Black String of Fate

"What?! Why?! You are the most talented swordsman I've ever met!"

Before Zorak could even say anything, Arkham jumped in on the conversation with an exasperated tone.

"Hmm… Well, it's what I want to do, but even if I didn't, I have no choice but to walk this path."

Xavier replied with a helpless smile, but Arkham was not satisfied with this answer. He bore his gaze into Xavier, who sighed and explained,

"It's my Innate Gift. I can't progress on one path without the other. Both my sword and magic mastery must be equal for me to progress.

If it was up to me, I would've initiated and progressed my warrior path while learning a few tidbits of magic. But my magic cannot fall behind my sword."

Arkham leaned back and sighed,

"Ah, what a waste. You could've gone to surreal heights if you were able to devote yourself to the sword."

Xavier had a distant look after hearing that. He knew this very well, more than what a mere Grandmaster could imagine.

"Yes, I would have. But… I will reach heights higher than that surreal peak. That is my belief."

Arkham looked into the deep eyes of Xavier, finding a complex mirth of emotions when he said that. There was a hint of wisdom and profoundness, as if he was a swordmaster speaking about his ambitious goals and purpose. In the end, he could not say anything.

Xavier then continued,

"Even though I was engrossed with my training, I had noticed that you were observing me for a few days. What business do you have with me? Just so you know, the Foundational Arts I created aren't compatible with anyone else but me."

"...I know, any uninitiated who attempts that crazy Foundational Art would die on just the third move. It was a miracle seeing you perform all the 9 strokes of the art you've created. I wanted to ask you to become my disciple, but after talking to you, I see that you're not the type that would take in a master."

"You're correct. I'm forging a new path all by myself, and while there are many who can 'teach' me, there exists none who can 'guide' me. All I can do is learn by myself as I tread this path."

"I thought so, well, anyway…" Arkham pulled out a platinum medallion from his pocket and tossed it to Xavier.

"I'd still like to know a talented person like you. I'm Arkham, the vice-sect leader of the Titan Sword Sect. This badge declares you as a VIP of the sect, if you have nowhere to go, you can always come here."

Saying that, he got up and headed for the exit. Xavier twirled the palm-sized medallion before putting it aside.

"I'll be sure to drop by someday. It was nice to meet you."

The two exchanged their goodbyes, and now, only the Master Mage was left here.

"Being favored by the vice-sect leader of the Titan Sword Sect, you're quite a lucky kid. I thought about the proposal you made, and I, the representative of the Mage's Association, accept your conditions. A favor and a potion whose recipe you discovered is a fair price. I'll talk with the Blue Tower Master, and he'll contact one of his numerous old friends."

"That's great. Oh, and one more thing."

Xavier brought out the small pouch that he had collected Azalea Magica in. He handed it over to Zorak and said,

"I found these outside the cave in which the ruins were located. I don't know if it was a deliberate move by the Elemental King or just a coincidence, but I would prefer if the potion is made using them."

Zorak inspected the Azalea Magica and found a stark difference from the ones he knew.

"Hmm, the purple color is much darker than the ones normally found or cultivated. Perhaps this is a mutated variant. Are you sure you want to use this?"

"From what I know about the Elemental King, he must've intended for me to find it. It's best if you make a potion with these. You can also preserve some strands to cultivate in a herb garden or something."

Zorak was impressed with the wisdom of Xavier. From what he had heard from the receptionist, Xavier was just a slum kid, but his knowledge defied that stereotype.

"Alright. Let's shake hands on that."

They both shook hands, a sign of a successful negotiation and deal. Zorak took the articles, got up, and bid his goodbyes. He already had a lot of work left, and seeing that the negotiation took more time than he thought, he had to rush back.

"I'll deliver the potion to you through the adventurer's guild in this town. It should take about a month."

"A month? That's too long."

"Haha, you were the one who said you wanted the best alchemist we could arrange. What, you think people of that caliber have free time?"

"Haa, fine. I'll be here for a month."

Zorak smiled and left without saying anything else. Now, Xavier was once again alone.

"I guess I'll do some local quests in the meantime…"

Xavier retired for the night, making plans for the next day.

************

"Hmm… I can't touch his string of fate at all."

In an unknown realm, a child was looking down at the world, seeing all that was present in it. He then looked up to a tapestry with multiple stars connected with ethereal threads. They were not too high, low enough to be in the reach of the child's hand.

The child, Azaroth, waved his hands at a patch that was pitch black. His hands went through like the strings like they were a hologram.

"But, that doesn't mean I can't manipulate the rest of the strings. It's way more unpredictable and inefficient, but it's necessary for his growth."

He then looked at a collection of dim stars hovering at a distance from the black patch. Azaroth manifested a power in his hands and grabbed the stars, dragging them towards Xavier's star.

"Let's see what you do now, fateless."

************