I, Who Only Had Effort as a Virtue, Reincarnated as a Talented Yet Lazy Villain

—Butler Balan’s Perspective—

“I’m going to initiate special training. Make it as challenging as possible, and as demanding as possible.”

When Benno uttered those words, I found myself doubting my own ears.

This guy was supposed to have been evading training all along.

He had been steering toward the easier route, consistently avoiding the challenges.

And yet, now he’s aiming to tread the path of adversity.

I’m not certain what transpired, but his countenance has undoubtedly shifted.

Those eyes—the eyes of someone who’s battled their way through adversity.

Eyes that have been dedicatedly honed through relentless effort.

They’re distinct from the eyes that once looked down on everything with disdain.

…This is certainly becoming intriguing, isn’t it?

Unintentionally, those words escaped my lips in a murmur.

I retired from my adventurous pursuits at the age of 34 due to a knee injury.

Right on the brink of achieving S-rank.

It felt like I was cutting my journey short.

The frustration was so intense, I contemplated ending my life on numerous occasions.

However, at that juncture, I was taken in by my old friend, Duke Alshbaltz.

He granted me the position of a butler and entrusted me with the task of training his only son.

In return for his kindness, I attempted to train Benno.

Yet, his enthusiasm was consistently lacking, and the endeavor bore little fruit.

His natural talent was self-evident.

But he despised putting in effort.

Thus, even that talent had decayed.

Though I felt it was a waste, I resigned myself to partial failure.

It’s futile to advise someone who lacks motivation.

Having witnessed such individuals on multiple occasions, I possessed a firsthand understanding of this.

However—

For some inexplicable reason, he’s suddenly radiating motivation.

This newfound zeal could be transitory.

But in an unexpected manner, I found myself elated by it.

I thought this at the time—but later, I’d come to understand that this guy’s motivation was far from ordinary.

Ten hours have elapsed since Benno’s training commenced.

He’s still diligently wielding his sword.

Even I, his instructor, am growing weary, yet he shows no sign of fatigue.

Initially, his forms were unconventional, and his execution seemed awkward.

Yet, he swiftly absorbed my instructions and began to progress.

His pace of growth is nothing short of staggering.

His effort is beyond measure.

My emotions were stirred to their core.

“This individual… He’s destined to exceed all expectations.”

I unconsciously voiced this sentiment.

My utterance caught me off guard, and I quickly clamped my mouth shut, though it seemed that Benno remained too engrossed to take notice.

Dangerous.

If he catches wind of such a tone from me, he might be dismissed immediately.

Yet, his level of concentration is also extraordinary.

Few can become as immersed as he is.

If he works diligently, he can achieve remarkable outcomes.

A trickle of cold sweat ran down my brow.

Could it be that I’m… apprehensive…?

Perhaps I’m fearing the potential future he might carve out?

Simultaneously, however, a smile was etched upon my countenance.

I couldn’t help it—it was a reflexive response.

With this guy—.

Maybe I can entrust him with my aspirations.

The journey to ascend to S-rank, a status reserved for the top ten globally.

The dream I relinquished halfway.

Is there anyone who could maintain a serious expression at this?

Even when restraining myself, suppressed laughter threatens to escape.

Meanwhile, Benno, still immersed in his swordplay, remains unaware.

—Subsequently, another five hours pass.

The night grows darker, enveloping everything in obscurity.

Amidst the murkiness, the sole sound that prevails is the swish of the sword.

—And then, an additional ten hours elapse.

Dawn has fully broken, and the birds are heralding the new day.

Without affording himself any breaks since then, he’s steadfastly continuing his swordplay.

By this point, my intuition has transformed into certainty.

This individual is destined to become an extraordinary force to be reckoned with.

His swordsmanship has evidently improved even upon casual observation.

Furthermore, there’s no trace of exhaustion whatsoever.

His swordsmanship hasn’t dulled in the slightest.

Ordinarily, fatigue would marginally compromise one’s precision.

Yet, such diminishment is entirely absent.

Fear.

Awe.

And exhilaration.

My sentiments are in tumult.

It was precisely at this juncture that—

Benno finally ceases his swordplay and surveys his surroundings with an expression of bewilderment.

“How long… have I been wielding the sword…?”

This guy… He’s unwittingly been brandishing his sword for an entire day…!?

Those who attain the zenith of the world are individuals who don’t view their efforts as such.

Of course, talent is requisite.

Yet, they perform their actions unconsciously, without perceiving the exertion involved.

Ultimately, it’s these very individuals who ascend to the apex of the world.

It’s truly awe-inspiring, isn’t it…?

To think that such an extraordinary being was in close proximity…

Suppressing the tremors of elation within me, I approach Benno and inform him,

“Lord Benno. You’ve been wielding the sword for twenty-five hours.”

Upon hearing this, Benno unconsciously tilts his head and responds,

“Huh…!? Seriously, did I swing it for that long? I don’t recall doing so…”