Humans' relationship with freedom is ironic. When they have it, they often take it for granted, willingly trading it for a more comfortable life. Yet, when they lose it, they yearn for it desperately, even to the point of risking their lives to reclaim it.
Ace had paid enough attention in history class to realize this. If he wanted to turn things around with Layla and get her to serve him willingly—enthusiastically even—he needed to make her believe it was her choice. It had to feel like she was doing it out of her own free will. Whether or not she realized she was Emi's Shikigami Slave didn't matter in the long run. Her life bond with Emi's Shikigami, her Curseling partner, would ensure she fulfilled her intended role.
All Layla had to do was use her new status as a curse slave to climb the ranks of the C.I.B., gaining higher clearance and access to sensitive information. The more she uncovered, the more Ace would know—ensuring he was never blindsided by the agency again.
The most effective way to make that happen was simple: Layla had to believe her new powers came without strings attached. If she suspected otherwise, she might try to distance herself from the C.I.B., or worse, do something reckless. That couldn't happen.
Even though the Shikigami Slave Art gave Emi absolute control over Layla's body and life through the life bond, it didn't extend to her will. Layla had already shown she was highly ambitious but also willing to make enormous sacrifices for what she believed was the greater good. Someone like that couldn't be controlled through brute force or fear alone. Trying to dominate her outright would only backfire.
No, the key was making Layla believe that the cursemaster who had helped her become a curse slave was nothing more than a well-meaning stranger—someone who wanted nothing from her and simply wished to be left alone. If she saw the powers as a gift, freely given, and the cursemaster as a harmless passerby, she'd be far less likely to question her situation. That illusion of autonomy was critical. Only then would Layla willingly follow the path Ace had set for her.
Still, no plan was without its flaws. That's where Emi's Shikigami Slave Arts came into play. Whether to control Layla or eliminate her would depend entirely on the choices she made. If her actions aligned with Ace's interests, great. If not, there was always the last resort.
Ace: Emi, has the Voltaic Wisp's curse core regenerated as your Shikigami?
Emi: Yes, Master. I'll summon it now.
Ace: Whoa, it really looks like a living lightning ball. Did it pick up any new abilities as your Shikigami?
Emi: But there's an upside. As my Shikigami, it's more spiritual and intelligent. This little lightning guy will be perfect for keeping an eye on Layla and keeping us updated on her every move through your innate curse art, Status Screen.
Ace: That's convenient, but it's a shame it had to go this way. I could've used that curse core to summon another cool toy summons.
Dame Wasp: Master, this is for the best. Since you have no plans to head to the 'World of Curses' anytime soon, it's about time we had an insider in the C.I.B. Besides, it can help me infiltrate their systems. And let's not forget—you can always buy a similar curse core at the Curse Mall if the price is right.
Ace: All right, let's get back to work. We are losing precious time.]
The Shikigami Slave Art, in simple terms, was a reversed curse slave technique. It was something Emi had developed by combining her family's shikigami possession spiritual arts with the curse slave techniques of this world.
Shikigami possession spiritual arts, as the name suggests, allowed Emi to have one of her Shikigami possess her, merging its power with hers to enhance her combat abilities. There was also a forbidden application of this art—allowing the Shikigami to possess other humans, gaining a body of flesh and blood, tap into their spirtual power to aid her in battle.
Using this forbidden aspect of the Shikigami Possession spiritual arts, Emi planned to have her Voltaic Wisp Shikigami possess Layla. She would then instruct the Shikigami to use its control over Layla's body and its curse energy to initiate the curse slave technique. This would create a curse core within Layla, using her heart as the vessel, and establish a life bond between them, ultimately turning Layla into a Shikigami slave.
Though Emi promised 99.99 percent success rate, Ace had his doubt. But it did not stop him from proceeding with the plan anyway. Because if he planned to stay hidden in the shadows, someone had to go out and get him the latest and privileged information. The Curse Web was great place to learn about 'World of Curses' but it had its limitations. But having a ambitious pawn like Layla would fill that gap for him if things progress as his plan.
Ace: Great. Did she awaken any innate curse arts?
Emi: She did. Even though she's unconscious, thanks to my Shikigami, she experienced an enlightenment in her dreams.
Ace: That sounds promising. What kind of art did she awaken?
Emi: It's a powerful one—something every curse slave dreams of, though I'm not sure if she's lucky to have gotten it or not. Her innate cursed art is called Cursed Ascension. As the name suggests, it allows her to ascend to the next curse tier, but it comes with two requirements and a steep price.
Emi: First, she has to gather the curse energy needed to ascend to the next tier. Second, she must meet all the milestones in curse mastery that a cursemaster would need to break through to higher tier.
Emi: As for the price… she won't gain the immortality that usually comes with reaching a higher realm.
Ace: Hmm. Considering the skills of your Shikigami, I doubt the requirements or the price will hold her back. It looks like I placed my bet on the right horse. Now, we just have to see if it's willing to race for me.
Emi: Don't worry, Master. Layla's a smart girl. I'm confident she'll make a decision that works out for everyone involved.
Ace: Fair enough. Go ahead and settle her in the guest room. The rest is up to her.]