The three exchanged doubtful glances, and in the end, their eyes all landed on Stelle.
She paused for a moment, then realized what they wanted, answering frankly, "It's fine, go ahead and use it."
"Much obliged, Teacher."
Yanqing bowed slightly in thanks and took the crystal hand-bone from March 7th.
After all, this Curio was no trivial thing; even when using it, the proper steps still needed to be followed.
"Could there be some kind of restriction that prevents the secrets of conceptual power from spreading through the universe?" Yunli pinched her chin, doubting aloud. "But according to Little March, she already comprehended it. If so, once someone can artificially recreate objects containing conceptual power, what's the point of merely forbidding verbal explanation?"
March 7th spread her hands helplessly. "Exactly. Aeons, or… maybe the universe itself—what a weird idea."
"Try it, and you'll understand." Yanqing held the hand-bone, speaking calmly.
He linked it to the Massacre Ruler. The same blue-green light as before washed over the blade.
In his mind, he felt a colossal ocean of information pouring through him.
Five minutes later, the glow faded. Yanqing opened his eyes.
He furrowed his brows, trying to articulate what he'd understood. After a long attempt, he found himself just like March 7th—unable to say even a single word.
Finally, he said, "I can't put it into words either. But at least this proves that Miss March truly comprehended the secret behind the conceptual power of 'Cutting All Things.'"
"Because I understand it now too." His grip shifted slightly; the Massacre Ruler flashed with a chilling, bone-splitting gleam.
That one simple motion made it clear—his mastery of "Cutting All Things" had already risen to a new level.
Seeing the truth exposed, March 7th proudly placed her hands on her hips. "Hehe, told you I'm a genius!"
"As expected of my very first disciple," Yunli said happily as well.
She turned toward Yanqing. "Let me try it too."
Taking the hand-bone, she pressed Old Mettle to it. The blue-green glow appeared again.
Soon, Yunli emerged from the [Hand of Deconstruction]'s ability.
"So strange…" She pouted, looking at the two Curios in her hands, completely confused.
Just like Yanqing, she had grasped the power of "Absolute Defense," felt confident she could use it—but couldn't find any language to explain it.
"My turn, my turn!" Stelle grabbed the Curio back, looking excitedly at the two swords.
Which one to pick…?
Oh well, why not try both?
She pressed the crystal head-bone forward—the blue-green glow rose again.
And moments later, the room gained another person who wanted to speak but couldn't utter a single word.
Yunli scratched her hair in confusion. "This doesn't make sense. How can we comprehend it, use it, yet not be able to explain it?"
Stelle rubbed her chin, her eyes shifting as a new idea formed.
Using her famously chaotic thought patterns to full advantage, she said, "Don't tell me… this little shop is haunted? And we've been possessed?"
"Huh? Don't say weird things." March 7th shrank her arms to her chest instantly, glancing nervously around. She whispered, "I—I'm terrified of supernatural stuff. And even if there was a ghost, why would it stop people from talking? That makes no sense!"
Seeing March 7th's reaction didn't dissuade Stelle—it only fired her up. "Heeey~~ what if the ghost died with its tongue cut out? It doesn't want others to talk either. And also…"
She glanced sideways at Sylvester, noting he was still sipping tea, then whispered to the others, "Don't you think he's weird? He's that powerful, yet he never leaves the shop. What if he's actually a spirit bound to this place?"
"Huh?!"
March 7th gasped under her breath. She still didn't quite believe it, but Sylvester's behavior was suspicious enough to make her imagination spiral.
"And remember—when I got the [Reverse Cornucopia Curse], he told us something."
Stelle looked at the display shelves, then turned back, speaking with grave seriousness. "He said every trash can here is made from people."
"A lot of truths are told as jokes. Maybe that's how he tricks us!"
"This…" March 7th thought of the tale-anthologies she'd read—about unfortunate people killed by malicious ghosts—and felt Stelle's words weren't entirely impossible. Her face turned pale. "If we're already cursed, then… doesn't that mean we're his next targets?"
As her anxiety reached its peak, Sylvester's voice suddenly boomed in their ears.
"Hey!"
"AAAH!!!" March 7th screamed, "I don't want to be turned into a trash can!"
"Who's turning you into a trash can?" Sylvester stared at the panicked March 7th, utterly exasperated.
March 7th was fine in every way—except she believed anything Stelle said.
He continued, "I can't pretend I didn't hear all that. The truth is, the topic of conceptual power is priced separately, but since you're taking it so seriously, I'll tell you the reason you can't talk about it. Only the reason."
Yunli's face lit up with joy. "Hmm? Shopkeeper Sylvester, are you serious?"
"Of course. Pulling this kind of trick is exactly for this purpose." Sylvester's eyes fixed on Stelle, giving a devilish smile. Folding his arms, he signaled he'd completely seen through her little ploy.
"Huh? So…"
Following Sylvester's gaze, March 7th thought for a moment—and finally understood.
So Stelle made up that ridiculous haunting story just to force Sylvester to debunk it?
Yanqing was thrilled, wearing an expression of I've learned something valuable.
"As the ancient Xianzhou saying goes: 'Bickering produces skill.' So that's how to use it!"
If he ever asks his master for a higher monthly allowance again, maybe saying: "Master, are you giving me so little because you're super poor?"
…might earn him another twenty thousand credits?
Stelle, surrounded by everyone's stares, showed not a trace of embarrassment. She tapped her own head and stuck out her tongue. "Eheh!"
"'Eheh' what?!"
Sylvester took a sip of tea, ignoring her. Then he said, "Conceptual power exists in a very special way. Even if analyzed, it can only be branded into the mind as an impression. The reason you can understand it at all is thanks to the Omni-Synthesizer. Without it, even with the [Hand of Deconstruction], you wouldn't be able to use the faint conceptual power inside these two weapons."
"As for why you can't say it out loud…"