115 - We Need a School

  Nexha watched the movement on the platform and sighed. The space was already small for the number of merfolk who were beginning to spend more time on the surface. With the wheelchairs, mobility had improved, but it was still difficult to navigate the tight space. He looked around and noticed an even bigger problem: the different areas of the surface were separated, requiring the merfolk to go down and climb back up to move around. It was inefficient and inconvenient.

  — This won't work like this... — he murmured to himself, crossing his arms.

  Ayla, who was reinforcing a structure nearby, looked up.

  — What won't work?

  — The platforms. We need to connect them. Suspended pathways would solve this.

  Ayla smiled, excited.

  — That would be amazing! I can help design them!

  — Great. But first, I need to present this to my father and the others... but I have a strange feeling it's going to be a problem. — Nexha sighed heavily.

  It was becoming increasingly difficult to talk to his father. Now, as chief, he was always surrounded by irritating sycophants seeking attention. Nexha missed the time when his father could simply sunbathe in peace or go out hunting. As strong and determined as Krahs was, Nexha wondered if he himself would be able to be so resilient when he took his father's place. Was it worth trying to change so much for those who didn't even care to understand?

  Sighing, he swam until he found Krahs helping to stock rice. As soon as he shared the idea, the complaints began.

  — More constructions? Don’t you realize what you’re doing? — An adult who was helping with the rice crossed his arms, his tail swaying in the water. — It’s bad enough that we already have too many platforms blocking part of the light, and now you want to cover even more?

  — We need to think about mobility up here! — Nexha tried to argue. — Now that we use the surface more than before, it makes sense to make transit easier.

  — But life is in the water, not up there! — A younger mermaid interjected. — The moray algae depend on the light from the surface! Not to mention that staying in the dark all the time is horrible!

  Nexha clenched his fists, trying to contain his frustration. Did they really not understand the importance of this? Or did they simply not want to leave their comfort zone?

  — Then what’s the solution? I just want to make our lives easier! The rice we carry in the water could be transported much more easily on wheels along a walkway to the storage area.

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  The murmurs grew, dividing opinions. Some understood Nexha’s point, but others worried about the consequences.

  — Then let’s try something different. — Krahs finally spoke, trying to calm the situation. — We can build thinner suspended pathways, with open structures so that light still passes through.

  The murmuring quieted a bit upon hearing the leader, but there was still resistance. Some even looked at Krahs as if the idea had been his. Nexha felt a tightness in his chest. Would they never acknowledge him for what he did?

  — I'll do as you said, Dad... See you later.

  He and Ayla began constructing the thin walkways, trying to balance functionality and light exposure. However, as soon as some villagers tried to use them, part of the structure gave way.

  — This isn't working... — Nexha ran a hand over his face, exhausted.

  — Maybe we need to reinforce it. I think the openings might be a bit too large. — Ayla suggested, worried.

  Before they could rework the plan, more villagers began to complain.

  — Did you see? The chief’s son is up to nonsense again.

  — It looks dangerous.

  Nexha suddenly grew furious.

  — Don’t you understand that fire, wheelchairs, and these walkways are part of evolution?! Without this, you’ll keep relying on the difficulties of the past!

  Silence fell among the villagers, some surprised by Nexha’s outburst.

  — Without the walls, we wouldn’t have fish! Without the platforms, we couldn’t cook good food! Without the rice, I wouldn’t even let you in here!

  The men flinched, but still tried to argue.

  — Stop acting so high and mighty! Just because your father created this incredible place and taught you a few things doesn’t mean you’re important!

  — Are you stupid? Did your mother drop your egg when you were little?!

  One of the men stepped back, but before he could respond, a voice cut through the discussion.

  — Hahaha, who’s this idiot that doesn’t even know it was Nexha who built everything we have today?

  Lilay said, laughing uncontrollably as he looked at the scene.

  — Shouldn’t you be hunting? — One of them asked, his voice filled with distrust.

  — I was eating on the stone platform. Then I heard Nexha yelling and came here. — Lilay replied, crossing his arms. — Tell me exactly why you’re messing with my brother.

  The men hesitated, but then started to explain.

  — Your brother thinks he built everything and always wants to change things as if he were the leader.

  Nexha processed everything and realized that simply ignoring it no longer seemed like an option. Seeing so many ignorant people in the village made him realize he urgently needed to create a school.

  Lilay clicked his teeth in disdain, staring them down. They tried to explain.

  — But...

  Lilay cut them off mercilessly.

  — If anyone here is the leader of this place, it’s Nexha, you useless morays. Dad is going to kick you out as soon as he hears about this.

  Lilay walked off toward Krahs, and the men who had been criticizing Nexha ran after him, begging for forgiveness — but not from Nexha.

  Nexha was still angry and a little hurt by their ignorance. He even regretted opening the gates when Ayla suddenly approached and hugged him.

  — Sorry, it was my mistake on the bridge. That’s why they criticized you.

  She seemed to want to take all the blame, trying to ease the situation a little. Nexha sighed and looked at her.

  — No need to apologize. We both need to improve. Next time, it will work, you’ll see. And those guys had problems in their heads. Seagulls think more than they do.

  The two laughed, watching Jasper arguing with Neblina to keep her from eating his finger. Then they went back to work. With the walkways stabilized, the village started to accept the change.

  It wasn’t easy, but Nexha realized that sometimes innovation wouldn’t be well received by everyone. Strangely, he never saw the merfolk who had criticized him again. He thought they were too embarrassed to show up.

  He had no idea what Krahs had done to them.