Huh? Huh? Why is he smiling and walking towards that knife?
... Why is he laughing...?
I-I changed my mind, I'm not interested in your magic words. Just let me nab that knife for myself and I-I'll go away.
Eh. EH! EH!!!
It's no use. His arm's got me like an anaconda.
... Should I burn him? He's too scary, what if he snaps my neck, or sicks that scary curse at me? What if he skins me alive and eats me?
... D-Don't blame me if I scratch you. I'm a legendary cat who even scratched a mermaid!
"Huhu~ I heard that whenever somebody tries to name you, they get rejected. Allow me to try."
Wha'? THAT'S what this is about?! PFFFT Nyahaha! Aww, gosh, tell me that beforehand! I almost inflicted judgment on you.
"Mrah, I'm picky."
"Hohoho, I have been told. Then, if ordinary names don't satisfy you, what about a magic one?"
*GASP*
"A...A-A myagic nyame?!"
My large, round eyes glisten with excitement, a magic name! A name that holds magic! It's a-!
It's...! It's...
"What's a myagic nyame?"
My head cocks to the side, emphasizing my point. I've never heard of such a thing. You think I'm dumb? I refuse to be tricked!
"It's a name that holds magic."
As if on cue, he spells out his own name and title, in runes.
???? ??????
*BOOM!*
The entire room shakes, and he immediately disperses the symbols. But I saw them. I dunno if it spelled the name I know from the villagers... but his name should be Lord Lucius.
...should be.
"Huhu, it seems I've startled you. Well? Want one like that?"
"YES!"
NYAHOO! Finally, a name worthy of me!
...
Still, I'd have liked to name myself with these Magic symbols, somehow. Mrah, oh well.
"[Ansuz]"
Surrounding him, that Divine Symbol representing his connection to higher forces imprinted itself on his forehead. Magical circuits outstretched themselves from a ring of mana completely encircling the rune, and connected to it. His body began to silently fill with...something. I dunno what, but it invaded him with surprising speed. There was no overbearing charge in it, he wasn't injured or anything, it felt, serene and peaceful in some ways.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
... But I instinctively shuddered. I felt myself afraid of this energy, for some stupid reason.
It was gentle, but I was scared. He seemed to feel my body's instinctive shivering.
"Don't be alarmed, it's natural to feel scared of him. Even a trickle such as this, the energy remains tremendous. You are feeling the difference in your status. It's okay."
That did help, a little. SO...is this a God?
Or, like... a messenger, or something? That's kind of cool. I-I guess.
Now that I know, I can't stop peeking. Are they the ones that Isekai'd me? Even if not, then, still. Do they 'know' about where I came from? Was I supposed to not have my memories, or is this normal?
"Normal."
"!!?!?!"
Hbjbjbphphphsdfgh
HOW DOES THE OLD GUY KNOW MY THOUGHTS?!
"Don't ask me what that means. That's just what I was told. I know nothing of what 'normal' means to you, little one."
...
Good.
...
You... You better not.
'Cause... 'Cause that's an invasion of privacy, you know.
"Little one, I assume you have agreed to the naming ceremony? Speak."
"...Y-Yes...? I think...?"
"This naming ceremony was held for my Noble lineage's selected heir candidates. A special rite. Be honored, little one."
Then... Then why are you naming a cat-? No, no. Forget it. I won't ask that. 'Sides, I-I hafta be careful what I think now, too. E-E-Even if he CAN'T read my mind, i-if that energy stuff answers i-in a way that he pieces together my thoughts... he might skin me alive.
"Child, forgive this old one for hearing your secrets. The-"
"SEE?!"
"?"
"Oop-! Ny-Nyothing. Continyue."
"...the chosen name, and its meaning, will brand your destiny."
Suddenly, He began chanting something. The ceremonial knife on the podium hummed and vibrated in response. Its golden pattern revealed itself as a Runic alphabet going down from the blade to the hilt. Then it-it rose to the air!
It levitated! That's so freaking cool! I want that magic too-!! Eh? Why is it...pointing right at me?
*SWOOSH*
"GYAAAAAHHH! MRAAAAAHHH!"
It's stabbing me! It's stabbing me!!
NOOO! I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna di- huh? It-it stopped over the center of my chest and tummy, then pricked me.
My blood trickled on the blade just a bit, then froze, halting in place. Like tangled vines or a branching set of circuits, the runic pattern produced... mirages? Th-Those mana-conjured projections invaded my blood, then my blood... my blood seems to have... uhh, "rewound" itself back into my body, as if I was never stabbed or bleeding just now.
I pout in defiance and glare at him, wiping my eyes for the umpteenth time today since coming here. That was traumatizing, WARN somebody!
"Hoho, I had that same pouting glare during my own naming ceremony. Forgive this old one for learning what you may've wanted to remain hidden. I was not told anything, but this set of Runes...can only mean one thing, you will live a VERY colorful life."
A colorful life? What the heck?
"Your name, is: ???????"
My eyes felt drawn to the symbols before me, as if a newfound bond had been formed inside my chest.
"?: Othala for 'O'. It represents your Ancestral home, heritage and legacy. For some reason, it seems bound to your soul and mind rather than your physical body. Perhaps...no, never you mind. It represents a powerful tie to your past that still influences your present. Be that as a powerful force to tap into, or one that holds you captive. The legacy of what you once were, transmuted into what you are right now. The legacy of your...'human thoughts' if that makes sense."
My... human thoughts? So this means, the first letter is like my...my humanity from my past life or something?
"?: Raido for 'R'. Huhu, this one is clear, you yearn for travel, do you not?"
"MRAH! Nyeah!"
Travel! Adventure! Wonderful fun and sightseeing!
"Raido feels...more, than just a journey for you. Deeper, more...soul-bound. Once again, this one represents the journey your soul took entering your current body, and the journey of growth you will continue to experience. You traveled a long way. Be proud of it."
Raido...'R'...'OR'... my magic name...! Hehe!
"?: Perthro for P. The Rune of fate, chance, mystery and hidden secrets. I...am not allowed to speak about this one."
He gazes down at me with one eye squinted before going back into his previous state. Why can't he say anything? It's MY name!
"?: Hagalaz of H. Again I cannot say much, but, Haah. Child. This one's going to test you many times in your life. Hagalaz represents forces outside your control, and is tied to that monster blood in you."
...Monster blood? My dad was a monster? I saw my mom back then, and she was evil, ignoring me and hugging Nyabel.
WAIT. HUH?!?! I have monster blood inside me?! W-Was it that MERMAID'S BLOOD that I licked?! AAAHH!
"Remember these words - To live with Hagalaz, one must not fight it. Learn to exist with it. Accept yourself."
...
This sounds like an evil rune. How dare you give me such a thing.
"Hohoh, do not worry. Hagalaz makes you stronger. It indeed conflicts with the others, but ...eh. You'll live."
MRAH! No! I refuse! I don't want it!
"? Ehwaz of E. This represents Partnership of the runes binding your name, strengthening their synchronicity and powers to, positively or otherwise, affect your life. Those nimble movements and your fluid feline agility shall be strengthened by this rune. And perhaps the smooth teamwork of your... past...self and your current one. Well, that WOULD be simple enough if Hagalaz was not chosen for you. Hohoho!"
... So my human and feline sides would have been fine, but, that...EVIL rune, Hagalaz, wishes to make my monster blood escape my control once in a while?! Gah! STUPID mermaid! OR stupid dad! Who-WHOEVER gave me monster blood!
"?: Uruz for U. I've gone over this one myself, it is slightly different for you though. This Uruz represents the wild nature of your monster blood and your ability to tap into it. I have a feeling... Oh, yes. You will take joy in this one."
Tap into my... my monster blood? So if... If I'm drowning, I become a mermaid-cat? Or a Mer-cat? But...wait... hold on...
Isn't that just a Catfish?
*Shivers*
No way, no how. I refuse. I refuse to believe my "monster blood" is that mermaid's blood I licked! Evil mermaid, you deserve TWO scratches for almost making me a catfish! I'm just gonna believe my daddy is a monster and that my mommy cat somehow survived mating with a-
...
...
...NOOO! That's gross to think about! What if my father's an ugly, nasty thing! He HAS to be if he wanted to mate with a CAT instead of his own kind!!! Pervert! I lose either way!
"The last letter... ?: Sowilo for S. As you know, it represents victory. That you WILL overcome your trials and have nothing to fear. These runes not only spell your name out, but tell a tale of your very destiny. Be careful who you share it with. Ah, let me translate it, in the common tongue."
... I can see the exhausted appearance he hid well before now. It isn't enough to endanger him, I don't think. Still... now that he gave me a cool, magic name, I feel sad for overworking him. I mean, I still like Cainya, but it's not MAGIC. Maybe this one will be my first name, and Cainya can be my middle name? Hm. what a hard decision.
"Your name, little one, is now ??????? - Orpheus."
