Chapter 28: Echoes on Campus [2]
Supporters immediately counterattacked:
"Artistic value? What do you know about art? Reality is the greatest art!"
"Storyboards flat? Go look at the panel where Hachiken looks at the starry sky in Chapter 10. The negative space and composition kill 90% of the manga on the market!"
"Art average? Try copying a page! The texture of animal fur, the veins of plants—can you draw that?"
Detractors didn't back down:
"Stop hyping. It's just fresh subject matter."
"Wait until agriculture isn't fresh anymore, see how long it lasts."
"If the author is so good, draw a battle manga and see if it gets popular."
When the argument hit the 1000th post, a user named "Art Teacher Hayes" posted a long paragraph:
"I am a middle school art teacher with fifteen years of experience. From a professional perspective, the storyboards and art of Silver Spoon are top-tier.
Storyboards: It uses a lot of negative space, close-ups, and slow motion. It's not that the author can't draw complex battle scenes, but deliberately uses this restrained technique to create atmosphere. This restraint is harder than those flashy storyboards.
Art: You only see it as 'simple,' but don't see the effort behind it. The direction of every blade of grass, the shape of every cloud, the look in every cow's eye requires massive observation and practice. This realistic style is harder to master than exaggerated styles.
Plot: It doesn't pursue fast pace or strong conflict, but stacks emotions with details. This narrative method requires the author to have strong patience and control.
So, please don't use 'capitalized on the theme' to deny its artistic value. It succeeds because it is good enough."
This paragraph was screenshot and reposted, spreading rapidly. Art Teacher Hayes's identity was dug up a member of the State Artists Association, winner of multiple teaching awards, with solid professional credentials.
The opposing voices quieted down, but some were still unconvinced: "Even if the art is good, it's just a farming comic. I dare the author to challenge a mainstream genre!"
At this moment, another ID appeared: "Animation Director Mason".
This ID had a verified badge; it was indeed a famous domestic animation director. He posted a shorter sentence:
"Our company is bidding for the animation adaptation rights of Silver Spoon. Not because of the theme, but because its storyboards can be used directly as animation storyboards. Few domestic manga artists have this kind of foundation."
The forum exploded.
"Anime adaptation? Real or fake?"
"Director Mason verified it, can it be fake?"
"Which company? When will it air?"
"Begging Bluebird Animation to take it! Their school life anime quality is top-tier!"
The detractors went completely silent.
A professional art teacher, a famous animation director—double certification.
The artistic value of Silver Spoon no longer needed debate.
By the time Alex heard about the forum war from Sue, it was three days later.
"Now people online call you the 'Face-Slapping Pro'," Sue laughed on the phone. "Whatever the haters say, a professional comes out to slap their faces. First agricultural experts, then art teachers, now an animation director."
"Did Director Mason really say he's bidding?"
"It's true. Bluebird, Rainbow, and Starfield—three companies are fighting for it." Sue paused. "Bluebird offered the highest price and best conditions, and promised to let you participate in the script. But I suggest waiting; the price can go higher."
"You decide." Alex didn't care much about the business side.
"One more thing," Sue's tone became serious. "The state wants to hold a 'Youth Agricultural Science Week' and wants to use Silver Spoon as the image ambassador—not you personally, but the work's characters. Hachiken, Komaba, Mikage will be printed on posters and brochures."
"That's fine."
"Additionally, the Dept of Agriculture wants to collaborate on a set of 'Agricultural Knowledge Manga Series,' using the style of Silver Spoon but covering different agricultural fields. They want you as a consultant—no need to participate in creation, just offer opinions."
Alex thought for a moment. "What does a consultant do exactly?"
"Review drafts, ensure content accuracy. Meeting once a quarter, online is fine," Sue said. "The pay is good, and it helps promote agricultural knowledge."
This time Alex didn't refuse immediately. He thought of the students reading manga in the library, thought of the readers on the forum saying "I want to study agriculture."
"Okay," he said.
"Great, I'll coordinate." Sue paused. "By the way, I saw the draft for Chapter 28. The part where Hachiken makes his first independent diagnosis—it's drawn so well. That tension, that sense of responsibility, I could feel it through the screen."
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me, you drew it well," Sue said. "The whole industry is watching you now, seeing how high you can take Silver Spoon. Is the pressure big?"
Alex looked out the window. Spring had arrived; the pasture grass was turning green. In the distance, his father John was repairing fences, and his mother Sarah was airing out quilts.
A very common scene.
"Not big," he said. "I just draw what I want to draw."
After hanging up, Alex opened his computer. His email was full again—from readers, schools, agricultural departments, media.
He read them one by one, but didn't reply.
Finished reading, he opened the draft for Chapter 29.
In this chapter, Hachiken had to perform a minor surgery independently for the first time—treating a cow's wound. Not big, but it required stitches.
{The barn was quiet, save for the rhythmic chewing of the cows. Hachiken stood next to the heifer, his gloves snapped tight against his wrists.
"It's a jagged tear," the vet instructor said, stepping back. "Needs three stitches. You do it, Hachiken."
Hachiken swallowed hard. The air smelled of iodine and hay. He could feel his heart hammering against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat. He reached for the needle holder.
Steady, he told himself. Don't hurt her.
The needle pierced the tough hide. The cow flinched slightly, and Hachiken froze.
"Keep going," the instructor said, voice calm. "Hesitation hurts more."
Hachiken gritted his teeth. He focused his entire world down to the square inch of skin in front of him. He pulled the thread through. He tied the knot. He cut the excess.
One stitch. Two stitches. Three stitches.
When he stepped back, sweat was dripping from his nose onto the straw floor. He peeled off his gloves, his hands trembling with the adrenaline dump. But the wound was closed. The cow was chewing her cud, unbothered.
He looked up at the instructor, his eyes bright behind his glasses.}
In the dialogue box, there were only two words: { "It's done." }
Simple, but heavy.
Alex finished the last stroke and saved the file. Outside, the sky was dark, and the lights of the ranch turned on one by one.
He stood up, stretched his shoulders, and walked to the bookshelf. Copies of Silver Spoon Volume 1 and 2 were there. Volume 3 was coming out next month.
He pulled one out and opened it. Hachiken's face, Komaba's muscles, Mikage's smile. The characters he drew line by line now lived in the hearts of countless people.
Not just a manga anymore.
It was a textbook, a dream, a choice.
It was a power changing the trajectory of some people's lives.
He closed the book and put it back on the shelf.
(To be Continued)
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