#1270 Junior All Grown Up 

My name is Junior. 

Saint Kidan Junior. 

My official name is way longer than anyone would ever want to use, so people just call me “Junior.” 
Apparently, in my dad’s homeland, “Junior” means “the son of.” 
So, it means “the son of Saint Kidan.” I kind of hated it for a while. Am I going to be “the son” forever? But then Dad told me... 

“When the time’s right, you’ll take up the name Saint Kidan yourself one day.” 

I guess I’m supposed to be the next Saint Kidan. 

Honestly, even now, Dad is only ever called “the Saint” or “Saint-King,” so I could probably start using the title myself if I wanted. But I’ve spent all sixteen years of my life being called Junior, and I’ve gotten used to it. 

I figure I’ll just keep it until the right moment comes along. 

Right now, I help Dad out with running the farm and the Farm Kingdom. 

Running the Farm Kingdom is hard enough on its own, but the farm is something my parents built from the ground up. They’re pretty attached to it. 
Old-timers like Mr. Orkubo, Mr. Gobukichi, Auntie Berena, plus the elves and satyrs, all live happily here, too. We’re set on keeping the place going as long as we can. 

At the same time, my parents also expect me to take over ruling the whole Farm Kingdom someday, so they’ve got me helping out.  
Mostly under Mom’s instructions. 

When it comes to this succession issue, Mom’s actually the one who pushes harder. She really does have that aura of a former merprincess. 

Dad, on the other hand, is like, “Let the kids decide what they want to do with their lives…” Still, it is a whole country, so you can’t just leave that up in the air. 

Thus, here I am today, out inspecting the Farm Kingdom again.  
I’m riding on Veil’s back in her dragon form, circling through the skies. 

“It’s peaceful as ever out here.” 
“Gaaaahahaha! With you and me together, any enemy would be instantly crushed! No fool dares challenge us!!!” 

Veil’s been with me since the day I was born. She serves Dad, but whenever my parents were busy, she was the one looking after me.  
She’s basically my third parent. 

Even now that I’m older, she’s still by my side, reliable as ever. 
Still, I think it’s about time I learned to stand on my own. It’d be nice if she could just watch over me from a little distance... 

“We’ve made a full circuit of the country! Patrol complete! Time to head home for snacks!” 

Good idea.  
Today’s my turn to make snacks for my little brothers. 
Then again, I’m nowhere near Dad’s level at cooking yet, so about the best I can manage is a black forest cake. 

Whether it’s cooking or farming, I just want to catch up to Dad’s skill someday. 

*** 

When we get back, both Mom and Dad are actually home at the same time. 

That’s rare. What’s up? 
They notice me staring. Dad clears his throat... 

“You’re back, Junior. Sit down for a moment.” 

Eh?  
Uh, okay...? 

“I already made snacks. You can have some too. Oh, and I made extra for Veil.” 
“Yesss! Fresh yatsuhashiiiiiiii!” 

Veil shifts into her human form and dives into the pile of sweets with my brothers. 

I suppose I’ll help myself as well.  
...Mmm. Spicy-sweet cinnamon. 

“Man, how long’s it been since we made a snack for Junior? These days, he’s so busy with Farm Kingdom work and even looking after his little brothers for us. I’m such a lousy father...!” 
“That’s not what this is about, Dear,” Mom scolds. 

The atmosphere feels... different.  
Heavy. I brace myself. 

Dad fidgets, but in the end, it’s Mom who takes charge. 

“Junior... how old are you this year?” 

Uhh, about sixteen, I think? 

“Yeah, without a calendar it’s hard to be exact.” 

Dad automatically swoops in with his usual soft landing. 

“When you were one or two it was easy to keep track. You were so tiny, wobbling around everywhere. And now look at you, all grown-up...boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!!” 

Wait, Mom’s crying?!  
Huh?! 
Is there anything special going on today?! 

“Junior’s grown, sure. But it’s not enough! To take over as ruler of the Farm Kingdom...to become the second Saint, you still lack experience!!!” 

Her eyes blaze.  
I flinch.  
Honestly, she’s way scarier than Dad. 

“Junior, you need more experience! You need challenges that will shape you, trials that will sharpen your character. Without that, you’ll never surpass your father! Everyone goes through this rite of passage!!!” 
“I... don’t remember going through anything like that?” 
“Junior’s a good boy, always helping out. But there are lessons you can’t learn just by helping at home. If you want to grow into a true successor, it’s time for you to take the next step!” 

And then Mom drops it... 

“A pilgrimage!” 

...Peelgrimage? 

“Your uncle Arowana once realized his own immaturity. He set out on a journey to temper himself. He and his companions faced hardship after hardship, and when he returned, he was stronger, wiser, and a true king! He inherited the throne from our father, the great Nagus, and became king of the merfolk!” 

Uncle Arowana, huh?  
Yeah, I’ve heard that story before. 

“Junior, now it’s your turn. You won’t gain much more by staying here. What you need is out there, experiences only the world beyond can give you. That is the fastest path to surpassing your father!” 
“Er, I’m pretty sure this farm already offers way more wild experiences than the outside world...” Dad mutters unhelpfully. 

But I finally get what they’re saying.  
My parents really do want me to grow into a worthy heir. 

“Is it really necessary to send him off on a journey? Norito just ran away the other week, and I’m still lonely about that. If Junior leaves too, I’ll cry!” 

…Maybe Dad isn’t so on board after all. 
Then again, Norito still comes back once or twice a week, so can you even call that a runaway? 

Dad’s too kind, always leaning toward the softer option. But I see this as a chance to grow. 
Someday, I want to inherit Dad’s place. Become the master of the farm… the king of the Farm Kingdom. 

And if I don’t back those words with action, then they’re meaningless! 

Understood.  
I, Saint Kidan Junior, will go on this training journey! 

“Well said! That’s our son!” 
“Don’t leave us, Junior! Boo-hoo-hoo!” 

Dad’s as clingy as always. 

But my mind’s already made up. 
I’ll leave the farm, gain my own experiences, and bring them back. 
Experiences no one else has. My own wisdom, my own knowledge… 

In other words, self-discovery! 

“...” 
“...It sounds sketchy when you put it like that.” 

Wait, why? 

“Junior’s teenage years are finally acting up.” 
“Gwahahaha! If Junior grows stronger, then it’s all good!”  

Veil laughs, her mouth still full of yatsuhashi. 

“Come on, no need to worry! Wherever Junior goes, I’ll be right there! I’ll protect him from every danger! Any who dares threaten him will be reduced to ash by my dragon breath!” 
“You’re not going.” 
“Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!” 

Veil practically explodes at Mom’s words. 

“Wh-Wh-Whhy not?! If I’m there, Junior’s safety is guaranteed! I’m the dragon of guaranteed victory!” 
“That’s exactly the problem. If you tag along, every single hardship turns into a breeze. Junior won’t grow at all. If you really care, you’ll let him face challenges on his own. Sending him off properly is the real parental love.” 
“No, no, nooo! I wanna go with Junior! I wanna spoil him more!!!”  

I didn’t know dragons could sulk like toddlers. 
Sorry, Veil, but I’m with Mom on this one. 

If I want to become a true Saint worthy of Dad’s legacy, then I need to face hardships alone. 
Behold! The reckless leap of youth that is Junior!!!