The Hero Is Not the Only Class

“It's true that the hero you speak of was great. For a thousand years, every race across the continent has sung of his heroic deeds. Even I, who have never met him, can't help but admire him.

Maybe I look a lot like him. Maybe, just as you say, I'm the reincarnation of that legendary hero... So what? Just because I can draw the Hero's Sword, am I supposed to change my mind and work hard to become a great hero?”

Beneath the Demon King's castle, facing the elf who had traveled thousands of miles with him and was staring in shock, Aiwei said calmly:

“The dead cannot be brought back to life. At least, that's how the current system of magic explains it. I have none of that hero's memories. I never shared with you the unforgettable adventure you went on together. The memories we share began when you walked into my flower shop.

In my spare time, I'm happy to listen to you tell me about that adventure from a thousand years ago. I consider you an important friend, and I love hearing your fascinating stories. But the past you speak of will never become my story.”

“To me, that's history from a thousand years ago, not memories I ought to reclaim.”

The young man with the Hero's Sword on his back turned and smiled at the Demon King.

“Please let me join the staff of the Demon King's castle.”

+++

At Saint Delvin Academy, Aiwei heard two things more than anything else. One was, [Have you really considered transferring to the swordsman program?] The other was, [You're the reincarnation of the legendary hero Ainoland.]

Becoming a hero and defeating the Demon King seemed to be his only path.

To that, Aiwei replied, “Being a hero isn't the only career.”

After reincarnation, he's a completely unrelated person. The protagonist is calm and has a mind of his own, unaffected by outside pressure. This is not a body-double trope.

Theme: Don't let others define you