The Magic Farm in Orange Town

Next up: *Neon Isle and the Starry Pearl*, beachcombing + farming + raising fantastical sea creatures + a touch of Lovecraftian horror (though it’s really just one giant octopus). It continues in the same universe as this story, so please add it to your collection to show your support~ After graduating at the bottom of his class in Ancient Cultural Studies at Manton University of Magic, ordinary student Dolan Lin hit one dead end after another in his job search. Downhearted, he wrote a tearful letter to his retired mage parents, who were traveling all over the place. Just as he was about to lose faith in life, he received a letter from them. “Dear Dolan Lin, Our dear boy, you actually managed to graduate from university on time. That’s incredible! You’re the best little puppy in your mom and dad’s eyes! Your dad spent seven years at university just to earn his bachelor’s degree (there are lots of scratch-outs in this sentence, and Dolan Lin can tell his father is trying hard to maintain his image). As for me, your mom, I spent nine years at university in total, from my undergraduate degree through graduate school. So you’re an amazing child, the cleverest one in our family. You said you were upset because we disapproved of your choice of work in the Gilded Empire, and wondered whether we really cared about you. We feel terribly guilty about that. We were in the wrong. As two of the only two hundred high-ranking mages left in the world, your father and I have to be stationed at the [Misty Border] year-round, fighting [Dark Mages] and [Hostile Magical Creatures]. We get far too few days together as a family, and you more or less grew up all alone. I feel terribly guilty. Your father and I have talked it over. You’ve loved all kinds of animals since you were little and feel close to nature. Staying in the Gilded Empire, with its air redolent of ore and money, might only make your heart wither. Your father and I have made some arrangements for you. I bought a farm in Orange Town in the Snowwind Empire. Each year, after you pay the Ministry of Magic your food tax, they’ll contribute to your insurance trust at the same rate as for government mages. The Ministry of Magic also hosts social events every year. We hope you’ll meet someone who loves your little yellow dog beast form. That last sentence was added by Dad. Please believe Mom: your dad and I both love your floppy yellow ears. If you don’t like this job, come see the scenery around the Snowwind Empire. There are endless vines, stretching like ocean waves, and in the neighboring Lake Empire, the salt lake is clean and clear... There are plenty of other beautiful sights and chances to be close to nature, too. We hope you can relax and, while enjoying your life, choose work that makes you comfortable. Enclosed are a recipe for red wine pear steak, the farm deed, contract, and other documents. Love, Mom and Dad. Written at the Little Cotton Inn, Orange Town, Snowwind Empire.” 2025.3.3 [A food story, silly puppy romance, not much of a big plot, just nonstop eating. No childbirth.] [Unlimited comments are open. Daily updates after making the rankings, six days on and one day off. Daily updates once it goes premium.] [Scheduled to go premium on 2025.4.3. Thanks for following along with the updates. There’ll be a 10,000-word update that day.] Theme: Food is the people’s first necessity.