"No—you can say directly that the entire continent has no chance. And not just the Genius Society. If someone could join the Erudition Society and bring the universe's knowledge to Piltover, that would also be great. But we don't even have the ability to leave this continent."
…This was indeed a sorrowful fact.
Even using Hextech crystals, the energy contained within could only guarantee free movement across the continent. As for more distant interstellar travel… that still belonged to the realm of dreams.
When Jayce was young, he had heard legends of star spirits from beyond the sky. Some star spirits were now on the Giant's Peak. Thinking back now, star spirits might be envoys spreading different Aeons from beyond the sky. If one day he could have the fortune to meet one, he wondered if he could receive revelations from beyond this starry sky?
——
[The two arrived at an even wider and more luxurious room. As they continued forward, they found the only door was locked.]
[In the center of the room there was only a sandbox missing some parts. The two searched nearby and indeed found a small floating archway.]
["Gulliver's Arch. You can remember such a small thing so clearly? Its appearance reminds me of a tunnel that shrinks you when you pass through…"]
[Professor Ratio coldly interrupted him: "If I were you, I would shut up immediately. Say less of what shouldn't be said."]
["Alright." Aventurine spread his hands.]
[After returning to the hall and installing the arch, Aventurine accidentally touched it. After a blinding flash of light, he found himself truly shrunken like a Lilliputian, looking up high at Ratio outside the sandbox.]
["…Oh my god! I've become small? Am I dreaming?" Aventurine was as happy as a child.]
["You are indeed."]
[Aventurine laughed heartily and even waved at Ratio: "Professor~ You've become so tall! I actually came to the sandbox and became this small… How about we just leave like this? You find a chance to stuff me into Sunday's collar and infiltrate the Family this way…"]
["…Tch."]
[Aventurine shrugged: "Fine, I was just joking."]
——
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
"Hahaha, I didn't expect Aventurine to make such a cute sound."
On the worn-out sofa in the church basement, Hestia sat cross-legged, watching Aventurine's child-like reaction to a new toy. It was the first time she felt something novel.
The impression this guy usually gave was always cunning, domineering, and dangerous… But just now, for a moment, it seemed he had unloaded the heavy burdens weighing on his back—his brows and eyes relaxed, revealing a youthful, tender vitality unique to young people.
This sandbox was just his personal playground.
"I thought after he became an IPC P45-level executive, he had enjoyed every kind of happiness and seen it all. Turns out he has such a childish side too." Hestia clicked her tongue in wonder.
"Perhaps Mr. Aventurine simply found a bit of the feeling from his childhood here?" Bell shook his head. His white hair was dyed a warm orange by the candlelight. "From Professor Ratio's account, Mr. Aventurine was previously a slave. After escaping the crisis of life and death, he had to busy himself proving his value in the IPC. I'm afraid he has never really enjoyed the happiness of being a 'child' in his life…"
"Bell-kun… Hearing you say that, I feel like this leader standing above ten thousand people is actually a bit pitiful."
Bell let out a "pfft" laugh: "Lady Goddess, if Mr. Aventurine heard you say that, he might get angry, you know? Mm… No, according to his personality, not only would he not get angry, he might instead use your sympathy for him and try every way possible to win a bit more money from your pocket."
"…When you put it that way, I find him a bit detestable again."
——
[Aventurine looked up at the surrounding amusement facilities and skyscrapers, clicking his tongue in wonder: "Ratio, you really should come in and see. It's too spectacular. I dare say you could crush me to death with a light pinch."]
[Ratio's voice came from above his head: "As long as you agree, I will execute it immediately."]
[The two bickered while searching for puzzle pieces and soon assembled the forward gate. After leaving the sandbox and restoring their sizes, they were only one door away from Sunday.]
["It's regrettable to see you leave the sandbox alive. Sunday is right behind this door. From my shallow understanding, he is not an easy person to deal with. Are you prepared?" Ratio asked.]
[Aventurine said confidently: "Mm, I believe the one who needs to be prepared is him."]
["Tell me your plan."]
["No particular plan. Adapt to the situation. When negotiating with people, there are only two kinds of chips: benefits or fear."]
["It seems you really don't understand [Sincerity]."]
[Aventurine spread both hands: "Am I not sincere enough? No need to emphasize it specially. We need to make good use of death. That man's sister is dead. He definitely won't be able to sit still. That is [fear]. And I will help him root out the murderer. Due to his identity and position, he cannot do this himself, but I can. That is [benefit]."]
[Ratio countered: "What makes you think he cannot do it and must entrust a person from the opposing IPC?"]
["Simple—because the murderer is very likely a 'traitor' lurking within the Family."]
["…You previously accused that Galaxy Ranger."]
[Aventurine smiled lightly: "That was just an excuse, Professor. That woman is not right. I need someone to restrain her. The fewer variables outside our field of vision during our actions, the better."]
——
One Piece.
"Hmph, he's quite a clever kid." Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring. "He already knew Acheron wasn't the murderer. Although the alienation plan didn't work well, at least he tried in that regard."
"However, why is he so concerned about Acheron? That woman, I remember…" Crocodile patted his head. Some images in his mind had already become blurry, as if submerged by seawater.
"Damn it, what was that woman's ability again—"
He kicked Buggy's butt beside him. "Tell me, what is Acheron's fighting style? And information about him!"
Buggy's face was almost wrinkled into a ball. His red nose twitched pitifully. "I-I can't remember either…"
"Useless!" Crocodile grabbed Buggy's blue hair and kicked him aside. Buggy immediately shrank his neck like a startled hermit crab and quickly put a relatively safe distance between himself and the sand man.