Actually, even before Cyclops brought it up Ace was planning to add clauses to the contract to not only secure his intellectual property but also protect himself from Cyclops. Seeing that Cyclops brought it up before he did, Ace was thrilled.
Soon he summoned the scroll out of Dame Wasp's toy space once she was done with it and signing it with his blood he passed it to Cyclops saying, "I have signed it, if you feel the contract is to your liking please sign it."
Cyclops barely glanced at the curse contract before pricking his finger and signing it with his blood—completely unfazed. Thanks to the alliance between Ace's country's founding fathers and the Monarch, he couldn't harm Ace or those close to him unless provoked, so he didn't mind the extra safety clause in the contract Ace had added without informing him. Not that it mattered. His plan never involved hurting Ace—only manipulating him.
Despite his infamous title 'Cyclops,' Festus considered himself a gentleman—a fact that was evident in his choice of attire and well-groomed hairstyle. He was more about brains than brawn.
The moment both parties signed, the scroll crumbled into black soot, splitting into two equal portions before seeping into their scalps. The contract was now sealed. If either of them dared to break it, they'd be cursed—even in death.
Cyclops suddenly smirked, keeping his act till the end, "Looks like the future of curse crafters from the mortal world is bright."
Summoning a sleek, tablet-like curse gadget from thin air, he handed it to Ace informing, "Every type of curse crafting arts and technique you need to grow into a capable void-tier curse crafter is stored in here. It is not password protected. You can add one later."
Ace gave him a nod before storing the curse pad with Emi. Then, retrieving a wooden box, he handed it over to Cyclops. Inside were neatly stacked talismans—barrier, cleansing, explosion, smoke bomb, presence-erasing, invisibility, and substitution talismans. He only gave the ones he used this evening during the hunt. He did not go out of his way to give him healing and other talismans.
"So, when do you plan to study the rail rifle?" Ace asked as Cyclops checked the goods.
"No rush," Cyclops replied smoothly, having inspected the box and finding that Ace had labeled the talismans and their uses for his ease he smiled before adding, "I'll come find you after I'm done studying these consumable curse tools."
In reality, he had no intention of rushing anything. He knew Ace would eventually hit a wall trying to learn curse crafting on his own. And when that frustration set in? That's when Cyclops would show up—ready to tighten his grip over him. Then he will make Ace cough out everything he was hiding.
Not letting his true intentions show, Cyclops simply nodded at Ace and Delores before turning and leaving for good.
Ace waited for a beat before glancing at Delores. "Is he gone?" he asked, wondering if he could finally drop the act and stop playing the role of a narcissistic, obnoxious teenager.
Every word, every action he had displayed so far had been a carefully crafted performance—one designed to make Cyclops underestimate him and sign the curse contract without a second thought. Even now, with his goal achieved, Ace maintained his facade. He believed it might still prove useful in the future. It was always better to be underestimated than to be seen as the smartest person in the room. That way, he could run his little schemes right under the noses of those who fancied themselves as the smartest people in the room.
"I have no idea," Delores replied hesitantly, scanning the surroundings as if expecting Cyclops to materialize again.
Ace moved to step onto her board, but before he could, Delores shifted back, eyeing him with suspicion. He blinked taken aback, asking, "What?"
Her expression hardened as she demanded him, "Tell me—what do I need to do to even the score for you saving my life?"
Ace raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding, 'Ah… she's had enough.' She wanted to cut whatever ties made her feel responsible for him. She wanted her freedom.
He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. Then, with all the seriousness he could muster, he stated, "A life for a life. I want you to start living for me from now on."
Delores actually considered his demand for a moment. Then, shaking her head, she firmly rejected it saying, "My life isn't mine to give." And quietly added, "I can't live it for you."
"Whose is it, then?" Ace challenged, not backing down. "Because they are the ones who owe me for saving your life—unless, of course, they think your life is worthless."
Delores stiffened. She wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but she was loyal—probably the most loyal person he'd met. And right now, Ace needed someone like that. If she was watching over his family, he could step into the World of Curses with a little less worry.
She fell silent, processing his words. The way he twisted her logic made her freeze. If she accepted his reasoning, that meant the patriarch of the McSuile family owed Ace a debt for saving her. The thought unsettled her—not because she was afraid of troubling her master, but because she realized she might not be able to repay Ace anytime soon. Which meant she'd remain his toy to tease until her master returned.
Ace saw the moment she cracked. His lips curled into a subtle smirk, satisfied with his small victory. Without hesitation, he hopped onto her board, wrapped an arm around her waist, and instructed her, "Let's head to the local C.I.B. headquarters."
He wasn't about to wait around for Mrs. Martins to make her arrangement for agents against the S.S.S.'s revenge. After all, she did say the auction was already underway, and if they didn't leave soon, it might be over. He couldn't afford to lose his chance at securing a Sky-tier innate curse tool—his key to acquiring the leprechaun scope.