Translator: Nox

Chapter 5

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‘Bunny’s test score: zero points.’

Since the very first lesson she’d attended yesterday happened to be on the day of the exam, Bunny returned today—the second day of classes—clutching the rain-soaked test paper, her face downcast as she plopped onto the bed.

Unfortunately, Bunny, who didn’t know human language, was completely illiterate, so there was no way she could have scored any points.

‘Luri… only taught Bunny listening…….’

Regrettably, there was no listening test. Even if there had been, she wouldn’t have been able to understand the questions when read aloud.

In truth, it was only natural. There was no place in the world that gave listening tests in one’s native language.

Dictation: zero points.

Reading and speaking: zero points.

Problems: zero points.

‘Zero-point Bunny…….’

With a flop, Bunny buried her face in the pillow and sprawled out, hugging Toto tightly to her chest.

“Big trouble.”

If Bunny didn’t get good scores, it would be hard to save her super strong dad.

“What to do, Toto.”

Bunny buried her face in the belly of Toto, whom she clutched tightly in her small arms, and let out a deep sigh, heave-ho.

Knock knock.

At the sudden sound of knocking from outside, Bunny sprang up with a flap of her arms.

She scampered over dododo, set Toto down to one side, and hopped up to grab the door handle. The heavy door creaked open under the weight of Bunny dangling from it.

“Miss?”

The visitor was Jessie.

“Yesss—!”

Bunny popped out from behind the door with a big smile. Jessie hesitated for a moment, then subtly raised her hand to rub the corner of her mouth before speaking.

“Is there anything uncomfortable? If you have trouble washing up or changing clothes, feel free to call for me. Did you sleep well last night?”

In truth, Bunny was so young, and children new to the mansion usually struggled to adjust for a while and kept calling for someone, but Bunny hadn’t called for Jessie even once so far.

Maybe she didn’t know how to call, or perhaps she was too shy. Worried, Jessie finally asked outright.

Hmph.

With a sniff at Jessie’s words, Bunny straightened her back proudly and puffed out her chest.

“Bunny does great all by herself. Scrub-a-scrub, puff-puff breaths, splash-splash for ten minutes, and even perfect soapy head rub-rub-rub-rub!”

Genius, she’s a genius!

Even though she didn’t know human writing and got zero on the test, Bunny was a commendable child who wasn’t a bother.

Bunny shrugged her shoulders.

“I… see.”

Jessie nodded with a slightly perplexed expression.

‘Maybe she’s so mature because she’s from the orphanage…….’

It wasn’t good to grow up too fast. Feeling a pang in her heart, Jessie bit her lip and clamped her mouth shut.

“Yup! Bunny’s not a bother at all, super commendable and easy!”

As Bunny beamed and stuck out her thumb, Jessie’s expression darkened just a touch.

Regardless, Bunny, whose confidence had plummeted from the zero-point test paper, recovered it in an instant thanks to Jessie and shrugged her shoulders with a bounce.

Luriel had said it.

Bunny is a genius!

“You have to become a child who’s never a bother from now on, little one. A child who commendably does everything on her own. Luriel has to go on a very tough mission soon, so you’ll have to do a lot by yourself from now on.”

“Bunny genius! Rub-rub-rub, puff-puff, scrub-a-scrub all perfect score!”

“Kyaa, how can you be so cute. Of course. Our little one is a genius.”

“Hmph! Bunny’s a genius~!”

“Of course. In comparison, dirty and sneaky human adults want cute, unbothersome, commendable kids just like our little one. Keep that secret notebook safe, okay? If you get stuck on anything, always open the notebook.”

“Yesss! Tucked tight in Toto’s tummy pocket!”

“As expected of our little one, the best! Don’t show the notebook to anyone.”

“Got it! Won’t show anyone!”

Jessie looked down at Bunny, who giggled at the fond memory of Luriel that had resurfaced after so long, a hint of unease flickering across her face.

“But Jessie, you came to see Bunny?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Jessie remember her errand, pausing before she spoke.

“It’s nothing else, but since this is the last time young ladies enter the mansion this year, the date has already been set for today.”

“Date?”

“Yes. The summoning ceremony date I mentioned before.”

Rumble!

Flash!

Thunder and lightning cracked relentlessly over Bunny’s head once more.

‘Bunny totally forgot!’

Summoning something or whatever!

“A lot of people gather for the summoning ceremony, so if you summon a great divine beast or holy relic, or if someone takes a liking to you, you might get a patron.”

“Patron?”

“Yes. Among the duke’s direct and collateral relatives, if someone wants to look after you, they become your guardian.”

“Guardian…….”

“Yes. Guardians might assign a personal maid or knight, give you pocket money, or gifts. They become your protector.”

As Jessie explained at the child’s eye level, Bunny’s eyes widened like saucers.

‘Protector!’

In truth, direct relatives never became guardians. They were all proud, highly capable people who rarely looked down to that level.

So usually, a collateral relative from the ducal family—someone without children or unmarried who wanted to raise a child—would adopt and care for them.

Of course, Jessie didn’t explain that far.

“Got it, little one? When you go from the orphanage to be adopted, you absolutely need to get a protector.”

“Super strong demon dad?”

“Yes. Anyone’s fine. Even if not a dad, any human adult who stays by your side until you grow up. If you’re not sure, check the secret notebook anytime.”

Notebook!

Bunny’s eyes sparkled as she opened her mouth.

“Bunny too, super strong dad!”

Hee-hee, Bunny grinned and nodded vigorously.

“Bunny practice hard and get dad!”

At Bunny’s words, Jessie forgot her own position for a moment and swallowed a pitiful sigh threatening to escape.

Even if it didn’t look that way, how much must this composed little child miss her parents to get so excited about this?

‘If Bunny becomes a ducal lady, she’ll get a dad who says, “Hmph, from that top-shelf premium chocolate to the ones over there, give one of each to my daughter!”’

Imagining what she’d always wanted to experience once she became a ducal lady, Bunny’s mouth corners twitched upward slyly.

“They probably won’t become a dad if they’re your guardian. And there’s no guarantee you’ll get one anyway…….”

Jessie was about to add not to expect too much, but when her eyes met Bunny’s clear gaze, she unwittingly closed her mouth.

“Bunny genius plus perfect ink score, super super possible.”

Hmph, Bunny smirked and thrust up her thumb.

Seeming at a loss for words in the face of that confidence, Jessie silently worked her lips for a long moment before giving a helpless chuckle and nodding.

“Yes, surely it’ll happen. If you need any help, just press the button on the bedside table firmly. I’ll come right away.”

“Yesss—!”

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Come again!”

Seeing Bunny’s wiggling cheeks, Jessie couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as she left the room.

The moment Jessie was gone, Bunny firmly locked the door, picked up Toto from the floor, and flung herself onto the bed.

Thud.

Landing perfectly on the bed—just the right amount of firm and soft—Bunny propped Toto up against the headboard.

The black rabbit doll Toto had a kangaroo-like front pouch. Bunny pulled out a small notebook from the pouch and flipped open the cover to the first page.

Her nose wrinkled proudly at the familiar demon script written there.

‘Bunny really is a genius~!’

It was Bunny’s own special training to show off brilliantly at the summoning ceremony in three days and be chosen by a super strong dad candidate(?).