from now.』
"Guhk!?…… suddenly…… bringing that up, huh"

The Demon King sure didn't hold back in giving me a challenging task as a clear goal, especially considering that I'm someone with vague ideas about my future.
Well, I guess there is some connection between 'defeating the princess = winning the match'

『And next, it's important to figure out where to find the motivation to wholeheartedly engage in training.』
“Motivation, huh… Is it really necessary?」
『Of course. Training driven by your own motivation is more effective than mere obedience. So, is there anything that can kindle your motivation?』

I understood what he was implying. But knowing it doesn't make it any easier.
The truth is, I've been feeling a bit stagnant lately because I lack that kind of motivation.
It's not like becoming an Imperial Knight and ensuring the Empire's peace or anything grand like that holds much significance to me…

『If you are looking to find motivation, impure motives often work surprisingly well compared to lofty ideals like justice or peace, is it not?” 』
"Eh…? Impure motives?"

At that moment, I found myself doubting my own ears at the proposal of the Great Demon King, who seemed to have read my innermost thoughts.

『'Tis so. Because humans are incapable of maintaining pure and noble hearts forever. Moreover, 'tis rare for one to remain motivated by virtuous endeavors. I am well acquainted with the ugliness and desires of humanity.』

“Oh, I-I see… Is that how it is?”

『For such a cause, promising a reward, be it riches or the gratification of having your father treat you to a meal if you win, may prove effective. Any means that works for you shall suffice, does it not?』

Rather than noble reasons, impure ones are better. I never thought about it, but is that how it works?
However, while that might be true, the problem is that I don't particularly need money, nor do I have any desire to have a meal with my father.

"Hmm~… Impure motivation, huh…"

I couldn't come up with anything off the top of my head, and I was left pondering.
And then……

"Oh, welcome home, Young Master."

I arrived at the mansion, where Sadis, who was cleaning the front garden, greeted me.
Upon seeing what I was carrying, Sadis narrowed her eyes.

"Young master, you are free to take detours and go shopping, but… what is all that? It seems like you've bought various things… Why did you buy a 'ladder'? And what's in that bag… Sewing needles? No, 'acupuncture needles'? In any case, don’t we have all this in the mansion already?"

Yes, for some reason, there was a ladder among the things the Demon King made me buy for training.
Even though we already had one in the mansion, he insisted that I should have my own for "training purposes".
Honestly, I have no idea what I'm supposed to use it for right now, but for the time being…

"W-Well, it’s just…"
"……Are you planning to peek at me while I'm bathing?"
"Hell no! I'm going to use it for training…"
"Haah?"

Sadis, who occasionally watches over my training, is also perplexed about what I could possibly use a ladder for.
Well, that's understandable… Oh, by the way…

"Oh right, Sadis."
"Yes?"
"Regarding my meals starting today… Can you show me the meal schedule?"
"……Eh!?"

That's right, this was also the Demon King's instruction.
He said that even meals should be thoroughly planned to enhance the effectiveness of my training, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I've never asked Sadis for something like this before, so naturally, she's surprised.

"I-I don’t mind, but… may I ask what happened, Young Master? Until now, you never seemed to mind, and you even used to say that the food I made was 'so delicious that you wanted me to be your bride'. But why is the Young Master, who always seemed down whenever I ignored that statement, acting like this?"
"W-Well… that’s also…… anyway, it's for the sake of winning."
"……Yes?"

Everything is for the sake of winning the Graduation Commemorative Match two months from now… that’s what this is all about.
But I still feel a bit uncertain about whether it's necessary to go that far… Yet, just the fact that I'm having these thoughts indicates that my motivation is indeed low.

"Young master, winning, you say? Is there something going on? If you have any worries or concerns, I won't tease you today, so feel free to talk to me. But if it's a silly reason, I'll definitely tease you."

Sadis, looking at me with a worried expression, is so adorable and lovable… Motivation… Impure… Hmm.
At that moment, a ridiculously silly idea came to mind.

"Hey, Sadis."
"Yes, what is it?"
"In two months… There’s the Graduation Commemorative Match……"
"Yes, I'm aware. I intend to go and cheer for you on that day as well."

I'll probably get scolded for this, but it's worth a try…

"If, by any chance… in that tournament…… if I could win…"

After all…At least once, I want to go on a date with Sadis, dressed in casual clothes…

"Eh!? Win, eh!? Y-young Master…? J-just now, what did you say? Is it a hallucination? The Young Master… winning… by himself……?"

Well, it's understandable that she's surprised. Sadis should know well that I haven't been very motivated lately and have been giving up on many things.
From my mouth, which has never uttered the word "winning" before, Sadis is visibly confused.
And then I… Said it.

"I-If I were to win that tournament…"

Damn, I’m getting nervous!
Of course… But even Sadis knows how I feel… It’s not like I'm asking her to marry me or anything, it’s just to go on a date… That's all.
If it's just a date, maybe Sadis would be willing to do it.
A date…… Holding hands while walking… leaning in saying 'Aah' for a bite… Hugging, kissing… And then, well, depending on the mood… maybe later in the evening…

"Let me touch your boobs!"
"Wha!?…… Uh?"
『Hoh…』

Huh…?

"Ah!!??"

Oh no, that's not right?!

"Aah, no, that’s not, Sadis! Th-that was, um…"

I accidentally blurted out my fantasy that I had in my mind!
Aah, Sadis is looking angry while smiling. And the Demon King too, don’t just say 'Hoh'!

"……Young Master…… Ufufufufu, Ohohohohoho, That joke is too horrible, and yet it made me laugh instead~……"
"Ah, haha…S-sorry… I-I made a mistake... F-Forget about it…"
"………"

I’m such an idiot! That was wrong… Between me and Sadis… it’s more like~… pure love.

"…………I understand. Alright."
"………Eeh?"

No!? Eeh?! Heh?! Eh!? Eeh!? J-just now, Sadis…… What?!

"To be frank, it's an utterly despicable demand, and should be reported to the Master as sexual harassment… However… the Young Master boldly declaring his victory…… for a moment, my heart wavered."

Saying that, Sadis faced me with a serious expression…

"Therefore, this is an absolute secret from the Master, but… if the Young Master were to achieve victory, then! I shall allow you to have my breasts as you please for a day!"

"Guhk!?"

"Geez… One would think that someone like the Princess would be thinking of noble and dignified things such as proving the Empire's military might to its citizens and other countries through winning this tournament and showing everyone that she can lead in the coming era. And yet, Young Master, you're fixated on breasts…"

I didn't mishear it, did I...?
While she looks at me with cold disdainful eyes as if I were a maggot, she's not only letting me touch her boobs, but also as much as I please for an entire day!? Keeping it a secret from my father!? If I win the tournament, seriously, eeh, so I can really have free reign over those boobs!?

"What are you staring at so intently? It's if you win, you know?"

Saying that, Sadis shows a slightly embarrassed expression and finishes her cleaning before returning inside the mansion.
And there, I'm left standing at the front entrance…

"Oh, oh…Oooohhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

Now I’m motivateeeed! Wait, why didn't I think of this before!?
If I win… If I win the tournament, I can do anything to Sadis's boobs! Anything and everything!
Huh? Pure love? I don't know, what's that? And besides, breasts are the epitome of pure love, aren't they?

『…… W, well…… I did say that 'tis preferred to have impure motivations.』

The Great Demon King mutters with a slightly exasperated tone, but now's not the time to worry about such things.

"Great Demon King! No… Treinar! I… I’ll definitely win! So please, train me! I’ll do as you say! So…… please, I beg you, Osu!"

『………』

As a gesture of basic courtesy to Treinar, whom I would be relying for guidance from now on, I straightened my posture and bowed my head.
It doesn't matter if the child of the Hero bows to the Great Demon King or not.
From now on, we are in a master and disciple relationship.
And Treinar, while sighing with a slightly exasperated expression…

『U, uh huh, very well! You shall win the upcoming tournament in two months and claim the bosoms!』
"Oooohhhh!"

I swore upon my own soul that I would achieve it, even if it meant risking my life.

---

Author’s Note

I ended up in fourth place overall for the day. It seems that the drill is still spinning. With each rotation, I move a little further forward. Thank you very much for your support. I'm feeling even more motivated now!

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