The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest

"The Sage" - a man who has devoted most of his life to strengthening his magic - has finally reached his limit to what he could achieve with magic too weak to face the universe, but he hasn't given up yet. In order to break his limitations, he reincarnates: awakening in a changed world but gaining the means of being able to face not only the world but maybe even the universe. Now reincarnated into Matthias Hildesheim with his memories intact and even the Fourth Crest, the most potent Crests when it comes to magic, but something is wrong. Everyone, even his family, states he has the Crest of Failure. Despite this setback, he still pursues to strengthen himself. His past magic knowledge and skills give him an advantage in this new age that has earned him the title of The Sage in his past life. Matthias trains himself as he aims to enroll in the Second Royal Academy, where he begins to not only get stronger but also changes the world itself.

The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest is a light novel by Shinkoshoto which started publication in 2016. A manga adaptation began in 2017. The artists of the manga are Hyoukou and Kanshou of Friendly Land. An anime produced by J.C.Staff started airing on January 8, 2022.


 * The Archmage: Matthias was known as 'The Sage' and reincarnated with all of his knowledge in his previous life. Even with the lower amount of magic power, he is more formidable due to being born with the Fourth Crest and his wide range of magic expertise.
 * Adventure Guild: One exists in the kingdom where people can sell materials and even magic stones.
 * Affectionate Nickname: Ruri and Alma refer to Matthias as Matty after forming a party and training them to their potential.
 * A God I Am Not:
 * Anti-Magic: Nullification magic can negate specific magic one at a time. It can be used multiple times if there has been enough time to specify what magics to nullify.
 * Apocalypse How/Class 2:
 * Applied Phlebotinum: Magic stones are crystals found within Magic Beasts that can act as conduits for magic power. It is mainly used as the center for a magic tool such as an augmented sword.
 * The Blacksmith: Matthias uses magic on raw materials to construct weapons. Due to Ruri having the First Crest, she would excel at this more than Matthias could.
 * Catch Phrase: Matthias always says "Subjugation Complete." whenever he finishes a fight.
 * Distinguishing Mark: In the past, bearers of Fourth Crests were seen as having the strongest in magic while First Crests were the weakest. The present has a reverse perspective, straying from fact: the First is called the Crest of Glory, while the fourth is known as the Crest of Failure.
 * Deflector Shields: Barrier magic can cast a force field and specialize the Fourth Crest due to their close-range casting. A permanent magic barrier can be made using rare materials like orichalcum, adamantine, mithril, and a giant magic stone.
 * Energy Absorption: Magicians can absorb magic power from Magic Beast and Demon Beasts; when they are killed.
 * The Force Is Strong with This One: The Passive Detect spell detects magic within items and living organisms. Detection specializes in finding a living being specifically.
 * Functional Magic: In this universe, magic is a combination of Inherent Gift and manipulating magic power in one's body to perform supernatural techniques. Chants for magic can help activate it more quickly, but the magic loses effectiveness and potency. It can be activated for a more significant effect, yet casting is more arduous. There are different types of magic, and each person is born with a Crest that shows their magical aptitude:
 * The First Crest: The Crest of Creation specializes in spells useful outside of battle.
 * The Second Crest: The Crest of Might specializes in power but lacks defining traits. With enough practice and time, bearers can wield powerful attack magic.
 * The Third Crest: The Crest of Rapid Fire specializes in weak ranged magic but can grow with practice. This Crest can be useful for taking out large groups of weak enemies.
 * The Fourth Crest: The Crest of Close Combat specializes in close combat and casts magic at a short-range. It has the attributes of both the Second and the Third Crest, but it is a late-bloomer in growth.
 * Hammerspace: Storage magic can store items based on a person's amount of magic power.
 * Healing Hands: Healing magic is another specialization of the First Crest but comes with proper training to fully heal a person or other living creatures.
 * Homing Projectile: Wire-Guided Enchant has the user shoot an arrow where they can connect a thread of mana that allows the projectile to curve in any direction. Homing Enchant homes in on targets rather than the user controlling the arrow.
 * Ley Line: Dragon veins are flows of magic power within the ground. It can be used for large-scale spells and needs a magic tool to manipulate it.
 * Magitek: A common form of technology in the past, but magitek items are legendary artifacts in the present.
 * Magic Knight: Matthias fights by using physical enhancement and other forms of magic that give him the edge in battle.
 * Mana: Magic Power is something people, Magic Beasts, and Demon Beasts are born with. A magician can absorb these creatures' Magic Power once they are killed.
 * Mook Maker: A Monster House is an area that can summon Magic Beasts and absorb the magical aura around it. If the spot becomes repressed by killing all the Magic Beasts around it, the area becomes a safe area from any beast.
 * Our Demons Are Different: Demons are a race of magically gifted humanoids and are a minority compared to humans due to their low birth rate. Their skin is durable enough to withstand regular attacks. They also have a technique called 'demonization,' which increases their power at the cost of their life.
 * Our Dragons Are Different: Dragons resemble wyverns and also have the power to breathe magic. They also have the magic they can use to transform into a human form.
 * Playing with Fire: Fire magic is an average form of combat for most people.
 * Power Tattoo: A Crest is an emblem a person is born with that determines their magic affinity. The Crest cannot be changed, no matter what.
 * Reincarnation: Matthias uses this to be born with a new Crest to gain greater strength.
 * Weapon of Choice: Matthias uses a sword as his primary weapon and even enhances it through magic augmentation. Ruri also uses a blade that has been strengthened by Matthias as well.
 * Alma, who has the Second Crest, uses a bow and arrow and empowering arrows with magic power.
 * Wizarding School: Magic Academy in the past would require a person to have a Crest other than a First to attend. In the present, to participate in a school, one must succeed in practical and written exams. There are also deductions and awards given to the scores based on their Crests, which the Fourth is given the most in losing points.