Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 13 – Knowing Oneself

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"So, what is this ladder for?"
『'Tis for ladder training.』
"What’s that?"

Eager and full of motivation, I immediately changed into my training outfit of short-sleeved shirt and half-length pants, went out into the spacious garden of the mansion, and sat down.
I wasn't just sitting there, but rather, I was loosening and warming up my body by doing some flexibility exercises.
According to the Treinar, it's called 'stretching'.
However, the purpose of the ladder is still a mystery.

『'Tis meant to enhance agility and awareness. Through this, you will obtain the ultimate step technique… the Magical Step.』

The technique name sounds pretty lame… but I shouldn't say it out loud……

『......Come up with a technique name yourself.』
"Ah, well… please continue…"

Even if I didn't say it out loud, he can still hear my thoughts… Well, never mind. If it’s for the sake of boobs, I’ll listen seriously.

『Alright, enough talk. First, focus on doing the stretches properly. Take your time. Concentrate.』
"No, haven’t I done enough already? Besides, I'm quite flexible."
『Even so. This is to enhance your physical abilities, so make it a daily habit.』
"Geez… fine. But couldn't you at least tell me what kind of training we'll be doing? After stretching and the ladder, what else is there?"
『Hmm… Training menu, huh?… Well, if you’re curious…』

I’ll do whatever I’m told for the time being, and put in serious effort.
But, I at least wanted to know what the hell I would be doing.
Then, Treinar……

『First, we'll spend time doing stretching and ladder training for warm-up. After that, we'll engage in physical combat training and practice magic and forbidden spells that are compatible with your combat style.』
"……Hm? Ah, wait a minute."
『……What? Is there something to complain about? 』

Casually mentioning 'Forbidden Spells' at the end definitely piqued my curiosity, but well, the other party is the Great Demon King after all.
If the Great Demon King is going to teach magic, then I suppose it’s expected to have forbidden spells as well.
However, there's one more thing that concerns me…

"When will we train with the sword?"
『…………』

Indeed, I belong to the Magic Swordsman category, just like my father.
I've been training with the sword since I was a kid, and even now, I practice my swings 5,000 times a day. According to Treinar, doing too many repetitions is pointless…

『About the sword… do not use it.』
"Ha? …… Does that mean I should train with the sword on my own?"
『Not exactly. You…… are not suited to be a Sword-type Magic Swordsman like Heero.』
"…………?"
『In other words, you lack the talent that someone like Heero possesses.』

Hold on, did I mishear that? For some reason, it seems like an outrageous remark, almost as if completely denying my entire life up until now!?

『You seem to have a complex towards your father, and deep down, you might even admire him. It appears that your skills and swordsmanship are imitating your father…』

"W-well…  I guess I've been imitating him in some ways since I was a kid…"

『However, 'tis merely imitation. It may be sufficient against mediocre opponents, but it won't grant you exceptional power.』

"……………"

I may be the son of the Hero, but it seems I'm not suited to be a Magic Swordsman…… No, it's true that I've been relentlessly compared to my father and received harsh criticism, so there have been times when I myself thought, 'I have no talent'…

『When we first met in the Sealed Chamber, you tried to attack me with your Magic Sword, did you not?』
"Guhk, that time…"
『Yes. Even at that moment, I already knew. You have no talent for that style.』

That sudden statement was too much for me to accept easily.
Of course, it’s only natural. All of what I’ve accumulated throughout my lifetime, even though it was relatively short, is being denied.

"Is that, really true… Ho-How would you even know that?"

Why, I wondered, could someone I just met yesterday say such things.

『Hmm, I suppose there's no helping it…… 'Tis a lengthy explanation…… Humans, demons, and magical beasts, have different forms and varying mass. Moreover, they possess diverse faculties, be it speed or deftness of reflexes. In truth, there is nothing in this world that is the same. Do you understand this?』

"Well, that’s true, but…"

『At the same time, it means that a swordsman is meant for a sword, and a boxer is meant for hand-to-hand combat… Each requires body and features suited to that particular style.』

In response to my question, Treinar began explaining it logically.

『For example, a massive orc might have a body suited for swinging a club and attacking with power… But do you think a massive orc would excel in ballet?』

"……Well… when you put it that way…"

『Following that logic, you as a Magic Swordsman… or rather, Heero’s fighting style is unsuitable for you. He is a reckless assault-type fighter, disregarding consequences and concentrating on a single target. He maximizes the firepower of his magic by infusing it into his sword to obliterate his opponents. That style is made possible by his exceptional physical strength, unwavering endurance against counterattacks, and an immense amount of magical power despite being human. But those traits do not apply to you.』

That explanation was not only far from convincing me, but it also made me even more depressed.

『You may be Heero's son, but your physical strength and inherent magical power are different from that of your father. No matter how much you imitate Heero, you cannot surpass him.』

Most importantly, when these explanations come directly from the Demon King himself, they are likely to be true.
I cannot become like my father.
I do not possess such talent.
Naturally, it was a shock.
But with someone clearly pointing out my shortcomings, memories of my past came flooding back.

"……Haha…… Ever since I was a kid … I have been swinging a sword."

It had become a habit. On rainy and windy days, I never skipped swinging my sword.
Even if my hands were blistered and my muscles strained… still…

『But, on the other hand, as you mentioned yourself, you possess flexibility…a supple body and agility that contrasts with Heero's strong swordsmanship. You probably take after your mother.』

"!?"

『When you rely on a sword, your fighting style inevitably revolves around it. However, you… must first confront the faculties of your own body, in other words, your individuality, to fully harness your potential. To reassess your physical capabilities, martial arts is the most suitable starting point.』

In the midst of my shock, I couldn't catch everything that was said, but the last words stayed with me.
It meant that I had a different 'talent' within me.

『If you insist on being a swordsman, you may be skilled in wielding a flexible and flowing sword. However, to master it, you must first understand the capabilities of your own body before focusing on swordsmanship. And to reach that point, it would be impossible to master it in just two months..』

I naturally lifted my head and listened intently to Treinar’s words.
The statement, 'even if you imitate your father, you will never surpass him', sounded to me like 'I have my own talent'.
I had never considered that I had my own uniqueness, different from my father.

『Also, Heero is a simple-minded fool. He can use magic based on sheer magic power and destructive force, but he struggles with intricate spells. Magic is not just about having magic power; it requires a logical understanding of the theory behind it. That is where you surpass Heero. Expand your range of magic.』

It wasn't just about the sword. Indeed, I had heard that my father was not particularly skilled in auxiliary or supportive magic, focusing more on 'blow-everything-away' types of spells.
Wait a minute. Isn't my father surprisingly flawed in many ways?

『Do you understand? If I seriously train you, not only will you win the tournament in two months, but with more time, I can elevate you to a level where you can defeat Heero!』

It wasn't simply empty boasting or bravado.
Treinar’s words were backed by genuine thoughts and calculations.
Now, it is up to me whether or not I can put it into practice.

『How about it? Child…』

Yes, it is up to me. Upon hearing his question, I couldn't help but smile sarcastically.

"Kuhahaha… My father… and everyone else… They would all be surprised. The son of the Hero Heero, not fighting as a Magic Swordsman…"
『Do you dislike it?』
"No~… It actually feels refreshing in a way, like saying, 'I am my own person!'. It feels like I've shed my shackles. I’m relieved."

That's right. Despite the shock, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
I felt liberated from something.
I realized that I no longer needed to feel insecure and imitate my father.
And now, being freed from such things, I felt a surge of excitement in being able to embrace something new that suited me better.

"I'm counting on you, Treinar. Please guide me towards the right path."

At this time, regardless of Sadis’ boobs or any other motivation, I feel like I genuinely want to do it myself.

---

Author’s Note

Everyone, thank you as always for your support.

When I checked this morning's daily rankings... I was ranked 2nd overall.
I've come this far thanks to all of you.
Amazingggg!!! But also frustratingggg!? As I had mixed emotions about it, I remembered something.

Someone, somewhere, once said those words, and the protagonist Earth also said them in the story.

"Is it not good enough unless it's first place? Is second place not good enough?"

Gyaaaaaaaahhhhh!!

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