The radiance that burst out from the trash can faded away, and another batch of Curios arrived right on schedule.
Feeling the solid weight that had appeared out of thin air in her hands, Bailu opened her eyes.
"Another empty trash can, huh." She puffed out her cheeks and muttered a brief complaint before carefully examining the two Curios.
One was a short, glassy baton that shimmered brilliantly, adorned with golden patterns and inscrutable symbols; the other looked as though it were carved from stone, a stubby rod etched with the shape of a human face.
"This is… some kind of totem from a primitive civilization?"
Bailu stared at the two items, her face full of confusion. In her little head, it seemed like only ancient tribal cultures would have things like this.
And if not for the fact that those ancient ruins often came bundled with rare medicinal herbs, she probably would not even know about them.
"Of course not. They're…" Sylvester chuckled softly when he saw her puzzlement and was about to explain.
But Bailu hurriedly raised an arm, holding up her palm to signal him to stop.
"Wait! Don't say anything yet, let me get ready first!"
The little one's face turned solemn and grave as she shut her eyes tight and drew in a huge breath with all the air her lungs could hold.
Sylvester could practically see her small belly slowly swell. Then that mass of air traveled upward, puffing out Bailu's chest like tightened muscles, before finally turning into a single burst of what could only be called a dragon's breath.
"Huu—" At last, Bailu opened her eyes again.
It wasn't that she believed too much in mysticism—she had simply been traumatized by the previous Curios.
Landmines, summoning talismans, funeral package vouchers… all kinds of bizarre items had come flooding in like patients lining up for an expert consultation, completely wrecking her state of mind.
If something even more outrageous showed up, she was honestly afraid her little heart wouldn't be able to take it.
If a dignified Dragon Honored One like her really got angered into illness, she would definitely become the laughingstock of the entire Vidyadhara race!
To avoid earning the title of a laughingstock for all eternity, Bailu completed the most thorough mental preparation possible. No matter what ridiculous Curio dared to attack her next, she would surely defeat it soundly!
"Come on!" Bailu shouted with determined eyes. "It doesn't matter anymore—no matter how absurd it is, I can handle it now!"
Seeing her look as though she were ready to march to her doom, Sylvester felt a twinge of sympathy.
Look at how badly the kid had been scared. Trash cans really did harm people.
He cleared his throat lightly and smiled. "There's no need to treat this like a life-or-death battle. If the two Curios in your hands were their true forms, they would indeed be extremely powerful Curios. Unfortunately, they're just models. One is called the [Sparklence], and the other is the [Flash Sword]."
"They are the most important weapons of the 'Warriors of Light' in a certain world. They possess the ability to connect and convert a person with the factor of light, granting immense power."
"And this 'light' isn't limited to natural light alone."
Sylvester smiled faintly and spread his arms as if embracing the entire world. His voice grew passionate and stirring. "Everything in existence—all good and positive will, all intent that can be called 'radiant'—belongs to this category! So, in theory, no matter how powerful the enemy, as long as the people of that world can stand united, as long as their yearning for 'light' burns intensely, the hero wielding the true forms of these Curios can obtain overwhelming power and become unstoppable!"
"Whoa!" Bailu cried out, all her earlier caution instantly thrown out the window.
According to Sylvester's description, if someone really managed to obtain the true forms of these two Curios, wouldn't that be outright invincible?
As for awakening the 'light' in people's hearts… that shouldn't be too hard, right?
With hopeful anticipation, Bailu looked down at the two models in her hands, an indescribable sense of disappointment rising within her.
This time, the Curios didn't cause any trouble—but that wasn't much better than trouble itself.
Putting aside whether landmines and the like were useful or not, at least she had truly gotten her hands on them. As for these two models, their effects couldn't exactly be called important—and could just as well be said to be completely useless.
It would've been better not to know what they were. Now that she knew, she could only stare at the models and feel unbearably itchy inside.
It was just like staying up late treating patients, only managing to fill your stomach with a cup of instant noodles, then opening the Jade Abacus to watch some digital side dishes—only to be greeted by a full luxury buffet!
And not just that, but in ultra-high-definition, full-screen playback, complete with commentary.
This… would absolutely torture someone with cravings, okay?!
Bailu stared at the two models in her hands, her frustration at their wasted potential practically spilling out of her eyes.
Why didn't you two have a bit more ambition? Try harder and replace your true forms already!
While Bailu continued her silent battle of wills with the two Curios, Aventurine—sitting calmly in the rest area—noticed a blind spot.
He spoke up loudly. "Shopkeeper Sylvester, these two items don't seem to come anywhere close to the grade of a purple Curio, do they?"
Setting aside luck perception, he had personally seen a beam of purple light appear from one of the three trash cans just now.
But these two items—calling them blue Curios would already be giving them too much credit.
"Yeah!" Bailu suddenly realized.
She had only been so nervous earlier because she had seen the purple light.
A sliver of hope appeared before her eyes.
She hopped over to the chair in front of the counter in two or three steps, leaned forward, and asked impatiently, "Sylvester, Sylvester! Hurry up and tell me—where's the purple Curio? Did I get the real thing too? Why didn't I see it?"
"Ah~~ easy now." Sylvester waved his hand, lifted his teacup, and took a leisurely sip.
That unhurried, unflappable demeanor nearly drove Bailu frantic.
"Come on, just tell me already! What's so good about that crushed tea of yours? I've got top-grade tea leaves that a recovering patient gifted me—one pound costs a hundred thousand Credits! If you want it, I'll bring it over tomorrow—no, this afternoon!"
Seeing Bailu spinning in circles with anxiety, even resorting to bribery over something like this, Sylvester chuckled softly.
He set the teacup down on the counter, producing a crisp clack.
"Explaining Curios is part of my duty, so there's no need for additional thanks."
Sylvester said seriously, "Miss Bailu, the third Curio you obtained is indeed related to what I just mentioned. It is something even more fundamental than the Divine Light Baton or the Flashing Sword. And for you, it fills your shortcomings even better."
"This Curio is called—the [Ultraman's Heart]!"
At Sylvester's words, not only Bailu but Aventurine as well perked up. He didn't speak, but quietly tilted his ear to listen more closely.
And the little purple dragon was instantly brimming with interest.
Bailu planted both hands on the counter, her small body nearly lunging off the chair as if she were about to stand directly on the countertop.
Doing her best to suppress her rapidly pounding heart, she swallowed hard and asked cautiously, "Th-then… the ability to grow stronger based on 'light'—was that inherited too?"
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa