Level-Up
Since Ace was sharing Dame Wasp's senses, he did not feel the changes in his body after losing 40 pounds of fat tissue. However, through her vision, he did see his body slim down a little. At present, his body possessed an adequate quantity of fat for his age and height, rendering it lean and firm, though it lacked the defined musculature typically associated with a trained physique.
Ace wanted to reserve some additional fat tissue in case he required the 'Fat Heal' ability to address minor injuries. However, given his capability to transform curse energy into fat, he opted against it. After all, the enchanted toybox had requested him to shed excess weight to maximize the benefits of the curse core enchanting process.
'Begin the process of enchanting the curse core with the Grimlin form curse core,' Ace instructed the cursed toybox, looking forward to the changes that could occur as his curse core grew.
[ — Status screen —
> Using curse core (gremlin form) to enchant Toymancer's curse core…
> Enhancement complete.
> Toymancer has gained,
i) +5 physical stats
ii) +5 spiritual stats
iii) +70 curse energy
Note: Toymancer's personal status screen has been updated.]
'Rose, it worked. It worked better than I thought,' Ace exclaimed in sheer joy and excitement. Thanks to Dame Wasp's brilliant suggestion, he did not have to spend time nourishing his innate cruse tool to grow his curse core. Since Ace's curse core grew, the innate curse tool it was empowering would also grow with it.
Typical curse masters use curseling's curse core to nurture their innate curse tool so that as it matures, it assists in the growth of the curse core within them. This method is indirect, as curse masters prioritize safety over speed and efficiency.
However, Ace utilized his status screen to command his innate curse tool to directly imbue his curse core with the power it harnessed from the curseling's curse core. Here, Ace's innate curse tool was an active participate. By using his innate curse tool as the conduit in the curse slave's extreme and direct cultivation process, Ace retained safety of curse masters' indirect cultivation process without losing any speed and efficiency. As a result, not only did his curse core experience growth, but his innate curse tool progressed in parallel.
It would have taken days of concentration and practice for regular curse masters and hours for talented curse masters to achieve what Ace had achieved in mere seconds. Ace was excited to have found this loophole only available because of his innate curse art, Status screen. He could not thank Dame Wasp for suggesting it and making it happen, 'Rose, you are the best thing that ever happened to me.'
'Master, stop. I was just doing my duty,' Dame Wasp shrugged off her master's praise. But, deep down, she was delighted and could not be more happy.
'Rose, use the status screen to pull up my status on your visor,' Ace instructed Dame Wasp, who instantly agreed, 'Yes, master.'
[ — Status screen—
Name: Ace Lander
Race: Human (♂)
Class: Toymancer
Title: Curse Master
Health: (17/95)yrs
Physical Power: 16
Spiritual power: 17
Curse Energy: (271/271)
Skills: Cursed toybox(2/3), Status screen
Note:
i) Skill 'Cursed toybox' has added extra toy space.]
'In addition to permanently increasing my curse energy, it has filled it up. This curse core enchant feels more like a level-up in a game,' Ace mused, and then gazing at the note section, he added, 'Best of all, the Cursed toybox gained an extra toy space. And it just so happens we have a curse core (humanoid form). Rose, we are getting a new friend. Whom do you suggest?'
'I get a say in this?' Dame Wasp asked in surprise, not expecting her master to bestow her with such an important task.
'Absolutely, why not? Your instincts have been crucial in keeping me alive thus far. Rose, no pressure at all, just compile a list of humanoid toys that you believe would make valuable additions to our family. We can discuss whom to select later,' Ace expressed, acknowledging the significance of Dame Wasp's opinion, given her consistently proving herself to him in various situations. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that without Dame Wasp, he might still be a sacrificial pawn in Gloria's schemes.
'Our family? We are a family,' Dame Wasp blurted out. Listening to her, Ace affirmed warmly, 'Yes, we are a family, Rose.'
Dame Wasp was on cloud nine, learning that her master considered her as a family. It took a while for her to emerge from her euphoria, but soon, she responded, 'Yes, master, I will prepare the list of humanoid toys that would be fit to join our family.'
[ — Status screen —
> Do you want to use five units of curse energy to extend Dame Wasp's summon time limit by another hour?
(Yes/No)
Note: Dame Wasp's remaining summon time: 2 minutes.]
'Rose, how about spending another hour outside? You earned it,' Ace asked Dame Wasp, hoping to reward her for the big help she has been to him in his secret life as rookie curse master.
'No, master. We never know when another crisis will be up on us. I will head back in,' Dame Wasp rejected Ace's offer and decided to head back into the curse toybox, keeping the bigger picture in mind.
'Rose, don't stress over it. Once we're at my uncle's ranch, I'll call you to join me for some fun,' Ace assured. It wasn't solely for Dame Wasp's sake; he was curious about her capabilities and wanted to play with her. Unlike at his home, Dame Wasp would have free rein to explore her abilities at his uncle's ranch.
'Yes, master. I'll eagerly await it,' Dame Wasp agreed. As a toy, her primary instinct was to be played with, so hearing her master express his desire to play with her was like a dream come true for her.
After Dame Wasp returned to the cursed toybox, Ace woke up in his body and immediately noticed the changes. He felt significantly lighter and stronger, with well-defined and trained muscles. 'This must be because of the five physical stats I gained,' Ace mused, reflecting on his transformation. Not just his body, but his mind and senses also sharpened, becoming clearer and more acute.