I got fired from my job as an adventurer, so I'm starting over as an alchemist! ~ Frontier development? Okay, leave it to me! - Chapter 2 You'd be surprised if someone you didn't expect had talent

“A Twilight Alchemist!?”

“Whoa, that’s surprising!”

The Guild Master bellowed at the top of his lungs in response to the mysterious name uttered by the insignia official, causing the building to shake. It was a bit intimidating!

“Yeah, I can’t believe it… I never thought such a real insignia existed.”

“Um, is it different from a regular alchemist’s insignia?”

“It’s slightly different. While being an alchemist is already prestigious, the insignia of a Twilight Alchemist is something prophesied to exist, yet no one has ever found one before.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“Do you know about higher-ranking insignias for knights, like Holy Knights and Dragon Knights?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of those. They’re insignias you rarely see among adventurers, and they usually manifest when someone’s parents already have them.”

“Right. Insignias with the potential to be carved due to natural affinity or through achieving excellence in a particular field are very rare. A Twilight Alchemist’s insignia is in a similar category.”

“So, it’s the best right from the start?”

“However, insignias of higher-ranking alchemists had never been confirmed until now. The name we used is just a temporary designation.”

“I see, but ‘Twilight’ is a strange name.”

“There’s a reason for that. It’s said that when an alchemist reaches a certain level of mastery, they can create gold. Though there’s no actual proof of success.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about that.”

“In essence, ‘Twilight’ is a metaphor for gold, signifying that the alchemist can create even gold, which is why the name was given.”

“I see.”

“Though whether they can actually do it is still a mystery.”

With that, the insignia official concluded the explanation. He seemed to have conveyed everything that needed to be said.

“Now, do you want to change your insignia to a Twilight Alchemist’s?”

There was really no need to ask such a question. I extended my left hand.

“Very well… I feel a bit nervous about this. Here we go, ‘Insignia Transformation! The name is Twilight Alchemist!'”

The insignia official’s magic flowed into my left hand. It felt as though a torrent of magic, like a lid had been removed, rushed into my left hand all at once. My body was filled with mana that had been stagnating.

Is this my true magical power? I couldn’t help but be astonished by the quantity and quality of mana surging through me.

Once I stabilized my mana using the power of the newly transformed insignia, the radiance finally subsided.

“…A golden insignia?”

“What is this?”

“A colored insignia, huh? Just as I expected. But ‘Twilight’…”

My left hand’s insignia had not only transformed into intricate and unfamiliar patterns but was also radiating a golden glow.

“Higher-ranking insignias are said to have colors other than black.”

“I’ve seen the insignia of Holy Knights before, but this is completely different.”

“Hmm. It’s quite an interesting sight. I need to inform the other insignia officials about this pattern.”

That was, after all, the job of insignia officials, and I couldn’t deny that.

“Thank you for everything. I feel like I’ve been reborn.”

“No, I appreciate the opportunity to perform this task. I wish you happiness.”

“You too.”

After exchanging a firm handshake, the insignia official returned to his duties. And so, I was reborn as a Twilight Alchemist.

—

“Congratulations, Craft.”

“Thank you.”

“Wow, Craft-kun, that’s amazing! Being an alchemist is already impressive, but the highest tier!”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a cute girl with orange hair interrupted the conversation. Her hair was tied up in twin tails with buns at the ends.

“Oops, this is perfect. Let me introduce her. This is Leafan Haman, the other guild member who will be heading to the pioneer village with us.”

“Nice to meet you, Craft-kun!”

“Oh, uh, nice to meet you.”

She was a slender girl with lively, large eyes that were slightly upturned. Her orange hair, nurtured by the sun, cascaded down in twin tails, and the knots were fashioned into buns. Wasn’t that called a chignon?

However, why was a child like her heading to the pioneer village? And did she just use “kun” to address me?

“Having an alchemist with us is reassuring!”

“Well, I’m still a beginner.”

“As the Guild Master, I’d like to hear more about your abilities, but the thing is, we’re departing for the pioneer village tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“Was this decision made so suddenly?”

“No, I consulted with the Adventurer’s Guild about finding suitable candidates for the pioneer village a while ago. But it seems there weren’t any suitable candidates.”

“I see.”

Being able to stay in the pioneer village for an extended period and leaving the Adventurer’s Guild to join the Production Guild was quite an unusual request. It wouldn’t be easy to find someone willing to accept those conditions.

“Well, I just wanted to give it a shot, and I’m glad you decided to come…”

At that point, the Guild Master’s words trailed off. He had a somewhat complicated expression on his face.

“It’s a bit of a waste to send a talented alchemist to the pioneer village. Perhaps you should stay here…”

“Oh! No way! Craft-kun, I won’t let you go!”

Huh? Wait a minute!

She clung to me with determination.

“No, but…”

“Ab-so-lute-ly not! In the first place, there’s no one else willing to go to the frontier! We specifically requested for you to come!”

“Ugh…”

“Hey, hold on…”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. She’s got some gnome blood in her, so even though she looks small, she’s quite old—”

“Guild Master?”

“Whoa!? Put that hammer away! Seriously!”

“Shall I give that empty head a little pat?”

“It doesn’t seem very tasty.”

“This loli bag—”

“Did you say something?”

“Sorry.”

The Guild Master is quite weak…

“Well then, Craft, it’s a bit rushed, but can you make it for tomorrow’s departure?”

“I’m originally a lightweight adventurer, so I should be fine. I just need to complete the check-out procedure for my room and make the preparations, which should be doable by tomorrow.”

The room arrangements and the procedure for changing guilds were already in place, so I should be able to finish everything by night.

“That’s great. Is everything all right now? Loli… I mean—”

“What is it?”

“Is this all right, Leafan-sama?”

“Yes, it’s perfect!”

“Leafan-san, maybe you should let go now?”

“Oh, sorry, Craft-kun.”

“Well, it’s fine, but it’s making me a bit uneasy.”

“Shwack!”

The counter was shattered by the hammer’s strike, and wooden splinters rained down.

Even though it’s a massive hammer, how did I not see it!?

“The repair costs will be covered by the Guild Master.”

“Yes, Leafan-sama!”

Honestly, I can’t defend the Guild Master for this one.

But seriously, how can someone that small wield a hammer like that?

“Ah, gnomes have a racial bonus when using hammers, picks, and shovels, allowing them to handle them more skillfully than usual.”

“Yeah, they call it racial bonuses for different races among adventurers.”

“Well, that’s true, but in this case, she’s planning to turn me into tomato puree, isn’t she?”

“Although you’re saying it in a cute way, you’re definitely planning to turn me into tomato puree, right!?”

“Delicious, I’m sure.”

“Guild Maste—”

“What do you need?”

“Never mind.”

The Guild Master is really weak…

“Anyway, Craft, you just need to do your job. What’s more concerning is the local leader over there.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s a possibility that the direct heir of the Margrave might become the leader.”

“The direct heir?”

In a pioneer village with less than a hundred people, it was quite unusual for a member of the Margrave’s bloodline to take on the role of leader.

“Right. We’re trying to negotiate with the local authorities to appoint a deputy instead.”

“Can a noble become the leader of a pioneer village?”

“It would be quite unusual.”

I had a bad feeling about this.

“Just focus on your work. Anyway, after about ten years, you’ll be free to do as you please.”

“Well, if I can, I’d like to stay with the Production Guild and maybe open a small shop.”

“Sounds good. Leafan may be small, but she’s got some serious skills. You’ll be training under her.”

“I see.”

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a blacksmith’s insignia floating above Leafan’s left hand. When used by races like gnomes and dwarves, those tools become exceptionally powerful.

“Even though I’m small, you don’t have to mention it!”

“I’m complimenting you!”

“Well, that’s fine. Let’s do our best, Craft-kun!”

“Yeah, I’ll give it my all as if my life depended on it.”

And so, my new life was decided. However, an event that would significantly impact my life occurred on the following day.