Chapter 18: Domination and Conquest [2]
"First is Silver Spoon Volume 1. Second is Dairy Farming Techniques. Third is Basic Agricultural Knowledge." Henderson laughed. "Because of your comic, a lot of kids are coming in asking if there are books about real agriculture."
Alex was stunned.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" Henderson flicked the ash. "You think you're drawing a comic, but actually, you're doing agricultural science education."
After mailing the manuscript, Alex didn't go home immediately. He pushed his bike slowly through town, passing the middle school, the post office, the market.
Then he saw it.
At the newsstand by the market entrance, a row of Silver Spoon volumes was displayed in the prime spot. Next to it was a handwritten sign: "Hot Seller! Local Author's Work!"
The newsstand owner was an old lady reading a magazine with reading glasses. Seeing Alex stop, she looked up. "Young man, buy a copy? This comic is good. The author is from around here."
Alex shook his head. "I've read it."
"Oh." The old lady looked down again. "Then you read it early. It's hard to buy now. I only have these few left; they'll probably be gone by this afternoon."
Alex walked on. Passing a stationery store, he saw a poster of Silver Spoon taped in the window—he didn't know where they got it, maybe a magazine insert. The poster was a bit wrinkled, but taped up with care.
He thought of that forum post again: "What hits hardest about Silver Spoon is its grounded warmth."
Grounded warmth.
He rode home. The wind was strong, making his eyes sting.
The next day, a bigger shockwave arrived.
The official publication of the State Department of Agriculture, Modern Agriculture, released a feature article titled: "Possibilities of Youth Agricultural Education Seen from the Manga "Silver Spoon"".
The article was 5,000 words long, analyzing Silver Spoon from three angles: educational significance, social value, and cultural impact. It cited numerous panels from the manga as case studies and interviewed teachers and students from agricultural schools.
The conclusion was: ""Silver Spoon" is not only an excellent comic work but also vivid teaching material for agricultural education. In a form popular with teenagers, it conveys agricultural knowledge and shapes a positive image of agricultural workers. It has positive significance for guiding teenagers to pay attention to and devote themselves to agriculture."
This article was reprinted by multiple media outlets. The State Daily front page ran a short commentary, the Education Weekly did a follow-up report, and even the state TV's agricultural channel did a special segment.
When Sue called, her voice held an incredulous excitement. "Department of Agriculture! Official endorsement! Do you know what this means?"
Alex held the phone, silent.
"It means Silver Spoon is no longer just pure entertainment. It has social value, educational significance, and policy support!" Sue spoke rapidly. "Next month, the Dept of Agriculture is holding a 'Youth Agricultural Science Week' and invited you as a special guest—of course, you don't have to attend, but your name will be on the promotional materials."
"Also," she continued, "someone from the Department of Education noticed you too. An official asked privately if Silver Spoon could be selected for the 'Recommended Reading List for Primary and Secondary Students'."
Alex finally spoke. "A manga on the reading list?"
"Yes. Although the possibility is small, they are discussing it." Sue paused. "Do you know what this represents? It means your work has broken the containment circle."
Broken the circle.
From a manga magazine, to the Dept of Agriculture, to the Dept of Education.
Alex remembered his past life. Silver Spoon had been honored by agricultural departments in Japan too, and Arakawa Hiromu had won awards. But he didn't expect that in this world, this day would come so fast.
"Now the pressure is even greater," Sue calmed down. "You are no longer 'that rookie drawing farming comics.' You are the 'author of a phenomenal work.' Next chapter, the one after that, everyone is watching you."
"I know."
"I've reviewed the outline for Chapter 17. No problem. But for Chapter 18 and 19, you need to think clearly," Sue said. "Now is not the time to play it safe; it's the time to break through. You need to take it up a notch while maintaining the standard."
"I understand."
After hanging up, Alex opened his computer and pulled up the draft for Chapter 17.
This chapter started the second semester. Hachiken faced the choice of specialization—Livestock, Crops, Horticulture, Veterinary. Each direction had a different future.
He wanted to draw the weight of that choice. Not a hot-blooded "I will become number one," but a confused "I don't know which one to choose."
Halfway through, his phone buzzed. Unknown number. He didn't answer. But a text came through:
"Hello Mr. Walker, I am a reporter from the State TV 'Cultural Horizons' program group. I would like to interview you about the Silver Spoon phenomenon. Our program has the highest ratings in the state and can effectively increase the influence of the work. Look forward to your reply."
Alex deleted the text and continued drawing.
{Hachiken sat in the orientation meeting, listening to teachers explain the content of each major, his eyes lost.
Late at night, he tossed and turned, wondering what he actually liked. What was he good at?
He went to Komaba. Komaba said: "Choose the thing you still think about when you can't sleep at night."
He went to Mikage. Mikage said: "Choose the thing you won't regret in ten years."}
Simple advice, but real.
Alex drew with absorption. The sky outside turned dark, then light again. He drew through the night.
At dawn, Chapter 17 was done. He saved the file and sent it to Sue.
Then he stood up and walked to the window. The ranch in the morning light was waking up. The herd walked out of the shed, moving slowly toward the grass.
A peaceful scene.
But inside his heart, something was surging.
200,000 copies.
Endorsement from the Dept of Agriculture.
Discussions at the Dept of Education.
These were heights Silver Spoon had reached in his past life, yes. But here, he was the one holding the pen. He was the catalyst. It was a phenomenon, a benchmark.
(To be Continued)
Enjoying the story? ❤️
Read early access & exclusive chapters by supporting on Patreon:
🔗 patreon.com/Otaku_Reader
Want to Read more visit my Patreon.con/ Otaku_Reader
Get 50+ Chapter to Read in Advance and may Novel Similar Theme.
1. Parallel World: God Animation ( 25+ Chapter)
—Ongoing ( Daily 2 chapter update)
2. Parallel World: Cartoonist ( 25+ chapter)
—Ongoing ( Daily 2 chapter update)
3. Blue Lock : Monster Wave ( 25+ Chapter)
—Ongoing ( Daily 2 chapter update)
4. Manga Artist: Second Chance ( 20+ chapter)
—Ongoing ( Daily 1 chapter update)
5. One Piece: Comparing God Valley and Summit War in Live Boardcast accross Timeline. (30+ chapter)
—Ongoing ( Daily 2 chapter update)
@just 5$ Membership
Access Advance 25+ Chapter
Join Membership