Having escaped from Alice, we quickly got down to business.

"Actually, I talked to the Alchemy Society about that research, but they said no one could understand it. But from now on, they will periodically pay for our research.
"...Seriously?　You're going to get research funding!
'Yeah. I mean, it's funny that I haven't left before. So the president wants to fill out the paperwork, so he wants you to come over after school today. Are you free?
'Yeah yeah I'd love to study the proto, but it's unavoidable. Money is important to me.
Okay, I'll see you after school. I'll come with you.
What?　I could be on my own, right?
Huh you're underage. You have a guardian or a master witness.
Okay. I understand.
Okay, well, good luck with that.


　And I headed to my lab.

　Research money. After all, money is important for everything. The projects I want to do also cost money in some way. No matter how much money I'm making, it's always good to have more.


　And so after school came. Me and Fee are walking side by side. The Alchemy Society in this country is central to the world, and it's pretty big. The Canovarian Alchemy Society is so well known that everyone knows about it. And such an association is just a ten-minute walk from the Institute. Both are located in the center of the country, well, that's only natural. And it's more convenient that way.


''Speaking of which, how is Noah-san doing?''
'Oh, Uncle?　Yeah, I think she's fine. Elle's coming today and she's looking forward to it.
'Right. That's what I'm looking forward to.

　Noah Medis. He is Fee's uncle and Rita's father. He was the second son, so he didn't take over the family, but he has been the president of the Alchemy Society for several decades now. He's also such an outstanding figure that he was considered the closest thing to me before I became a Hekisei-class "Bluestella".

　And I'm something of a friend to him, but Noah is a rare person who knows what he's talking about. Anyone who hears about my crop project raises an eyebrow. This is especially true of the nobility. But Noah was receptive to my project from the start. According to him, "Whatever the purpose, we can't afford not to respect the contributors to the development of alchemy". I've been indebted to him since the first time we met, and Noah-san must have helped me with this research funding. I'm really grateful.


'We're here.'
Yeah. Okay, let's go to the top floor.

　We took the elevator to the top floor. We'd have to go through the formalities at the reception desk, but Fee and I had a face pass. The lady at the reception desk smiled at us and went through with it.


　We heard a ding, and we arrived at the top floor. And after a short walk, we find the Chairman's room.

　With a bang, Fee knocks.

'Uncle, it's Fee. I've brought Elle here.
'Oh!　Come in.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.

　Me and Fee bow our heads and then enter the room. It's a simple room. A bookcase and a bunch of papers. Just a desk and a chair. Mr. Noah has been working here for a long time. Also, he wears glasses and looks very smart, even at a glance. He's the chairman of the board, so it's only natural that he's a talented person.


　I greeted Noah right away.


It's a good thing that you're not the only one.　It's been a while.
This is Elle. It's been a while. How's the research going?
That's actually...
'We'll get to that later, but right now you have important things to do!
'Haha, Fee is as serious as ever,'

　I smile at that and Noah produces the papers.

'You'll have to sign this. I'm sorry, I'm late on the research funding.
''No. As a blue star class 《Bluesteller》 from a farm family, there must be a lot of things going on among the nobility and the association. I understand.
It really helps to hear that.
Yes, I'm done writing.
... yeah. That's all right. So starting next month, we'll start paying for your research every month.
Nice to meet you.

　I bowed my head, and Noah's eyes became more serious than before.

'So Fee told me you have a new paper?'
'Yes!　Listen to me, Uncle!　Elle is awesome!

　Fee says, looking quite excited. I then hold out a thick bundle of paper from the bag I'm holding.

''Here........''
Ho. The evolution of full-fledged artificial intelligence.
Yes, sir.
Let's have a look.

　Mr. Noah skimmed through my paper briefly. It doesn't take that long, though. The process of research is just enormous, and there's a summary at the end. If you only look through it, you'll get the gist of it.

"Proto is the carrot, right?
Yes, sir.
He walked upright.
Yes, I'm sure. There's no doubt about it. I'm walking briskly in my workshop today.
"Here ... this description of the spontaneous occurrence of a free-standing bipedal technique ...
'Right now, we're still in the possibility stage. If we look into it a little more closely, we might be able to manipulate that process here as well.
So you're saying that you can modify the homunculus after birth?
Theoretically, it's possible.
Hmm. Interesting. And this achievement so soon after you created the homunculus. You truly amaze me.
'I'm afraid. Mr. Noah.
"But I'm always sorry but...
'I can't publish it yet. Isn't that right?
Yeah. There's been a lot of activity among the mystics lately. I'm sure Fee has told you about it.
Yes, sir.


　I tell him lightly what I've heard from Fee, and Noah adds more information.


'Fee. You left right after that, didn't you?
'Yeah, I know, but ... what is it again?'
Looks like it's the mystics. They're trying to turn Elle into a full-fledged guru.

"Yeah yeah....


　Me and Fee's voices hummed. The thought of us being a real pain in the ass came together.

'Didn't we lose the first Mystics last year?　And now the second prince is putting it all together.
'Oscar Canovaria, I believe, right?　Today, Princess Alice said the same thing.
Hmm. Apparently, Prince Oscar is quite determined to do whatever it takes to make you a guru. I hear he's willing to do anything to make you a guru.
'Huh ... but I'm not a mystic or a theorist. I'm a farmer.
'It's good that they're that good at listening, but they'll probably be approaching Elle-kun in the near future. I want you to be careful.
Yes.

　I nodded casually and Fee next to me turned a little blue.

'Well, uncle are you telling me that you'll do anything you want?'
No, it's just a rumor. But you can't smoke where there's no fire, right?
"...I see. Elle, what would you do if your crops were all messed up?
What?　Of course I'm angry,
"...what if the homunculus is kidnapped or destroyed?
...What?

　The thought stops. Proto and the first ones will be destroyed?　Does that mean I'm going to die?　My own children, the ones I raised, the ones I cared about?　I won't allow it I might lose myself if that happens.

'Well I'm definitely going to lose my temper. I might skip one of your arms.
Of course. Look, Uncle, it's not good!　If you take Elle seriously, the mystics are really going to be a bloodbath!　Quickly take action!
...let Fee do his thing.
'Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!　You think I can stop Elle?　I can't!　Elle, you're super strong in real life!
'But as it stands, you are the only alchemist after Elle-kun. I've already declined, too. Well, you'll have to take proper security measures.
'Huh... well, I guess it's safe to say that our apartment is tightly secured...'


　Then we chatted about things and I went back to my house with Fee. On the way home, we stopped at the supermarket together. We stopped at the grocery store on the way home, because we were going to have dinner at Fee's room today. It's a rare day, a hot pot. Winter has long since ended, but since we're going to eat together, we decided to make an unseasonal nabe.


　Then we went to Fee's room and then we both made the pot and started eating it. Then, to my surprise, Fee spoke up.


'Did you see the paper today, Elle?'
No, I don't know anything about the basic news stuff.
What I heard is that the third maze has been invaded.
Wow. I didn't know anyone had ever been in a maze.
Yeah. It's amazing.
Apparently the labyrinth is a really nonsensical construct.


　The third labyrinth that Fee is talking about is one of the world's seven labyrinths in this world. It is a vastly sprawling underground facility. A large number of demons roam there, and for some reason, they never leave the labyrinth. And it is said that this labyrinth is a lost technology. It has existed for a long time, but the technology of that time is not feasible, and the method of creating the labyrinth is a mystery, and it is believed to have been lost in the past. That is lost technology. Some theories say it is a type of alchemy, but that too is a mystery. However, capturing the third labyrinth means that you have reached the lowest level of the labyrinth.


''So, what happened in the lowest level of the labyrinth?
Well ... so far. But I'm sure something happened. Well, I don't think they're going to make that public.
Yeah, I see. So, what did you capture?
Rafe Allan. He's a very famous adventurer.
Oh well that's a no brainer.


　Rafe Allan. That is the most famous of all adventurers. There are people called adventurers in this world, but they are self-proclaimed and do not belong to any organization. They are not registered with an association like alchemists, nor are they registered with an association like alchemists, but simply put, they are just like a hobby. It's quite difficult to make a living, and it's unlikely that any of them will become adventurers. Probably not even half of the alchemists. Occasionally, some alchemists do things like adventurers, but basically they make a living out of alchemy. That's how harsh and unrewarding an adventurer is, and it is not stable.


　Among them, there is one who is an adventurer and tries to conquer the world's labyrinths. That was Leif Allan. Even I, who am dull to the world's information, knew that name.

　I'm sure he must have gotten rich off of his labyrinthine feats.


'Well, it's none of our business.
'Oh. Right.


　I flipped through the pot as it was and went straight back to my room.