I've had a mentor teach me something directly for three years. It was intense, but some people might think it was only three years.
　But even after I left the village, I believe that he has been training me for a long time.
　As long as I follow my master's teachings, I am his disciple.

　The power I am about to use is one that is said to never be used in peacetime.
　That was one day, a year after my master had trained me.
　I was exhausted after that day's training, and I was called into my master's room.
　I went to the room thinking it was going to be a bad decision or a lecture, but he was looking at me in a way I had never seen before.

　He didn't give me his usual bothering, bored, stern and cold stare.
　It was a warm gaze.

'Reme, you're doing well.'

　For a moment I thought it was an auditory hallucination. The fact that my master was praising me was that unlikely.

''Eh, eh.''

　Ignoring my confusion, my master continued.

He continues, "To be honest, I thought it would only last a few days. But you have successfully withstood a year of training.

"Master...?

"I ask you once again. Why do you want to be a hero?

　Don't talk back to your master. Even if you don't, it's not like I'm hiding it from you.
　I've talked about my dreams before without permission, but that day was the first time my master was interested in me, and to be honest, I was both surprised and happy.

'Because a brave man is cool,'

This is not right. You can't stand my training just because of longing.

　It's true, though, that the master's training is so rigorous that it's hard to answer if you ask me which is better, going to hell.
　It took me a long time to answer. I was eleven years old at the time, and putting my emotions into words was a very difficult task.

''Really, sir. I wanted to be a good-looking brave man.'

....

"But,

"Yes,

When I was about six years old, I once asked my father to buy me a sword.

　The master listens in silence.

'But they wouldn't buy it because they said things like "it's dangerous" and "he's just a kid" and so on. I'm convinced now, but at the time I couldn't accept it. I wanted it, so why would they give me a reason and say no? I was still more willing to give up if they said I didn't have the money.'

　He urged me to give it up, not by saying whether I would buy it or not, but by listing the risks of buying it.
　Even though the reasons were convincing, the way he said it made me feel uncomfortable.
　Dad's words were good because he was still concerned about me. I'm afraid of parents giving their children a weapon as they ask, and it would have been the right decision.

'So,'

''The day I found out about the [position (job)], I remembered the day I found out about it. Everyone around me would list the reasons why I couldn't become a hero. They laughed at me and said, "That's the end of it when you're a [Black Mage]," "Black magic is useless," "That's a shitty [position (job)] that doesn't improve muscle strength or agility," and that's why my dream was dashed.

...Oh.

　The master nodded quietly, as if he could imagine the situation.

'I thought maybe I was right, too. But then I remembered what happened with the sword. I want to become a hero, but several reasons why I can't become one are piling up. In the end, it's just that the [Position(Job)] is bad, but he told me happily how far away from the brave [Position(Job)] is from the brave.''

"Then why didn't you give up?

"It's not cool.

　The words came out reflexively, and I was surprised to hear them.
　At the same time, it made sense to me.
　Yes, that was it. That was it.

　I had given up on getting my sword bought, but I couldn't give up on becoming a brave man.
　He continued to aim for it until he became an apprentice to a master and worked on training that was out of the ordinary.
　The difference is obvious.

　The difference between childhood greed and self-determined dreams.

I've always been determined to become a hero since I was a child. And yet, you give up because of the difference in [position (job)]?　That's not cool, is it? It's not like I was longing for [job title]. Defeating the enemy, making my friends win, and exciting people to watch, that's what I longed for.

"No matter how much black magic you practice, you can't defeat the enemy by your own hand if it's not exposed.　

'Because of me, the party can fight the best because of me. That's the kind of [black mage] I'll be.

"Even though you may not be the hero of the fight you first imagined...

''Slashing with swords and shooting magic isn't the only way to fight. Isn't that right?''

　Master didn't deny it.

''It's going to be a long and hard fight. If you don't reach a very high rank, no one will see your value.


But it was my decision.


'Well I see.'

　I still doubt my memory of this area.
　Because the next moment, that master patted me on the head.

''You are not particularly gifted. You're neither dexterous nor physically strong. You're just an ordinary [Black Mage]. However, there is one weapon that is second to none. Do you understand?''

I don't know.

　At that moment, Master's voice was as gentle as a lie.

''You, Reme. You are a very strong-hearted child. His hopes were dashed, his former friends taunted him, and the [position (job)] he wanted was in the hands of his best friend. Still, he didn't give up, and asked a suspicious demon to teach him a lesson. I have endured the ordeal that a grown man would run away from in less than half an hour, and I have trained myself until this day. I am Leme. I never meant to teach you a thing. In the beginning, I was trying to get rid of you.

　

''But you didn't whine a single word to the mean old man's squeezing. Rest assured, the training you've been doing so far hasn't been bullshit. It's been a training exercise to train you.

I know.

　I've never doubted that. Even if he was mean, he's not the kind of person who would make a training menu at random. If this person had done that, I would have died.
　He was the one who set up a training program so strict that I didn't die just in time and wanted to run away.

"Leme, I now officially pronounce you my apprentice.

'!　Huh? Ha, yes.........!

"But, Leme. I understand your intentions, but the truth is, you want the power to fight as well.

"E

"Don't you want the power?

　Master's voice was so serious that I skipped the thought and let my true feelings out.

''I want it. If I can get the power to defeat any strong enemy head on, I want it too.''　

"even if it means I have to suffer more than I already do to get it.

"If all you want is for me to do my best, I'll do anything.

'Good answer. But there is a problem with this power.

...a problem?

The moment you use it, your connection to me is immediately apparent.

That's ... a problem.

　If there's a master, then there are ways for me to become stronger, I suppose.
　But he doesn't want to expose himself and his power to the world anyway.

''Therefore, I will set a condition. You may use that power only when you are fighting an opponent that you absolutely must win.

"...what...?

　I'd be pouting.
　Because that would go against the Master's promise.

"You will keep your bargain with me, won't you? I already know that. But if someday you see a victory in front of you that supersedes your vow to me-- go ahead.

　The master said.
　I don't care if you find out about yourself, use your strength when you really want to win.
　I absentmindedly almost cried.
　I was glad that my master, who didn't want to get involved with people and who lived in seclusion, allowed me to use my power after knowing that his presence would be exposed through me.

''But then, know that you will be in a very troublesome position. If you're going to use it in the dungeon, destroy all the cameras and microphones. Then threaten the beast when it's finished. You use it, they'll know it's connected to me. Any demon will tremble and follow you.

　

'What do you think, Leme?'

'I want to be strong. Tell me how.

　With that, the Master broke his own corner.