#711 The Farm School Reopens

That day, the Demon King and Arowana came to the farm for the first time in a while. 

We chatted away as old friends would.

“...So, as I was saying, Junior’s eyes lit up at the sight of the superhero’s coolness!”

“Typical of you, Lord Saint! ...You always come up with unexpected ways to delight the kids.”

The conversation turned towards the topic of the transforming superhero that has become a recent hit.

Both the Demon King and Arowana are fathers of young children, so they’re naturally interested in such topics.

“Hmm...! Maybe I’ll give it a try when Moby Dick grows up a bit more!”

“Indeed. It might be too early for infants.”

Moby Dick, the merprince born to Arowana the Mermaid King, was born last year.

Similarly, my second son, Norito, was taken aback by the transforming superhero, unlike his older brother. 

It’s probably suitable for kids aged three and up.

On a side note, don’t you feel slightly gloomy when you see the “Suitable for ages X and up” disclaimer often found on toy packages?

Well, never mind that.

“How about you, Demon King? I think your son Goetia is at the perfect age for it, right?”

“Well, I’m not so sure...”

Oh?

Why does he sound so uncertain?

“My eldest son, Goetia, is now old enough to understand things... he’s grown up to be quite mature.”

Oh my.

Goetia, the son of my friend, the Demon King, is turning five this year... or is it six? 

By my world’s standards, he would be in primary school.

Given his position as the eldest son of Demon King Zedan, who shoulders the demon tribe, it’s understandable that he might be mature beyond his age. 

Isn’t it a good thing that he’s composed as a child?

“I’ve been so busy with kingly duties that I haven’t had much time to spend with him recently... When we meet after a few days, he greets me formally, saying things like, ‘Father, it has been a while.’ I wonder if it’s selfish of me to want him to be more affectionate, even as I rejoice that he’s growing up healthily as my successor...!”

Even the Demon King has his troubles.

Indeed, if Goetia has grown up so much, it’s unlikely he’ll be into transforming superheroes.

“My other children are all girls... so they might not be interested in that sort of thing...!”

“It’s true, the child’s gender does matter when it comes to this...!”

Boys tend to idolize superheroes, while girls often aspire to be princesses.

My transforming superhero creation, made with the help of many people, might not quite strike a chord with little girls.

But worry not! My knowledge is packed with content suitable for girls.

“In that case, let’s create a superhero for girls next time! I’ll ask Batemy to make a frilly black and white outfit!”

“Black and white? Don’t you think something more colorful would be better for girls?”

“That comes later! No matter how vibrant the colors may become, they always start with black and white! That’s the rule!”

“Rule...?! I see...!”

Did I put off the Demon King with my overenthusiasm?

I need to be more self-aware...!

“Let’s get to the main point, shall we?”

Arowana nicely steers the conversation to a new topic at the right time.

His control over the conversation is impeccable! The newly appointed Mermaid King truly lives up to his title!!!

“Heh, it’s due to Lord Saint’s greatness that the two most important figures in this world, me, the Demon King, and Arowana, the new Mermaid King, can meet so easily.”

“What are you talking about? You two have always been on good terms, haven’t you?”

I mean, the two of you could meet up even without my mediation, right?

“Only you have the ability to constantly create matters that require the two of us to meet face-to-face, Lord Saint.”

“Hear, hear.”

The king of the sea and ruler of the land laugh heartily.

I’m left unsure how to react.

“We need to gather promising young people and educate them here on the farm once again. For this, it is necessary for the respective rulers to communicate directly.”

“Yes! We must carefully select the youth we send to foster the integration of the three major races towards world peace.”

Yes.

There’s only one reason I called Demon King Zedan and Mermaid King Arowana—to solidify the plan for the second batch of farm exchange students.

The program, which started somewhat haphazardly due to various factors, such as the complicated education situation in the Mermaid Kingdom and the complacency emerging in the Demon Kingdom, turned out to be a huge success.

We decided to continue it because of this success.

National leaders like the Demon King and Arowana also have a strong interest in talent development at the farm.

“We plan to continue sending young officers from the Demon King’s Army. The ones who were re-educated here have become much humbler, but the complacent ones keep coming one after the other.”

“Mermaid Witch Academia students who returned from the farm are very popular at the palace. The reputation of Puffer, who was involved in their education, is also rising proportionately. We, as a nation, want to continue sending capable personnel.”

Their outlook is very positive.

Since Sensei and our other teachers expressed their enthusiasm, I want to move forward with this plan.

But for that, a thorough preliminary meeting is indispensable.

“Aside from the army’s privates, I also want to send young people from other fields. The knowledge Sensei imparts is invaluable. It’s not something that should be monopolized by the military. I will instruct Lucife Focale to select promising individuals from the civil service.”

“We can even expand the scale from the last time. There are other educational institutions in our country aside from Mermaid Witch Academia. We need to pick up promising individuals from other fields as well.”

“Above all, it’s an honor to become Sensei’s direct disciple.”

“Lifeless Kings are the epitome of the world’s ultimate wisdom. Receiving Sensei’s teachings directly is a blessing. We must give as many people as possible the opportunity to grow...!”

“We both are greedy, aren’t we? Hahaha...!”

“I’m just following your example as a politician, Demon King, hahaha...!”

Oh, what a serious conversation befitting world leaders!

With the consensus of world leaders like this, the new farm exchange program is set to be implemented.

But before that...

“…There’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“What might that be?”

“If it’s a thought from you, Lord Saint, it can’t possibly be trivial. Please voice it out.”

Well, it’s a bit pressuring when you raise your expectations like that...!

I’ve always thought that the term “farm exchange students” doesn’t sit quite right with me.

After all, a farm isn’t a place where you learn academic things, so “exchange” doesn’t really fit.

I’ve been thinking about whether there might be another name for it.

Now that we’re seeing off the first batch of students and welcoming the next ones, wouldn’t this be the perfect time to think of a new name?

“So, I want to start using this new term...!”

Farm School.

A place that promotes the growth of young people, conducted here on the farm.

After the success of the first batch, I’m thinking about formally establishing and opening the Farm School this year!

“Oh, that’s good!” reacts the Demon King promptly. “The term ‘farm exchange graduates’ always had an uncertain ring to it. Farm School… that’s a nice name.”

“With this, the phrase ‘graduated from the Farm School’ will likely become synonymous with competent individuals. I wholeheartedly approve!”

I suppose you could think of the Farm School as an institution within the farm.

This should tidy up the organization within the farm and clarify the position of the students who will be learning here from now on.

Now, let’s push forward toward the Farm School’s proper establishment!

***

...By the way.

“U-Um...!”

Someone raises their voice timidly.

To which the Demon King and Arowana react, “What’s the matter? You’ve been silent up until now, haven’t you?”

“That’s right, as the humans’ representative, if you don’t assert yourself more, the point of gathering here is lost, isn’t it?”

There’s another person here driven by the supreme powers of the sea and the demons.

After all, the Farm School is a project that the humans, demons, and merfolk are advancing together.

In addition to the Demon King of the demon race and Arowana of the merfolk race, we also need the human race’s representative to make it a genuine discussion. That’s why one more person came—the human feudal lord Dalkish.

However, he has not said a single word since our meeting began.

“Well, er… I’m completely out of my league in this group, aren’t I? How am I supposed to represent the humans as a mere feudal lord against the kings of each nation...?!”

“What are you saying, Lord Dalkish?! Weren’t we the ones who pledge to represent each race as sworn siblings?!”

“Did we really pledge to that?!”

The pressure must be unimaginable for a feudal lord placed alongside the kings of the demons and merfolk.

“What matters is not the title's rank, but the individual's ability. You, Lord Dalkish, who manages to clear Orkubo’s Castle every season, are in no way inferior to us!!!”

“Is that element even relevant to ruling the world?!”

Crying and pleading won’t do you any good.

Dragged along by the Demon King and Arowana, who display unparalleled abilities in making friends, Dalkish is forced to team up with them, like it or not.

It may be a heavy burden, but we’re counting on him to gather prospective students from the former Human Kingdom.

And thus, the new semester is fast approaching.