[So who's this kid?]
[Uh, the kid should be Aventurine when he was young, right?]
[I don't know why, but my heart hurts so much.]
[Aventurine's backstory is definitely being set up; you can tell it's going to be tragic.]
"Those eyes, and 'Mother Fenge'… No, that's impossible…" Aventurine shook his head desperately, "There are no more Avgin in the universe…"
Aventurine moved deeper toward the center of the stage, and his own phantom appeared again.
"Why are you still here?"
The phantom ignored Aventurine, continuing on its own, "You've known for a long time—if the family truly showed leniency to every member who came seeking help, why would they build such high walls and deep moats?
But people don't think that way; after all, the taste of sweet dream syrup is too tempting. You were alone in Penacony, with no one to rely on, trying to tear down those walls single-handedly… How could you possibly succeed?
So, the moment you stepped into the hotel, you took off your tall hat and started begging for help everywhere, like a hyena scavenging in the desert. Because you knew, opportunities are fleeting."
Aventurine looked at the phantom and mocked, "Compared to your words, Dr. Ratio's 'Artichon Peacock' sounds almost pleasant."
"You know I rarely speak the truth, so you'd better take it to heart.
Speaking of which, you mentioned that professor—I particularly like what you two have in common: schemes and calculations… especially the part about the ending, a spectacular betrayal!
When everyone thinks that's the case, who would suspect that it's yet another trap you meticulously set?"
[So it was an act? He deliberately fell into the trap?]
[Huh???]
[What the heck, that kind of plot twist?]
[Aventurine is just too clever.]
Faced with Aventurine's silence, the phantom continued, "Did I hit the mark? That's the kind of person you are—cautious and self-deprecating, winning so much yet still more afraid of losing than anyone else.
People only see you throwing around thousands at the gambling table, but they don't know about the other hand under the table, clutching your chips, trembling…
Impressive, no wonder the tavern sent you an invitation. You're a natural-born actor… not just skilled at deceiving others, but even better at deceiving yourself."
[????]
[The tavern? I didn't skip anything!]
[The place where the Masked Fools drink; they say you can't even get in without some serious skills.]
[This characterization is phenomenal!]
[Wow, his character just came to life.]
[I'm seriously starting to feel for him.]
[Enough, my heart aches for him!]
"The best way to avoid slipping up in front of others is to deceive yourself first."
"Haha, of course, I know you too well… But, how strange. Why did you reject that invitation? You had the chance to embrace 'Elation,' wasn't that what you wanted most? Yet you still chose the company's gambling table…" The phantom scrutinized Aventurine, "For 'Preservation'? Hmph, I don't think so. Do you have even the slightest connection to 'Preservation'?"
Aventurine looked at the phantom with a smile, "I thought you knew… Don't you understand me? Alright, either shut up now or get out of my sight."
"No problem. But the one about to disappear here—who is it, really?"
[I get it, this phantom is the dark side of Aventurine's heart.]
[Don't jump to conclusions.]
[This is Aventurine's true value; he wants both 'Elation' and 'Preservation.']
[Why can't he follow multiple Paths like the Trailblazer?]
[Because the Trailblazer is the protagonist.]
Aventurine caught up with the kid and started playing hide and seek with him.
While searching, the phantom appeared behind him again.
"Hide and seek… such sweet childhood memories.
The day you said goodbye to your mother, how many Katicans were chasing after you like jackals?
I bet you can't forget their sharp laughter. To disappear from under those barbarians' noses, you and your sister had to roll in blood, ruining the only piece of clothing your father left behind…"
[????]
[Ouch, that came out of nowhere!]
[An invisible blade, the deadliest kind!]
"It wasn't ruined. I've kept it all this time." Aventurine clenched his fists tightly.
"It's just a piece of rag now; you can't wear it anymore. You don't have to hide anymore either, and you even have the mood to complain about your fancy clothes getting wet in the rain… Your status has really changed."
"I've never changed."
"No, you've changed… Now you're the one chasing. The last game of hide and seek… Enjoy it."