Morning.
After breakfast, Sylvester, as usual, prepared to open the shop.
But when he checked the time, something felt odd. Qingque, who served as the recorder, hadn't shown up as usual.
Ever since she returned from the Seat of Divine Foresight, she'd been wearing a mournful look. Even last night, she'd done something rare—turned off the lights at ten. Normally, she'd keep them blazing until well past midnight.
But if she'd gone to bed that early, why hadn't she gotten up yet? Could she have been burning the midnight oil in the dark instead?
Still, he had no intention of storming in and dragging Qingque out of bed. After all, barging into a young lady's room—right up to her bedside, no less—was hardly something decent folk did.
So, he decided to just start work.
"Welcome to the Curio Trash Cans, ordinary tra—oh, it's you lot?" Sylvester pushed open the door, his usual sales line slipping out automatically. Halfway through, he realized one familiar face was missing—yet there were four new ones in her place.
"Hey! Boss Sylvester, we're back to buy your trash cans again!" Yunli greeted him cheerfully, then patted March 7th on the shoulder with a grin. "This time, we're here for my good disciple. She wants a peerless swordsmanship manual."
"That's right, that's right!" March 7th eagerly joined in. "Boss Sylvester, do you have one of those manuals that's super powerful but easy to understand—the kind that lets you grasp it at a glance and instantly become a sword master?"
Before Sylvester could answer, Yanqing cautioned, "Miss March, your expectations are too high. Swordsmanship isn't something one masters overnight. The greatest mistake is seeking quick success. Losing control of one's mind isn't just a tale from fiction."
The memory of being possessed by a Heliobus was still vivid in his mind; there was no way he'd let his disciple walk that same path.
"No! It's not impossible!"
But Sylvester waved a hand with a light chuckle. "If it's a higher-grade Curio, giving you Emanator-level swordsmanship… ha, that's nothing difficult."
"Really?"
Hearing Yanqing's words, March 7th had already prepared herself for disappointment.
But Sylvester's reply rekindled her hope all at once.
If what he said was true—then even a purple-grade Curio might be enough, without needing a golden one?
That meant she really might complete her training this time.
"Of course it's true!" Sylvester nodded firmly.
To be specific, even a single Memory Bubble from a certain swordmaster-level Emanator could achieve that effect perfectly—let alone other types of Curios.
He smiled. "If you're lucky enough, you might even attain enlightenment through the sword itself and become the Aeon of the Sword."
That possibility certainly existed—but whether luck would favor her was another matter.
"Ah~ something like that's too far-fetched. Just being recognized by both my masters would be enough for me."
March 7th's words sounded modest, but her imagination was already running wild.
The Aeon of the Sword, March 7th—one strike to shatter a galaxy, two strikes to cleave Phantylia in half, and then a fierce battle at the edge of the cosmos against Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction who spread the Stellaron and poisoned the universe. In the final moment, with divine precision, she delivers a single strike—just 0.01 seconds before Nanook's ultimate attack lands—slaying THEM outright!
If I can pull that off… I have to get the perfect photo of it!
And then, the name March 7th, the Swordmaster Aeon would echo across the entire—
"Hey, stop daydreaming. Get that trash can open. I still want to roll for something pretty. The sooner we start, the sooner we're done."
Stelle gave March 7th a firm pat on the head, dragging her mercilessly back to reality.
"Got it." March 7th covered her head, pouting. "You know, this is bad for my growth!"
She walked to the shelf, scanning left and right, recalling the last batch of Curios she'd opened—especially that cursed exoskeleton—and couldn't help feeling nervous.
Only ten openings allowed. If she didn't get anything good, the loss of ten million Credits was one thing—but another week of grueling training? That'd be hell.
The dread of more training haunted her, keeping her from making a decision.
Yunli watched for a bit, growing impatient. "Alright, how about this—I'll open one first. If it's useless, I'll count it as covering for you. If it's useful, I'll just hand it over and you can pay me back later."
"Really, Yunli, Master? You're the best! Lunch at Aurum Alley's on me—order whatever you want!"
Hearing that, March 7th nearly jumped for joy. Even just one extra chance greatly boosted her odds.
"That's actually not a bad approach," Sylvester said from behind the counter, crossing his arms as he observed.
Technically, it bent the purchase limit rules—but was he really going to forbid people from gifting Curios? Hardly worth the trouble.
Besides, it wasn't something just anyone could afford to do. Tossing out a few million Credits at will already set a high enough bar.
To him, it was merely a purchase strategy. But to Yanqing, it was puzzling.
"You still have money for that?"
He knew Yunli had already smashed her piggy bank just to buy Avalon.
At the mention, Yunli grinned proudly. "Hehe, I told my grandpa I was coming here with friends yesterday, and he immediately gave me three million. So, freedom regained for another month!"
"Hmm…" Yanqing couldn't help but feel envious. Yesterday, he'd told the General the same thing—and only got one million, borrowed from next month's allowance.
The General even called it "training your thrift and domestic sense."
Why didn't Yunli need to 'train her domestic sense'?
So this is that 'raise boys poor, raise girls rich' nonsense? How has that relic not been tossed into the trash heap of history yet?
Basking in her friend and rival's envious gaze, Yunli strutted confidently to the shelf.
Resting her hand atop one of the trash cans, she declared, "Little March, let's see how lucky we are today!"
The lid lifted with a clatter, a burst of blue light spilling out.
"Good omen!" March 7th clapped her hands, feeling her confidence soar.
As the light faded, Yunli found a scroll in her hand.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, what kind of Curio is this?"
Sylvester nodded. "Miss March was right—it's indeed a good omen. That's a [Skill Scroll]. Similar to a Memory Bubble—once you read it, it vanishes, and you gain a skill that you can wield perfectly, with zero learning curve."
He paused, then added, "And this particular [Skill Scroll] happens to be related to swordsmanship."
"Oh? What is it?"
March 7th was the first to ask, her eyes already sparkling.
This is going way too smoothly!
First roll, and she already got something this good? She didn't even need Emanator-level power—just something that gave her a few centuries' worth of sword mastery would be enough!
Master Yunli, I love you so much! I was ready to go broke, and now I'm saving so much money!
"This skill is… a little special. But in a sense, it suits Miss Yunli perfectly." Sylvester pressed his lips together, struggling to hide a grin. "Its name is—[100% Bare-Handed Blade Catch] Any stance works."
"Pffft~~" Yanqing and Stelle couldn't hold back their laughter and hurriedly covered their mouths.
Couldn't really blame them—this skill was just too ridiculous.
Yanqing teased, "Oh~ it really is a perfect match, huh?"