Chapter 2

"An Alchemist at Dusk!?"

"Whoa, you scared me!"

The Guild Master barked in a voice that shook the building at the mysterious title the Emblem Officer had announced.

It's a bit scary!

"Indeed. I can hardly believe it... I never thought it would be a real emblem..."

"Um, is it different from a regular alchemist?"

"A bit different. Alchemists are already rare, but the Alchemist at Dusk was only prophesied to exist, and no one has ever found such an emblem."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"To answer your question... Do you know that there are higher emblems for knights?"

"Yeah, there should be emblems like Holy Knights and Dragon Knights."

Adventurers rarely see them, and in most cases, they only manifest if the parent has the same emblem.

"Indeed. Either you are born with a natural affinity, or you can achieve it by mastering the knight class, making it a very rare, rewritable higher emblem. The Alchemist at Dusk is an emblem of that caliber."

So, does that mean it's the strongest from the start?

"However, the higher emblem for alchemists had not been confirmed, so it was just a provisional name."

"I see. Still, 'Dusk' is a strange name."

"There's a reason for that. It's said that when an alchemist masters their craft, they can create gold. No one has succeeded yet, though."

"I see."

I've heard of that.

"So, 'Dusk' is a metaphor for gold, meaning an alchemist who can create even gold."

"Ah, I see."

"Though whether they can actually do it remains a mystery..."

The Emblem Officer ended the conversation there, having said everything that needed to be said.

"Well, shall we change your emblem to the Alchemist at Dusk?"

There's no need to ask. I held out my left hand and made the request.

My partner for four years... the Mage emblem was emitting a weak light.

You... were really unnecessary after all.

With a strangely clear mind, I asked the Emblem Officer to change the emblem.

"Indeed... I'm a bit nervous. Alright, 'Emblem Conversion! The name is Alchemist at Dusk!'"

The Emblem Officer's magic flowed into the emblem on my left hand. It felt as if the previous emblem had been a lid, and a torrent of magic rushed into my left hand, making the large amount of magic that had been dormant in my body dance.

The Production Guild Hall was enveloped in a golden light.

"What! What is this!?"

"I saw it! That adventurer is changing their emblem!"

"Does changing an emblem cause such a glow!?"

"No way!!"

Before I knew it, the onlookers were paying attention, and the surroundings were noisy. It seems that my suppressed magic had gone wild.

The moment the emblem changed, I felt the magic in my body flow out all at once. I could clearly see how stagnant my magic had been before, now that I could compare it to the present.

Is this really my true magical power!?

I was amazed by the quantity and quality of the surging magic.

With the help of the new emblem, I stabilized my magic, and the light finally subsided.

"... A golden emblem?"

"What is this?"

"A colored emblem. As expected. But gold?"

Looking at the emblem on my left hand, it had not only been changed to a complex and unfamiliar pattern but was also emitting a golden glow.

"I've heard that higher-class emblems have colors other than black."

"I once saw a Holy Knight's emblem, but this is completely different."

"Hmm. I've seen something good. I need to inform the other Emblem Officers about this pattern."

That's part of the Emblem Officer's job. I can't deny it.

"Thank you for everything. I feel like I've been reborn."

"No, I've done a good job too. I wish you happiness."

"You too."

We exchanged a firm handshake, and the Emblem Officer returned to their work. Thus, I was reborn as the Alchemist at Dusk.

◆

"Congratulations, Craft!"

"Thank you."

"Wow, Craft! Being an alchemist is impressive enough, but a higher class one!"

"Huh?"

The one who suddenly joined the conversation was a rather cute girl with orange hair.

Uh, who are you?

"Oh, this is perfect. Let me introduce you. This is Reifan Haman, another Guild member going to the frontier village."

"Nice to meet you, Craft!"

"Ah, nice to meet you."

She had a flat figure, and her large, lively eyes were slightly slanted. Her sun-kissed orange hair was in long twin-tails, with the ends tied into buns. I think they're called buns?

Still, a kid like this going to the frontier village?

And you're using the honorific 'kun'?

"Having an alchemist with us is a great help!"

"I'm still a beginner, though."

"As the Guild Master, I'd like to know more about your abilities, but our departure for the frontier village is tomorrow."

"Huh?"

Such a sudden announcement?

"No, I consulted the Adventurer Guild about personnel a while ago. It's just that there was no one who met the conditions."

"That makes sense."

They had to be able to stay in the frontier village long-term and leave the Adventurer Guild to join the Production Guild. Normally, no one would agree to that.

"Well, I was just consulting out of hope. I'm glad you're here..."

The Guild Master's words trailed off, and his expression was complicated.

"Sending an excellent alchemist to the frontier village seems a bit wasteful. Maybe you should stay here..."

"A! No way! I won't let Craft go!"

Reifan suddenly hugged me.

What!? Whoa!?

Soft despite being flat! And you're using 'kun' again!?

"But..."

"No! No way! No one was willing to go to the frontier, and you came all the way here!"

"Ugh..."

"Hey, a bit..."

"Ah, don't worry. She has Gnome blood, so she's small, but she's actually quite old—"

"Guild Master?"

"Whoa!? No hammer! No hammer!"

"Should I give you a little tap on that empty head?"

"You're saying it cutely, but you're trying to turn me into tomato puree, aren't you!?"

"That doesn't sound tasty."

"You little—"

"Did you say something?"

"I'm sorry."

The Guild Master is so weak...

"Um, so, Craft, can you prepare for tomorrow's departure?"

"I'm a light traveler, so it's fine. I can handle the room checkout and preparations by tomorrow."

There are some formalities with the room and the transfer to the Production Guild, but since they were already prepared, everything should be done by night.

"That's great. Is this okay? Little—"

"What?"

"Is this acceptable, Miss Reifan!"

"Yes, well done."

"Reifan, can you let go now?"

"Ah, sorry, Craft."

"Well, it's fine, but I'm a bit uncomfortable."

"Being hugged by a lolita isn't pleasant. In two ways."

Boom!

The counter was destroyed by a hammer blow, and wood chips rained down. I didn't even see the huge hammer!

"The repair costs will be on the Guild Master."

"Yes, Miss Reifan!"

Honestly, I think the Guild Master was at fault, so I can't defend him.

Still, for such a small body to wield such a hammer is impressive.

"Ah, Gnomes can use hammers, pickaxes, and shovels more effectively than usual."

"That's what they call racial bonuses in the Adventurer Guild, right?"

"Exactly. The principle is unknown, though."

"I've seen the Elf's bow bonus and the Dwarf's axe bonus many times."

In addition to the special magic and skills granted by emblems, racial bonuses are a well-known concept.

"Well, despite that, you're one of the best in this guild. You'll work as the Guild Master in the frontier village, so ask Reifan if you have any questions."

"Understood."

"More importantly, I'm worried about the local leader."

"What do you mean?"

"There's a possibility that a direct descendant of the Margrave will be the leader."

"A direct descendant?"

For a frontier village with fewer than a hundred people, the arrival of a relative of the Margrave who governs the land is a rather ominous development.

"Yes. It's difficult for us, so we're negotiating to have a steward instead..."

"Can a noble really be the leader of a single frontier village?"

"It would be quite unusual."

I have a bad feeling about this.

"Once we complete our work, we can do as we please after ten years."

"No, I'd like to stay with the Production Guild and open a small shop."

"I see. Reifan is small but very skilled. You'll be trained well."

Looking closely, Reifan's left hand had a blacksmith emblem floating on it.

It's like a demon with a golden club when a Gnome or Dwarf has it.

"Calling me small is unnecessary!"

"I'm complimenting you!"

"Fine, I guess. Let's work hard, Craft!"

"Sure. I'll give it my all, even if it means burying my bones there."

Thus, I decided to start a new life, but the next day, an event occurred that would greatly affect my life.

This is a new work. I appreciate your support.

I plan to update tomorrow.

If possible, I'll aim for two updates!