As Xing walked out of Jade Pawnshop ( The Radiant Feldspar ), he met his old friend from the Strategic Investment Department, Topaz.
At this moment, she is enjoying a special tea with her good friend [ Numby ].
"Oh, isn't this Xing?" Topaz put down his teacup. "It hasn't been long since we met. How have you been?"
"To be honest... I'm thinking of changing jobs."
Topaz raised an eyebrow, surprised by Xing's answer, "Hmm? So direct, aren't you afraid I'll take it seriously?"
"But thinking about it, it makes sense. Your lives Nameless are far too exciting. I heard you pulled off a major operation, wiping out the entire Oak Family in one fell swoop."
"If you ever get really tired and want a change of scenery, like working in an office, feel free to contact me!"
"Look how lively it is on this ship, it's really nice."
Topaz looked around and suddenly thought of something:
"When I'm less busy someday, I'll throw a big party on the eco-ship, and I'll definitely invite you all."
"Actually, I have another question to ask..."
Xing recalled the scene at the Clock Studios Paradise where Aventurine used the [ Cornerstone ] to transform.
Can you transform too?
"Transform...? What are you talking about?" Topaz thought for a second. "Oh... I see. You mean that Aventurine guy's [ Cornerstone ], right? Sorry, compared to him, my ability might not be as [visual]."
"It's alright to tell you, the Cornerstone abilities of the [ Ten Stonehearts ] are all different. Some of them can even read your thoughts and control your desires... Be careful."
Topaz also recalled his previous experience in Jarilo-VI. It was fortunate that the [ Church of Eternity ] intervened, which prevented a conflict between the company representatives and the Nameless who sided with Belobog.
Otherwise, we might not even be able to remain friends... and might even become enemies with the [ Church of Eternity ], which would be a losing proposition no matter how you look at it.
A day earlier, Topaz had witnessed the terror of the [ Eternity ] Emanator in the Asdana Galaxy; tens of thousands of Swarm were easily wiped out in a single blow, leaving not even ashes.
This is terrifying. What kind of forces are crazy enough to want to provoke [ Eternity ]? Not to mention that the Church hasn't even revealed its true trump card yet.
Meanwhile, the Dreamjolt Bar
Silver Wolf returned to the spot, deciding to ask Ye Yan for another orange soda.
As for the upcoming Charmony Festival... well, Silver Wolf's assessment is that it would be better to use this time to play more games.
She froze on the spot when she saw the bartender not far away as she walked into the Dreamjolt Bar.
"Are you kidding me?! It's this guy?!"
Silver Wolf looked at Chair Blake, standing behind the counter, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had only been gone for less than half an hour, and the bartender had already changed?
"Welcome, Miss Silver Wolf."
Blake also noticed the Silver Wolf with wide, staring eyes, and met her gaze with a smile.
"What would you like to drink?" He thoughtfully took out a hastily written drinks menu and handed it to Silver Wolf.
Silver Wolf's lips twitched violently as he looked at the wide variety of drinks on the menu.
What is a " Soap Sparkling Drink "? Is it even drinkable?
"Produced by [ Eternity ], a product you can trust!"
On the other side, on the [ The Radiant Feldspar ], Xing saw another familiar face.
"Oh? I remember you. Your performance at the Space Station [ Herta ]... was basically passable." Dr. Ratio stopped in his tracks, his sharp gaze sweeping over Xing.
Compared to before, she seems to have acquired some special 'weapons and props'.
"Ha, no wonder that gambler values you so much."
"Professor Dr. Ratio, you know... I'm a huge fan of yours, please give me your autograph!"
Xing's eyes lit up instantly, and she was about to hug Dr. Ratio's leg when he anticipated this and stepped back, causing her to miss.
"Don't try to be clever like that gambler. I'll turn a blind eye this time, but don't let it happen again." Dr. Ratio said, arms crossed.
"Alright, isn't the Charmony Festival about to begin? This is a rare opportunity, go ahead. Only by balancing work and rest can you better absorb knowledge."
"Sigh~ Professor, I thought you were going to tell me to settle down." Xing drawled out her words, somewhat surprised.
Dr. Ratio let out a short, cold laugh. "Ha, to ask such a question shows you don't truly understand the purpose of learning."
"There is a scientific basis for the balance between work and rest. The relevant argumentation process can be found on page 21 of issue 31467 of the academic journal ' Starcatcher '," he added to Xing as if giving a lecture.
"The purpose of acquiring knowledge is to live a better life; don't Guild it backwards like those idiots," Dr. Ratio cautioned.
Xing hurriedly called out to Dr. Ratio, who was turning to leave, "Professor Dr. Ratio, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you before I go!"
Dr. Ratio paused, remained silent for a moment, then turned to the side. "... Speak."
"Ahem..." Xing cleared her throat, clearly surprised by the connection between Dr. Ratio and Aventurine. "How would you rate Aventurine?"
"The executives at the company and the Guild define us as [strategic partners]. But in my view, I can only ever play the role of [teacher], and he is the [student], just like you and everyone else."
From this perspective, Aventurine wasn't a good student, but he was certainly not a blockhead either. It's a pity that the emptiness in his heart could never be filled with talent and knowledge... Let's hope he doesn't become a philosophical zombie.
"Professor, the second question."
Xing stopped investigating and instead brought out the strangely shaped, securely locked treasure chest—a gift from the Intellitron administrator who called himself ' Lycurgus '.
"Do you know how to open the lock on this?"
Dr. Ratio's gaze fell on the treasure chest. He took the chest, his slender fingers tracing the cold metal surface and the uniquely shaped keyhole, examining it carefully for a full minute.
Finally, he looked at Xing with an air of utter certainty, almost as if she were an idiot, and gave an answer that was shockingly concise:
"Use the key."
"Huh?" Xing was completely dumbfounded.
The answer was as simple as a no-brainer... but she searched her entire body and couldn't find a single key that matched the lock!
"If the giver intends to present a gift, they will certainly provide the method of opening it."
"If the key isn't handed over directly, then the key is either obvious..."
Dr. Ratio paused, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "... It either hides in the most unlikely place you expect, or exists in the most unexpected form; this in itself is a test of logic and observation."
Xing nodded, seemingly understanding, and stopped worrying about the treasure chest.
"Professor Dr. Ratio, aren't you going to the Charmony Festival?"
"I hate noisy places; they are detrimental to contemplation and a complete waste of time."
After saying goodbye to Dr. Ratio, Hoshi arrived at the stern pool. The swimming pool on the airship emitted a strange, fragrant aroma, and Hoshi wondered what the Clover Family had added to the water.
Surprisingly, the fragrance seemed to attract many Trotter banks in the Memory Zone... as well as a [ Beauty ] knight.
"We meet again, my dearest friend. You have surpassed me in your achievements on the path of ' Beauty,' and I salute you from the bottom of my heart!"
Argenti placed her hand on her breastplate, expressing her respect to Star.
"Really?" Xing smiled sheepishly. "Then when will I unlock the [ Beauty ] Path?"
Argenti was surprised by Star's choice of words, "[Unlocking]? What a poetic and beautiful way to put it, but you're already on the Path of [ Beauty ]."
"I have heard of your heroic act of leading the people to defeat the Omen. Although the story is regrettable, you have undoubtedly upheld [ Beauty ] and justice. May Idrila smile for you."
"[ Omen ]?" The star detected the keyword.
"If an aesthetician of ' Beauty ' loses his way in the pursuit of power, he will degenerate into an ' Omen ' form, neither human nor beast."
"Although Mr. Sunday had no connection with the path of ' Beauty,' his actions were nothing short of Omen. What a pitiful soul lost on the path to goodness... it is truly lamentable."
"Thank you, may [ Beauty ] always be with you!" Argenti bowed deeply to Xing.