Chapter 806

Bear-san Talking to Mane-san Part 3

I finally understood why Mane-san did not physically mature.

“My mother used to do research for my sake between her own work. But since I was already an adult, I decided to do my own research in order to help myself grow. After that, I researched together with her. Still, there was a limit. I thought I could make more progress by joining the Ministry of Magic instead of researching on my own.” (Mane)

“The Ministry of Magic has a vast collection of materials. It’s a great place for research.” (Ellelaura)

“You can also access rare books and documents from other researchers. And, of course, the pay is good.” (Mane)

People couldn’t live without working.

After all, you needed to earn money to buy food unless you were entirely self-sufficient.

It was hard to conduct proper research by yourself, as research needed a lot of resources. In that sense, working inline with your expertise while earning an income made perfect sense.

Moreover, since working at the Ministry would give access to valuable materials, it really was the best place to work at.

Above all, you could gather more data and information by working at the national research institution than you ever could on your own.

“By the way, you can’t work at the Ministry of Magic unless you’re very talented.” (Ellelaura)

That made sense. To me, the name alone, Ministry of Magic, already sounded like a place full of gifted people.

Even I knew that the color-changing ink we’d discussed earlier wasn’t something just anyone could make.

“Well, I grew up watching my mother’s research from a young age. The exams were easy for me.” (Mane)

So she had a kind of gifted education, right?

“… Where is your mother now?” (Mane)

I asked, since I was a little curious.

“She already passed away.” (Mane)

“I’m sorry.” (Yuna)

“It’s fine. It’s been a long time. I’m not so young that I had to cry over it. As for my father, I don’t know if he is alive or dead. I haven’t seen him for over ten years. Well, I’m already old enough to not miss my father, and if he’s alive, I’ll meet him someday.” (Mane)

Such a simple, grounded way of thinking.

Even if she looked like a child, she really was a proper adult inside.

“Even after joining the Ministry of Magic, Mane-sama continued to improve her skills and has contributed greatly to the country. That’s why she holds a high position here.” (Ellelaura)

“I simply lived longer than most people.” (Mane)

It was still amazing.

There were some research projects that didn’t progress even after many years.

In extreme cases, some research projects took generations without ever being completed.

Keeping that in mind, it was amazing to be able to contribute in any field.

“Well, here at the Ministry of Magic, while I’m researching things that are useful to the country, I’m also researching medicine that might be able to help me grow physically.” (Mane)

I understood why Mane-san joined the Ministry of Magic.

“So, did some progress happen regarding the medicine that could help you grow?” (Yuna)

“I’m still comparing the research my mother left behind with my own findings and the work of previous researchers. I’ve made various prototypes and tested them… it’s listed over here.” (Mane)

Mane-san gestured, showing some files she held in her hand.

If she succeeded, that meant she would start to grow again.

“I don’t really mind the way you are now.” (Ellelaura)

Ellelaura-san looked at Mane-san.

“Well, I also didn’t care at first, but I can’t work properly in this child-like body. Even people younger than me treat me like a kid. I am treated like a child wherever I go. When I go shopping, they praise me for running errands.” (Mane)

It would certainly be tough.

“As for work, I think you will be fine if you continue to work at the Ministry.” (Ellelaura)

“My dream is to travel the world on foot someday and search for plants I’ve never seen or heard of before.” (Mane)

It was definitely inconvenient to do that while in the body of a child.

No matter where she went, she would be treated like a child, and there would be plenty of places she couldn’t even enter because of that.

“Also, I can’t enter the auction houses with my child-like appearance, and no matter how much I tell them I’m an adult, they won’t listen to me.” (Mane)

“I usually go with her.” (Ellelaura)

Ellelaura-san soothed her.

“There are auctions?” (Yuna)

“Yes, they’re often hosted by the Commerce Guild.” (Ellelaura)

“Sometimes they have rare items, so I participate when I can.” (Mane)

I’d like to participate too.

I saw scenes in manga where people hold up their number tags, raise their hands, or make strange finger signs to bid.

And I would like to try that at least once.

But I would definitely stand out if I went in dressed as a bear.

“Also, Ellelaura’s kids used to be smaller than me, but now they’re taller, and I hate it.” (Mane)

“Do you know Shia and Noa?” (Yuna)

“I’ve only seen Noire, the younger one, when she was little. I see Shia at school.” (Mane)

“Mane-sama sometimes teaches at school.” (Ellelaura)

“It’s part of my job.” (Mane)

So Shia already knew that Mane-san looked small, right?

“But all the students are taller than me and treat me like a kid, so I started deducting points from those who do.” (Mane)

“That’s tyrannical.” (Yuna)

“It’s the students’ fault for treating me like a child.” (Mane)

Was that why Shia was calling Mane-san old?

“So if you get the materials deep in that forest, will that finally help you grow?” (Yuna)

Mane-san shook her head.

“I don’t know. All I can say is that it has the effect of accelerating growth.” (Mane)

“I see.” (Yuna)

“Research is about checking each possibility one by one and proceeding steadily. We research because we don’t know the answer. If we already knew the answer, there was no point in researching, right? We might not complete our work in our own lifetime, but someone else will continue it. Just look around at the books in this room…. They contain countless unfinished research and studies. Researchers usually build upon them and make something better.” (Mane)

In a way, there was no end to researching.

Even if there was a goal, there was still another road beyond the goal.

Even if one succeeded, it was not the final destination.

There was always a way to make something even better.

There were various types of recovery potions, from low grade to the highest grade. The ultimate goal may even be the elixir of immortality.

“Anyway, I can’t start research until I get that material first.” (Mane)

Such optimism.

For now, it was important for her to take even one step forward.

“So, will you be my bodyguard?” (Mane)

After hearing this much, I couldn’t refuse.

Besides, no one would understand the struggle of living with a strange appearance better than I could.

“Yes, I’ll take the job.” (Yuna)

“Thanks. But I’ll still have Sanya check things about you first.” (Mane)

That couldn’t be helped.

After all, someone wouldn’t just entrust their life to a girl in a bear suit right away.

“So I’d like to leave soon. What are your plans for tomorrow?” (Mane)

“Nothing in particular.” (Mane)

I didn’t have any plans.

If I had to say, I just planned to laze around and relax.

I never thought I’d end up working just a few days after fighting the Ice Dragons.

“Well, let’s leave tomorrow. Is that okay?” (Mane)

“It’s fine.” (Yuna)

“Let’s meet at the Adventurer’s Guild, then.” (Mane)

After confirming the meeting place and time, we started talking about transportation.

“As for transportation, we’ll ride Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, so we don’t need horses or carriages.” (Yuna)

“Are they okay with this?” (Mane)

Mane-san turned her attention to Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, who were quiet.

Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear looked at us proudly as if to say, “Leave it to us.”

“They’re faster than horses and can sense nearby monsters, so we’ll be safe.” (Yuna)

“They’re amazing bears.” (Mane)

When Mane-san praised them, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear cried happily.

Our plans for tomorrow were decided.

“Well, I have to get back to work soon. What about you, Yuna-chan? Going to see Flora-sama?” (Ellelaura)

What should I do?

I wanted to hear about Mane-san’s research and see what magic tools she was developing.

I looked at Mane-san and saw her mutter, “Well, what I have to do today,” “That’ll be fine for a while,” “I need to check this report,” “I need to get someone to take care of the plants,” and “I also need to write a vacation notice.”

It didn’t look like I would be able to casually ask her about magic tools or research. She was clearly busy.

“I’ll go see Flora-sama.” (Yuna)

I wanted to see Flora-sama too.

“Then let’s go together.” (Ellelaura)

Earlier, she said she was going back to work.

However, if I asked her if this was alright, I was sure she would say that it was also part of her job.

Besides, I didn’t know how to get to Flora-sama’s place from here in the Ministry of Magic, so I kept quiet.

After returning Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, I said goodbye to Mane-san, who was about to start work. Ellelaura-san and I got into the elevator we came in on, went back to the first floor, and then returned the access card at the reception desk.

“Yuna-chan, thank you for taking on the role of escorting Mane-sama.” (Ellelaura)

“Well, I was bored anyway, so it’s not a problem.” (Mane)

The truth was, I just wanted to relax for a while.

But after hearing that story, I couldn’t refuse.

I could understand how hard it must be to look like her.

So I accepted this task.

Well, I could just rest after I was done.

We got into the carriage we came in on and traveled through the castle.

The carriage drove along a well-paved road.

It was my first time seeing this part of the castle. The Ministry of Magic stood tall and impressive.

By the way, on the opposite side to the Ministry of Magic, there was a place where knights and soldiers practiced.

“Has she been working at the Ministry of Magic for a long time?” (Yuna)

“I don’t know the details, but she was already working there when I was a student. I even got scolded for treating her like a child.” (Ellelaura)

Really?

“She took care of me when I was a student, and she’s been taking care of me since I started working at the castle.” (Ellelaura)

And now that Ellelaura was married to Cliff, Mane-san also became acquainted with Noa and Shia.

I wonder if that was why Ellelaura was so polite to Mane-san.

I would like to ask Mane-san about Ellelaura-san’s school days next time.

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