Vol 8. Chapter 16: Is the Bet the Newest Bunny Girl Outfit?

The students of both races had already entered Biyun Valley.

Claudia stood at the entrance, arms folded across her chest, gazing deep into the valley.

Samantha walked up beside her and said softly:

“Vice Principal, the Silver Dragon Prince and the others have set off as well.”

“Mm.”

Claudia gave a small nod, then asked:

“Is everything ready? This is what we arranged especially for these children in this assessment.”

Hearing this, Samantha smiled faintly. She too seemed to look forward to the little “surprise” Claudia referred to.

“Everything’s ready, Vice Principal. They can act at any time.”

“Good.”

The corner of Claudia’s mouth lifted slightly. Watching the valley, she murmured to herself:

“Do your best, children.”

...

...

Leon and Rosvisser entered the fog zone at the entrance together with their examinees.

By coincidence they walked side by side for over half an hour. Aside from the two children wanting to stick together a little longer, Jain and Claire were like happy rivals, squabbling the whole way.

The husband and wife walked behind them, silently watching.

Rosvisser said softly:

“They’re like us.”

“What?”

“I said those two Blazing Sun kids... they’re like us.”

After a pause she added:

“Like we used to be.”

Back in the days when they first fell in love by fighting each other, Leon and Rosvisser had spent every day bickering, constantly plotting tricks against one another.

Leon strolled leisurely with both hands in his pockets. After a moment’s silence, he chuckled softly and said:

“Claire’s little head is gentler than yours ever was. At least she doesn’t complain about me every second. Back then I took no end of—ow ow ow ow! It hurts, it hurts!”

The queen’s forehead arched with a smile, her eyes narrowing.

Smiling with a blade hidden, Rosvisser reached out unseen and pinched Leon’s side, her gentle smile never wavering as she hissed through clenched teeth:

“Husband, no need to reminisce about the pain of the past. I can make you relive it right now.”

Their flirting drew the attention of Jain and Claire ahead.

The two little ones turned back to look. Rosvisser quickly released him, pretending nothing had happened.

“Uncle Leon, I just heard someone screaming. Was that you?” Jain asked innocently.

Leon grimaced and waved his hands.

“No, no, you misheard, Jain. Actually, it was... it was...”

“Mm? A wild cat passing by.”

Claire blinked curiously.

“Do wild cats really make screams like that?”

Rosvisser stepped up to help explain:

“They do. Awful sounding ones too. Isn’t that right, Leon?”

“...Yes, very awful.”

“Alright then, let’s keep moving. Looks like there’s a task site ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) ahead.”

“Right, let’s go.”

The four continued forward.

Sure enough, in the distance they found a task point. It was a solo task.

Jain spotted the task card first, but after a moment’s thought, he handed it to Claire.

“You take this one.”

Claire froze. She didn’t accept it right away but asked:

“Why are you letting me do it?”

“I’m one of the ‘Super Handsome Tough Guys,’ aren’t I? This kiddie task is too easy for me. I’ll let you have it.”

The way the boy boasted was pure “Little Leon.”

That shamelessly cocky line made Rosvisser laugh outright.

She poked Leon’s cheek and leaned over to whisper:

“See? He really is like you used to be—hard-mouthed as steel. He clearly wants Claire to go first, but says the task is too easy, so he won’t bother. Exactly like you.”

Leon curled his lip, about to think of a rebuttal, but ahead the two children kept going.

“Pfft, what ‘Super Handsome Tough Guy.’ Uncle Leon’s handsome and tough. You’re just his tag-along.” Claire’s comeback was no weaker than Rosvisser’s.

Jain flung out his hand.

“Then forget it.”

“Who said I don’t want it? Give it here! Give me!”

“Fine, take it. Tch.”

“Hmph!”

Claire snatched the task card and started following its instructions.

Leon seized the chance to counterattack:

“Hey, wife, look at the way that little girl pouts and wheedles. Who does that remind you of? Looks exactly like you, doesn’t it?”

Rosvisser glared at him.

“Let’s hope little Jain doesn’t grow up to be as shameless as you.”

“Hehehehe~”

While they bantered, Claire completed the task and earned a five-point card.

Proudly, she flashed the card.

“Better not end up behind me by just five points in the end, all because you didn’t want to do such a simple task~”

Jain crossed his arms, snorted.

“Not a chance.”

“Then watch closely~”

The children bickered and pouted, competing fiercely—just like a certain married couple.

That lit up Rosvisser’s own competitive spark.

Watching Jain and Claire fight it out, she couldn’t resist saying:

“Leon, why don’t we compete too?”

“Compete how? Whoever’s examinee scores higher?”

The queen nodded.

“Mm-hm.”

“Childish. I won’t.”

“You’re scared.”

“Hmph—”

After so many years of marriage, that trick didn’t work anymore. Leon sighed inwardly.

Rosvisser stopped in her tracks, blinking her fine eyes. She was a little unsettled by Leon not falling for her bait, but quickly composed herself.

Hmph, so the old trick doesn’t work? This queen has plenty of other ways to deal with you.

“Well, fine, if you won’t compete, forget it. I was going to use the newest bunny girl outfit as the wager...”

“Compete! A man lives for one word—compete!”

Leon instantly leaned in close, whispering:

“Is it that new bunny girl set I showed you last week?”

Rosvisser nodded.

“Compete compete compete!!!”

More effective than goading was bunny-baiting. Not foolproof, but whenever she pulled it out, taming this straight-laced fool was effortless.

But Leon wasn’t completely lost to lust. Regaining a shred of calm, he asked:

“If I win, you wear the new bunny girl outfit. But if I lose?”

“If you lose... let me think... mm—”

Rosvisser walked a few steps, then turned, clapped her hands.

“I’ve got it!”

“What is it?”

“If you lose, Leon—”

She rose on tiptoe, pinched his reddening ear, and whispered something in his ear.

The next instant Leon sprang back like an arrow off a bowstring. His cheeks and ears were even redder than before.

Rosvisser could even see faint steam rising from his head.

The queen swelled her chest proudly and smiled:

“Well? Do you agree?”

Leon steadied the raging storm inside him and double-checked with her:

“You’re sure you want that as the wager?”

“Absolutely.”

“No regrets?”

“No regrets.”

“Good! Rosvisser Melkvey!”

Leon clasped one hand on his waist, thrust the other forward in a dramatic gesture.

“I accept your challenge! Prepare to lose!”

Meanwhile, the two little ones walking ahead...

Claire:

“Why did Uncle Leon suddenly fire up like that?”

Jain:

“No idea. But—that always-ready fighting spirit, that’s what makes us the Super Handsome Tough Guys!”

Claire (exasperated):

“Why are you fired up too?!”