Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch60

Chapter 60

To think she could climb that fast—there was no need to have offered his tail in the first place.

The manul cat narrowed its eyes briefly, then flicked its tail upward, depositing the rabbit onto the roof.

—We've arrived, so let go now.

It's too short! Opportunities like this don't come often— Ah! I-I'll fall, I'll fall!

Still clinging to his tail, the rabbit was unceremoniously shaken off.

Sitting beside the skylight on the clinic roof, the rabbit and the manul cat quietly faced each other.

—Let's start by confirming the letter's contents. A child your age is treating patients with magic that turns back time?

As Ber nodded at Pallas's question, her long ears swayed.

Not slowing time, but reversing it? And on someone else's time at that? Truly a magic from imagination.

Pallas was also an authority on time magic—slowing the body's time to prevent aging and extend lifespan. Thanks to that, his lifespan had increased about fivefold, and his appearance had stopped aging in early adulthood.

The reason he was called a great mage lay in this very time magic.

But such advanced time magic could only be applied to the caster themselves. Magic that could freely manipulate another's time—not only unreported in academic circles, but unknown even to the great sage himself.

Perhaps it was a secret family art passed down in strict confidence.

—Ber, I know you're not one to joke about this—explain.

......

—How did you find such a mage?

Pallas's yellow eyes seemed to pierce through her mind.

But she'd anticipated this question.

I'm not sure myself. I happened to see a child treating someone on the street, and I saw a glow from her hands. And I instinctively knew—she was using magic.

It was a lie. In truth, she'd seen nothing. But it should be convincing.

A rabbit harboring Eostre's power—it wouldn't be strange if she saw something even Pallas couldn't.

—Hm. Well, an explanation wasn't necessary. I'll know once I see it.

With that, Pallas peered through the skylight.

After closely observing Einja, he nodded.

—Indeed. I couldn't see the glow in her hands, but it's certainly magic.

At Pallas's words, the rabbit's paw brushed over her small, puffed chest. Her relief was brief—she got to the point.

I want to help her.

—What?

That girl has power similar to mine. Someone might try to exploit her. The reason you and the Count told me to hide my spring's power is precisely because of that—someone might covet my ability and harm me.

——Yes, that's possible.

He agreed readily, then firmly added:

—But it's beyond your capacity. You're already struggling just to protect yourself.

I know. So help me.

The manul cat looked at the rabbit as if to say what sophistry. But her eyes held no wavering.

I've been able to survive this long because of the Count, the Countess, you, and my brothers. If I'd been alone, I'd surely have died by now.

As if stating the obvious, Ber's voice was simply bright.

I know it's dangerous. That's why if you and the Count help me, I'd feel so much stronger.

The rabbit's small paw gently pressed against the manul cat's paw.

I want to protect her too.

Her gaze turned toward the skylight. Below, in the clinic, the brown-haired girl was talking with an elderly man. As he stroked her head with pride, she smiled—like dazzling sunlight.

She, too, has a precious family—just like me.

Pallas didn't answer.

He simply gazed down at the skylight, then turned his head away.

And so the Arctic hare and the manul cat descended from the roof, hid in the bushes, and humanized behind a tree.

Adjusting her clothes and pulling down her hat, Ber glanced back at the clinic.

She'd checked the side, back, and even the roof—but there was no trace of Kaien's mark anywhere.

Which means, after all...

Had she truly cured Kaien's lung disease?

Then the original kidnapping plot involving Einja would also be averted. That was fortunate, but—

If Einja didn't treat him, then surely...

Could Kaien become obsessed with me instead?

That was something she really, really wanted to avoid. Just reading about that obsessive fixation was terrifying—if she became its target...

"Hoo."

Shivering with goosebumps, Ber trembled. Pallas, following behind, spoke.

"Third one. I'll relay today's events to Theodor myself."

"Re-really?"

Ber's eyes widened as she leaned toward Pallas—he frowned.

"I said I'd only talk to him, that's all. You know better than anyone how overprotective he is of you."

"Well, yes."

I know—that's why I sent the letter to push him.

"Anyway, thank you, Lady Pallas. Have a safe trip back!"

Ber bowed her head with a brief thanks and farewell—Pallas's eyes narrowed.

"Third one. You don't know how to treat an honored guest. It's been a while since I've visited the capital—shouldn't you at least offer a meal?"

"Ah... I thought you were busy. Th-then, I'll guide you!"

Under Pallas's sharp gaze, Ber quickly took the lead.

Walking ahead, she suddenly asked:

"You're paying, right?"

At her bold remark, Pallas chuckled and said:

"If the food's good, I'll consider it."

"Oh, a promise!"

As Ber laughed and answered confidently, Pallas watched her back and thought:

She seems to have fully adapted to Academy life—despite Theodor's worries.

Don't worry, Theodor.

Your daughter is already grown.

---

After a delicious lunch with Pallas and wandering the capital streets, Ber returned to the Academy at dusk.

There was a rule that Academy students must wear their uniforms when going out for safety—so she'd changed midway.

I need to hurry back and write a letter to the Count.

With that in mind, Ber headed to the dormitory.

The quickest route from the main gate to the dorms was across the garden. The setting sun painted the fallen leaves a deeper crimson.

Admiring the garden, she hurried along—then suddenly stopped.

"Hah..."

What was this? She couldn't breathe.

Her chest felt blocked—she couldn't catch her breath, and a splitting headache began. Ber sat down.

Clutching her chest with one hand and pressing her temple with the other, she closed her eyes—and soon felt a fever rising.

Her body began to glow white—and she animalized. Crawling out from her clothes, she groaned.

Why is this happening all of a sudden?

Could it be spring's power? She thought she'd been controlling it well through training.

At any rate, I need to hide!

Ber dragged her clothes with her teeth and hid them under a tree near the garden. After hiding them, she had no strength to crawl. Finally, she pulled her shoes close with her front paws and rolled under the tree.

Panting beneath the bushes, she finally looked around.

She saw a student approaching in the distance, but they walked past without noticing her hiding spot. They must not have seen the animalization light.

Her relief was brief—she began rolling again in reaction to the power. It was nearly winter, so the grass between her fur felt dry and sharp.

With each roll, her vision spun and her skin hurt—but she endured, searching.

I need to find something—someone to heal.

She had to find an injured person.

Closing her eyes and focusing, she felt a familiar impulse. Spring's power was clamoring to get out.

If she kept rolling this way, surely...

She strained her last strength and rolled—and then—

Tak. Something blocked her path.

Cautiously opening her eyes, someone stood in the red sunset light.

An Imperial Academy uniform—gray jacket and gray trousers. Gray eyes that matched the uniform perfectly. Black hair. Sharp features and a chiseled jawline. A coldly handsome face.

Exactly matching the description from the novel.

Looking down at her was Kaien Noirel—the sub-male lead of What Was Tamed.

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