Accompanied by Sparkle's confident words, a surging [Causality] Path power burst forth, spreading outward with the girl at the center.
It was worth noting that although this Path power was vast, careful observation revealed that Sparkle had tightly confined it within a roughly ten-meter radius, with no overflow whatsoever.
"This aura… You are actually a Pathstrider of the [Causality] Path?"
Feeling the [Causality] Path aura emanating from the petite girl before him, Mr. Aventurine was momentarily stunned. Soon, however, he reacted, his sword-like brows tightening.
Sparkle was a Masked Fool—this was beyond doubt, and Mr. Aventurine had already investigated it. Yet now the other party was displaying [Causality] power, and it was no weak force.
Though it sounded like boosting the enemy's morale and diminishing his own, it was undeniable that the power Sparkle displayed at this moment had already surpassed the vast majority of Pathstriders. Even if he used the power of the 'Cornerstone,' he might not be her match.
"Masked Fool, I never expected that while walking the [Elation] Path, you would also step onto the [Causality] Path. This is truly surprising."
"Heehee~ Little peacock, don't be too shocked. There are still many things that you, and even the entire Interastral Peace Corporation, don't know~ You can slowly discover them later~"
Sparkle giggled, then stopped paying attention to Aventurine. She focused her concentration and earnestly used the power of [Causality] to repair the Aventurine Cornerstone in her hand.
Seeing that Sparkle was no longer paying attention to him, Aventurine said nothing more. He simply fixed his gaze on the Aventurine Cornerstone in the girl's hand, a trace of barely noticeable expectation flashing in his eyes.
If Sparkle could truly repair the Aventurine Cornerstone, it would undoubtedly be good news for him.
Shattering the Aventurine Cornerstone and bringing it into Penacony had been an extremely risky move. It was a mad gamble—Aventurine was betting that the value he created during this trip to Penacony could offset the loss of one 'Cornerstone.'
If the value he created this time was enough to offset the damage of one 'Cornerstone,' then he would not only be innocent but would also achieve great success and fame.
Just like Topaz at the time. Although she had lost the astronomical debt of Jarilo-VI, she had gained something even more valuable than the debt in return.
Jarilo-VI, that remote and destitute planet, had caught the gaze of the [Causality] Aeon 'Lord of Samsara.' The planet's highest leader, the Supreme Guardian 'Cocolia,' had even received a personal blessing from that Aeon.
It was believed that before long, that fallen planet would become a holy land longed for by followers of [Causality], just like the IPC's headquarters planet 'Pier Point' or the Family's branch headquarters 'Penacony.'
If the value Aventurine created this time could not offset the cost of damaging one 'Cornerstone,' then what awaited him would be endless purgatory and the company's judgment.
"A tool containing Emanator-level [Preservation] power is indeed quite troublesome to repair."
Feeling the resistant force coming from the 'Cornerstone,' Miss Sparkle pouted in dissatisfaction. This 'Cornerstone' was doing its utmost to reject her [Causality] power. Tch, how annoying. She clearly wanted to help 'it.'
"Calm down for me."
Sparkle closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them again. Her beautiful pupils spun like a kaleidoscope. An even more powerful force than before surged out and madly poured into the broken 'Cornerstone.'
"Tch, ungrateful thing."
Under the suppression of [Causality] power, the 'Cornerstone' retreated unwillingly like a defeated general.
Only after that did the power of the [Causality] Path truly display itself.
[Causality] Authority — Retrospection Erasure!
In Aventurine's sight, under the envelopment of [Causality] Path power, the shattered Aventurine Cornerstone gradually restored to its original pristine state, as if time had flowed backward.
After a few seconds, the light on the Cornerstone gradually faded. The perfectly intact Aventurine Cornerstone slowly landed in Sparkle's hand.
"Done. How about it, little peacock? What do you think of the great Sparkle's power?"
Aventurine: "…Hahaha, Miss Sparkle, thank you for your help. I will remember this kindness. If there is anything in the future where you need me, then I, Aventurine—no, I, Kakavasha—will not refuse!"
Aventurine clenched one fist and heavily struck his own chest with a dull thud. His eyes were filled with sincerity and seriousness.
He did not know why Sparkle was helping him, nor what purpose she held.
However, although Avgins were despised by the world, called honey-mouthed but sword-hearted and natural liars, Aventurine was not that kind of person. He was someone who knew how to repay kindness.
"Oh? Kakavasha—this is your real name, little peacock? Avgins… you have quite good taste in naming."
Hearing Aventurine's words, a trace of interest appeared on Sparkle's face, but it quickly faded.
"Alright, alright, here's the Aventurine Cornerstone back~"
She casually returned the repaired Cornerstone to Aventurine, stood up from the marble stone chair, turned her back to him, and waved as a farewell.
"See you later, little peacock~!"
Watching Sparkle leave until her figure gradually disappeared from sight, the smile on Aventurine's face slowly faded, replaced by a contemplative expression.
The Cornerstone had been repaired—this should have been something very worth celebrating. Yet for some unknown reason, he felt a faint sense of unease in his heart.
It might sound heartless, but he always felt…
He raised the Aventurine Cornerstone above his head and carefully examined the 'Cornerstone' in his hand. The azure stone body refracted brilliant sunlight, scattering radiant splendor.
"Am I overthinking it? The Cornerstone looks fine…"
Aventurine shook his head, then carefully put the Cornerstone back into the box. After doing so, he looked at the bag of gift money in his hand.
Looking at those precious gems he had called beautiful scraps—enough for a family of five to live comfortably for ten thousand years—Aventurine's eyes flickered. He then straightforwardly threw the bag into the trash bin beside him.
"Time to carry out my plan. I hope everything goes smoothly…"