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Chapter Text

The door slammed open with such force, causing the mahogany wood and golden knob to rattle back and forth against the wall. The thunderous sound echoed through the empty hallway and the noise was accompanied by a pained grunt. A man was thrown to the polished floor, a fringe of hair slightly out of place from the altercation. Footsteps approached the fallen figure and a shadow towered over him.

The aggressor was none other than Doctor Veritas Ratio. With his signature plaster headpiece adorned, Ratio stood over the crumpled figure who gaped up at him in shock. A scoff of thinly veiled scorn could be heard from the stoic headpiece as the man picked himself up from the floor.

"I will not entertain such spiteful drivel in my office, Professor Marci. I hope you take away a lesson from this conversation and learn respect since you clearly are lacking any of it."

The King of Mundanites turned away as his colleague who spluttered in response at his audacity. "Doctor Ratio! With all due respect, what is wrong with you!? I am warning you about that conniving rat!"

Fist clenched, Marci rose from the floor and dashed for the doctor. He snatched Ratio's royal blue sash and tugged him back to stop him from sauntering away. Ratio complied, facing him with that irritating stoic sculpture but offered no replies. Marci pulled him close, forcing Ratio to bend down so that stupid headpiece was at his eye level.

"Look! I know you are one of the best around here but I am worried! You should not-," he was cut off by an unexpected interruption.

A shutter went off as a flash briefly brightened the hallway, followed by a barely audible curse. The two professors, despite their heated argument, immediately turned to the source of the disturbance.

However, it was already too late. The thud of footsteps rapidly faded as the men gathered themselves. The witness had fled the scene, certainly frustrated by their carelessness.

Fortunately for them, it was not without a complete failure. A few hours later, the photo had made it onto the web. It spread like a flame in a forest, gathering all to gaze upon the commotion in intrigue. So was the life of a celebrity, especially for one as plantrophic and famous as Veritas Ratio.

Aventurine would have agreed with Trotter Litter's skepticism if he were not the aforementioned partner of the highly esteemed Doctor Ratio. He scrolled up the comment section to the photo which had originated this discussion and zoomed in on the photo.

He recognized both of the figures. Veritas Ratio and Marci Tell. He could see the muscular figure with those ridiculously robes with cutouts showing off his assets. Aventurine would never forget a friend. The doctor was his recent partner and adviser for the acquisition of the planet of bountiful produce, Kapellion-V.

Meanwhile, the latter was someone he once had dealings with. The lead researcher of the failed project to dig out the remains of the Aeon of Propagation through the leads, or rather guesses, Aventurine had provided. How could he ever forget such a monumental moment of his life where he finally reached the stage and wasted the efforts of many who had believed him? Marci was one of the very many people he had swindled just for the chance to meet Diamond.

The picture could not be a hoax. The timing was too perfect. Ratio and Aventurine had disembarked from Kapellion-V just two days ago with the reports of the successful acquisition having been filed to Jade personally and the Strategic Investment Department. In a cut-through workplace where the Intelligentsia Guild usually acted as advisors for R&D and acquisition projects for the IPC, it was expected the news would spread like wildfire especially. Of course, it was not the only factor.

After all, the infamous Sigonian who had made a fool of the Intelligentsia Guild had made contact with said organization once again. There had been many scholars who had called for his execution and petitioned for his removal from his position from the IPC. After Diamond's refusal to even entertain their complaints, their hatred simmered but had never dissipated. It came back tenfold when Aventurine had been revealed as the newest Stoneheart and it had amplified with his meddling with one of their most esteemed employees.

Now, Marci and most likely, several other scholars will be clambering around Ratio begging him to not associate with a liar any further. It was to be expected, given that Aventurine's repeated requests for collaboration with the Intelligentsia Guild had been refused or unanswered.

The only thing which he did not anticipate was Ratio's response. Aventurine had no doubt someone as hard-headed and eccentric as Ratio would bump heads with his fellow colleagues with his candor attitude over research but was this photo merely one of those arguments?

Ratio may not be a genius recognized by Nous but he was no idiot. He was not in the dark about Aventurine's escapades with the Intelligentsia Guild when Aventurine took the gamble to approach him. Aventurine vividly remembered the disgust on his face. He knew he was lucky but who would have thought the doctor would have agreed to work with him.

However, would the esteemed doctor's willingness remain after this debacle? Would the social pressure drain him from ever associating with the very Sigonian who had tricked the organization he had worked for? Would he rescind his offer now that he had what he wanted?

Aventurine considered sending Ratio a message to check. They did not part as friends but they were acquaintances now. It would be a lie if he said the doctor was the easiest partner to work with but he was certainly an entertaining conversationalist who threw jabs and snark but never ones which were more... racially motivated or derogatory. It was a low bar but Aventurine was happy with it. It would be detrimental to lose such a capable partner who did not 'despise' him so early in his new career.

He fiddled around on the keypad, contemplating his next move. His eyes scanned the text message left on read.

Ratio was not amicable so far and it had been a day since he had responded to Aventurine. Yet, the Stoneheart was not too surprised. Ratio's lack of response was not even the final hurdle. Their collaboration was bound to reach the ears of the Intelligentsia Guild sooner or later. He made risky investments before and this 'friendship' was one more in his ever growing list.

The gears in his brain churned, painting his mind with scenarios. Eventually, he abandoned his attempt to message Ratio again. After all, it would be better to scope out the situation in person, no?

Doctor Veritas Ratio stood before the board of directors and the chancellors, posture dignified and no imperfections for them to fuss over. Merely a day after the leaked photo had laid out rumors, those who had governed over the academia of the Intelligentsia Guild had held this disciplinary meeting. Marci, of course, was present as the victim of the recent altercation.

Everyone looked either displeased, intrigued or smug as they peered down at him from their holographic screens. Ratio obviously did not share their sentiments. Regardless, he answered the call for his disciplinary action as one of the professors of the academia. However, he was petty. The board would not be privy to Ratio's disgruntled expression. He cannot bear to look at these idiots at the moment, especially the ones with prejudiced intentions.

"Dr. Veritas Ratio, you have been called to the disciplinary meeting due to the violation of two guidelines of the Intelligentsia Guild and its academia. One. Your inaction to inform the Intelligentsia Guild for the approval of your involvement on a project with a Stoneheart of the IPC. Second. You have inflicted bodily harm on your colleague, Marci during a charged conversation about the previously stated violation." The vice-chancellor, an Intellitron rivaling the wisdom of Screwllum, was acting as Chair of this meeting. Ratio was at least grateful for her presence. "Do you wish to appeal the listed violations?"

Ratio shook his head but of course, he was not planning to take this lying down. "I do not. However, I have to point out the circumstances behind these violations. I believe it is within my right to argue my case even if the collective mass here have already made up their mind for the punishment."

One of the other board members interjected, "With all due respect, Ratio. We are not out to get you. We are responding to your recent misdemeanors. Please be rest assured we find no glee in your current predicament."

Another member followed up with his own. "Veritas. We are merely worried for you. You never been one for frivolous rules and decorum but you had never committed serious violations."

Despite their peddling and dancing around the issue, Ratio knew what the source of their concern actually was. Ratio rebuked immediately, his temple already aching from their needless mumbling. "I fail to see how that Stoneheart would influence me drastically in a week. The choices I made were of my own volition and not under any duress. I made a deal with him which ended up benefiting not only the IPC's expansion which in extension, the Intelligentsia Guild's and my own research."

"Yes, we are aware you had filed for a leave to study Blemish Bloomers on Kapellion-V months prior. However, you had failed to inform us before and even after your involvement with that Sigonian. We have already denied his requests for collaboration given that his previous scam had wasted us billions of resources and time. The fact that he did not adhere to our rejection and reach out to you personally is unacceptable."

"Do you realize how short-sighted you sound? The IPC subsidizes our research and acquires our services. Both organizations are indispensable to each other."

"You believe that madman is capable of complying? I did not think you were this gullible, Ratio. Isn't it strange he crawled back to the IPC even though they were the ones to sell him off as a slave?" One of the board members scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Believe me. One day, he is going to betray those money grubbers and the Intelligentsia Guild will also be affected by association."

The other members started chiming in, voices all pointing out one single assumption. The dreaded Sigonian was going to ruin them again. The vice-chancellor, Telomara, coughed into her fist loudly to silence them. "I believe we are getting ahead of ourselves."

Her steely eyes gazed down on him and she inquired, "Please state your reasons for accepting Aventurine of Stratagem's offer."

Ratio knew their assumption was not completely unfounded. He, too, had carried that caution when Aventurine sauntered up to him with a cheshire grin and a gun hidden under his vest. Ratio knew Aventurine must have caught wind of a high-ranking Intelligentsia Guild member around and approached him.

Ratio vividly remembered the cold steel he was forced to grip by Aventurine despite his smaller frame. The deranged gleam in his hypnotic eyes as he tugged the doctor's hand and the gun towards his chest. He thought the man was even more insane than he had initially heard of. Ratio tried to pull away from the madman, concerned by the blatant disregard for his own life.

Aventurine then forced him to fire three shots. All blanks. Relief surged in the doctor as he ascended the man. In the midst of his worry, Ratio had nearly missed it. The gambler's hand which was hidden behind his back was trembling ever so slightly but Ratio's trained eye caught it.

Despite the masses' expectations of his inevitable betrayal, Aventurine himself had seemed to not be focused on it. He was too busy throwing himself into any dangerous gambles he had the opportunity to. He was not doing it to climb up the organization ladder for wealth, power or revenge. He simply wanted to die but yet, he was afraid of death as any mortal.

Perhaps, that was why Ratio partnered with him despite the man's dangerous and risky scheme for his first mission as a Stoneheart and his less than stellar first impression. It was in his nature as a medical doctor who finds all lives worth living no matter how pitiful it would be.

However, Ratio knew better than to disclose the gambler's lack of self-preservation to the board who had prayed for his downfall. Hence, Ratio carefully chose his next words. "I chose to act on Jade of Credit's decision to appoint him as Aventurine of Stratagem. I saw no reason to refuse given his new found responsibilities and constraints to the IPC."

"Just because you and Jade managed to come out unscathed does not mean he will willingly backstab you if he benefits off it. He had made us fools. There is no telling he would do the same to you."

Ratio was never one to hold his tongue. "Moreover, I have confirmed there has been no official declaration that Aventurine is blacklisted from acquiring services from the Intelligentsia Guild. He may be the latest Stoneheart but the Intelligentsia Guild is barred from blacklisting them."

His argument was expected as none of them seemed fazed and immediately rebuked his statement. "We have been in talks with Madam Jade and Opal regarding our concerns and so far, they have not made any arguments on our informal refusal of service. Diamond, as per usual, had offered no responses."

That was news Ratio was unaware of. Yet, he did not find her behavior strange in the slightest. Some had called her Aventurine's retainer or even caretaker but Ratio knew better. The Stoneheart of her caliber and rank who had granted many wishes in exchange for their own ruin would be interested to see how far Aventurine can push himself in his new position without support from the Intelligentsia Guild.

Opal, on the other hand, despised inefficiency. Did he see Aventurine as a lost cause or was his inaction also a test? Were the other Stonehearts also merely watching the newest one struggle to get to his footing?

Ratio needed a clearer answer. "What do you propose then? Is the Intelligentsia Guild planning to ignore the requests of a Stoneheart even if it deters the pursuit of knowledge?"

"He has not proven himself to us to be trustworthy."

"That is counterintuitive. Aventurine has long been under Jade's tutelage and completed many missions for the IPC before his promotion. If the Intelligentsia Guild does not provide him the chance, when will the stalemate end?"

One of the board members groaned, clearly frustrated with Ratio's contrast retorts. "You know what, Ratio? I have no idea how that Signonian got you wrapped around his finger. Do heed my words. He is a manipulative swine so who will he string you along to y-."

"Hellion, that is enough," Telemara cut him off. "We have limited time so let us proceed with the next agenda. Doctor Ratio, the policies for advisory services and the request procedures are there for a reason. However, due to your many contributions to the Intelligentsia Guild and the universe, you will be pardoned with a light punishment."

A few grumbles were heard but they did not argue with the vice-chancellor.

"I merely hope you take our worries into consideration, Doctor."