I never thought applying to a Familia would be as painful as job hunting.
I mean, I knew this world was harsh, full of monsters and politics between gods, but—with all the training and hard work I'd done for years—I thought at least one god would glance at me and say, "Well, this one's interesting enough to use as a pawn."
Turns out, no.
---
The first morning after meeting Eina, I started my little journey around Orario with a list of Familias in hand. The streets bustled with merchants, adventurers, and a group of kids who seemed to be debating whether the stone they found was treasure or just... a stone.
I had a plan. A simple but logical plan.
Step one: prioritize large, established Familias.
Step two: sell myself as a "young man full of potential, dedicated, and doesn't ask too many questions."
Step three: get accepted, sleep on a soft mattress, get nice clothes, then die... I mean, adventure valiantly.
Step one went smoothly. Step two... well, we'll see.
My first target: Hephaestus Familia.
I stood in front of their magnificent workshop, a stone building that radiated authority like an exclusive jewelry store. The sound of hammers, sparks flying, and the aroma of hot metal greeted me like an industrial orchestra. When I entered, I was welcomed by a receptionist who... looked like she could break my neck with just her eyebrows.
"I want to apply," I said, giving my standard 'I'm not a beggar' smile.
She scanned my body like evaluating raw materials.
"Do you have smithing experience?"
"I've... held a hammer? Once?"
"...Get out."
And that was that.
---
Second target: Ganesha Familia.
Because who wouldn't want to be led by a god with an ego as big as a festival?
But apparently, they were very selective. Full quota, they said. Besides, they preferred people who could be useful for monster management and public safety. I told them I could watch the neighbor's chickens for three months without losing a single one, but they didn't seem to consider that an achievement.
"Sorry, we're currently not accepting new members without specialization," they said.
"What about specialization in not giving up on life?"
They didn't laugh. Again.
I started worrying about my sense of humor.
---
I tried Takemikazuchi, Miach, Demeter, and even Hermes Familia.
Some were too small. Some weren't interested. Some... didn't even open the door.
At Hermes Familia, the door opened slightly, someone peeked out, then closed it again while whispering, "not my type."
I'm still not sure if they meant adventurer selection... or partner selection.
---
The day continued, and each rejection felt like a punch to the chest. Even though I could smile and joke in my mind, frustration was starting to pile up.
It wasn't because I felt great about myself. On the contrary, it was precisely because I knew how ordinary I was.
I didn't have cheats. No system. No mysterious skills. I even doubted myself.
I was just a young man trying my hardest because... well, there was no other choice.
"If you're not great, at least be stubborn," I once told myself.
But even stubbornness started to crack when you're hit with rejection after rejection.
---
As evening approached, I sat on a wooden bench near the large fountain, my body aching and my head slightly dizzy from too much walking and too little eating.
The Familia list from Eina was covered with small marks. X marks next to the names I'd already tried. The more X's there were, the heavier my breathing became.
"Why do all protagonists have gods who come to them?" I muttered while staring at the sky. "Why do I have to be the realistic one?"
I tried to calm my thoughts. Realistic doesn't mean pessimistic. I have goals. I know how this world works.
And I know that if I join a small Familia like Hestia's, without cheats and without guaranteed strength, I might not last long. Not because I underestimate them, but... because I know who I am.
I can't take the risk of dying because of ego.
Not because I'm a coward.
But because I'm human.
---
The sky began to redden when my steps randomly brought me to the outskirts of the city. Somehow, these feet kept walking even though my brain wanted to give up. Like something was pulling me... or maybe I just didn't want to go home empty-handed.
And there I stood now.
In front of a building that... if we're talking architecturally, could be called a "church." But if we're being honest, this place looked like a retiree's house with cracked walls.
Its roof tilted to the left. The paint was peeling. The cross at its peak even leaned like it was heavily drunk. But somehow... this place felt warm. Not because of the atmosphere, but because of something I couldn't explain.
I knew this place.
The old church. Hestia's residence.
My hand reflexively gripped the Familia list.
I knew its history. At least, the history from my original world.
Hestia Familia, which only had one member: Bell Cranel. A god without followers, sleeping in a rundown church, eating whatever they could, but full of spirit. A classic story about a young man and goddess struggling together from zero.
But here's where things became... confusing.
I didn't know if Bell was already in Orario now. There were no signs of his presence. No news about a beginner who nearly died in the Dungeon and rose to become a hero.
Most likely... he hadn't come yet.
Or... maybe he would never come.
This isn't a fictional world. This is the real world.
Maybe... I was the one who had to choose that role now.
I stared at that church for a long time. The evening wind blew my hair gently. The sun slowly set, and the building's shadow fell on the ground like an open hand offering protection.
"Do I really want this?" I asked myself.
No answer, of course.
But my body didn't move away.
Maybe because, after all those rejections... this was the only place that didn't chase me away.
Or maybe, because in this rundown place... my destiny was actually waiting.
And there I stood. A young man with a Familia list in hand, standing in front of a nearly collapsing church, with a wry smile.
Did he have a choice?