806 Bear and Mane talk part 3 - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

I understood why Mane hasn't grown. "My mother worked on my growth research in between her own studies. But I felt I should handle my growth as an adult, so I began my own research on it. After that, I joined my mother in her studies. Yet, there were limits. I realized working at the Ministry of Magic, rather than researching individually, would advance my studies." "The Ministry of Magic is a treasure trove of resources. It's the perfect place for research." "Yes, I have access to valuable materials and research documents. Plus, the salary is excellent." One must work to survive—earn money to buy food or live self-sufficiently. Conducting research while being self-sufficient is challenging. It’s better to earn through your expertise, especially if you can access valuable resources; working at the Ministry of Magic might be the best choice. "By the way, you need to be quite skilled to get into the Ministry of Magic." Indeed, the Ministry of Magic gives off an impression of a gathering of talented individuals. Even creating color-changing ink isn’t a simple task, as even I can understand. "Well, since I grew up watching my mother’s research from a young age, the entrance exam was easy." A kind of elite education, I guess. "…What about your mother?" I asked, slightly curious. "She’s passed away." "I'm sorry." "It's fine. It’s long ago. I’m not at the age to cry over such memories. As for my father, I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. It’s been over ten years since I last saw him. Frankly, I don’t miss him. If he’s alive, I might encounter him someday." A detached perspective. Though she looks like a child, her thinking is mature. "Since joining the Ministry of Magic, you've honed your skills and contributed to the country, holding a high position there." "I’ve just been living longer than others." Even so, that's quite impressive. Some research never progresses despite the years. It can span generations. Contributing to any field is remarkable. "While at the Ministry, I research things useful to the kingdom as well as a potion for my growth." I now understood why Mane joined the Ministry of Magic. "So, is your growth research progressing?" "I'm cross-referencing my mother's remaining work with my findings and past researchers’ documents, experimenting on prototypes… but as you can see." Mane gestures towards herself. If successful, she would have grown. "I think you're fine as you are now." Ellelaura looks at Mane. "Back then, I didn’t mind, but being in a child’s body means I can't work, and I’m treated as a child by those younger than me. Everyplace treats me like a kid. When shopping, they mistake it for an errand and praise me." That sounds tough. "For work, staying at the Ministry of Magic is fine." "But my dream is to travel the world on my own, seeking plants I’ve never seen or heard of." That must be inconvenient in a child’s form. One would always be treated like a child, and some places simply aren’t accessible to children. "I can't enter auction venues looking like a child, and no one listens when I say I'm an adult." "I accompanied you, didn't I?" Ellelaura consoles her. "Auction, you say?" "Yes, it's often hosted by the commercial guild." "Rare items occasionally appear, so I participate." I’d love to join an auction. In manga, people raise number tags or make hand signals. I want to try it once. But dressing up as a bear would make me stand out. "And Ellelaura's children, who were smaller than me, are now bigger. It's annoying." "Do you know Shia and Noa?" "I met the youngest, Noire, when she was little, and Shia at the academy." "Mane teaches at the academy occasionally." "Part of my job." So Shia knew about Mane’s small appearance. "And now they’re all bigger than me, treating me like a child, so I started deducting marks when students do that." "That's unfair." "The students who treat me like a child are at fault." Maybe that’s why Shia referred to Mane as an old lady. "So, with materials from the deep forest, can you grow?" Mane shakes her head. "I can't say for sure. It might stimulate growth." "I see." "Research is about checking possibilities, advancing step by step. We research because the answer isn't known. If the answer were clear, no one would research. I might not achieve what I desire in my lifetime, but someone will follow my path. The books in this room are filled with incomplete studies and results. I continue and enhance them.” Research has no definitive end. Even if there’s a goal, the path continues. Success doesn’t mean it’s the final destination. In any successful research, there’s room for improvement. Just as healing potions range from low to supreme levels, and the ultimate goal might be an elixir of immortality. "Nonetheless, I need to obtain it to start." A positive mindset. It’s essential to take steps forward. "Will you be my guard?" After hearing this, denying is impossible. Plus, I understand the struggles of being judged by one's appearance better than anyone. "Yes, I’ll do it." "Thank you. But I’ll need Sanya to verify you." That’s understandable. Trusting one's life to a girl dressed as a bear isn’t easy. "When do you want to leave?" "I'd prefer soon. How about your schedule?" "I don’t have anything planned." Nothing planned—except for lounging around. I didn’t expect to take on work shortly after the ice dragon battle, though. "Then let's depart tomorrow, if that's alright?" "That's fine." "Shall we meet at the Adventurer's Guild?" After confirming the meeting spot and time, we discussed transportation. "I’ll travel on Kumayuru and Kumakyu, so there's no need for horses or a carriage." "On them?" Mane glanced at the quietly waiting Kumayuru and Kumakyu, who seemed to reassure us with their gaze. "They're faster than horses and alert us to nearby monsters, ensuring safe travel." "They're amazing bears." When Mane praised them, Kumayuru and Kumakyu let out happy growls. The plans for tomorrow were set. "Well, I should be heading to work shortly. Yuna, would you like to meet with Lady Flora?" What should I do? I wanted to hear more about Mane's research and see the magical tools she was working on. However, as I looked at Mane, she was muttering things like, "I need to finish this today," "That's fine for now," "I should check that report," "I need to ask someone to take care of the plants," and "I have to submit a leave request." It seemed unlikely that she had time to casually discuss magical tools or research with me. "I'll go meet Lady Flora." I wanted to see her too. "Then let's go together." But didn't she just say she was going to work? I had a feeling she might say accompanying me was part of her work. Besides, I had no idea how to get from the Ministry of Magic to Lady Flora's place on my own, so I stayed quiet. I sent Kumayuru and Kumakyu back, parted ways with Mane as she began her work, and followed Ellelaura down the elevator to the first floor. We returned our cards at the reception. "Thank you, Yuna, for agreeing to protect Lady Mane." "Well, I wasn't busy, so it's no problem." Truthfully, I had hoped to relax for a while. But after hearing that story, I couldn't refuse. I understood the struggle of being judged by appearances. So I accepted. I can rest after the mission is over. We boarded the carriage we had arrived in and traveled through the castle grounds. The road was properly paved. I hadn't been to this side where the Ministry of Magic was located, so it felt fresh. Incidentally, on the opposite side of the Ministry is the area where knights and soldiers train. "Has Mane been with the Ministry of Magic for a long time?" "I'm not certain of all the details, but she’s been there since I was a student. I got reprimanded for treating her like a child." I see. "She helped me during my student days, and even now that I work at the castle, I've received her support." After marrying Cliff, she had known Noa and Shia since they were young. Perhaps that's why she treats Mane with such respect. I’d love to hear Mane’s stories about Ellelaura’s student days sometime.