Escaping the Luxury: A Little Bunny’s Tale

CHAPTER 1- The Delicate Balance - Between Effort and Indulgence

Within the esteemed halls of the Royal Magic Academy, a host of stray pets find refuge.

The "Imperial Anthropomorphic Species Hierarchy Act" dictates—

All but the sovereign Dragonkin are relegated to a lower status.

Their residence is confined to the "Outer City," beyond the segregating wall.

However, the pet species are a curious exception.

With tails as plush as felines' and antlers rivaling the beauty of sika deer, they captivate the heart.

Delicate in constitution, devoid of magical prowess, they are ill-equipped for strenuous endeavors.

Yet, their charm is undeniable, winning affections with effortless grace.

A gentle stroke, a moment spent in their whimsical company, and one's troubles seem to vanish into thin air.

The academy's strictures prohibit the inclusion of pets within the dining or sleeping quarters.

Hence, these little ones without guardians receive sustenance from kindred spirits along the pathways.

Dragonkin ladies of noble birth are particularly enchanted by the kitten-like maidens.

Devoting precious hours within the confines of the pet café, they observe the meow-maidens' playful escapades, their mirth echoing through the space.

The academy's societies are bastions of benevolence, orchestrating events to bestow gently-worn uniforms upon the little ones bracing for winter's embrace.

Yulia, with an air of nobility, arched her porcelain neck, proclaiming, "I shall not succumb to frivolities as some seniors do."

Each day is a treasure, an opportunity to immerse oneself in the arcane arts, to eclipse the legacy of those before.

The charm of these enchanting creatures could never thwart my scholarly ambitions.

Yet, the sheer joy of mingling with the kitten maidens is irrefutable.

A soft voice within seems to resonate with this truth.

"Deceptive allure!" Yulia contemplated, "Nothing but a divine test of my magical mettle! Let the world parade its most captivating creatures before me; my heart shall remain steadfast!"

In the midst of her conviction, a symphony of bubbles erupted from the roadside tea dispenser, reminiscent of someone savoring a brew.

In this secluded slice of the campus, where the botanical garden whispers secrets, who might one encounter?

Compelled by intrigue, Yulia allowed herself a fleeting glance.

And with that mere glimpse, she found herself utterly bewitched by the sight.

"Such an adorable little bunny!"

Beneath the sheltering eaves, a girl in a vintage red uniform of autumnal hues sat by a quaint outdoor tea table.

Her form was delicate, yet with the early signs of graceful maturity that even Yulia couldn't help but admire.

Her tie, its color dulled from washings, complemented her lustrous black hair, perfectly arranged.

Rabbit-like, her long white ears stood proudly, their sleek lines ending in the softest blush of pink.

Her eyes, a striking ice blue, sparkled with clarity, their lashes fluttering softly.

Her youthful visage, a blend of porcelain and rose, invited a touch for its apparent softness.

Yulia felt an impulsive pull, a longing to caress those cheeks…

Yet, she anchored herself, summoning her wand to weave a veil of invisibility around her.

"I'm not captivated by the bunny, no! It's purely for the study of magical species' behavior," she rationalized.

Her gaze lingered in secret~

Oblivious, the girl was the focus of an intense, sparkling stare.

She produced a corn cob, its heat wafting into the air.

With a gentle motion, she bit into the golden grains, her lips parting slightly.

"Ah!"

Yulia, engrossed in her watch, let out an involuntary gasp.

The bunny maiden, hearing the sound, quivered.

She clutched her corn, her eyes darting about in a fleeting panic, as if guarding a precious treasure.

Once certain of her solitude, she eased, returning to her feast with gusto.

Her hunger was evident, the cob stripped clean in moments.

Now, what was her next move?

It seemed she had no more food left.

Her eyes, clouded with concern, lifted to the brooding sky as she mulled over her predicament.

Yulia's heart yearned to guide her: Sweetheart, venture to the academy's heart, to the bustling square, to the shadow of the lecture halls, to the welcoming embrace of the pet café! There, a bounty awaits to satiate your hunger!

Yet, the ensuing hours unveiled a narrative that left Yulia astounded.

With her hair neatly groomed and her umbrella in hand, the girl traversed the school's outskirts, her inquiries echoing from shop to shop:

"Pardon me, do you have any openings? I'm ready to tackle any task~"

Her tone was tender, akin to the caress of cotton candy.

Absent were the expected notes of sweetness or pitch Yulia had anticipated.

Her words, though slightly slurred, carried a charming, soft lilt.

To the indifferent, it was but a quirk, but to Yulia, it was a whisper of the past.

This peculiar cadence, reminiscent of scholars versed in the ancient tongues of dragons…

But now, a more captivating spectacle unfolded—

She was on a quest for employment!

A creature of whimsy, seeking a role beyond companionship!

Shopkeepers, initially bewildered, would soon comprehend.

"Dear, this isn't a place for nourishment. Perhaps the noodle shop next door can assist you."

With cheeks tinged with bashfulness, she clarified: "I'm not here to be fed! I wish to earn my keep!"

"To work? This isn't a haven for pets, my dear."

"Yet, I am capable of much!" she persisted, her plea earnest: "Be it cleaning, bookkeeping, or organizing, I stand ready!"

And to such declarations, the proprietors would reply, their smiles warm:

"Are you versed in the art of magical machinery? Do you wield the gift of magic?"

Her elongated ears would quiver gently, and her delicate hands would hesitantly retreat into her pockets as she stammered, "I… I could learn… I'm willing to be an apprentice."

"A mage's apprentice, you say?"

The shopkeeper's demeanor remained amiable, their smile reflecting a sense of amusement at the curious situation.

Should the little bunny linger, the shopkeeper would produce a wand from within their coat, showcasing the enchanting force of magic.

A mere incantation would set a quill in motion, diligently scribing figures onto a ledger.

"Pet species are not endowed with magical talents, my dear," the shopkeeper would explain. "The deities had their preferences when crafting the races. Yet, exceptions abound. Have you ever attempted a talent assessment?"

Her complexion fading to a ghostly pallor, she could only offer a courteous "Thank you" before departing in low spirits.

She even declined the chocolate proffered by the shopkeeper as she left.

Thus, she meandered along the streets, lost in thought for an extended duration.

Numerous well-meaning individuals tried to offer her food, but she gently refused each time.

The afternoon waned, and she had yet to secure employment.

Her desire to cross the isolation wall to the Outer City, home to the lower-class species, remained unfulfilled, the path elusive.

Her sole consolation was a date procured from a sample stand at the mall's entrance.

A sign in the mall's ground-floor restaurant declared: "Entry with pets or children is prohibited."

As dusk settled, a heavy rain began to fall from the laden sky.

The little bunny found her way back to the Royal Magic Academy, to the solace of the complimentary automatic tea house.

Still devoid of company.

She took a seat at the outdoor tea table, seeking a moment's respite, only to discover that the large black umbrella she carried refused to close.

Each attempt to secure the canopy to the handle was thwarted by the obstinate magic circuit, causing it to spring open anew.

After several fruitless tries, she resigned herself to defeat.

Resting her chin on the table, she cast a despondent look upon the sodden world before her.

The world around her took on the hues of an oil painting, colors diffusing softly into one another.

Yulia had been covertly watching the little bunny, perplexed by her own actions—why had she devoted an entire afternoon to observing a mere pet?

Laughter had come easily at first, but as the day wore on, it gave way to a burgeoning sadness.

She had been tempted, time and again, to break her concealment, to whisk the bunny away with magic and offer sanctuary within the academy.

Yet, she refrained.

There was a peculiar nobility about this creature, a dignity that belied her adorable appearance. She sought no sympathy, no sustenance from the benevolence of Dragonkin.

It was a novelty that captivated Yulia.

The desire to continue watching was irresistible…

"I'm not enamored with small pets! My interest lies solely in studying the behaviors of extraordinary magical beings!" Yulia reassured herself.

But amidst her scrutiny, she stumbled upon an anomaly—

The bunny, though shielded by an umbrella, remained untouched by the rain, not a single droplet upon her.

No splashes, no traces of moisture.

Such an occurrence was exceedingly peculiar.

A mage could command the rain to alter its course, to dance around them.

A proficient mage could whisper spells into being, voicelessly;

An even more masterful mage could forgo the wand for mere gestures.

Yet this pet bunny, seemingly devoid of magical aptitude, had shown no evidence of spellcasting under Yulia's vigilant gaze…

Her delicate form sought refuge beneath the eaves, her rabbit ears peeking into the downpour.

The raindrops veered around her ears with an ethereal grace, as if repelled by an invisible shield.

And all the while, she remained unaware of the marvel she was part of.

Yulia's eyes remained fixed, utterly enchanted.