I never owned a name. Owning a name meant oneself was a complete individual. My parents never told me what it meant or how I would attain it, but they encouraged me that with time and experience, I would realize it myself. I was already 18, regarded as an adult by law; however, I still didn’t own a name. Why was it necessary for me to have my own name? They had given me a name, Arth, but wouldn’t refer to me as such and used nicknames. I sighed to myself. It’s not good to remember this silly idea before an interview. My future was full of possibilities; I’ll just hope that finding answer to this mystery would just arrive.

  I was sitting on a couch in a waiting room. The building was of minimalistic nature, so only the couches, a small plant on the corner, the lamps, and I were the irregularities in this teal room. There were five of us interviewee earlier, and I am the only one left behind. Since I forgot to bring my phone, I had nothing to do but wait and listen to my heartbeat and thoughts. I should buy an indoor plant later, too. They seemed fun to have.

  Steps beyond the unassuming double door crept and became louder. The fourth interviewee, short-statured round moustache man, walked out with his head down. He must’ve failed. He looked at me and said, “they’re weird. No one will pass that interview. They rejected me outright after asking nonsensical questions. You should ditch it and join me for a drink.”

  I shook my head. “I’ve waited for a long time; I should still try it. Thanks for your invitation.”

  “I’m in a nearby bar if you’d like to come.”

  “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

  The moustache man left the room.

  After a few moments, I was called. The room I entered was the same as the waiting room in terms of simplicity. However, the interviewers—a man and a woman—was strikingly out of place in this room. The woman was very beautiful. No, it was like was like she was my ideal woman. I can’t come out with words to define her because it felt that if I do it, she’ll change appearance. Therefore, I pulled myself together and held back the blood that seemed to rush into my brain. Beside her was a huge man wearing a suit and a glowing sword behind his back. What the hell. Was it reinforced or something? I blinked a few times but it still glowed.

  “Welcome, young man. Please introduce yourself.” The woman said.

  “Hello, I am known as Arth Miorus, a recent graduate this year. I am intere—”

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  “You’re not Arth,” the woman interrupted.

  “What?”

  The woman rested her back on the chair, pulled the paper near her, and looked at me. “It says here that you don’t have a name. You shouldn’t make things up for this interview.”

  “Huh?” I paused. I seemed to have forgotten what this interview was about. Why did I apply here? “I’ll ignore your ridiculousness. Instead let me ask, what is this company?”

  “We are looking for people eligible for summoning in Eidiek.”

  “Summoning? Eidiek? I never heard of that place. Must I move to another country for this job?”

  “In a sense, you’re right. Tell me, do you want a name?”

  “I refuse. I believe it has nothing to do with this.”

  “I’ll show you a path to have your own.”

  “No.”

  “Then I have no choice but to force you. You’re the only one left and today is our deadline.”

  The man unsheathed the broadsword from his back with only his right arm. Just how strong was this man. Sensing danger, I jumped from my position and ran for the door. A numbing, ringing feeling shot on my face. I crashed. My head felt like it was floating and spinning round and round. The door was locked. As I was immobile, the man sheathed his sword, dragged me across the cold tiles and threw me to a seat in front of their desk. The man returned to his seat with eyes focused on me.

  The woman said strange words and a green light shone over me. I sensed my face again.

  “That should be enough,” the woman said. “I have decided that you will become a summon and rescue a world from Depravity. Any complaints?”

  “How can I complain with that man glaring at me?”

  The woman looked at a blank paper. “This paper said that you just complained.”

  “Ah. Forget it. Rescue the world, what’s that? You’re asking me to rescue a world? A young man with little to no experience with adulthood and with an average body and mind. Are you insane?” I wanted to yell but I would feel too guilty raising my voice to a woman like her.

  The man beside her cleared his throat. “Young boy… It seems to me that you’re not manly. A true man accepts all challenges head-on. Just like how you faced the door, knowing that it’s locked. Face this challenge just like how you faced that door and begin your journey to become a true man! I, the God of War, believes in the small flame burning in your heart.”

  A drop of sweat trickled down my cheeks. This man. He only spoke once but his passion raised the temperature of the room. These two people were strange, but I would never let myself be subjected to their strangeness.

  “First of all, I didn’t face the door. I didn’t even know it was locked. And…” I was supposed to be bleeding right now, weren’t I? “What just happened?”

  “Talking to us longer won’t have benefit to you. Just know that I am the Goddess of Heroes and this man is the God of War. We selected you to become a hero. Your parents are our devout believers and I deemed it righteous to give their son a name for himself, something which they haven’t earned.”

  “What are you trying to pull here?” I wanted to get out of this place. My head was falling. I can’t think properly. They looked farther and farther. A strong force from behind was pulling me.

  “We shall give you our blessing and hope that you will shine above all being of Eideik. Forward and do your duty.”

  I hollered at them, but my strength was depleting. I lost the feeling of my body. This must’ve been a dream, right? I must’ve slept from waiting. Waiting to know why this strange importance of obtaining a name for myself. Ah, I should rest and save the thinking for tomorrow.