In the end, Topaz still refused to buy the trending boost.
Helping Su Ran become a famous name across the cosmos was practically the same as helping him become a galactic public enemy.
Before that happened, the IPC might still have a chance to recruit him.
Afterwards?
He might just destroy the IPC out of irritation.
Topaz was not stupid.
She knew what she should and should never do.
And this was one of those things whose consequences she absolutely could not afford.
Su Ran found it a pity.
But the title of "Trending-Boost Sister" had already been stamped onto Topaz.
Even though she hated it—
Because she didn't even buy the trend!
"Yo, Trending-Boost Sis, how've you been lately?"
The teasing voice in her communicator made Topaz grit her teeth.
"I! DID! NOT! BUY! ANY! TREND!"
Those damned recordings…
Even the part where Su Ran called her "Trending-Boost Sister" had been included.
If she had known, she would've used text-only reports instead of video.
"Look at you, getting all worked up.
That Genius must be hard to handle, huh?"
Topaz took a long breath to steady herself.
"I'm managing… but that guy really is impossible.
He's even more absurd than Lady Herta…"
Compared to Su Ran, Herta suddenly seemed normal.
At least Herta wouldn't dream of becoming a universal criminal.
Wouldn't try to bump up her own bounty.
And wouldn't ask people to buy trends for her!
"You need help?"
Topaz blinked.
"You're serious? Aventurine?"
As fellow Stonehearts, Topaz knew Aventurine's personality well.
He was good at handling people.
Better than she ever could be.
But also… high chance he'd actually buy the trend just for fun.
He wasn't a "good person,"
but damn, he was charming.
And his tongue was pure art.
"Yes.
I saw the recordings.
The company is desperate for him now.
Someone who can create an Emanator— do you understand what that means?"
Topaz hesitated.
"It means… Universal Swarm Disaster 2.0?"
"...You're not wrong,"
Aventurine fell silent for a moment before agreeing.
Because it really could happen.
And the IPC would be the biggest loser.
Maintaining cosmic order?
The IPC held the largest slice.
The one with the most to lose.
"So don't you dare help him trend.
You know the price.
We can't pay it."
Topaz warned him.
Aventurine was reliable— but he had a weakness:
He loved to gamble.
All or nothing.
Win it all or die trying.
He had great luck, but luck wasn't certainty.
You can gamble your life.
But not the fate of the entire universe.
"I know, I know.
I'm Aventurine— not some 'Trending-Boost Bro.'
I won't gamble with the universe on the table."
He could gamble away his own neck.
But not the cosmos.
"Good."
Even though she heard the hidden teasing in his tone, Topaz felt relieved.
At least now they had someone who could actually talk to people.
Even if it raised their chances only a little— it was still something.
"By the way, Topaz— do you want Jade to come too?"
Topaz tensed.
"…No. Not this time."
Working with Lady Jade had always been her dream.
But Su Ran?
She absolutely did NOT want Jade involved.
"…Understood.
Meet you at Herta Space Station."
Aventurine ended the call.
"You are, by far, the worst student I've ever taught!"
Su Ran scolded Herta with a deeply disappointed look.
With the Swarm Emanator project temporarily finished, he returned to a previously paused task—
A device that would let construction materials assemble themselves.
Naturally, Herta followed.
Ruan Mei also chose to stay— too curious about Su Ran to leave.
"What did I do wrong?"
Herta asked, genuinely puzzled.
She hadn't even done anything, yet suddenly she was labeled the "worst student."
And that annoyed her.
"When you saw me sit down, you didn't come over and massage my shoulders.
No awareness at all!"
Herta fell silent.
It took a moment for her brain to catch up.
So he was messing with her again!
"Do you need a shoulder massage?
Here, use this."
Herta pulled out a giant hammer.
"Wait—WAIT!"
Su Ran held up a hand to stop her.
He tapped rapidly on a virtual screen.
And in an instant—
The entire laboratory vanished.
Not a single chair remained.
Ruan Mei fell straight onto the floor.
"You… You really just robbed me?"
Herta stood stunned.
He robbed her.
Right in front of her.
"This is tuition."
Su Ran said it like it was the most natural thing in the universe.
"But I haven't learned anything yet!!"
She hadn't even fully grasped his invention!
"That's your problem.
You've been learning from me for days now—
Have you put in effort?
Are you taking this seriously?"
"…Are you PUA-ing me?"
Herta finally figured it out.
"Yes.
Anyway, class is paused.
I'm heading back to build my space station."
Seeing that she had finally wised up,
Su Ran decided to stop PUA-ing her for now.
There would be time later.
He picked up a small box— inside were miniature mechanical nanobots.
Thanks to Ruan Mei's earlier inspiration, he had upgraded them to replicate— essentially giving them a "breeding" mechanism.
Perfect construction workers.
They would build his space station tirelessly.
"You're leaving?"
Herta froze.
Then moved with lightning speed—
and hugged his leg.
"Don't go!
I can't live without you anymore!"
She had finally gotten excited again…
And now he wanted to leave?!
At least let her learn something first!!
—------------------------------
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