804 Bear, Talks to Mane Part 1 - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

**Chapter 804: The Bear Talks with Mane-san, Part 1** I never imagined there'd be a magic circle drawn on the back of a magic stone for a staff. "So, are there magic circles on rings and bracelets too?" "Yes, there are." So the magic stone wasn't just the medium. "In some cases, a magic circle might be drawn directly on the magic stone, but that requires special ink." It makes sense that special ink would be necessary for drawing on a magic stone. You can't just draw on glass with a pencil, after all, or use something like a water-based pen. Even if you could, it might be too thin or smudge. I remember hearing somewhere that you can write on a real diamond with a permanent marker, but not on a fake one. Considering this, different inks might be necessary depending on where the magic circle is drawn. "So, the magic circle assists with the flow of magic and such?" "Typically, magic circles are drawn to control magic. There are also ones that increase activation speed and the power of the magic." Mane-san explains. "People skilled at controlling magic sometimes use staves that increase magic speed or power." Indeed, just like in games, there are weapons that boost offensive power or dexterity. It's understandable—to compensate for weaknesses or to enhance one's strengths. "And the magic stones?" "They're not much different from magic circles. They can enhance the effects of a magic circle, make it easier to gather magic power, or reduce the amount of magic required to activate something." Reducing the amount of magic needed for activation. This might relate to the usability of magic tools. Even those unable to use magic can use magic tools. Perhaps magic stones enable those with little magic to handle such tools. "Could your gloves be acting as a staff?" Ellelaura-san glances at the bear puppets. "To some extent." I haven't checked, but it's possible magic circles are stitched inside with thread or something. "But there are no magic stones, right?" Ellelaura-san squeezes the bear puppet. "It's soft." "You could also make them with thread imbued with magic. However, usually, people don't bother with such a complicated process." Indeed, as Mane-san says, turning good magic stones into thread for gloves is a considerable effort. Not to mention what the deity was thinking by making them bear-shaped—it's beyond my understanding. I'm sure it's just the deity's whim. "I'd love to examine it." Mane-san stares intently at the bear puppet. "I won't show you." For one, the bear puppet is non-transferable, so I can let others see it while holding it, but no one else can hold it. Mane-san looks a bit disappointed. "So, about this magic blue flower. What effect does it have?" I ask as I turn my gaze to the pressed flower, trying to change the subject from the bear puppet. "When you use ink made from this magic blue flower to draw magic circles, it enhances the activation speed, magic power, and control more than any conventional ink." Mane-san explains. "Does it make such a difference?" "Not double or triple, but experiments have proven its effects. Everyone wants to improve their magic speed, power, and control, even a little. When fatigue sets in, concentration drops, and magic control, power, and speed decrease. Anything that can somewhat compensate for that, even a small difference, is significant." In battle, a slight edge in speed or power can decide victory or defeat. In games, too, I've lost because the opponent was a little faster or because my health was left at a sliver. I’ve often wished I’d been just a bit faster or my attack a bit stronger. Though, admittedly, winning by a hair feels fantastic. "These effects apply to magic tools as well, which is why it's a sought-after material for researchers." There are quite a few applications for it. Based on what I've heard so far, I understand why she’d want it. I also get why there was no urgency; they never said I had to come immediately. "When you came to this room, you used a certain means of transport, right? It could be faster and carry more weight with this. That moving island is quite something." Mane-san seems lost in thought. "The earliest you’ll see it again would be several years from now." "We'll have to rely on fishermen to notify the Adventurers' Guild upon discovery." Ellelaura-san remarks with a tinge of disappointment. "But there's a problem. That moving island has such strong currents, boats can't get close." "So, how did you get to the island, Yuna-chan?" "Well..." I pause, considering how to answer. Well, both Noa and Shia know about it. "I rode on Kumayuru and Kumakyu." "What are Kumayuru and Kumakyu?" "Kumayuru-chan and Kumakyu-chan are Yuna-chan's summoned bear creatures." Ellelaura-san explains on my behalf. "A summoned bear creature... I'd love to see them." I glance around. Books, plants, ores, and what appear to be magic tools are scattered about. "This room's a bit cramped for summoning." While I could summon their cub versions, that wouldn't adequately explain how I got to the island. "I'll make space." At Mane-san's word, we start tidying up the room, and the three of us create enough space to summon Kumayuru and Kumakyu. I summon them. "Kumayuru-chan, Kumakyu-chan, it's been a while." "Kuuu~n." Ellelaura-san hugs Kumayuru and Kumakyu. "They're real bears..." Mane-san looks at Kumayuru and Kumakyu with a curious expression. "By riding Kumayuru and Kumakyu, I managed to brave the strong currents and reach the island." There's no need to mention that they can swim or run on water. "You in a bear outfit with summoned bears... You must like bears." This question always stumps me. I don't hate them, and thanks to Kumayuru and Kumakyu, I do like bears. However, it's not because I'm a bear enthusiast that I wear this outfit. "Well, if there's a magician, can't they handle something like whirlpools?" Maybe. If they can temporarily suppress the whirlpool's flow, it's possible to land. Once it starts moving though, who knows what'll happen. "But a moving island... Such an island exists. If it moves around the world, there might be plants no one has ever seen. It's quite intriguing." Her young face takes on the demeanor of a researcher. "Let's think about that later." Using the bear's teleportation gate to reach the island leaves me with a small pang of guilt. But since the flower isn't life-threatening, it should be acquired on their own. Also, there's the issue of the moving island being Targui—but it isn't my island, and it won't reappear for a few years, so it's best to deal with that later. "So, Ellelaura, what about that matter?" That matter? "As expected, moving knights and court magicians for personal reasons is challenging." Ellelaura-san seems to understand what "that matter" refers to as she responds. "It seems we'll have to rely on adventurers again this time," Mane-san sighs. Seeing Mane-san's disappointment, Ellelaura-san and I exchange a glance. Ellelaura-san suddenly appears to have an idea. "How about hiring Yuna-chan for the task? She's a capable adventurer and could certainly safeguard you, Mane-sama." "Is she really capable?" Mane-san looks surprised by Ellelaura-san's suggestion, and I'm just as taken aback. "Despite her cute bear attire, Yuna-chan is indeed a skilled adventurer." Mane-san scrutinizes me, appearing doubtful of Ellelaura-san's confidence. "You do have those mysterious bear summons, after all." "Yuna-chan is also strong herself. She even defeated Lord Lutom." "Lord Lutom!?" Mane-san looks even more shocked at Ellelaura-san's assertion. But wait—who exactly is Lord Lutom? The name sounds vaguely familiar. "Wasn't he the one who lost a duel to a young girl student and was forced to resign as knight captain?" "That student was Yuna-chan." "Is that really true?" Mane-san's expression of astonishment turns to me. "Uh, who is Lord Lutom again?" "The knight captain you dueled during the school festival." "Oh..." It clicks. "He tried to have Shia marry his son, didn't he?" "Yes, that man is Lord Lutom." I remember now. During the school festival, I had a match against two knights. I met one of them again during a practice bout between Shia and Mariks at the castle. The other was a noble who held the position of knight captain. I seem to recall the noble man's name was something like Lutom. "So it was true?" "Well, yes, to an extent." Having remembered, there was no mistake. "It wasn’t a joke, then. When I heard that an arrogant brat lost to a student and was forced to resign, it seemed improbable. Especially since finding that female student proved impossible, I assumed it was just a rumor." For Mane-san, he might have been younger. Still, calling that man a brat... "The king issued a gag order, and since Yuna-chan wasn't actually a student, no one could track her down." "With an outfit like that, it would be hard to keep a low profile." "At the time of the match, she wore the academy uniform, so it probably didn’t occur to anyone to connect the two." Indeed, it wouldn't cross anyone's mind that the girl from the duel was me. Only those close to me, like Shia, would know.