"Welcome esteemed heroes, I welcome you to the Kingdom of Evanor" said an energetic young lady.
"I am the first Princess Irine Evanor, a high sorcerer," she introduced herself. "You have been summoned from your worlds to help us from the demon invasion" she added.
'Worlds, not worlds,' thought our protagonist as he scanned the room.
The room was an empty hall except for a blue fire burning in the middle of some intricately designed magic circle.
The room had multiple entry and exits guarded by armored guards each holding spears.
There were few old people, scanning the summoned people in awe.
Besides him stood eleven young teenagers aged between thirteen and fifteen and a woman aged in her late twenties.
The summoned candidates, stood on the magic circle, wearing modern school uniform and civilian clothes.
Everyone appeared to be from Asian descent, like this was in fact a Japanese fantasy. Everyone except the protagonist, who was actually a non human entity. A being who's skin was pale white, hair darkest black, black pupils, red lips, wide eyes. Imagine Sebastian from Black Butler or Noir from That time I reincarnated as a slime, except he wore no butler uniform. He stood tall and wore a nice and tidy black suit with a white shirt, a black tie, and shining black shoes. He gave off a lawyer or businessman vibe.
"hey, why does he get to look like a cool Anime character and we are still looking normal?" Whispered a one of the summoned heroes to another.
"Anime character? that guy is in 3D" one of them commented
"Of course he would be in 3D" muttered another.
"Sssshhh let's focus on what that princess is saying" scolded the woman while whispering.
‘Interesting, it appears the kids know each other and that woman must be their teacher’ thought h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒
“With that, I have explained you all the reason for the summoning. I again apologize that I summoned you all to an unknown world to fight our battles” The princess kneeled in front of the hero candidates.
Shredding tears and holding her hands together as if praying, “Please help us in this dire situation.” She looked up with expectant eyes.
“I am Itachi Uchiha of the Hidden Leaf village. I accept your request. I pledge that I will join the great war and end the tyranny of the evil demon lord” A confident teenager with one arm popping from between his shirt buttons while another in pocket said with a grin on his face.
The rest of the students stayed quiet, with each having one of their eyebrows either elevated or twitching.
h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒, titled his head in confusion but said nothing. The woman also chose to remain calm and quiet.
“I am Satoshi Nakamoto, I am the richest person from my world.” Said another.
This time the teacher’s glasses shattered with rage and embarrassment.
As if following suite, other students also decided to introduce themselves.
Almost six more introduced themselves as fiction characters like Jin Kazama, Ash Ketchum, Bruce Wayne, Sakura Chan, Kirito, Guts and others chose their real names, including the teacher.
“I am Satou Chiharu, I am the class president. Please treat me well” a girl bowed as she introduced herself.
“I am Hana Takahashi, I like Karaoke. Please be my friend.” Said another with a cheerful smile.
“I am Shinji Tanaka” declared the last student with a stern look on his face, hands in his pockets side eyeing h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒, every now and then.
“I am Sayaka Kobayashi” bowed the teacher.
Now everyone’s gaze landed on the protagonist. With practiced confidence, wearing a smile, he bowed as if it was an end to a performance. He said
“I am h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,”
“Huh, what?” “What did he say his name was?
The crowd including the candidates started to murmur as no one was able to understand the name that was muttered.
To the others, it felt like a name was whispered but in every language to ever exist. Past, preset or future. It felt like every living cell said it…. Differently.
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“Ah perhaps this name has also inherited my…” he paused
“Influence” he finished his sentence with a grin.
“Perhaps, why not you bestow upon me a new name” He asked the princess.
“a…umm. S-sure” fumbled the princess, captivated by the protagonist’s looks.
h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” was not a name given to him at his birth, it was something else. However, as eons passed, that other name became powerful. So powerful that his name was used to complete rituals. Even those who were not blessed with mana could use magic when calling that name.
Now as Uncle Ben would say, with greater power comes greater responsibility, h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” decided to not give a damn about it at first. Until someone decided to nuke him and the city he was residing in, using his own name.
With newfound realization, h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” decided to hide his name under a sigil in case, it became too powerful.
Every time he would encrypt his name, he would then have a new quest. Give himself a new name. This task although a simple one, would take h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” another eon. As an immortal time was always on his side, he would simply brainstorm for another cool name and centuries would pass by the time he could come up with another.
“I am very good at naming” said one of the students. “Says the guy who named his cockatiel Chirpy” mocked another.
“Chirpy is a great name” he defended.
h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” eyes gazed scanning everyone, however, soon his eyes landed back to the princess. Looking at her expectantly.
Understanding the intention, the princess put her index finger on her cheek and began to think of a name that would suit this handsome gentleman.
“Paul, nooooo…. Henry?..... naah oh god why is it so tough” The princess gasped
“I know right?” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” responded understandingly.
“You should call yourself Doom” Another student suggested
“Doom?” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” asked not understanding the logic
“Please ignore him, he is a nerd” One of the girls spoke this time
“Nerd…?” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” mumbled
“Have the heroes been summoned already? Why was I not informed of this?” As the princess was busy thinking of a name, a loud question suddenly broke her from her stupor.
Summoning requires huge amounts of mana lady Irine.
“I am sorry sir Qysierth, oh Dark Dragon Lord” The princess knelt in front of the new comer.
“There was an accident while drawing the circle, I was trying to check mana flow to check for any issues that may arise, unfortunately, the summoning got triggered, sucking most of mine and many of my sisters magic.” She responded further.
“Any casualties?” The dragon lord asked with a stern look.
“she stayed quiet bowing her head in shame”.
“Fifty three mages and two dragon kins perished and turned to ashes. As they did their best to free malady from the suction.” Responded an old man, bowing his head in respect.
“Royalty…nobility… and their INCOMPETENCY” yelled Qysierth in rage. Everyone including the students, their teacher shivered in fear. Except of course h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,”
He simply gazed at the old bulky man with reddish skin, heavy armor, big sword hanging on his back.
Qysierth gazed back.
“Who. Is. This.? He is not a human” declared Qysierth
“Ah right, because of the incident with the summoning ritual, we accidentally summoned him. He is probably from another world” said William, the old man who had responded on behalf of the princess. The royal advisor and court magician.
“Interesting… And what is ITS name?” He asked stressing “its” as if declaring he doesn’t recognize h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” as a living being.
“Are… Are you a demon?” He asked again
“That is going to be bit difficult to respond” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” responded.
“You see, my name is h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,”. I am called many things, some called me a god, some called me a demon, some called me an angel…” he chuckled at the last one
“So you do admin to being a demon” Qysierth interrogated with his arms crossed, declaring he will attack if there was any wrong move made.
Bringing his hands forward, showing his palms, h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” simply clarified, “While I am called a demon in my world, I am not your enemy. I am not a demon of this plane of existence after all.” He explained
Seeing Qysierth was still not convinced, h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” then said, “I see that you didn’t probably understand my name, I have requested her highness Lady Irine to bestow upon me a name”
Qysierth still glared but said nothing.
“Ah right, I am still thinking” seeing her queue, princess chimed in but then again struggled with coming up with a name.
“h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” you can fool humans, but you cannot fool a dragon” Qysierth glared with fury as he instead took that as an insult
“You think I am incapable of uttering this pitiful name of yours?” Qysierth scowled
“Ah no, I simply want a new name so others here can understand and address me easily” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” clarified.
“Sly demon, what. Is. Your. Plot?” Qysierth asked
“No plot at all” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” smiled back innocently.
“Lady Irine, please refrain from naming this demon. Naming monsters cost mana and if this person have a larger appetite for mana, he will suck you dry” Qysierth tutored Irine.
“Ah, I didn’t think of that at all” Irine came to a realization.
The crowd again began to murmur.
“No plot you say? I just uncovered one” Qysierth grinned with rage behind it.
“From where I come from, name inherits wielder’s power, not the other way around” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” clarified.
“Why don’t you come up with a name then?” he asked
“Good question, well it takes me years to decide a good name” h̴̠͇̻̯̘͂̿̐̚͠a̶̮̲̻͔̹̫ͩ̓_̯̲̯̱̜͇ͭ̎ͫͯ̊r̛̖͈̩͈͎͈̣̫͚ͫ̈̽̑̄͊̅̈ͯͧ̚͟͠͠i̛̯̟̖͈͙̤̘̲̊ͥ͞s̷̝̜̠̲̫̼̫̠̟ͬͣͨͮ̈́ͪ͌ͤͯ̀ͪ̒̋̽̈́̍̓̒,” answered honestly.
Sigh
Qysierth closed his eyes, rubbing his eyebrows in frustration.
“Zuul”
“huh”
“I will name you Zuul. It’s a meaningless name. I will give you this name to reduce the amount of mana you will inherit from me, a dragon. You will call yourself as Zuul” Qysierth declared
However, as he was in the middle of speech, he began sweating and dropped to his knees.
“Ah, such weakness” he struggled
‘Interesting’ Zuul thought to himself.