『 These words were like an Adam Smasher hammer, slamming brutally into Aventurine's heart, making him shudder involuntarily.
The phantom vanished after speaking, and everything returned to normal, as if it had never existed. But Aventurine's head, which was still throbbing with pain, reminded him every second that this had actually happened. He muttered to himself:
"First, I'm hearing things, and now I'm seeing them. Great! What's next? Am I going to be promoted to an Emanator of Harmony?"
Aventurine looked around but found no signs of any tourists.
"Why are there no guests here? What's that feather-head doing?" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: The evolution of Aventurine's names for Sunday: Penacony's handsomest man -> the one in the gray suit -> the bastard with wings on his head -> feather-head.
〘March 7th〙: Just how bored are you to keep track of this?
....
『 "Just a Pepeshi… No, a child?" Aventurine looked at a small child standing in front of the Clockie statue. The child was dressed simply, looking somewhat impoverished.
"I recall that minors aren't allowed inside the Golden Hour…" Filled with doubt, he couldn't help but speak to the child in front of him, "Hey, kid, why are you here all alone?"
Before he could finish speaking, Aventurine quickened his pace toward the child. But before he could take more than a few steps, he subconsciously clutched his head with his right hand, a look of pain appearing on his face as his brows furrowed deeply.
"What's wrong, mister… You don't look very well?" Hearing the voice, the child turned around and looked at Aventurine curiously.
When their eyes met, Aventurine was instantly shocked by the little boy's eyes—they were a pair of eyes as brilliant as gemstones.
And these eyes held a special significance for Aventurine. They were the eyes of an Avgin.
"Your… eyes? That's impossible. Who are you?" Aventurine was so shocked by those eyes that he became incoherent.
"They're very pretty, right? Big sister said they're a gift from Mama Fenge. Colorful eyes bring good luck." Noticing Aventurine's eyes, the little boy gasped in awe, "Ah, mister… You have pretty eyes, too. They look so nice!"
"Are you… all alone? Where are your parents?"
"They're both inside this theme park. Papa and Mama went in first. I'm on my way to find them."
With that, the little boy smiled and waved at Aventurine, "So I have to go now. Goodbye, mister. I hope you have fun too!" 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Combining this with the future we saw earlier, is this child Aventurine's past?
〘Herta〙: The future, being illusory and uncertain, feels like a phantom, while the past, fixed and unchangeable, stands as a tangible reality. Quite interesting.
〘March 7th〙: Then why didn't Aventurine recognize that it was his past self?
〘Hanabi〙: Of course, it's because he never looked in a mirror when he was a kid, and the water he drank was muddy, so he had no idea what he looked like~
〘Stelle〙: The light in front of my train compartment seems to be broken. Can you help me take a look?
〘Aventurine〙: The Fool is right. Sigonia's environment is very unique. There are no such things as mirrors there. Not only that, but rainfall is incredibly scarce, and the remaining water sources are all extremely muddy.
After sending this message, Aventurine continued to watch the light screen as if nothing had happened, but Topaz and Jade, who were sitting beside him, keenly noticed his slightly trembling hand hidden behind his back.
〘·HSR· Welt Yang〙: Past, present, and future.
〘Dr. Ratio〙: The pain of the past, the confusion of the present, and the fear of the future. The Harmony is making him debate with himself.
〘Stelle〙: It's quite interesting, but it also gives you goosebumps.
....
『 Aventurine watched the boy walk away, muttering thoughtfully to himself, "Those eyes, and Mama Fenge… No, it's impossible…"
"There AREN'T any Avgins left!"
With that thought, Aventurine decided to catch up, stepping forward to follow behind the boy.
Coming before the screen of the Theme Park, Aventurine froze as he looked at the red curtain in front of him.
"Abyssal and bottomless, just like Penacony, right?" The phantom appeared once more.
Aventurine clutched his head in distress, "Why are you still here?"
"You've known all along. If the Family extended tolerance to every family member who came seeking aid, why would they build such high walls and deep moats?"
"But people don't think that way. After all, the taste of SoulGlad is too alluring. You are isolated and helpless in Penacony, forced to tear down the high walls all on your own… How is that possible?"
The phantom couldn't help but sneer coldly, "So the moment you stepped into the hotel, you took off your high hat and began begging everyone around you, looking exactly like a hyena scavenging for food in the desert. Because you know that opportunities are fleeting."
"Compared to your phrasing, Ratio's Algin Peacock sounds practically pleasant."
The phantom didn't snap back, but instead said with unusual seriousness, "You know I rarely speak from the heart. I advise you to take it to heart."
"Coincidentally, you mentioned that professor—I particularly like what you and he have in common: schemes and calculations… especially the ending part, a magnificent betrayal!"
The phantom let out a cold laugh and said, "Hmph, when everyone suspects you, who would suspect that it was just another trap you meticulously designed?"
Listening to the phantom's smooth talk, Aventurine let out a cold snort.
"Am I right? Heh, you're just that kind of person—cautious yet self-deprecating. You've won so much, yet you're still more afraid of losing than anyone else."
"People only see you squandering money at the card table, but they don't know that beneath the table, there is another hand, clutching the chips, trembling uncontrollably…" Looking at the silent Aventurine, the phantom seemed to see through the secrets of his heart as he clapped his hands in praise.
"Impressive. No wonder the Tavern sent you an invitation. You're a born actor… not only good at deceiving others, but even better at deceiving yourself."
Aventurine was noncommittal, "If you want to avoid giving yourself away in front of others, the cleverest way is to deceive yourself first."
"Haha, of course. I know you too well… But it's strange. Why did you decline that invitation? You clearly had the chance to embrace Elation. Isn't that what you wanted most? Yet you still chose the IPC's card table…" He looked at Aventurine with a curious expression. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: One second you're saying you're my future, and the next second you're asking questions out of curiosity?
〘Dan Heng〙: Perhaps this thought exists within his heart. For example: "What would have happened if I had joined the Tavern back then?"
〘March 7th〙: Hmm… simply put, it's coming to terms with himself? Fine, but I still don't quite understand.
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: True, if another me appeared in front of me, I'd just find it terrifying.
〘Seele Vollerei〙: Not really. Although the other me is very fierce, I know she does it for my own good.
〘Veliona〙: What are you talking about!
〘Fu Hua〙: Another self… I wonder what another me would be like?
〘·HSR· Welt Yang〙: Uh, I think you'd have a massive headache.
....