The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 5
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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 5
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‘Bunny scored a zero on the exam.’
Since yesterday’s first class happened to be the exam day, and today was only the second day of classes, Bunny returned home clutching a rain-dampened test paper and flopped onto the bed with a dejected expression.
Unfortunately, Bunny couldn’t read human language at all, so there was no way she could have earned any points.
‘Luriel… I only taught Bunny listening comprehension….’
Unfortunately, there was no listening comprehension exam. Even if there had been, she couldn’t have answered the questions since she couldn’t read the problems.
In truth, it was only natural. After all, there wasn’t a single place in the world that administered listening exams in one’s native language.
Dictation: zero points.
Reading and speaking: zero points.
Written problems: zero points.
‘Zero-point Bunny….’
Bunny buried her face in the pillow and sprawled out, clutching Toto tightly in her embrace.
“This is bad.”
If Bunny didn’t score well, it would be difficult to find a really strong daddy.
“What should I do, Toto?”
With her face buried in Toto’s belly as she held the small creature close, Bunny let out a long sigh.
Knock, knock.
At the sudden sound of knocking from outside, Bunny sprang up from her seat.
She scurried over, set Toto down on one side, and hopped up to grab the door handle. The heavy door swung open thanks to Bunny’s weight dangling from it.
“Young Lady?”
The visitor was Jessie.
“Yes—!”
Bunny appeared from behind the door with a bright smile. Jessie paused, then gently raised her hand and rubbed the corners of her mouth with her fingertips before speaking.
“Is there anything you need? If you have any difficulties bathing or changing clothes, you can call for me. Did you have a good day yesterday?”
In truth, Bunny was quite young, and children who first arrived at the Dormitory Mansion typically struggled to adjust and constantly sought out people. Yet Bunny had never once called for Jessie.
Jessie wondered if perhaps Bunny didn’t know how to call for her, or if she was simply being considerate. Worried, Jessie finally asked outright.
Hmph.
At Jessie’s words, Bunny scoffed and straightened her posture, puffing out her chest confidently.
“Bunny can do everything by herself. I brush my teeth really well, and I wash my face really well, and I can bathe for ten whole minutes, and I scrub my hair with bubbles perfectly!”
I’m a genius, a genius!
Although Bunny had scored zero on the exam because she couldn’t read human writing, she was a wonderfully independent child who didn’t cause trouble.
Bunny shrugged her shoulders.
“I see….”
Jessie nodded with a slightly bewildered expression.
‘Perhaps she’s so dignified because she came from the Orphanage….’
Growing up too quickly wasn’t a good thing. Jessie’s lips trembled at the ache in her chest, and she pressed them firmly shut.
“Yes! Bunny is no trouble at all and is such a good, easy child!”
As Bunny spoke with a pleased expression and thrust out her thumb, Jessie’s face darkened slightly.
Regardless, Bunny’s confidence, which had been lowered by the zero-point test paper, was instantly restored thanks to Jessie, and she bounced her shoulders with delight.
Luriel spoke.
Bunny is a genius!
“Young Lady, you must become a child who causes no trouble at all from now on. A child who accomplishes everything admirably on your own. Luriel will soon have a very difficult mission to undertake, so you’ll need to do many things by yourself going forward.”
“Bunny genius! Boku boku boku boku and afu afu and chika chika too one hundred percent!!”
“Oh my, how adorable you are. Of course. Our Young Lady is a genius, after all.”
“Hmph! Bunny is a genius~!”
“Indeed. In comparison, human adults are filthy and petty, so they desire a child like our Young Lady—adorable yet troublesome and accomplished. You’re keeping the secret notebook safe, yes? Whenever you encounter difficulties, always open the notebook and look inside.”
“Yes! Toto hides it deep in my belly!”
“As expected of our Young Lady! You must never show the notebook to anyone.”
“Got it! Won’t show to anyone!!”
Jessie gazed down at Bunny, who wore a silly grin as cherished memories of Luciel surfaced after so long, and unease flickered across Jessie’s expression.
“But Jessie, did you come to see Bunny?”
“Ah.”
At Bunny’s words, Jessie hesitated before finally remembering her purpose and opened her mouth.
“The matter is that the Young Lady has entered the Dormitory Mansion for the last time this year, so the date has been set for today.”
“A date?”
“Yes. The date of the summoning ceremony I mentioned before.”
Boom!
Flash!
Thunder and lightning crackled relentlessly above Bunny’s head once more.
‘Bunny, I completely forgot about it!’
The summoning ceremony or whatever!
“Many people gather for the summoning ceremony, so if a benevolent spirit or sacred relic is summoned, or if someone takes a liking to the Young Lady, you may gain a patron.”
“A patron?”
“Yes. If someone from the direct or collateral lines of the Duke’s House thinks they would like to care for the Young Lady, they become a guardian.”
“A guardian….”
“Mm. Guardians provide personal maids or knights, give allowances, and offer gifts. They become the Young Lady’s protector.”
As Jessie explained at the child’s eye level, Bunny’s eyes widened like lanterns.
‘A protector!’
In truth, it was rare for direct relatives to become guardians. They were all prideful with exceptional abilities, so they never deigned to look down upon those below them.
So in such cases, it was customary for someone from the collateral lines of the Duke’s House—those without children or no marriage prospects—who wished to care for a child to adopt and raise them.
Of course, Jessie did not explain that far.
“Young Lady, do you understand? If you leave the Orphanage and are adopted, you must find a guardian.”
“A super strong demon daddy?”
“Yes. Anyone is fine. It doesn’t have to be a father—any human adult who will be by your side until you grow up will do. If you’re unsure, you can always open the secret notebook.”
The notebook!
Bunny’s eyes sparkled as I opened my mouth.
“Bunny wants a super strong daddy!”
I giggled and nodded my head repeatedly.
“Bunny will practice hard and get a daddy!”
At Bunny’s words, Jessie forgot her own circumstances and swallowed back a sigh that threatened to burst forth, her face softening with sympathy.
Though she tried not to show it, Jessie couldn’t help but wonder how much this composed, small child must have missed her parents to speak with such excitement about such things.
‘When Bunny becomes a Young Lady of the Duke’s House, she’ll have a dad who says, “Hmph, give my daughter one of each chocolate—from the finest ones here to those over there!”‘
As Bunny pictured something she’d always wanted to do once she became a Young Lady of the Duke’s House, the corners of her mouth curled upward with barely contained glee.
“He’ll probably become your guardian rather than your father. Besides, there’s no guarantee it will happen anyway…”
Just as Jessie was about to add a word of caution against hoping too much, her eyes met Bunny’s bright, sparkling gaze, and she found herself closing her mouth without meaning to.
“Bunny’s a genius with perfect charm, so it’s totally possible!”
Bunny laughed and thrust her thumb upward with confidence.
Unable to find words against such certainty, Jessie’s lips moved silently for a long moment before she let out a helpless chuckle and nodded her head.
“Yes, I’m sure you will. If you need any help, please press the button on the nightstand next to your bed anytime. I’ll come right away.”
“Okay—!”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Goodbye!”
Seeing Bunny’s cheeks quivering, Jessie couldn’t help but let out a small laugh before leaving the room.
The moment Jessie left, Bunny carefully locked the door and picked up Toto from where she’d set him on the floor, then threw herself onto the bed.
Thump.
Landing on the bed—firm yet cushioned just right—Bunny leaned Toto against the headboard.
The black rabbit plush Toto had a pouch on his front like a kangaroo. Bunny pulled a small notebook from the pouch and flipped open to the first page.
At the sight of the characters written in the demon language she recognized, Bunny’s pride swelled even more.
‘Bunny really is a genius~!’
This was Bunny’s own special training to make an impressive showing at the summoning ceremony in four days and be chosen by a powerful dad candidate(?).
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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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