Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 20

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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 20
“Ugh, I really don’t feel like working.”
Golden hair cascaded in waves down to her waist.
The woman with eyes as clear as the sea beneath long, delicate lashes folded a paper airplane from a document with an air of boredom and tossed it away.
Viviana Papiope Dilum.
The Duke Papiope, known as the “spirited mad dog.”
A nickname earned because whatever absurd notion she set her mind to, she would inevitably accomplish—no matter how impossible it seemed.
She had eliminated all the family elders and collateral branches to claim the ducal throne.
She had declared she would not bear children but would instead adopt an heir to inherit the title, among other things.
Chaos always followed in her wake.
Perhaps it was because she perpetually summoned storms wherever she went?
Ever since she had adopted her firstborn as she had proclaimed, her daily life had grown quiet, and she found herself terribly bored.
“I wish something interesting would happen.”
As if sensing the Duke’s desire, someone knocked from outside the office.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
At the Duke’s permission, the Aide entered the office hurriedly and delivered the news he had brought.
“Your Grace, a child has appeared at the Papiope Talent Cultivation Institute who has shattered every single historical record.”
“Is that so? How fortunate that such talented individuals are joining us.”
“Moreover, that child’s ability is apparently ‘Foresight.'”
Only then did the Duke’s eyes, which had been answering the Aide’s words with indifference, suddenly blaze with interest.
“Oh! That’s the kind of ability that would make you rush here in excitement? I knew investing in the Talent Cultivation Institute would pay off. Here I was doing nothing, and fortune has walked right through the door on its own feet.”
The Duke leaned her head back against the chair, her eyes gleaming.
“With a Foresight ability, could I even reverse my life’s fortune?”
“Your life would remain unchanged, Your Grace.”
“What?”
“Well, Your Grace already has more than enough wealth.”
You know, even I have dreams. I want to experience a reversal of fortune.”
“If you reversed your position from here, you’d end up in the gutter.”
“That’s harsh language.”
“I shall correct myself.”
The Aide quickly moved to the main point.
“In any case, since ‘Foresight’ is such a valuable ability, if other noble houses learn that this Ability User has fallen into our hands…”
“They’ll be desperate to steal the child away.”
A silence fell over the office as if someone had poured ice water across it.
The two fell into brief contemplation about how to make the child completely and irrevocably Papiope’s.
It was the Aide who broke the silence first.
“Your Grace, I would like to suggest that this time, as an exception, you adopt the child immediately.”
“No. I cannot make exceptions to the noble adoption ceremony.”
The Duke rejected the Aide’s proposal without hesitation the moment she heard it.
“It would be disrespectful to Lucian, my firstborn who became my child through a legitimate adoption ceremony, and to the people of the Talent Cultivation Institute.”
“…When did you start concerning yourself with such trivial matters?”
“Tch! If I say it’s like that, then it’s like that. Stop talking so much.”
“I shall correct myself.”
The Aide quickly submitted once more, and Duke Papiope clicked her tongue before elaborating further.
“Besides, the child adopted through such nepotism would face considerable criticism.”
“However, if we leave matters as they stand, we risk losing the child to another noble house.”
At this, the Duke’s brow furrowed as if the mere thought displeased her.
Had the child entered another house from the beginning, it would have been one thing, but now that she’d claimed the child as her own, she would never allow another to take what was hers.
“We shall hold a second adoption ceremony one month from now. Inform the Talent Cultivation Institute.”
“Your Grace? But that won’t resolve the issue. If another child wins the ceremony, then ultimately….”
“If that child is truly exceptional enough to warrant an exception, then she should be able to win the adoption ceremony with confidence.”
The Aide exhaled a deep sigh drawn from the depths of his lungs.
He knew well that once his liege had made a decision, no argument could sway her.
“…Understood. Then I shall make preparations so the adoption ceremony can proceed one month from now.”
“Good.”
“I shall leave the child’s file here. Please review it when you have time.”
The Aide offered a respectful bow to the Duke before departing from the Office.
Left alone, the Duke casually flipped through the documents he’d left behind.
“Tania, is it…. For such a young age, her grades are remarkably brilliant.”
Could her precognitive ability reveal even the answers to the test questions?
It was curious, but even if that were true, it didn’t matter to her.
If she’d discovered the correct answers through precognition, then that too was an ability worth acknowledging.
Yet, ironically, what caught the Duke’s eye most was not the grades or scores Tania had achieved.
Her lips twisted into a smile at the section noting that Tania had saved all the rabbits in the dilemma-inducing problem.
“…Well, well, what have we here?”
In a scenario where she had to sacrifice either one pregnant rabbit or five elderly, sickly rabbits, she had somehow found another way.
The Duke’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Yes, if you’re to become my child, you must demonstrate this level of ingenuity.”

✦ ✦ ✦
After obtaining the Director’s understanding regarding the postponement of my enrollment, I said goodbye to Rosemary and Raspi before heading home.
“Eat something delicious and take care of yourselves.”
“Sniff. Hero, you really will come back, won’t you?”
“Of course. I’ll just get permission from the Old Gentleman and return quickly.”
Rosemary anxiously wiped away tears, worried I might never return.
The twin siblings steeled their resolve with solemn expressions.
“We’ll establish ourselves here until you return, Hero. We won’t let anyone from the Institute dare to look down on you!”
“We’ll make sure everything is ready for you whenever you come back.”
…I’d somehow become like an organization boss.
But knowing they were acting out of a desire to repay my kindness, I laughed it off with a wave.
Or rather, I was trying to brush past it—if not for what Raspi said next.
“Tania.”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you again for saving my sister and me. If it’s your command, I could even kill someone.”
“…Let’s not talk about that. How about you just adapt well here instead?”
“No. Unless it involves murder, I don’t want to do anything else.”
Insane.
Was this kid a bad seed? What was I supposed to do with him? Countless thoughts raced through my mind.
That’s when I noticed the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, despite his seemingly grave expression, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
“Phew, that’s quite a dark joke.”
With anyone else, I would have naturally taken it as a joke.
But coming from someone who had killed countless Empire citizens in the previous timeline, it sounded genuine.
“You shouldn’t make jokes like that again. You have no talent for it.”
“But my words about being able to kill someone if you commanded it—those were sincere.”
“…What?”
I was staring at Raspi with wide eyes, bewildered, when he did something.
For the first time since meeting me, he offered a radiant smile and brought his lips to the back of my hand, just as before.
“Please go. I’ll be waiting here.”
In his face, I saw both an angel and a demon simultaneously.
In the end, I pretended nothing was amiss, waved goodbye to the siblings, and left the Talent Cultivation Institute.
“I’ll need to keep an eye on Raspi so he doesn’t go astray at the Institute.”
I couldn’t tell if he was a bad seed or a good one.
“…Still, I’m glad everything turned out well.”
Now that I’d left the twin siblings at the Talent Cultivation Institute, my mind felt at ease.
While competition never ceased within the Institute, at least they wouldn’t have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter here.
It had been quite an eventful day, all things considered.
I’d gone to the Underground Auction House to rescue Rosemary and taken the Talent Cultivation Institute entrance exam.
Well, I’d used my ability so much that I’d actually lived through more than twenty-four hours in a single day.
Recalling everything that had happened today, I finally arrived at my empty house after a long walk.
The Neighbor Woman had left food at my doorstep.
I cracked open the basket, and a delicious aroma wafted out.
It was cooled meat stew.
Judging by how the Neighbor Woman fussed over the menu every single day, the Old Gentleman must have given her quite a generous sum.
I hummed a cheerful tune as I carried the basket of meat stew inside Tania’s House.
“Mmm, this looks delicious….”
“Where have you been all this time, not even coming home at this late hour?”
At the sound of that low, familiar voice—one I shouldn’t have heard—I froze solid like stone.

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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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