This year's harvest was much bigger than last year's—but also much harder.
"So tiring~"
"If only we knew magic, we wouldn't have to work so hard."
"Don't be silly. There's no such magic."
That's right. Although the Crimson Demons could use magic for grand farming, harvesting still had to be done by hand.
"Why don't we develop some magic ourselves?"
"Okay, but it's better to learn advanced magic at school first, then graduate smoothly."
"You're right."
Once the Crimson Demons entered school, learning any level of magic—elementary, intermediate, or advanced—meant instant graduation. The reason for this strange and rigid rule? Their ancestors thought it was very cool.
Zunzun wiped sweat from his forehead. He overheard the trio talking but had no intention of wasting his precious skill points and time on such things.
After all, farming was meant to be practice, not just land cultivation. Compared to being scolded for not using magic to farm, Crimson Demons like Zunzun—who chased power—were respected by outsiders.
Meanwhile…
Megumin and Yunyun worked swiftly in the cornfield, piles of corn stacking beside them.
At first, Yunyun seemed certain to win, but Megumin's pile was nearly as high. They were evenly matched.
Megumin really showed her true strength this time—or maybe she just gave it her all because she was motivated by food.
Panting on the ground, the little loli wiped sweat from her forehead and said proudly, "Hehehe, I told you not to underestimate me—I won this time!"
"No, I haven't lost yet!"
Yunyun struggled to get up. "Megumin, you're too tired to move now, but I still have strength. And don't forget—there's no time limit! As long as I harvest more corn before the season ends, I win!"
Her brain had never worked so well. She was smart to play to her strengths and fight a long game.
In stamina and recovery, Yunyun was far superior to Megumin.
It looked like the little loli was doomed to lose.
"I won't let you succeed!"
Megumin threw Yunyun, who had just stood up, back to the ground. "What do you think? As long as I stop you, you'll never surpass me again! I'll be the final winner!"
"Let go, let go! Megumin, you're cheating again!"
As Yunyun said, the competition had no time limit, and it certainly didn't say you couldn't trip your opponent. Megumin seized this loophole to block Yunyun.
Yunyun wouldn't be bullied and quickly fought back. They wrestled in the cornfield, the atmosphere growing intense.
Suddenly, a black shadow loomed over them.
"What are you two doing?"
"Eh?"
The wrestling stopped abruptly.
"I, we…"
"We're picking corn! Yes, picking corn!"
The little lolis scrambled to gather the corn scattered during their tussle.
Zunzun's face twitched.
"Hehe, my bad. I was busy picking corn and forgot to pick you two up!"
He gave them a lesson.
It was great to see their competitive spirit, but they'd damaged a lot of corn with their rough play, which made him angry.
Zunzun surveyed the remaining field—more than half unharvested. Compared to last year, the field was much larger, so they couldn't finish in a day.
"Huh, let's stop here for today."
"Yeah, I'm exhausted."
"My back and waist hurt."
"Damn, I'm not this tired even in PE class! Soketto, you owe me."
Sister Soketto wiped sweat from her forehead. The trio also complained. They were delicate girls and great magicians—no wonder they felt tired.
Zunzun exhaled softly. He was slightly tired too, which was rare.
After all, he'd exercised daily for the past year. Though not officially measured, his strength and stamina surpassed adults—something proven during arm wrestling with his father at Chinese New Year.
Megumin and Yunyun, meanwhile, had completely collapsed on the ground. Zunzun tried to stop their secret fighting, but by afternoon, they were both unable to move. He wondered if it would affect them tomorrow.
"Okay! Soketto will treat us to dinner later! Zunzun will cook!"
"Zunzun cooking? I'm looking forward to it!"
"Well, although I hate to admit it, Zunzun's cooking is much better than my family's coffee shop."
The trio often visited Sister Soketto, claiming free meals, and were sometimes disappointed when Zunzun wasn't the cook.
"Is that okay, Zunzun?"
"No problem."
Of course, he wouldn't refuse Sister Soketto's request.
"But we have to bathe first."
Sister Soketto tugged at her dirty clothes. The trio, Megumin, and Yunyun were all covered in mud, tired, and sweaty—definitely needing a wash.
"But Sister Soketto, our bathroom can't fit so many people. We'll have to go to the mixed bathing hot spring."
Let me clarify:
There is no actual mixed bathing or hot spring. It's just called that. It's an ordinary public bathhouse—and the only one in Crimson Demon Village.
"That's fine. Do you all agree?"
"No need to discuss trivial things."
"The important thing is to bathe quickly. I can't stand feeling sticky."
No one objected.
"Then Sister Soketto, I'll go home to prepare dinner first."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"I'll wash at home."
Zunzun shook his head.
Just kidding.
Where would he go at the public bathhouse? Man or woman, his identity would be exposed—and he'd be teased as a crossdressing boy…
That thought was too terrifying to imagine.
So Sister Soketto and the trio took Yunyun and Megumin to the bathhouse, while Zunzun returned home alone.
He tossed the farming tools in the warehouse, then organized ingredients for dinner.
He wasn't in a hurry to shower.
He planned to go after dinner started stewing. By the time he finished bathing, Sister Soketto and the others would be back—perfect timing.
After prepping everything, Zunzun smiled and headed to the bathroom. He took off his clothes, washed, and enjoyed a refreshing bath.
But as he reached for his clothes to change—
He realized he'd forgotten.
All his clothes before had been prepared by Sister Soketto. He hadn't realized how much he relied on her.
No matter—no one was home. He could just get them from his room.
Just as Zunzun opened the door—
"No, I can't! I'm going to vomit!"
"So I told you, even if Sister Hong Longlong treats you, don't drink so much milk after bathing, Megumin! You never listen!"
Two little girls appeared in the bathroom.
"…Huh?"
The three looked at each other in stunned silence.
-End Chapter-
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