803 Bear, talks to a girl - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

A young girl, appearing about the same age as Fina and Noa, emerged from behind the desk. "Mane-sama, I've brought the girl who delivered the Magic Blue Flower." Mane-sama? Is it this girl? "Yuna-chan, let me introduce her to you. This is Mane-sama, who works at the Ministry of Magic." Ellelaura-san smiled. Is she enjoying my surprise? "Ellelaura-san, you said Mane-sama was an older person..." That was what she said. Yet the girl before me looks as young as Fina. "Who are you calling a hag?" The girl glared at me. "No one's saying that." "That bear called me an old hag," the girl accused. She kept glaring at me. "Um, it was Ellelaura-san who said it." I answered honestly. Despite her youthful appearance, she exuded an imposing presence. "Yuna-chan?" "Ellelaura-san said she might pass away any day now." I'm not lying. "Ellelaura, do you have a death wish?" The girl threatened. "I merely stated she was old." But didn't she say she might just drop dead? Anyway, if we go by Ellelaura-san's words, being old would indeed fit. I reassess the girl. ...Her ears. "An elf?" "A half-elf," the girl corrected. "I heard her actual age is close to 100. From my perspective, that's old, isn't it?" "I'm not old for a half-elf." So she's a half-elf. Still... "Even if elves have long lifespans, isn't her appearance odd?" Even Luimin has grown considerably. She's not a child like this. "There's a deep reason behind it." "A deep reason?" "There's no need to explain it in detail to someone I just met." Fair point. "...Can I leave now?" This seems like it's going to be a hassle. "No, you can't," both voices chimed in unison. "You're the girl who obtained the pressed flower, aren't you?" The girl—Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama?—looked at me then at Ellelaura-san. "Yes, that's her." The girl—Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama?—glanced around. "No proper place to talk here," she muttered softly. "Ellelaura, clear off that table. I'll prepare some tea." The girl—Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama?—looked at a table piled high with books and gave instructions to Ellelaura-san. It's impressive she can order Ellelaura-san around. Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama? walked off into another room. Ellelaura-san begrudgingly began clearing the books and other items from the table. It seemed we were going to have a discussion once the table was cleared. "I'll help too." Books and items weren't just on the table but also stacked on chairs. It's tough for one person alone. Besides, I couldn't just watch while Ellelaura-san was tidying up. "Then, pile those books in that corner over there." I gathered the books from the table and carried them over. The books included ones about plants, minerals, research, and magic, along with various artifacts. Books on plants covered effects of herbs and magical properties, among other topics. Similarly, those on minerals and possibilities of magical tools varied widely. The room had not only tables but bookshelves all around. Have they read all of these? Then there were various inscrutable magical tools. Is this a flashlight? Most light sources were lamp-like, illuminating the surroundings. This seemed designed to cast light far. "Yuna-chan, I know you're curious, but it would help if you could keep carrying things." "Sorry!" Together, Ellelaura-san and I cleared away the items around the table. Just as we were finishing up, the girl—Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama?—returned with tea. I'm troubled with what to call her. Though she looks as young as Fina, she's older. If I had seen her adult form, like Kagari-san, I might have a better sense of her age, making it easier to call her that despite her youthful appearance. But this is our first meeting. Unlike Kagari-san, she doesn’t speak quite as maturely. Mane-chan seems fitting, but being a half-elf and older than Ellelaura-san complicates it. Especially since Ellelaura-san uses an honorific for her. "Sit down, please." "But we were the ones who cleared up." "I consider it a penalty for treating me like an old woman." The girl—Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama?—set down the tea and seated herself. Ellelaura-san and I also took our seats. "So this is the girl dressed as a bear who brought us that flower?" "Yes, she's Yuna-chan, an adventurer from Crimonia." Ellelaura-san gave a brief explanation about me. "Yuna." "I'm Mane, a researcher." "A researcher…" "Mane-sama focuses her research on plants, minerals, and the natural world." "But that's not all. I delve into anything of interest. Since my father was an elf, I tend to focus on those areas. I also research magic and create magical tools." It seems her father was an elf. Which means her mother was probably a regular human. "Um, what should I call you?" In my mind, I've been debating whether to call her Mane-chan? Mane-san? Mane-sama? "Call me whatever you like." "Mane-chan." ...She glared at me. It seemed like the most natural choice, but I guess it didn't work. "Mane-sama." "I'm not your superior." "...Mane-san." "That works." Despite saying I could choose freely, she ended up deciding. It seems she wanted to be seen as older. Adding "chan" implies an older addressing a younger. "Can I just call you Yuna?" "That's fine with me." I'm used to being addressed without an honorific by younger girls like Kagari-san. Though older than me, it's not a bother. “Let’s get straight to the point.” Mane-san wore a serious expression. “Why are you dressed like that?” Ellelaura-san almost spat her tea. “Shouldn't you be asking about the flower instead?” Ellelaura-san covered her mouth with a handkerchief. “That’s important too, but one can't ignore something so intriguing right in front of them. That's what being a researcher means.” She said it with pride. It did sound like something a researcher would say. "Um, I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from questioning this outfit." Mane-san looked disappointed. Did she really want to know? “But you’re the rumored bear, aren’t you?” “Rumor?” “There’s word about a girl dressed as a bear going in and out of the castle.” Indeed, if you're seen wandering the castle dressed in a bear costume, rumors are bound to spread. Additionally, some of the castle staff have received copies of my picture book. It's not surprising that they know of me. "However, I never expected the bear costume to be so adorable," she said. So far, I've never seen anyone else wearing a costume like this in this world. "Indeed, Yuna-chan's attire isn't something you see every day," Ellelaura-san agreed. "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't press. Everyone has at least a few... maybe a hundred things they'd rather keep to themselves." The number escalated quickly. I, too, have my fair share of secrets. And if a half-elf has lived this long, it's not surprising she'd have more than me. "Mane-sama's age is one of those secrets too," Ellelaura-san remarked. "I just stopped counting partway through," Mane-san replied. "But enough about me. Tell me about that flower." In response to Mane-san's request, Ellelaura-san retrieved the pressed flower frame Shia had entrusted to me from her item bag and placed it on the table. "Let me ask you directly." She used the same words and expression as before. "Where did you get this flower?" I explained, as I'd decided before coming here, that I picked it on the moving island of Mireera. "If you want to verify it, ask the fishermen in Mireera. They would know." "A moving island? Such a place really exists?" Mane-san mused. "So, does that mean it's gone now?" She seemed disappointed. The Tarlequie moves around. From what I know, it has passed near the Land of Wa, the Slime-inhabited town, the Frozen City, and now, who knows where it might be. Even though I can use the Bear's Transfer Gate to reach it anytime, I can't pinpoint its location. "You mentioned this flower is rare. Can't it be found elsewhere?" I asked. "It's a special flower that only blooms in specific places. It's not easy to obtain," Mane-san explained. "But if it blooms in certain areas, that means it's still possible to get it, right?" "It often blooms deep within forests where monsters reside, making it difficult to acquire," Mane-san elaborated. I see. Maybe the abundance of monsters on the Tarlequie is why it blooms there, or perhaps because of the Tarlequie itself. "Additionally, the longer it's been since the flower was picked, the less effective it becomes." That's true. Comparing a freshly bloomed flower to a withered one might be as different as fresh meat versus rotten. "By the way, how is this flower used?" I asked. "There are various applications, but it's most commonly used for ink." "Ink?" The word surprised me. "Using this flower, you can create a special ink," Mane-san said. "Mane-sama, you need to explain more," Ellelaura interjected. "Ink made from this flower is difficult to replicate." "So you can use it for contracts, too," Ellelaura-san supplemented. "And it can be used in magic circles. Drawing a circle with this ink can enhance its effect." "Yuna-chan, as someone who uses magic, you'd understand that having a medium like a staff makes control easier," Mane-san said. In my case, it's the Bear Puppets. "Staves, rings, pendants with magic stones, right?" I recalled from the exchange meeting at Shia's academy where the students used such items. "So how does this relate to ink?" "People who know, know; those who don't, don't," Mane-san replied. Ellelaura-san looked around and then stood, heading to the side of the room. "Mane-sama, may I borrow this staff?" Ellelaura-san returned with a staff embedded with a red magic stone. She focused her energy on the stone, causing it to detach. "Take a look here," she said. She showed me the part of the staff where the magic stone had been. "A magic circle?" A magic circle was drawn in the spot where the stone had been removed. "This magic circle makes controlling magic easier and enhances its effects." I didn't know. I thought it was just the magic stone.