I'm retiring.
...yeah.


　I was called into the principal's office, and I had a choice to make.

　I've been a holy man for 1994. I'm graduating from the Canovarian Alchemy Academy this March. It seems we need to talk about that graduation path.

　The one in front of me is the headmaster of the academy and my former teacher.

　His name is Alsfira Medis. The Medis family has produced many famous alchemists, and they are the most prestigious of the prestigious families. Among them, Arsufira seems to be extremely talented and has already been in charge of this academy in her late twenties. It seems to be an exceptional case.

　She looks like a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, and well, she's not bad looking. She has a nagging and annoying personality.


　And why am I being summoned by this woman?

　It seems that the reason is that she doesn't like the graduation path.


'Hey you really need to reconsider, your career path is elective!　You can be a knight of the kingdom, you can be an alchemist who works directly for the royal family, and between you and me... you can be married to the third princess... come on, take your pick of any of these!
"Retired, Alchemist. Here's your badge. To be returned.
'Stop!!!!!


　I toss out my badge with a pop-tea. There are ranks for alchemists, from Bronze Bronze level, Silver level, Gold level, Platinum level, Platinum level, and Blue Star level, Blue Star.

　I got the highest rank, the Blue Star rank, within a year of entering the school.

　Each rank has a different badge to wear on your chest, and I have a "Blue Star" badge on my chest right now. But this kind of thing doesn't matter to me, I'm retiring as an alchemist. That's why I tossed it on this woman's desk.


''It's fine, I'm graduating. I'll at least leave my name on the paperwork.
What are you going to do now that you're retired?
What?　Of course I'm going to take over my family's farm, right?　We've done a lot of breeding this year. And I also succeeded in developing a new method of vegetable self-sustaining bipedal walking. Honestly, this was harder than writing my thesis... but I don't want to mass-produce them since they're completely pet-like. I'll feel sorry for them and they won't be able to eat. I'd like to utilize that technique in more different places.

　Yes, the corn I created walks. It walked.

　A completely self-sustaining corn. It's a wonderful thing, with some communication. I'm low intelligence, but I'm applying and incorporating research on fully independent artificial intelligence. Well, that said, it's not a good idea to have intelligence inhabiting vegetables, so I won't be doing that in the future.... I tried it as an experiment and it was an accidental success. From now on, I hope we can use our research on fully independent artificial intelligence in other areas a bit more. I'd like to think a bit more carefully about the crops, but I'd like to do research on fully independent artificial intelligence for future plans.


'Huh ... stop it ... that genius of yours should be put to use elsewhere ... you're a farmer... that's not how it works ... although I'm concerned about the walking corn ... hah ... hah ... my thesis could have been more practical and awesome ...'
"Fully independent artificial intelligence research?　Surprised, huh?
...Huh ...Huh ...Hey, don't you think you should reconsider?
Oh, no. Retirement. Technically, I'll continue to use alchemy because it's useful, but I don't want to be an alchemist. It's too restrictive and cumbersome. I don't care if I'm the youngest ever to become a blue star class "Bluesteller", or a knight of the realm, or an alchemist who reports directly to the royal family, or married to a princess. Because that has nothing to do with farmers, right?　You'll all be glad I'm not an alchemist anymore. It's one less post to fill. It's a true win-win. You'd think so, Fee.
"Stop calling me Fee. .....
I'm sorry.


　I'm the second alchemist in my kingdom who has reached the azure-star class, by the way. The first is the founder of alchemy. It's not a good idea for someone else to become a member of that class, since he created the class and made himself the highest ranking "Blue Star" class, the "Blue Star" class.


　But my research into completely independent artificial intelligence, part of my "Cornish Miracle Project," was highly regarded, and I became the second person in history to become a "Blue Star" class.

　Incidentally, they didn't do my research justice, but made me a "Blue Star" because they saw that a complete artificial intelligence had been completed as a result of an unintelligible process. In other words, there is not a single alchemist currently existing who can understand my theory. Even if I say so myself, it seems that I'm the greatest genius in history.

　That's why I can understand why that Fee guy wants me to be a foil. I'm sure there are many reasons for his association with royalty and nobility.

　But I have a dream. I have a dream to sell the fruits and vegetables I grow to the whole world. I couldn't do it with my father's generation, but I may be able to do it. That's why I studied alchemy," he said.


'Huh ... hah ... when I found out that your goal was really to sell fruits and vegetables to the world, I was already ... for the first time in my life, I was in despair. No, really, seriously.
I'm sorry. But I want to fulfill an old dream of mine.
As a teacher, you should respect the dreams of your students but Elweed Willis' name is already too famous. Every graduate of this school has gone on to work for a very famous company. The top of all of them. The best alchemist in history's best alchemist's graduation path is to take over a farmhouse.......I'm dying......


　Actually, this question and answer. It has already happened more than 10 times.

　However, the time is already one month before graduation. This woman who is the principal of the school is getting impatient.

　Does she really want me to get a good job? I've decided to devote myself to farming, but....


''Would it be hard for Fee to take over the farm?''
Mm, he's finally listened.
You're so persistent, you know that? I'm about to graduate soon, and I thought we could at least talk.... But I'll definitely sell you some walking corn.
It's a good thing that you're at liberty to do that, but I'm in trouble because I've been approached all along regarding your career path. Not only from the nobility, but from royalty as well. Marrying a princess makes you a royal, even if you are adopted by a son-in-law.　It's really already substandard from the time I entered the school to now, but when you get to the point where you're royalty.......
But I'm a farmer and I have a mission...
Yeah. I've been talking about it with your family. But all your family and relatives say you're not cut out to be a farmer.　Your parents really want you to follow the path of an azure-star class 《Bluesteller》 alchemist...
'I know my family and relatives are against me. When I graduate, I'm going to go out on my own and own my own workshop. And I'm on a mission to create the best farmers ever there.
"...and alchemy is the means to that end, right?
'Yes. Didn't we talk about that when I first got here?
''I didn't think that a genius who scored a perfect score in all subjects and even a perfect practical exam would say anything... that's it... oh no...''
...hmm.


　Fee's one has had a lot of dark circles in her eyes lately. Her hair is frayed and shaggy, even though she's beautiful. He looks tired very well.


'Is it my fault that Fee is tired?
'I don't mind telling you that before you were recognized I was considered the greatest genius of all time?　 ...It's just really ... it's hard for me. I get calls every day, you know?　Where do you think Elle is going?　I get daily prompts from nobles, knights and royalty...?　I'm going to die.....................


　The expression on Fee's face as he stared blankly into the void was awful. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I can only say that it's bad.


　Well, maybe I should find a compromise here. This is a good thing, as this guy has been a good help to me.


"Well the thing is, I don't mind postponing my retirement.
''....Really!　You're recording it!　I took a pledge!
Yeah. But I have a condition.
...gobbledygook. What's that?
Freelancers can do it.
Oh, I see. So you're saying that you're going to take time off for your own research and do some other work in your spare time?
The truth is, I can live on the royalties from my recently finished textbook on alchemy, and I have other patents, so I'm not money hungry, but I don't mind devoting some of my time to a job that uses alchemy. I might have a great idea in mind. Even when the corn was walking, I had a flash of inspiration when I didn't expect it. I'm beginning to think it's important to keep in touch with the outside world these days... what do you think?
'Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Elle really is a good girl. I'll give you anything you want in return. Don't you want the money or will you marry me then?　I can give you the right to marry me at this very high multiplier, can't I?
No, I don't want it.
'Ohhhhhhhh! I don't have a man to go along with me...oooohhhhhhhhhh! Even if I go on a blind date, everyone pulls away...oooohhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well, good luck with that, Fee. Good luck.
"...Yeah. I think I'll have a good night's sleep from now on. It's a pleasure, thank you, Master Elle.



　Then Fee comes over to me and clasps his hands together in worship.


'Don't do it, it's disgusting. So, you've got a list, right?　Choose Now
Yeah. Also sudden, hey, the only thing I can do freelance in here is...


　And so Fee draws a line on the paperwork. Perhaps he's drawing a diagonal line for a job that can't be freelanced.


'Yes. Pick one of these.


　The options that were handed to me were numerous.

'The job I want to do in this one is...'

　After a quick glance at the list, I quickly decided.

'Okay, then I'll take that one.'

　Fee's eyes widened as he pointed.

''It sounds like you can't do it, but... well, that's okay. Probably the best news of the year in the alchemist industry.''
Well, I'll try. I'll make it work.


　The job I chose.

　It was to be a part-time teacher at this school.


　This is how my life as a teacher was about to begin.