Just had an epiphany, on chapter 50, when MC realised he never once had the desire to win... and that all the strong swordsman all had the desire to be better, in order to win against their opponent.
For some reason... it made me think about any career in your life. If you have no desire to do better or be better because you want to be better or successful, compared to others, you will never grow. You won't enjoy what you're doing and you won't succeed as much as those around you.
Doing something/ working towards something eith the desire of wanting to be successful in the field is key. You need to want to do it, not for anyone else or for any other reason other than it was your choice.
It's not something I haven't heard before, or never knew, but it made me suddenly rethink my life choices. It made me realise that I will never succeed THE WAY I WANT TO if I don't have the desire as well as effort. And I will never have the desire if I don't choose it for myself.
The lazy prince becomes a genius