You and Aventurine stand before the imposing door that leads to Sunday, excitement and tension hang in the air. Dr. Ratio looks at both of you, his expression a mix of concern and expectation.

"You should be prepared," he warns. "Sunday is not someone easily handled."

Aventurine smirks. "Oh, I believe he's the one who should be prepared to face me."

"Do you have a plan?" Ratio presses, clearly skeptical.

"I don't have a plan," Aventurine admits with a casual shrug. "I'll just play it by ear. There are only two types of bargaining chips: benefit or fear."

You furrow your brow, unable to hold back your curiosity. "Are you really just going to wing it? What if Sunday suspects you? Or worse, what if he thinks you killed Robin?"

Aventurine's expression shifts, surprise creeping into his features. "What? I didn't kill Robin! Why would you even think that?"

"Because you're so good at getting under people's skin. It's not like he's the most trusting guy," you reply, a hint of playfulness in your tone.

Aventurine rolls his eyes, a smile creeping back onto his face. "Come on! I'm just saying Sunday is sus about everyone, including you! It's not my fault if he thinks I'm a threat."

Dr. Ratio crosses his arms, shaking his head. "Let's focus, shall we? You might not have killed Robin, but using his death as leverage is dangerous. You need to tread carefully."

Aventurine nods, a serious glint in his eyes. "I know what I'm doing. Sunday is grieving; that makes him vulnerable. I can offer him the chance to find the murderer. He can't do that due to his status, but I can, and that's my benefit."

"Are you sure he won't just see you as a rival?" Ratio questions, his voice laced with caution.

"Simple. Because the murderer could very well be a traitor hiding within The Family. I need to expose them, and if I'm lucky, I might find a powerful ally."

You watch the exchange, both fascinated and a bit unnerved. Aventurine's confidence is contagious, but his lack of caution sends a jolt of anxiety through you.

"Just remember," you say, "if things go south, I'm here to bail you out."

Aventurine chuckles, "Thanks, but I'm not planning on losing. Three chips are enough. It's all or nothing."

Aventurine catches your serious expression and pauses, his brow furrowing. "Hey, did you just suggest something? You look scared."

"No," you shake your head, the unease settling deep in your stomach. "I just... I have a bad feeling about this."

His eyes soften for a moment, but then he hardens again. "Then maybe you should run away."

You refuse, crossing your arms defiantly. "No way. I'm not leaving you."

He turns away, his steps slow and heavy. "You're too innocent for this world. Life is going to use you, you know. It chews up people like you."

His words strike a chord, and you can see the pain behind his bravado. "You think I'll betray myself?"

He leans against the wall, his gaze distant. "You need to explain that to me. If you stay like this, you'll learn the hard way. People will always be bad to you."

You feel a shiver run down your spine. "But I refuse to believe that. I won't become like that!"

Aventurine's expression shifts, a flicker of something deep and raw passing through his eyes. "You really think you can stay good? That you can live in this cruel world without becoming vile yourself?"

"I won't," you insist, "because I'm an idiot! And idiots always try! They never give up!"

He looks at you as if you've just revealed a truth he's long hidden, a moment of clarity amidst the chaos. "Shut up," he snaps, but there's no real bite to his words. The vulnerability in his eyes betrays his struggle.

"Why do you care so much?" you challenge gently, feeling the weight of the moment hang between you.

"Because," he says quietly, "I've seen what happens when you stay innocent for too long."

You can see it's a painful memory for him. You step closer, your resolve unyielding. "Then I'll be the idiot who keeps trying. You may think it's foolish, but at least I'll still have my heart."

Aventurine looks torn, the walls he built around himself cracking just a little. "Just be careful," he mutters, and for a brief moment, the bravado slips away, leaving only the fragile truth of who he is.

The tension in the room thickened, Sunday's words hung in the air like a weight. "It seems my puzzles are too effortless for you, IPC Ambassador," he said, his voice smooth yet laced with a hint of condescension.

Aventurine, ever the quick thinker, replied with a wry smile, "I appreciate your words, Mr. Sunday. However, this is no way to greet a guest."

"Welcome it may not be, but this is a summoning," Sunday continued, his tone growing more serious. "Before we speak, I need to test your character."

The unease rippled through you, and you could sense Aventurine's confidence. "Certainly, you ought to know this better than I do — he has already faithfully fulfilled his duties, hasn't he?"

"Indeed," Sunday acknowledged, his gaze sharp. "The doctor has assured me of your noble character. He considers you, like himself, a virtuous person who can be trusted by The Family."

You felt a sting of anger rise within you. Aventurine, noble? The thought gnawed at your insides. But you held your tongue; he had warned you not to disrupt his plan.

As Sunday continued, his voice grew colder. "But you've used your wisdom at the wrong place to meet the wrong person, witnessing a tragedy that shouldn't have happened. Robin's case... What do you have to say about that?"

Aventurine didn't flinch. "You don't look too well. Am I making you anxious?"

Sunday's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "If I'm not mistaken, you've just made a serious accusation against The Family."

"Depravity is creeping in around you," Aventurine shot back, his tone defiant. "There's no need for us to be evasive. Let's talk about your sister. Her talent is unrivaled, yet she returned to Penacony unable to sing. Who could be responsible for this?"

As the conversation escalated, you felt your heart race. You wanted to scream, to demand answers, but Aventurine's calm demeanor anchored you, urging you to stay quiet. You glanced at him, your heart aching to see him so composed in the face of danger.

"Your noble status has become a shackle," Aventurine pressed, his eyes locking onto Sunday's. "You're feeling anxious because you're out on a limb."

Sunday, unfazed, replied with a chilling calmness. "I'm immensely honored by your concern for me, Mr. Aventurine. But I believe you wouldn't ask for anything in return, would you?"

"Of course," Aventurine said, trying to steer the conversation back. "I just want my liberty and the personal items under The Family's custody — the bag of gift money and..."

"The box in which the Cornerstone is stored," Sunday interrupted, a calculating glint in his eyes.

The mention of the Cornerstone sent a jolt through you. The stakes were rising, and your fists clenched in frustration. Why was Aventurine risking so much?

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Aventurine asked, his voice steady despite the tension.

"Please don't let me turn you down twice," Sunday replied smoothly, his smile unyielding.

Aventurine hesitated, frustration mingling with determination in his gaze. "The gift money is good enough, right? After all, a merchant can't function without a bargaining chip."

Sunday's grin widened. "You compromised quicker than I thought. Unfortunately, it's a gambler that needs a bargaining chip, not a merchant. I can give you your gift money, but first, I want you to tell me — what's stored in the box you asked for?"

The room felt electric as Sunday summoned a strange authority. "You have 113 seconds to prove your innocence and gain my trust."

Aventurine squared his shoulders. "And if I refuse?"

"You can try — and we'll see if the Harmony rejects you," Sunday replied, the atmosphere shifting ominously.

Questions were hurled like daggers, and you felt your heart race with each one. You wanted to intervene, to protect Aventurine, but he had insisted you stay silent. Each answer he gave felt like a calculated step closer to a precipice, and your anxiety grew.

As Sunday's questioning continued, your anger bubbled beneath the surface, aching to break free. "You're playing with fire, Aventurine!" you wanted to shout, but you bit your lip, forcing yourself to remain still.

Finally, Sunday leaned in, the final question poised on his lips. "Can you swear that at this very moment, the Aventurine stone is safe and sound in this box?"

You felt your breath catch, knowing how much was at stake. Aventurine paused, a shadow crossing his face. "Of course."

"Open it, Mr. Aventurine... It's your last chance to defend your honor." Sunday's voice was almost taunting, and your heart sank. You felt a mix of fear and anger. Would he really betray everything for this gamble?

Your gaze locked onto Aventurine, desperate and pained. "Please, be careful," you whispered silently, your heart heavy as you watched the man you cared for stand at the edge of uncertainty.

In the  Dewlight Pavilion, the tension was palpable. Sunday leaned forward, a predatory glint in his eye. "Since you came as promised, learned Doctor... Does this mean you are willing to take the side of The Family in this farce?"

Dr. Ratio's brow furrowed, skepticism etched on his face. "What makes you think you can convince me?"

Sunday smirked, an air of confidence surrounding him. "I've heard you haven't enjoyed Mr. Aventurine's company. I also understand you're an avid learner who sees the pursuit of knowledge above all."

Dr. Ratio crossed his arms, unimpressed. "In that case, you ought to realize that a competent scholar knows their position and wouldn't forsake more vital matters for the sake of petty pride."

"Cut to the chase. What do you need from me?" Dr. Ratio's voice was firm, but you could sense the uncertainty bubbling beneath the surface.

"I need Mr. Aventurine's comprehensive plan," Sunday declared, his tone cold.

"Haven't you confiscated his Cornerstone? You can't expect a featherless bird to take flight," Dr. Ratio replied sharply.

"But I've also heard the ten elites in the Strategic Investment Department have united, progressing together in the interests of the IPC," Sunday retorted, his eyes narrowing.

"You'll have to speak more clearly than that," Dr. Ratio said, his voice steady but strained.

Sunday continued, "The Cornerstone Mr. Aventurine surrendered — was it really his?"

Dr. Ratio's voice was laced with doubt. "You question whether he would entrust you with someone else's Cornerstone? The Ten Stonehearts aren't as united as you think — Cornerstones are significantly more precious to them than their very own lives."

"Yet you know he's a crazed gambler. The more vocal he is about it, the more cautious I must be," Sunday replied, a taunting smile on his lips.

"I never imagined someone would share his way of thinking. Honestly, you should see a shrink," Dr. Ratio replied, trying to deflect Sunday's intensity.

"Bring it. The box containing the Cornerstone is unique, and only IPC senior staff and related members can access it — but I happen to be among them," Dr. Ratio added, revealing the depth of the conflict.

 Sunday examined the item before him, you felt a chill run down your spine. "Ha, the golden stone. Its color and glow are similar to that of Qlipoth's body," he mused. "This is the very ruse he intends to use to fool you. He won't reveal to you that the Ten Stonehearts chisel their own will into the Cornerstones, granting them an unparalleled radiance."

The weight of the moment settled heavily in the air. Aventurine stood on the precipice, and you could feel his resolve falter under the pressure. "So? Do you wish to confront him?" Sunday asked, his gaze penetrating.

"Not at the moment. I'm more interested to know the location of his Cornerstone," Sunday replied, his demeanor chilling.

"The safest place, somewhere you'd never think of. Because he never intended to hide it — in fact, that Cornerstone has been in your hands from the very beginning," Dr. Ratio said, his voice grave.

"Mixing a Cornerstone, more precious than life itself, with a bunch of worthless jewels, disguised as a gift of money waiting to be confiscated... is indeed in line with Mr. Aventurine's style," Sunday noted, smirking at the absurdity of it all.

"He makes up some trivial excuse, downplaying the matter, and requests the gift money. This is a gamble, one he's all too familiar with," Dr. Ratio explained, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on you.

"Learned Doctor, I'm grateful for your help. The Family will surely reward a righteous person like you," Sunday said, his voice dripping with insincerity.

"And as for the villain... I hope he retreats in humiliation," Sunday added with a mocking laugh.

Aventurine's voice was a low growl. "Ratio, you wretch..."

Sunday's demeanor shifted, a cruel smile on his face. "Finally shown your true colors, heh. Just to remind you: You currently only have seventeen system hours left to live. Treasure your remaining time, and savor the delectable aftertaste of defeat."

Aventurine's eyes darkened. "...You might as well explain yourself a little more clearly."

"What I performed on you just now was the Harmony's consecration," Sunday replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "You were to show allegiance beneath the illumination of THEIR grace, yet you acted willfully, uttering nothing but falsehoods, transforming the consecration into a trial. I genuinely see no reason to absolve you from it."

"Is this what the Harmony represents? Built upon constraint and coercion?" Aventurine shot back, his voice filled with disbelief.

"You misunderstand, Mr. Aventurine. Punishment is meant for the irreverent. But I have seen your resilient spirit, and thus I offer you the possibility of a new beginning," Sunday explained, his voice unnaturally calm.

You wanted to shout that this wasn't a new beginning; it was a trap. The air felt thick with tension as you absorbed Sunday's words. "What's the plan?" you wanted to scream at Aventurine.

"Throughout these seventeen system hours, you will be unable to escape the Dreamscape or contact any of your companions. You only have two paths before you, and it all depends on whether you can complete my test within the time limit," Sunday continued, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

"Should you succeed, you will be able to coalesce into the Harmony and be with your Family. If you fail, you will suffer the wrath of the Eternal Centurion and fall into an abyss of doom."

Aventurine's voice was laced with bitterness. "Sounds like I'm going to end up the same either way."

Sunday leaned closer, his tone chilling. "I indeed need a servant to help me uncover the evil hidden in The Family from an external perspective. I will purge the evil from the inside and bring the real culprits to justice within seventeen system hours."

Aventurine clenched his fists, the weight of the challenge hung over him like a guillotine. You felt a mixture of dread and admiration for his resolve, but you could not help but want to protect him.

"When the time comes, compare your findings with mine. If both our findings align, or if you can provide me more insights... then THEY will truly be able to grant you mercy and honesty," Sunday added, his tone deceptively sweet.

"Shameless hypocrites... You took everything from me and still demand the truth? That isn't fair. Your carnival reeks with the stench of cash. Nothing is achievable without it!" Aventurine spat, his frustration boiling over.

"This is meant to be an act of personal virtue, not requiring The Family's support. Your bag is over there; do as you please. I believe you can trade this bag of worthless jewels for everything you need. That's what gamblers excel at, isn't it?" Sunday taunted, waving dismissively.

Aventurine's expression hardened. "Off you go, Mr. Aventurine. You are free. I will wait here for your good news."

"This meeting isn't an interrogation, or a negotiation... It's an outright execution," Aventurine declared, his voice steady yet filled with defiance.

"Why would I do that, Mr. Aventurine? I'm just wondering what a passerby who stumbled upon a scene of murder could have found out, that's all," Sunday replied, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.