Black String of Fate

I know mages are supposed to be weak physically, but that weak?

I'm already bad with names, so when someone who was like a glass canon appeared before me, I would remember them as a glass canon only."

The more Xavier spoke, the more it hurt the pride of the magician.

'For me, Xavier the Demon King was like a primal fear, an absolute battle god that never seemed to fall. His inhuman resilience and freakish strength had left a mark that could never be forgotten by the whole hero's party.

Yet, such a person, who I believed I had a grand, memorable battle with, remembered me as some spell-flinging fly who got swatted away with an off-hand strike... Ugh, I just want to dig myself a hole.'

The mental shock was enough to drain all the fighting spirit Seraphina had. Even though she was not as talented as the hero or the demon king, she was still an Archon Magician. If ranked, she was probably the third strongest of her generation. Being disregarded this way was not something she was used to.

Xavier also confusedly relaxed himself as he saw her will to fight disappear for some reason. He was just being honest, did her words hit her so hard?

'Looks like her pride was a fragile thing...'

"Now listen, glass canon. Even though you may feel threatened by me, I reciprocate no such feelings. I have retired from my title of the Demon King, and I hold no similar ambitions I had in my past. I now know that the hero will do a much better job at that, so I leave everything up to him.

I am still trying to find my way around this second life of mine, once again searching for my purpose. I have a small goal for myself, but rest assured it's nothing like world domination."

Seraphina carefully listened to the words of the Demon King. By looking at his body language and casual demeanor, she was inclined to believe him, but she still felt unsure.

"How can I believe you? What proof can you give me of your words?"

"...Hah."

Xavier scoffed with irritation, disliking her attitude.

"Stop being so insecure, one-shot-glass-cannon. First of all, I do not care whether you believe me or not, you aren't that significant in my eyes to make me convince you. Second, I gave you my word, it is an insult to me if you think I'll go back on them.

If you're not convinced, we can still settle this in a simpler way."

Xavier said as he put his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. His meaning was clear, she was not worth enough to be made an effort to convince. He was ready enough to take her on if she decided to go hostile.

'I have to make a wise decision. I can't afford to put the trial at risk.'

"Alright, I suggest a temporary truce. We have a trial to clear here."

Xavier smiled as she finally made a response to his liking. In a trial like this, it was better to have assistance, however iffy it would be.

"Good, I too want to clear this trial with flying colors. But first, what's your objective given by the system?"

Seraphina hesitated for a second before replying,

"It is to 'Save the World'. Yours will be something similar, I believe?"

"Oho, interesting. Mine is to 'Change the World'. Haha, how interesting! Our goals are perfectly vague..."

Seraphina was confused for a second before coming to a horrifying conclusion.

'It really is perfectly vague... 'Save the World' and 'Change the World', if one looks deep, both have a perfectly equal chance of being antagonistic and collaborative. It is like the trial telling us that we can either collaborate for a common goal which will achieve both, or push against each other to triumph one goal over another.'

"You've realized it. Now, I'm really fine with both. Since you prefer collaboration, I suppose we could work on that."

Xavier extended his hand for a handshake to seal the deal, and Seraphina reciprocated a bit nervously. She tried not to show it much, but being around Xavier was taxing her mentally. It was like being locked in a room with a tarantula when you're arachnophobic.

Xavier, too, noticed it, but just helplessly smiled. It wasn't even that she had any misunderstandings, she had perfectly valid reasons to behave this way. He was the one who instilled fear in the whole world, now he was just seeing the results of that.

"Look, it'll make it hard for me to trust you when you behave so dodgy in the first place. Try to improve upon that, since the best I can do is just give my word."

Seraphina nodded and broke contact. Today's events were going wild and out of proportion for her, and it had tired her endlessly. She wanted to take a rest and digest whatever development had taken place today. It was just one surprise after another for her.

"Let's further discuss our plans tomorrow, it wouldn't be fruitful if we continue in my current mental state."

Xavier agreed while looking at her tired eyes. He could see that she was exhausted, but somehow, it didn't feel as if today was all that contributed to that tiredness...

"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow, same place, same time, glass canon."

"Sure, but..."

Xavier was walking away when Seraphina called out,

"Why do you keep calling me glass canon? I believe I have properly introduced myself."

Xavier, without looking back, replied,

"Why not? It's fun. I just have a nasty habit."

"...Huh?"

Seraphina was dumbstruck for yet another reason.