126.1. If Possible, I’d Rather Have a Future, Isn’t It?

Not only is Jabil-sensei helping out, but even the orphans have started assisting the production guild, so we’ve finally managed to gain a bit of breathing room.

That’s why today, after a long time, I’m visiting Kyle.

“Ah! Craft-niisama!”

As I enter the Count’s office, Kyle’s head pops up from a sea of documents with a beaming expression.

The workload he’s handling is insane.

“Hey. Looks like you’re as busy as ever.”

“It’s not that bad. We’ve had some excellent civil servants dispatched from the kingdom, so my workload has decreased.”

“Doesn’t look like it to me…”

The amount of work Kyle has to handle after being suddenly appointed as lord is enormous.

At first, the office was literally overflowing with documents, but now it’s reduced to just a mountain on his desk.

Even as we talk, Kyle’s hands continue moving, processing documents at an incredible speed.

Kyle is just too competent.

“How about taking a little break?”

“…Yes, I suppose a short one won’t hurt.”

Finally, Kyle puts down his pen and moves to the sofa.

A maid quickly brings in tea, but for some reason, both Mina and Persia come in with her.

Persia glances at Kyle and lets out a slight sigh of relief.

He must have been working non-stop.

Given that everyone with a position in Golden Dawn is incredibly busy, it’s inevitable, but at this rate, he’ll collapse.

If my visits make him take a break, I should drop by more often.

Myrna, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, sits on my lap.

It reminds me of when I used to take care of the little ones at the orphanage.

I pat her head, and she looks pleased.

Sipping my tea, I turn the conversation to Kyle.

“By the way, isn’t it almost time for the coming-of-age ceremony? Are you prepared?”

“No, not yet. I was just about to consult with you about something.”

“Consult?”

“Yes. Craft-niisama, you engraved a mage’s crest during your coming-of-age ceremony, right? Can you tell me why you chose that?”

A question about the crest under the pretense of discussing the coming-of-age ceremony?

It’s true that you obtain a crest during the ceremony, but…

“Since my time at the orphanage, I was told I had a lot of magical power. Before engraving a crest, a child’s magical power is untrained and leaks out, so a skilled mage can sense it. The orphanage is attached to the church, right? Sometimes, when a mage would visit the church, they’d tell me I had high magical power.”

Ever since I was aware, I only wanted to become an adventurer, so all I thought about was becoming a mage in the future.

“You can engrave a crest only once during the coming-of-age ceremony. And since you get to choose which crest to engrave, I just asked for the mage’s crest without thinking much about it.”

“Yes. If you have the aptitude, the crest will be engraved; if not, you won’t get it, right?”

“Yeah. So when the crest appeared perfectly, I was overjoyed.”

It never crossed my mind that an incompatible crest could be engraved.

“If your parents have crests, it’s likely you’ll have the aptitude for them, so most people request the same crest. When they don’t, they usually choose a crest related to their profession. Like a blacksmith’s son choosing a blacksmith’s crest.”

“Yes.”

But does the fact that he’s asking such basic questions mean it’s different for nobles?

“In noble or mage families, we usually check for aptitudes in advance. The more prestigious the family, the more likely they are to inherit their parents’ crests, so it’s not really necessary.”

“I see.”

Since crests are strongly influenced by bloodlines, it makes sense. But what happens when the father’s and mother’s crests are different? Maybe I should ask a teacher about it later.

…Could my parents have been alchemists?

“Niisama?”

Did I let my troubled thoughts show on my face? I wave it off to Kyle.

“So, what’s this about the crest?”

“Yes. I was wondering if we could assess the crest aptitudes of all those who have come of age.”

“What?”

The aptitude for crests can only be assessed by a crest officer. There aren’t many crest officers, so the assessment is usually expensive.

I got mine done for free because I provided information about the previously unknown crest of the Twilight Alchemist, but I don’t know the exact cost. It’s not something you can do casually.

“Do we have the budget for that?”

“Yes. Golden Dawn is thriving.”

Not just from what I’d consider overpriced mass-produced stamina potions, but also from selling Craft Wheat, famous horses, timber, and rare materials that skilled adventurers have gathered from dangerous frontier regions. The budget is quite abundant.

…By the way, can’t they change the name of Craft Wheat? It seems Van officially approved it. So nothing can be done, but still. Good grief.

“Has any country or territory ever conducted a full assessment of everyone’s aptitudes in advance?”

“I’ve heard there’s a problem aside from the cost, but I don’t know what it is.”

“Hmm.”

A problem?

What could it be?

“A crest officer I’ve summoned will be arriving in town soon. Could you join me to hear what the issue is? If it’s something we can solve, I’d like you to handle it.”

“Of course.”

When I firmly agreed, Kyle smiled happily.