"It's done, Master. We can proceed with checking the compatibility between the cursed doll and the Changeling curse core," Emi reported, her tone measured but her eyes glinting with excitement as she awaited Ace's permission.
Ace gave her a subtle nod, his expression calm but deliberate. Taking his cue, Emi carefully placed the cursed Doctor Druid doll and the Changeling curse core into the cursed toybox.
Moments later, the toybox hummed softly, and the status screen flickered to life:
> Curse Core: Changeling Form
> Toy: Cursed Doctor Druid Doll
> Recommendation: The success rate of animating the toy 'Cursed Doctor Druid Doll' with the curse core 'Changeling Form' is determined to be very high.]
"Now that's a whopping 8 percent increase in the compatibility rate. Not quite 100%, but close enough," Ace remarked, the corners of his mouth twitching into a satisfied smile. He signaled to the cursed toybox, giving the command to animate the cursed Doctor Druid doll as a Toy summon using the Changeling curse core.
"I have a feeling that using a cursed toy to animate a Toy summons might have greater significance during the enchantment process," Emi mused aloud, her brows furrowed thoughtfully. "The Toy summon might end up with a higher enchantment level than me."
Dame Wasp tilted her head, a skeptical yet amused glint in her eyes. "A 2-star enchantment is likely, but 3-star? That's a stretch. Still, I think this might let the Toy summons retain all its original character's abilities and the Curseling's abilities."
The two exchanged looks, their excitement growing as they speculated. It was clear both were eager to welcome a new member to their family, their banter grew with their anticipation.
"You don't have to guess," Ace said, his attempt at nonchalance betrayed by the gleam in his eyes. "We'll get to meet her soon enough."
Though he kept his tone even, his anticipation was impossible to hide. It wasn't just another Toy summons—it was another step toward securing his family's safety in both the Mortal World and 'World of Curses.'
"Master, I hate to say this, but it's time," Dame Wasp suddenly informed Ace, her tone firm but tinged with reluctance. The faint glow of her cybernetic interface flickered in her eyes, reminding her of the alarm she'd set earlier. "If you plan to catch up with your cousin before he heads home after school, you need to be on the road now."
Ace exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I was hoping to summon Doctor Druid and check her abilities out before leaving, but I guess we're out of time." His voice carried a trace of disappointment as he stood and stepped out of the hot spring. "Alright, let's head back."
Emi quickly retrieved a towel from her storage talisman, stepping forward to help dry him off. Ace froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly before he raised a hand to stop her. "Not now," he said firmly, his tone softening as he added, "I can't handle... that kind of stimulation right now."
Emi blinked, her cheeks flushing as she stepped back, nodding in understanding. Ace took the towel from her, drying off briskly before changing into his clothes.
Once ready, Ace led the group back to the trail. Dame Wasp and Emi returned to their toy space, leaving only his motorbike behind. Dame Wasp been thorough as always, confirming the bike's battery was fully charged and ready for the return trip.
Climbing onto the bike, Ace glanced at the woods ahead. "Rose, have you maped the shortest route to the town?" he asked, his tone lighter now.
Dame Wasp's voice chimed in his mind through their shared senses, calm and assured. 'Of course. Just follow my lead.'
With a nod, Ace revved the engine, the low hum of the motorbike cutting through the stillness of the woods. He guided it downhill, weaving through the forest as Dame Wasp directed him toward his hometown. The journey ahead was long, but his mind remained focused on the road—and the plans waiting for him back home.
The return trail was the toughest Ace had navigated all day. The steep inclines and razor-sharp turns tested his limits, but thanks to his boosted stats and the Apex earring's passive effect, he managed to ride without a single fall or accident at the maximum speed possible.
Halfway down the trail, Dame Wasp abruptly stopped giving him directions. Confused but trusting her judgment, Ace kept going straight—until his instincts screamed at him to hit the brakes coming out of the woods and seeing a cliff ahead.
The motorbike skidded across the dirt, tires screeching as Ace fought to control it. It finally halted at the very edge of a cliff. Heart pounding, he stared down at the sheer drop below. "Rose! What gives? You still there?" he yelled, his voice sharp with alarm.
A soft but urgent voice crackled in his mind. 'Ssh! Master, hide quickly. Avoid that curse wave—hurry!'
Without hesitation, Ace leaped off the bike and clung to the cliffside like a gecko, his movements precise and fluid. His reaction was instinctive, almost reflexive. Though he couldn't see the curse wave Dame Wasp had warned him about, he didn't dare question her. If her cybernetic interface had detected a dangerous curse energy, he wasn't about to take chances.
'What curse wave? What's going on? Fill me in,' Ace demanded mentally, his mind racing.
As he glanced upward, his breath caught. A dark ripple of energy surged through the air, distorting the scenery like a heatwave. Alarmed, he asked, 'Is that the echolocation of a Curseling?'
'Yes,' Dame Wasp confirmed, her tone tense. 'But it's an enhanced version. A curse slave fused with their Curseling partner is emitting it. Master, quick! Use the gap between waves to collect the bike. The Curse slave is heading this way, tracking the sound we made while riding.'
Ace gritted his teeth, his eyes darting between the looming curse wave and the bike perched precariously at the cliff's edge. Timing would be everything.