The strongest. A title that is so simple, so distant, and yet so inexplicably appealing.

　Some people make fun of it as a childish aspiration, but I think it's cool if a person seriously aims for a higher title, even after all these years. Even if the goal is not "the strongest".

　The boy in front of me is saying that he wants to aim for that together.

　To be honest, I was very happy to hear that.
　I failed to find a new job once. It's already in shreds.

　I was able to join the Demon King's Army because of Mira-san's invitation, but the fact that I failed to reemerge as an adventurer remained like a weight in the back of my mind.

　Like Aerial-san, I was very grateful that he was willing to evaluate me and welcome me despite being a [Black Mage] who was kicked out of the 4th place party.

　However, just like with Aerial-san, I can't accept that invitation. No, I think it's the same. That person was already the first place, and I refused like it was different to enter there.

''I'm........''

No, you don't have to answer me now.

　Mr. Wraith said, interrupting my words.

'First of all, you don't have any trust on my part. As expected, I'm not that stupid. All I need to do today is say hello and let you know how I feel, and that's all that matters.''

　He's a smart kid, I think.
　The fact that he has signed a contract with the four great spirits makes him feel big.......but it doesn't seem to be the case.
　He knows he has the power, but he doesn't believe that it will make everything go the way he wants it to.

''Yes, I see.''

You don't have to call me "sir" anymore. Leme, you're going to be one of us.

　........you're a confident man.
　I'm confident that I'll succeed, saying that I'm not ready to reply yet.
　But, well, it's pretty important to have the strength of mind to be able to say these things honestly.

'Well, yeah. I don't know if we'll be friends, but if you say so.

Yeah. Oh, and this guy is Fran. His job title is [vandalism].

　A girl about his age bowed to him.
　She has white hair that seems to have lost its color and red eyes. Her skin is also white, and her beauty is such that it would be more fitting to call her a doll.
　Her cloak hides her from the neck down, and the only thing that can be seen is what she did from her ankles.

　--[Destroyer]............Very rare.

　It's said that during the war, there were many manifestations of this [job title (job)] in some sub-humans.
　If it's fast and seems to improve in weapon handling.......then 【Job Title (Job)】 is decided as 【Warrior】, then 【Destructor】 is a bit special.

　He is not technically good at anything, but he is strong anyway.
　Although he doesn't practice swordsmanship and wields his sword randomly - he is strong.
　Although his body language is crude and he moves as he pleases--he's strong.
　And so on, for example.

　

''It's nice to meet you, my name is Reme.

...like Wraith, I don't need an honorific...

　His voice is low, but not so low that I can't hear him.

'Yeah, I'll do that then,'

Hey, aren't you surprised?　It's the first time you've seen it?

I'm new to this, but [position (job)] is just [position (job)].

''........Heh, as expected of someone who is a [black mage] and wants to be a brave man, it's different. I feel the same way. There are small fry in the [Brave], and there are people who are strong even in the [Black Mage]. What's important is not what you have, but what you've accomplished. In that respect, I'm still lacking.

　He's smiling. He seems to be in a good mood.

'I'm sure Leme will want to join you when I get results.

It doesn't show, but there's a place I work now.

'Yeah, well, you have to work if you want to live. But it's a job. You can quit. Then you can get a job at my place. Oh, will you relax?　I won't give up on my people. Never, ever, no matter what.

　.....

'Thanks. But.........I decided to leave the last party by myself.

Did you get out of yourself without being told?

..........

I don't believe all the rumors in the world, but what's this [warrior]...

　Mr. Wraith...or is it Mr. Wraith, he looks at Fran.
　She answers.

'Alba.'

Yeah, that's it. You know what he said. He said he kicked me out. I don't know what happened, but he really did start it, didn't he?

Yeah, I guess.

'If I were the leader, I'd reject that agenda. Well, as far as the last party is concerned, it's just that I didn't know how good you were at it, Leme. If you're in the group, you have to see through it. If you're a leader, you've got to lead. I don't care what people think, and I don't care how good you look. Once you're on board, you're on board until the end.

　He doesn't know my situation or how Fenix felt about it.
　So I'm not wrong in that assessment, and his attitude is a great one.

　I could reason with him that he's not that naive, but I'm not going to try.
　I'm sure Lace-kun knows what he's saying and he's speaking up.

　His words came out slurred, but that didn't mean they sounded light.
　There was a strong emotion riding on every word.

　--I wonder if he has any thoughts about adventurers and the industry.

　Come to think of it, he looks vaguely familiar to me.
　Not him himself, but I've seen someone who looks like...........somewhere.

"I'm still friends with the Phoenix.

　In the end, I'll just say so.

'That's very kind of you, Leme. But a kind person is a loser. It would be nice if everyone were nice, but they're not.

　...Are you really ten years old?　I think, but even so, after the 【Job】 is revealed, I'll be able to at least think like this.

　I also had a big change in my feelings after I found out that I was a 【Black Mage】.

　The first big reality, where a child can no longer be a child, is the ritual of finding out 【title (job)】.
　It doesn't seem to be the only thing that happens to him, though.

'My best friend Fenix may have stayed the same, but [brave] Fenix left you out of the party. I'm not going to do that, I'm telling you.

　...Oh, I see.
　You thought I was shying away from joining the next party.

　Party with the four great spirit contractors, run up the ranks, and then get dumped.
　So he's trying to reassure me that I won't be going down that path again.

I see. Thank you for that. You've made your point.

Is there anything else you want to ask me?　Oh, we'll split the money.

'Haha, that's an important part. But it's okay.

Hmm. Well, I'll see you later. You know, Leme--

You can't hogtie a new lemme that just arrived.

　With a pop, Wraith's head is knocked off.

What the hell are you doing, Uncle Air?

　It's Mr. Aerial.
　Come to think of it, the uncle he was talking about is him.

　Or rather.........Uncle Aerial.......?