Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 19
In truth, the question posed at the Third Gate was merely a means to assess the examinee’s values.
The recorded measurement for evaluating ‘crisis response capability’ concludes the moment one opens and enters the Third Gate’s door.
No matter how much time I spend here, it won’t affect my score.
“My choice is to sacrifice no one.”
At first glance, it seemed I had to choose one of two options, sacrificing one rabbit or the other to escape this place.
That was indeed how it was originally designed.
But now that I understood this wouldn’t factor into the recorded measurement, my choice became clear.
If this was a test to reveal one’s values, then….
I wanted to show the examiner that I wouldn’t sacrifice anything.
“It’s not bravado—I genuinely possess the ability to do so.”
By now, the Abiliter who showed me the illusion must be watching me.
In the Maze, even if an examinee uses shortcuts to pass quickly, that too counts as the examinee’s ability.
Therefore, only the record is measured; the caster doesn’t enter the illusion to observe.
Unlike merely projecting an illusion, actually entering one requires several times more stamina.
But this Third Gate is different.
Since the question was asked to observe the examinee’s values, the caster has no choice but to enter the illusion and confirm what choice is made.
I laughed like a madwoman, staring up at empty air.
Let’s see who lasts longer—you with your illusion ability, or me.

✦ ✦ ✦
As I exited the examination hall, the guide led me to the waiting area.
“Tania, please wait here until the results are ready.”
“Understood.”
The outcome was predictable.
My victory came from stretching out flat and even taking a peaceful nap within that illusion.
In the end, I emerged from the illusion without sacrificing a single rabbit.
After completing all the tests, Raspi and Rosemary, who had been waiting, greeted me.
“Tania!”
“Brave one!”
…Has Rosemary decided to call me ‘brave one’ from now on?
As I was thinking it a bit awkward, she came running and embraced me tightly.
I found myself holding a child a full head taller than me.
It felt as though I’d become her cherished doll.
“Brave one, I was so worried because you took so long to come out.”
“I see you were worried. I’m sorry—it took longer than expected. But how did both of you do on the test?”
Rosemary then carefully unfolded the paper she’d been holding and proudly showed me her passing certificate.
“Ta-da! I did exactly as you told me, and I really passed! This says ‘passed,’ right? Does this mean I have a home now? Does this mean I won’t go hungry anymore?”
“Of course.”
The Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute doesn’t expel students for poor grades as long as they don’t cause trouble midway through.
“It’s all thanks to you, Hero!”
Rosemary held my hand and bounced up and down like a child her age. But then…
“Raspi, why do you look so gloomy? Don’t tell me…”
Before I could even say, ‘Rosemary passed even though she’s not an Abiliter, so you didn’t fail, did you?’, Raspi hurriedly opened his mouth.
“I passed as well. It’s just that…”
“Just that?”
“Tania…”
He fumbled helplessly, unable to finish his thought, merely working his lips in silence.
Ah. He must have been worried that I’d fail because I took too long on the final test.
It was endearing, but at this point, I couldn’t help but suspect something.
…Did he actually develop separation anxiety?
I was about to tell Raspi not to worry when one of the examiners who had overseen the Ability rating assessment approached me.
“Tania, your test results have come in. Would it be possible to speak with you privately about it?”
“Of course.”
I gestured for Raspi and Rosemary to wait a moment, then followed the examiner.
Upon entering what appeared to be someone’s office, the man inside greeted me with a smile.
“Hello, Tania. I am Ruben, Director of the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute.”
The examiner who had brought me stood near where the director was seated, watching me.
The director. I could guess why he’d called me in separately.
I blinked slowly and returned his greeting.
“Yes, hello.”
“The reason I’ve called you in like this is because of your entrance examination results. First, let me share this with you.”
The director handed me an envelope. I accepted it naturally and opened it to unfold the paper inside.
Comprehensive Ability Evaluation Results
Name: Tania
Ability Grade: S-Rank
Crisis Response Ability: A+
(Record-Breaking Time)
Written Examination: Perfect 100/100
Based on a comprehensive review of your scores, we have confirmed that you are the talent we have been seeking, demonstrated by your excellent performance and outstanding qualities.
Congratulations. You have passed the entrance examination for the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute.
We look forward to seeing your talents shine even brighter at our Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute.
Every category on the comprehensive ability evaluation bore the highest possible score.
The director continued speaking with a serious expression, as if waiting for me to finish reading the results.
“The score you received, Tania, is a record we have never seen since the institute’s establishment.”
Of course it was.
I had deliberately recorded a score that would make the Duke covet it.
“Have you perhaps visited another Abiliter Orphanage, or made a promise to receive sponsorship from a noble?”
“No. This is the first place I’ve come to since awakening my ability.”
“No. This is my first time coming here after awakening my abilities.”
The director’s lips curved upward in a smile that nearly reached his ears.
Ability Users with genuinely useful powers were rare, and most of those were monopolized by noble families.
Yet here was a child who possessed not only the “Foresight” ability but perfect scores across the board, walking through the door of her own volition?
He must have thought this was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.
“You may not be aware, but our Talent Cultivation Institute permits immediate enrollment upon acceptance.”
“I see.”
“If only you desired it, Tania, I would be prepared to facilitate your enrollment right away. Would that be acceptable?”
“No, that won’t be possible. While I have no parents, I currently have a guardian who has taken me under their care.”
“Ah, you mean to say….”
“Yes. I would like to postpone my enrollment until I receive permission from my guardian.”
At my request to delay enrollment, the director’s expression darkened considerably.
“Forgive me for asking such a question, but is it possible that your guardian, Tania, is exploiting you for financial gain?”
…Was he really using such difficult language with a child?
I felt momentarily bewildered, but then I recalled that I’d scored perfectly on the written examination.
Remembering that he believed me to be a genius filled me with some burden.
While I was confident my ability was overpowered, I knew well that my intellect was closer to average than exceptional.
I opened my mouth, wondering how long I could possibly maintain this pretense of genius.
“No, that’s not it. My guardian is a good person. I simply took this examination because I felt burdened by the debt of gratitude I owe them.”
“Then, approximately how many days of postponement would you require?”
It had been about a month since the Old Gentleman left home….
He’d said he would return as quickly as possible, so it shouldn’t take too long.
“I will enroll in the Talent Cultivation Institute within a month.”
“…If that is your wish, Tania, I shall arrange for personnel to be dispatched to make it easier for you to obtain your guardian’s permission.”
He was essentially asking if I could enter any sooner.
He seemed worried that in the meantime, I might accept a large sum of money from another noble family and not return.
“There’s no need to worry, Director. My goal is to be adopted by Duke Papiope.”
“…However.”
I smiled brightly, easing his concerns.
“Money cannot be a consideration for me. I can earn as much as I want whenever I choose.”
It was an undeniable truth.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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