[Several hours ago]

"Since you've arrived as promised, learned professor... Does this mean you're willing to side with the family in this farce?"

Dr. Ratio frowned slightly, asking with a hint of curiosity, "What makes you think you can sway me?"

Sunday chuckled softly and said, "I've heard that your interactions with Mr. Aventurine have been less than pleasant. I also know that you're a true scholar, valuing the pursuit of knowledge above all else."

Dr. Ratio snorted coldly, retorting, "Then you should also understand that a qualified scholar knows their place and won't lose more important things for the sake of trivial dignity."

"If you agree to assist the family, I will offer you all of our research findings on the Stellaron. You should be well aware that besides the family, no other faction is willing to share such knowledge," Sunday responded calmly.

After a moment of silence, Dr. Ratio slowly spoke, "Very well, let's talk. Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?"

[Yanqing: Has Dr. Ratio betrayed us already?]

[Welt: It's not that simple. I suspect Aventurine must have anticipated this.]

The other party replied without hesitation, "I need Mr. Aventurine's complete plan."

Dr. Ratio's lips curled into a slight, mocking smile:

"Haven't you already confiscated his cornerstone? A peacock stripped of its feathers can't fly."

[Qingque: Peacock +1, they really love using that codename for him]

[Aventurine: Actually, I quite like that title... It suits me perfectly.]

"But I've also heard that the ten elites of the Strategic Investment Department are extremely united in advancing the company's interests," Sunday immediately asked, "Are the 'cornerstones' submitted by Mr. Aventurine truly his own?"

"Heh, you suspect he would give you someone else's cornerstone? You're thinking of the Ten of the Stones as too united — those things are far more important to them than their lives," Dr. Ratio said with a hint of sarcasm.

"But you also know he's a madman of a gambler. The more ostentatious the display, the more carefully one must guard against it."

Hearing this, Dr. Ratio paused for a moment, his expression growing serious as he slowly said, "I never thought anyone would think like him. Honestly, you'd better see a psychiatrist."

[Stella: Dr. Ratio suggests you see a doctor]

[Aventurine: His tone has changed. Dr. Ratio is being very serious with this statement, Sunday. I really suggest you'd better listen to his advice.]

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

[Dr. Ratio: My goodness.]

"Hand it over. The box storing the cornerstone is specially made. No one except company executives and relevant personnel can open it — and I happen to be among them."

Sunday picked up the box from the side and placed it on the table, making a gesture, "If you please."

Dr. Ratio walked over and calmly opened the box. "I'm afraid you guessed correctly."

Sunday laughed coldly, "A golden stone, its luster identical to that of the Qlipoth's sacred body."

"That's exactly the story he prepared to deceive you with. He wouldn't tell you: the Ten of the Stones must carve their cornerstones with their own will, making them bloom with unique radiance."

"And this golden stone belongs to Topaz, its other name is Yellow Jasper — not Aventurine."

[Himeko: To give away a cornerstone more important than one's life... The Ten of the Stones are truly united, aren't they?]

[Topaz: I never thought I'd make such a decision... but I suppose it's possible.]

"Well then, shall we confront him about this?"

"Not yet. Right now, I'm more interested in knowing where his actual cornerstone is."

Dr. Ratio looked towards a nearby bag. "In the safest place, somewhere you'd never expect. Because he never intended to hide it — from the very beginning, that cornerstone has been in your possession."

Sunday quickly walked over, understanding dawning. He emptied the contents onto the table, where one gem stood out among the rest.

Dr. Ratio picked up the cyan-colored gem. "Aventurine."

Sunday had a sudden realization: "I see. This luggage... Mixing a cornerstone more precious than life itself among a bunch of cheap jewelry, disguised as a gift waiting to be confiscated. It certainly fits Mr. Aventurine's style."

Dr. Ratio smiled and pointed at the gift bag:

"Then he'd make up some excuse, dodge the important points, and ask you to return the gift. It's a gamble, one he's all too familiar with. He's betting on you making one wrong move and losing everything."

"Learned professor, thank you for your assistance. The family will surely repay your kindness," Sunday said with a grim expression. "As for the villain... may he retreat in disgrace."

[Back to the present]

Sunday said with a smile, "Thanks to your uniquely insightful friend, I was able to add a complete failure to your career."

Appearing unable to suppress his anger, Aventurine shouted, "Ratio, you bastard..."

Dr. Ratio turned his head away, not looking at him.

Sunday chuckled, "Your true colors are showing. By the way, your life is temporarily down to seventeen system hours. Cherish this time, and savor the aftertaste of failure."

Aventurine took a deep breath, then angrily demanded, "Why don't you speak more plainly?"

"What I just performed on you was the sacred cleansing of 'Harmony'. You should have shown loyalty under the light of the earth, but you stubbornly persisted with your lies, turning the cleansing into a judgment. I have no reason to undo it for you," Sunday sighed with feigned regret.

"Is this what you call 'Harmony'? ...Built on confinement and coercion?" Aventurine said with a hint of mockery.

However, Sunday shook his head slightly and spoke in a calm tone, "You misunderstand, Mr. Aventurine. Punishment is prepared for the irreverent, but I saw your unyielding heart, so I'm granting you the possibility of rebirth."

"In these seventeen system hours, you cannot leave the dream, nor can you communicate with any companions. You have only two paths to walk, depending on whether you can complete my trial within the agreed time limit."

"If you succeed, you will be able to merge into the harmony and be with countless family members. If you fail, you will bear the wrath of the infinite Aeons [Harmony Aeon Avatar], falling into an irredeemable abyss. That's why I specifically emphasized the word 'temporarily'."

Aventurine frowned and clutched his head, "Ugh... Damn it, it sounds like my fate is the same either way."

Hearing this, Sunday smiled slightly and continued, "I do indeed need a servant to help me find the evil lurking within the family from the outside. And I will cleanse from within, capturing the true culprit within seventeen system hours."