LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 149
149. When The Bar Is Raised, It Makes Things Harder For Those Who Follow, Isn’t It?
“Well then, Leafan.”
“Yes!”
Leafan steps forward energetically, her twin-tails swaying wildly.
Though I doubt there’s a crest better suited to her than blacksmithing.
“Alright then. [Crest Aptitude Judgment]… Hm. Hnn… HnhoooOOOOH!?”
“W-What!?”
The Crest Official lets out a strange, broken noise, causing Leafan to panic.
“T-This is…! While we knew of its existence, it was said to have never manifested in recorded history, just like the Twilight Alchemist’s crest!”
Even during the Sage’s era, no crest caused this much disruption. Yet here was Generis, entirely losing himself to excitement.
“G-Generis! Are you okay!?”
“Please calm down! Here, have some water!”
“A crest on par with Twilight? What in the world…?”
Generis’ agitation spreads to the rest of us.
Leafan offers him water, which he gulps down, slowly regaining his composure.
“S-Sorry. Meeting a crest like this… I honestly felt I’d sell my soul to a demon for the chance. It’s just… It’s as groundbreaking as the Twilight Alchemist’s crest!”
“Wha—?! No soul-selling, please!”
Even the Crest Official’s grandson, Feidar, is freaking out.
“My bad. It’s just… this crest is that extraordinary.”
“Um… so, what kind of crest did I get…?”
Leafan’s face shows a flicker of concern. Every now and then, she glances at me—or rather, at the Twilight Alchemist’s crest etched into my left hand.
She knows how powerful that crest is, and I can see her caught between anticipation and anxiety.
This has to move forward, though. I nudge Generis.
“So, what kind of crest are we dealing with here?”
“Ah, yes. It’s…”
Everyone holds their breath.
The suspense is killing me! Stop dragging it out!
“The name of this crest is… Blacksmith King! Also known as Andvari!”
“Blacksmith King!?”
“That sounds intense!”
“Wait, wait! Andvari? Isn’t that the name of the dwarves’ god of smithing?”
I’ve never heard of it, but Leafan seems to know.
“Is that right? Apologies, I’m not well-versed in dwarven beliefs. However, I can guarantee this crest is the ultimate in smithing.”
“Wha… Wha…?”
“It’s not just metalwork—it excels in woodworking and stonemasonry too, allowing mastery over nearly every crafting profession.”
Come to think of it, Leafan’s been proficient in all kinds of crafts—metal, wood, even stonework.
“Well then, Leafan. Do you desire this crest?”
The Crest Official’s words were a question, but his eyes demanded a “Yes.”
“O-Of course! Please!”
“Good! Leave it to me!”
He’s full of enthusiasm!
Even his grandson is left dumbfounded.
“Now then! [Crest Transmutation: Blacksmith King]!”
Leafan’s left hand glows as brightly as when Eva and I received our crests.
At that moment, I knew—whether it’s Twilight Alchemist, Sage, or Blacksmith King, all these crests hold immense power.
“This… this is amazing, Craft! I feel like I can make so much more now!”
“Congrats, Leafan! It’s a reward for all your hard work!”
“Congratulations, Leafan.”
“Kyle-sama, thank you so much! I’ll strive to live up to the name of the Blacksmith King under your guidance!”
“Yes, I expect great things.”
“Leafan’s so cool!”
“And she doesn’t even look much older than me!”
“I am an adult, okay!? One of the most grown-up people here, thank you very much!”
“Living up to the crest, huh…? I won’t lose either.”
Everyone gathers around Leafan, celebrating, ruffling her hair into a mess.
“Why does everyone keep patting my head!?”
It’s because you’re small, and it’s easy to do.
I thought that to myself—but somehow, Leafan shot me a glare. How’d she know!?
“Because it’s written all over your face!”
What!? No way!
I was sure I kept a poker face!
“Nah, Craft. You’re the easiest guy to read.”
Even Persia can tell!?
Devastating…
While I sulked, the Crest Official checked the list.
“That was an incredible experience… Now then, next. Solar.”
“Yes.”
Solar, the ranger who also happens to be Raidoc’s girlfriend, steps forward.
She’s got a sharp gaze, but that’s just how she looks—she’s not in a bad mood or anything.
She seems calm, probably not expecting any extraordinary aptitude.
Even if she gets an upper-tier crest, it’s unlikely to be anything as unusual as Leafan’s or Eva’s.
Adventurers seek strength, but getting a crest too unique can cause more trouble than it’s worth.
Still, what would an upper-tier ranger crest be? High Ranger? Super Ranger? Ultra Ranger?
I bet the Crest Official is thinking the same thing.
He mutters the incantation, still relaxed.
“Hmm… HNNN!? WHAAAAT!?”
Wait.
Crest Official, please. No more surprises!
“S-Sorry. What is going on with this town…? I’ve never seen anything like this since I became a Crest Official.”
“So, uh… what just showed up now?”
Generis nods slowly at my question.
Not again!
“This crest is said to have manifested during the Sage’s era. Since then, no one has been able to bear it.”
Another legendary one!?
“The name of this crest is… Bow Goddess! Also known as Artemis!”
“‘Bow Goddess!?’”
Everyone shouts in unison.
Solar furrows her brow, making her sharp gaze even more piercing.
What a fitting look for a goddess of war!
“Um… can we change the name?”
“Nope.”
“But what if a guy gets it? It wouldn’t make sense.”
“Like the Kunoichi’s crest, it’s gender-locked. No worries there. If it bothers you, just call it Artemis.”
“Ugh… Not really worried about that…”
“Well then, Solar. Do you desire this crest?”
Solar pauses briefly, then glances toward Raidoc, who gives her a nod.
She returns it with a firm nod of her own.
Tch, get a room!
While I’m grumbling internally, Eva shoots them a death glare as if sending out curses.
Does the Sage’s crest grant the power to curse?
While I’m lost in thought, the ritual proceeds.
“Now then! [Crest Transmutation: Bow Goddess]!”
“Congrats, Bow Goddess!”
“Congrats, Goddess!”
“Way to go, Bow Goddess Sis!”
“Stop it! You’re just messing with me!”
“Hey, we have to get it right!”
“Then just call me Artemis! Or better yet, just Solar! Stop calling me by the crest!”
Everyone bursts into laughter.
Finally, when they stop teasing and genuinely celebrate with her, Solar starts to relax.
“Good… Now I can stand beside her… I won’t lose to her.”
Solar murmurs under her breath, her gaze locked on Eva.
Ah, so that’s it.
She wasn’t worried about trouble. She just didn’t want to fall behind Eva’s Sage crest.
“Alright, Raidoc, you’re up next.”
“Got it.”
To be honest, under normal circumstances, I’d say, “With how well-suited Raidoc is to his current crest, it’s unlikely a new one will manifest.”
But now?
Yeah, no way it’s going to be anything ordinary. Bring it on!