Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Prologue

What's the purpose of becoming stronger in a world devoid of the Great Demon King? That was my justification for my inability to overcome that particular hurdle.

Despite the claims from those around me that I was "talented," I was never bestowed with titles like "genius," "monster," or the "Second Coming of the Hero." There were moments when my hard work yielded visible results.

However, the words spoken at such times were invariably the same.

-- As expected, he is the son of a Hero.

This hardly felt like genuine praise.

Then, on days when my performance dipped below the usual standard, the common refrain was:

-- In the end, he's still not as mature as his father, the Hero.

It was utterly exasperating!

Perhaps it was due to being overly indulged that my spirit grew disheartened?

My father, one of the heroes who had once saved the world, married my mother, a fellow comrade, and from their union, I was born.

I was raised without hardship in an era of peace, untouched by war.

The nation I inhabit is the Depaltia Empire, widely regarded as the world's foremost power, boasting unparalleled civilization and economic strength.

My affluent family, accustomed to indulging my every whim, ensured I received whatever I desired.

Even attending the academy presented no obstacles.

Thus, I was nurtured, thoroughly pampered yet afforded the finest education imaginable.

Academically and physically, I surpassed the 'average' individual.

Consequently, until I encountered that insurmountable wall, I never had cause to worry about my future.

-- He will undoubtedly follow in his father's footsteps and become a warrior in the Imperial Army. This was the clear trajectory of my life.

However, after stumbling against that wall during my progression, I became acutely aware of how the adults and those around me evaluated me.

Regardless of the outcome, no matter what I did, the label "Son of the Hero" perpetually clung to me.

I was perpetually measured against them, my strength always falling short of my exceptionally great parents.

Believing that the blessed genes inherited from my parents would one day awaken within me, I dedicated myself to self-improvement through grueling effort.

Yet, I remained incapable of achieving an evaluation that surpassed my progenitors.

On the contrary...

-- The other Heroes' children are brimming with exceptional talents. They will undoubtedly mature wonderfully and lead the human race.

-- However, 'he' is simply not sufficient.

-- His genes should possess the greatest potential, yet... he is merely... talented.

-- He doesn't even come close to the truly gifted geniuses.

-- I harbored high expectations, but my son has turned out to be a disappointment.

When compared to the children of my parents' former comrade-in-arms from the same hero party, I should have been held to similar expectations by those around me. Yet, no one held high hopes for me anymore, and I was regarded as inferior.

In truth, I am not a failure. I am demonstrably more capable than the average person.

From that point forward, the privileged status of being a hero's son began to feel more like a burdensome curse.

I am my own person.

Acknowledge me for who I am.

I yearn for freedom. I wish to venture into a world where I am not confined by that title.

At the tender age of fifteen, I found myself firmly in the throes of adolescence.

And within that rebellious phase, my path took an unexpected and contorted turn, defying the expectations surrounding me, all initiated by a fateful encounter.

-- Child... Can you discern my voice? Do you recognize my presence?

In the first place, I had no comprehension of how such a thing could even be possible.

-- Ten years spent alone with naught but boredom. You are the descendant of my arch-enemy, but if I can pass the time by possessing you, then there is no other choice. 1

The Great Demon King, the sworn nemesis of all humankind, whom the world's races had united to vanquish in ages past.

However, his soul was unable to find passage, and it lingered in this world.

I remain unaware of why I alone could perceive the spectral remnant of the Great Demon King. No one else could, not even my father.

Yet, our meeting was inevitable.

-- Hoh~?… Feeling rebellious, are we? Do you wish to strike back at your father? Do you want to take revenge on the world?

And from that moment, a peculiar symbiotic existence commenced.

-- I bear a grudge against your father. Therefore... shall I bestow upon you the power to surpass him?

He was but a phantom, incapable of conversing with anyone but me, unable to do anything beyond haunting my presence and remaining by my side.

The Great Demon King, who could communicate solely with me and perceive only what I saw, offered devilish whispers as a means to alleviate his unending boredom.

-- I shall guide you. I will teach you anything – be it magic, martial arts, summoning, or esoteric wisdom. All I possess is an abundance of free time.

I often pondered what might have transpired had I not encountered him that day.

There were times I considered the possibility of simply accepting the evaluations of those around me and living a life of contented tranquility.

But even so, I would always declare myself grateful to have met him.

Even though meeting him ultimately led to 'the worst day of my life'.

The worst day of my life.

To recount that tale, I must first return to the very day our paths first crossed.

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S1 This particular challenge proved quite difficult. It turned out to be an idiom, which made direct translation awkward. The phrase 背に腹は代えられない literally means “one cannot trade their belly for their back.” It seems to convey a situation where one must sacrifice a lesser desire for a greater necessity. My gratitude goes to GoldStrength on Reddit for their invaluable assistance in deciphering this.