Black String of Fate

Seraphina was flabbergasted at the question Xavier just asked. Why was he in this damn trial in the first place if he didn't even know the rewards?

"No, I don't. I just stumbled across these trials, and since then, I have been attempting to clear them in hopes of some neat reward, since I believe there has to be a reason for these god-forsaken trials to be so disgustingly hard. Moreover, I still haven't figured out a way to quit yet..."

"So, what I interpret from this, you are clearing these trials with a perfect record like me just for the sake of it? Are you actually mad or something?"

"I would like to say no, but then I'll be doubting my own words. Usually, the harder the trials, the sweeter the reward, and I also have the goal of becoming a paragon, so here I am. Plus, there isn't a way back either..."

"You could've quit anytime in the trial chamber. Didn't the administrator tell you?"

"...What?"

Xavier was wide-eyed at the revelation that he could've quit anytime. The admin, which he's assuming to be the mysterious screen guy, never mentioned anything like that. He went through all those trials thinking it was success or death.

He held his head in exasperation as he realized that he had not even asked such a thing in the first place. Seeing the nature of these trials, he had simply assumed and didn't bother confirming with the admin. It was stupid of him, especially when these trials had such a high chance of his death.

"...I made some retarded decisions, but I can't just quit now, can I?"

"Haa... you can't quit once you're in the trial itself. You could've done so anytime in the chamber where the gates were.

Anyway, for the rewards, the trials can bestow an Innate Gift, even if you already have one."

"What?! You mean to say this trial can give someone two Innate Gifts? That's ridiculous!"

Xavier was in disbelief when he heard this. It was for good reason too, since it was none other than Innate Gifts she was talking about.

Innate Gifts are a special ability that very few people possess. While most people who do possess it are born with it, there are circumstances where one can obtain it too. They have a multitude of forms, like special eyes, special powers, unique physiques, special affinities, etc. Innate Gifts are also varied in the sense that they also have a chance to be harmful and useless to the wielder.

One major characteristic of an Innate Gift was that nobody had more than one. It was rare enough that someone had it, but it was unheard of, even in their generation, to possess more.

"It is ridiculous, but so is my goal. Due to my inherent Innate Gift, I have no possible way of becoming a Paragon, so I desperately need to clear this trial."

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, I also just discovered in this trial that my Innate Gift blocks my path to becoming a paragon. Guess it's lucky for me that I stuck to this trial, otherwise, I would have regretted it my whole life."

Seraphina wasn't that surprised to hear such a thing about Xavier. His natural characteristics were so abnormal that they couldn't be without an extremely powerful Innate Gift. Such Innate Gifts had a tendency to sacrifice one thing to massively boost another, resulting in them being restricted to their own talent.

What did surprise her was that he didn't know about his disadvantage all this time before coming to this trial. Her disadvantage was something she had known and suffered through all her life, yet he was blissfully unaware.

But, even while being unaware, Xavier had reached such heights of power. If it was someone like him, a battle maniac similar to those fuckers, fighting on her side and toppling those paragon-level bastards...

'He could be a priceless trump card...'

"Well, now you've found a solid reason to assist me in clearing this trial. My role in the future is important, so it would be beneficial for you too to not be hostile with me. Since this is fate, I suggest an alliance between us, forgetting our spoiled relationship of the past and starting anew for the sake of the world. What do you say?"

"Nah."

"...What? May I ask why? This is something that will affect you too!"

Xavier smiled as he held his hands behind his back, looking far into the distance with profoundness.

"You know, when I regressed, I marked it as the end of my path as the Demon King. I decided to use my power for my sake, rather than trying to do things for the world. Unfortunately, that includes saving the world too. I decided to live as Xavier, not Demon King Xavier, nor Hero Xavier.

Rest assured, I won't go out of my way to oppose you, but I also won't become your steadfast ally. If the invaders mess with me... Well, we will see then."

Seraphina wanted to say something and refute him, but ultimately swallowed her words. True to her initial analysis, Xavier was someone she couldn't control. Her fear of him may even subconsciously lead her to try to grasp him tighter, straining their already flimsy bond. Moreover, such a result was already better than what she had hoped for, with the Demon King not being an active hostile threat.

"Then, what do you plan to do? What are your goals?"

"Hmm... I don't really know. For the time being, I'll try to reach the heights of a paragon. I'll go where my steps take me, and just try living life in general."

"So basically you don't know anything."

"You can say that."

*sigh*

Seraphina gave up trying to understand this eccentric man. He cares about the world, yet does not wish to do anything to save it. It would be better to just let him do his own thing.

But, for the time being, she needed his assistance in the trial.

"I suppose we have diverted from our initial topic. We should now discuss our plans for the trial."