Reincarnation fetish V1 - Ch 2

 02 Granted Skills, A Shining Crest...?

"Then, I'm off, Mom."

"Take care, Maul. Make sure to contact me once you've made a decision."

In this second life of mine, I’ve happily turned eighteen and am now setting off for the royal capital.

To receive my "Skill" and "Magic"!

It’s not necessarily granted at eighteen, but one day, a crest suddenly appears somewhere on your body, and you receive an oracle from the king, who is also a priest, to be granted a "Skill" and "Magic."

Lucia, who got her crest a bit earlier at sixteen, had already left for the royal capital.

She never came back, but rumors say she joined the Magic Craftsmen Guild and became an adventurer.

Lucia, equipped with skills, magic, and swordsmanship, seems to be making remarkable progress.

As a beautiful swordswoman...

As her childhood friend, I’m happy for her success, but more than that, I’m glad she’s doing well.

She must have become even more beautiful since the day we parted. Ah, I really want to see Lucia soon.

These past two years, I’ve been languishing in days without Lucia.

Life without Lucia was dull, and not being able to see her black hair made me increasingly irritated and restless.

I managed to vent my irritation by beating up bandits and ruffians who attacked the village, but my restlessness wasn’t so easily dealt with—after all, Lucia wasn’t here.

I spent my days in vain, recalling Lucia and her flowing black hair, indulging in self-gratification.

But finally, three nights ago, after my usual bandit-beating routine and while thinking of Lucia, a crest appeared on the palm of my right hand.

I trembled with joy... This is my crest...

Its shape, resembling a butterfly emitting a peach-colored light, seemed to symbolize "love"...

"...Wait, this is a lewd crest, isn’t it?!"

I couldn’t help but shout loud enough for the whole village to hear... It was undeniably a "lewd crest."

I looked at it again... A heart-shaped crest glowing pink on my palm...

"It really is a lewd crest!!"

My soul’s cry echoed throughout the village.

Lucia’s crest, which appeared on her chest, was said to resemble a snowflake—a cool crest, though she didn’t show it to me when I was sixteen.

Well, that’s why I’m setting off for the royal capital today.

Honestly, I don’t really care about "Skills" or "Magic," but I really want to see Lucia... I want to see Lu-chan. I’m drying up without her...

I want to see that beautiful black hair with my own eyes again...

When Lucia left, she told me she’d be "waiting" for me. Those words kept me going through these two years, surviving on self-gratification alone—still a virgin, of course.

My first time will be with Lu-chan... That’s what I’ve decided!

With my heart pounding, I left my hometown... to reunite with Lu-chan (and her hair).

"Wow..."

I was speechless when I arrived at the royal capital.

The capital is surrounded by sturdy walls, and I enter through one of the four gates located in each cardinal direction.

Passing through the eastern gate, a large square appeared before my eyes.

With many migrant workers and foreign merchants coming and going, the place was bustling far more than my hometown village.

There were many stalls selling food and crafts. I’d love to stroll around here with Lucia someday.

Lucia must be used to this by now, so maybe she’ll show me around. Walking with the beautiful Lucia... Just imagining it is unbearable!

Strolling while gazing at her beautiful black hair swaying in the wind would be so delightful. My life is filled with hope.

"The city really is great... hehe... drool"

I couldn’t help but smile so much that I drooled. People around me were staring.

Humans, of course, but also elves, dwarves, and other races I’d never seen in my village were looking at me with puzzled expressions.

Maybe they could tell I was a country bumpkin. I started feeling embarrassed.

Still, everyone here is cute and stylish, and their hair is so beautiful.

There are people with long hair, short hair, half-up styles, buns, ponytails, twin tails... I could watch them all day without getting bored.

Gong, gong...

"Oh, I should get going."

The sound of the bell signaling the time echoed through the square. The time for the oracle was approaching.

In my country, the Kingdom of Fetish, you can receive an oracle from the king, who is also a priest, to be granted a "Skill" and "Magic."

If you’re late for your scheduled time, it might be postponed, so I can’t be late. I can’t bear to delay my reunion with Lucia any longer.

I hurried through the crowd toward the royal castle towering in the center of the capital.

I managed to make it on time and was led to the "Oracle Chamber." The solemn atmosphere made me a little nervous.

"The king is arriving. Prepare yourself."

At the signal from an elderly man who seemed to be an aide, I knelt in the center of the hall, following the ritual procedure I’d been taught, and lowered my eyes.

I also removed the black fingerless glove on my right hand.

I didn’t want to wear it—it felt like something out of a chuunibyou phase—but it was far more embarrassing to have my lewd crest seen.

Creak...

The heavy sound of the door opening echoed, and slow footsteps approached, stopping in front of me.

"You have come well, young one. Raise your face."

At the solemn voice, I lifted my head. Before me stood a dignified man clad in a red robe.

He’s younger than I thought...

That was my first impression. Though he had a white beard, he looked to be in his mid-fifties.

The king’s sharp eyes scrutinized me as if sizing me up. Perhaps the purpose of this ritual is for the king to personally confirm those who are to receive new Skills and Magic.

Otherwise, there’d be no reason for the busy king to conduct the ritual himself. They could just appoint other priests. Maybe it has something to do with the royal bloodline.

The king, of course, looked neat and had a firm expression. He must be a wise man.

It’s good that the leader of my country doesn’t look like an idiot.

"...Show me your crest."

I silently stood up, keeping my face lowered. Even though it’s a ritual, the other party is the king. I’m not allowed to speak casually; I must silently follow instructions.

The ritual itself isn’t complicated. The king touches the crest while chanting a spell, and then the knowledge of how to use the Skill and Magic naturally comes to mind.

Huh? Does that mean the king touched Lucia’s chest?

This king...

I desperately suppressed my emotions and approached the king, showing the crest on my right palm.

"Hmm... This is, uh..."

The king hesitated. Normally, he’d say something about the crest, but he seemed confused by the unusual nature of mine.

Well, it’s obviously a lewd crest. I don’t know if lewd crests even exist in this world.

"...Then, I shall bestow the oracle."

The king seemed to give up on finding the right words and lightly touched my lewd crest with his right hand. He must be wary of this strange crest.

"O gods! Grant this one your power and bless their life."

The spell was surprisingly simple. Maybe the spell itself doesn’t hold much meaning.

I slightly opened my eyes and saw the lewd... crest glowing. I’d heard about it, but seeing it in person really feels like a miracle.

If only the light weren’t pink... The king also had a complicated expression.

Well, anyway, I’m excited to see what kind of Skill and Magic I’ll get. I hope it’s something cool that will impress Lucia.

Once this ritual is over, I’ll go see Lucia right away. I’ve kept her waiting for too long.

"Oh, gods, I thank you..."

It seems the ritual is over. All that’s left is for the king to announce the name of my Skill, and it’ll be done.

"The power bestowed upon this one is named 'Fetish Control' and 'Thunder'..."

Huh? Did the king just say "Fetish"?

No, I must have misheard. The word "fetish" shouldn’t even exist in this world.

I looked at the king’s face... He was clearly confused.

"Young one, I command you to live with the Fet... Fetish Control and Thunder bestowed by the gods. May the gods’ blessings be with you..."

The king stumbled over "Fetish Control." It must be an unfamiliar word. He clearly pronounced "Thunder," though.

The knowledge of how to use the Skill and Magic appeared in my mind, as if I’d always known it... Seriously...

I silently bowed my head. Right now, I just want to finish the ritual and leave this place as soon as possible.

I wish I could disappear into a hole... or into Lucia’s hole...

"Young one, wait!"

As I turned to leave the hall, the king called out to me. This must be unprecedented, as the aides were murmuring.

"You are permitted to speak. Explain what this 'Fetish Control' Skill is."

I was dreading this. How am I supposed to explain this?!

I looked at the crest on my right palm...

It really is a lewd crest, isn’t it!