My name is Arthur Castro, 30 year old web and light novel enthusiast living in Philadelphia. I've lived a passionate but generally unremarkable 30 years on Earth. Right now, I'm sitting on a cold marble floor in my boxers and just heard a very remarkable thing.
"I was summoned here? Wait...before that...WHO ARE YOU?"
My question reverberated across the cathedral-like room I was currently in. I guess I spoke a little louder than I intended.
"No need to yell, fellow Hero. We can hear you fine."
I turn my head and saw that, besides the robed individuals in front of me, there was a small group of young-ish people in armor standing jauntily behind me. The one who spoke was an impressive young man wearing shiny, silver armor. He was in his late teens or early 20's - tall, clear skin and dark hair. Japanese maybe? Beside him was another Asian boy, looking uncertainly at the speaker. Green tunic with leather armor.....what is this?!
Don't tell me...
Where are you Vanadis-sama?!
Finally, there was a silent young woman staring at me, a giant staff in hand and a purple witch's hat on her head. She was older than the other two, but couldn't be older than her mid-twenties. Now I understand why the King was confused about my age. Looking at me, I certainly did not fit the type. Because if my years of reading web novels tells me anything, I'm the last summoned hero and these three were my predecessors. I'm not really fitting the "type" here, but they ran the summoning not me.
"Who might you be?", I ask Shiny Armor.
"The name is Takeru, this one beside me is my best friend Hajime. The quiet one over there is Marie. As I'm sure you guessed...."
"They are summoned Heroes, like you."
The old man, King Jonas, who was silent to this point finally spoke up. He looked down at me, arms crossed over his chest. He was not happy with this development for some reason, though if anyone should be upset - it's me. After all, I'm the one who's half naked and being told he's been summoned to a different world.
Letting the initial shock settle down I appraised my surroundings.
"I see."
Now that I think about it clearly, I kind of can't believe how calm I'm being. It always seemed weird how quickly transmigrators in novels adapted to their surroundings - one day you're a Japanese salaryman the next you're a sentient vending machine in a fantasy setting and you don't bat an eye?! Not very realistic.
But, if anyone should be prepared for this bizarre situation it's me.
No close friends with family in another state. We were never a close family so we keep to ourselves for the most part. I work an office job that I barely care about. All of my time and energy not reserved for sleeping, eating or working is spent doing two things - reading translated Japanese and Chinese web novels or machine translating said web novels online. It's a strange hobby, but it's my passion. The writing is pretty formulaic and sometimes barely rise above gibberish but the wish fulfillment kept me coming back. Like I said, I live an unremarkable life. At least when I read my light novels, for a little while I can pretend to be something I'm not. Who would have known that all of that time spent on those stories would actually be worthwhile.
For example, I know exactly how this exchange will play out.
Step 1: Learn you've been summoned as a hero.
Step 2: Find out the reason for summoning and, if available, meet my companions.
Now we are undeniably at step 3.
"Assuming this isn't a fever dream or the symptom of a very serious neurological disorder - I guess I'll be in your care for a while."
I stood up and dusted off my backside, trying to look as dignified as I can while wearing purple-striped Jockey underwear and an old Newtype t-shirt.
"Could I bother you all for some clothes? Also, how do I find out what my status is?"
Status, you ask? Well step three is finding out your status. It varies from novel to novel, but usually summoned heroes are blessed with some sort of bonus to help them achieve their mission. An enhanced constitution and of course some kind of cheat skill - like the ability to absorb other skills or learn skills in a magical room only accessible by me...that sort of thing. But the only way you can determine your "cheat" is by looking at your status, sort of like what you see in the character menu of RPG video games.
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"Status?" The girl in the green robe asked, her head slightly tilted in the adorable way that can only be expected of these magical priest girl types.
"I don't know what a 'status' is....but I assume you mean your talents and Gift?"
Ah, got it. I guess this world is going for a more true fantasy route than the RPG style in other books.
"Yes! My talents and Gift. Since I've been summoned, I'd like to know if I've been granted any special abilities to help...uh...stop the Eternal Sunset? I think that's what you called it."
"You are well-informed." King Jonas said while nodding, a slight look of surprise spreading across his face. Hey now - I may look like this but I'm not as useless as you think!
"Yes! That's right. All summoned heroes, in addition to their bodies being slightly augmented to match the....different...environment of Asperia are granted one Gift by the god in whose name they were summoned. You were summoned through the god Jaxis, the bearer of the Scrolls of Light, Darkness and Meaning. The god who rules over the realm of knowledge." The green robed girl - I'm going to call her Lil Priestess for now - finished the explanation.
Lil Priestess quickly walked forward and stood in front of me. She is looking down bashfully and now that I'm standing in front of her I realize how strange I must look, especially to a young, impressionable maiden. I cover myself sensitive bits the best I can, trying not to contribute to her embarrassment.
"Pardon me" she whispers as she puts a cold, soft hand on my forehead. Warmth is instantly transmitted from her hand into my forehead and into my brain. It's on odd feeling - few people know this but your brain doesn't have nerves so technically speaking it can't feel warm. needless to say, I've never felt this kind of warmth in my head before. I wouldn't say it felt good, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I stood there silently while a small jade-looking tablet appeared out of thin air in her left hand. Glowing symbols in gold slowly appeared across the iPhone sized tablet. This is it!
The warmth dissipated and she looked down at the tablet. Her eyebrows instantly came together like two cute caterpillars, though that look on her face could only mean one thing. This setting keeps getting worse and worse for me.
I closed my eyes as she read the report.
"Hero, your Talents and Gift are as follows:
Name: Arthur Castro
Age: 30
Talent: Level 1
Affinities:
Strength (Earth sign): Average
Agility (Air sign): Below Average
Vitality (Water sign): Above average
Intelligence (Moon sign): Excellent
Magic Power (Fire sign): Average
Divine Gift (Jaxis sign): Machine Translation
That is the summary of your talents, Hero Arthur."
Little Priestess stepped away gracefully, holding the tablet behind her back. She looked apologetic while everyone else in the room was either shocked, annoyed or somehow demonstrated a mixture of both emotions on their faces upon hearing my status.
I sighed audibly and looked up at the celing of the cathedral like room, ignoring the silent hostility emanated my way. Upon hearing the reading I confirmed three things.
First: This was a magical world. I guess this should be obvious with of the existence of summoning magic, but we can never be too sure about what a particular world's mechanics will be like.
Second: I am the Good for Nothing Hero. Even I can tell, with only one "excellent" among my affinities and even a "below average" I am in the rear of the pack when it comes to natural abilities.
Finally: I did have a gift, as expected, but a very mysterious one that I'm not sure how to use. Dammit Jaxis - would it kill you to give me something I've seen before?! What the heck is a Machine Translator?!!!!!