Hours Ago
"Since you have arrived as scheduled, learned Professor… does this mean you are willing to side with the Family in this farce?"
Professor Ratio slightly furrowed his brow and asked, somewhat strangely, "What makes you think you can win me over?"
Sunday chuckled and said, "I've heard that your interactions with Aventurine have not been pleasant. I also know that you are a true scholar, and your pursuit of knowledge outweighs everything else."
Professor Ratio snorted and retorted, "Then you should also understand that a qualified scholar recognizes his place and will not lose more important things for trivial dignity."
"If you agree to assist the Family, I will hand over all our research findings on the Stellaron. You should be well aware that, apart from the Family, no other faction is willing to share such knowledge," Sunday responded calmly.
After a moment of silence, Professor Ratio slowly spoke, "Alright, let's talk. Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?"
Yanqing: Has Professor Ratio betrayed them already?
Welt: It's not that simple. I guess Aventurine must have anticipated this.
The other party answered without hesitation, "I need Aventurine's complete plan."
Professor Ratio's lips curled slightly into a mocking smile:
"Haven't you all confiscated his stones? A peacock with its feathers plucked can't fly."
Qingque: Peacock +1, they really love calling him by the codename Peacock.
Aventurine: Actually, I quite like this title… It suits me very well.
"But I also heard that the ten elites of the Strategic Investment Department are extremely united, advancing and retreating together in the face of Company interests." Sunday immediately asked, "Are the 'stones' submitted by Aventurine truly his own?"
"Heh, you suspect he would give you someone else's stones? You think the Ten Stonehearts are too united—that stuff is far more important than their lives," Professor Ratio said with a hint of sarcasm.
"But you also know he's a mad gambler. The more ostentatious he is, the more carefully one must guard against him."
Upon hearing this, Professor Ratio was momentarily stunned, his expression becoming solemn as he slowly spoke, "I never thought anyone would think like him. Seriously, you'd best go see a psychologist."
Star: Professor Ratio suggests you see a doctor.
Aventurine: His tone changed. Professor Ratio is very serious about that. Sunday, I really suggest you listen to him.
Dr. Ratio: Oh my god.
"Hand it over. The box storing the stones is specially made; no one can open it except high-ranking Company officials and relevant personnel—but I happen to be among them."
Sunday picked up a box from the side and placed it on the table, making a gesture of "Please."
Professor Ratio walked over and calmly opened the box. "Unfortunately, you guessed correctly."
Sunday sneered, "A golden stone, its luster is identical to the radiance of the Aeon of Preservation's holy body."
"That is precisely the excuse he prepared to deceive you. He won't tell you: The Ten Stonehearts must carve their stones with their own will, making them radiate a unique brilliance."
"And this golden stone belongs to Topaz; its alternative name is Topaz—not Aventurine."
Himeko: Even stones more important than one's life can be given to others… The Ten Stonehearts are truly united.
Topaz: I didn't expect I would make such a decision… But, it is indeed possible.
"How about it, want to confront him?"
"Not yet. I'm more interested in knowing where his stone is."
Professor Ratio looked at the bag next to him. "The safest place, a place you would never expect. Because he never intended to hide it—from the very beginning, that stone was already in your hands."
Walking quickly to the side, Sunday understood something and poured the contents of the bag onto the table. Among them, one gem was particularly striking.
Professor Ratio picked up the cyan gem. "Aventurine."
Sunday suddenly realized, "So that's it. This luggage… mixing a stone more precious than life with a pile of lowly jewels, disguised as a gift awaiting confiscation, truly fits Mr. Aventurine's style."
Professor Ratio smiled, raising his hand to point at the gift bag:
"Then he'll just make up some excuse, downplay the situation, and ask you to return the gift money. This is a gamble he's all too familiar with; he's betting on you making one misstep and losing everything."
"Learned Professor, thank you for your help. The Family will certainly reward the righteous." Sunday said with a stern face, "As for the villain… may he retreat in disgrace."
Time Returns to the Present
Sunday said with a smile, "Thanks to your discerning friend, I was able to add a complete failure to your career."
With an expression of barely suppressed fury, Aventurine roared, "Ratio, you bastard…"
Professor Ratio turned his head away, not looking at him.
Sunday, meanwhile, chuckled, "You've shown your true colors. By the way, your life currently has only seventeen system hours left. Cherish this time and savor the aftertaste of failure."
Aventurine took a deep breath, then angrily retorted, "Why don't you speak more clearly?"
"What I just performed on you was the holy baptism of harmony. You were supposed to show loyalty under the light, but you stubbornly went your own way, full of lies, turning the baptism into a judgment. I truly have no reason to undo it for you," Sunday sighed, feigning regret.
"Is this what you call 'harmony'?… Built upon imprisonment and coercion?" Aventurine said with a hint of mockery.
However, Sunday gently shook his head and said calmly, "You misunderstand, Aventurine. Punishment is for the disrespectful, but I saw your indomitable spirit, and thus I grant you the possibility of new life."
"Within these seventeen system hours, you cannot leave the dream, nor can you communicate with any companions. You have only two paths to take, which depends on whether you can complete my trial within the agreed time limit."
"If successful, you will integrate into the harmony, existing with thousands of Family members. If you fail, you will endure the wrath of the Aeon of harmony and fall into an abyss of no return. That's why I specifically emphasized 'temporarily'."
Aventurine frowned, clutching his head: "Ugh… Damn it, it sounds like my fate is the same either way."
After listening, Sunday smiled slightly and continued, "I do need a servant to help me find the evil lurking within the Family from the outside. And I will purge from within, apprehending the true culprit within seventeen system hours."