[ — Status screen —
> -5 units to use the Apex earring (Apex persona mode) for one hour.
> -1 unit to use the Apex earring (Energy-saver mode) for Five hours, 4hrs 58mins remaining.]
Soon, the Apex earring switched to energy-saving mode, and Ace's appearance reverted to its original form. However, he no longer felt great in his skin, having experienced the best version of himself. Now Ace understood why Gloria would use 'Charm Earrings' 24/7.
'Maybe I should start exercising more, or I could just use fat inverter skill,' Ace pondered, as converting his fat would also solve his temporary curse energy recovery problem. With Ace's thoughts, the Apex earring used the status screen to give him the relevant information,
[ — Status screen —
> Fat inverter
i) Toymancer's excess fat tissue: 50 pounds
ii) Toymancer's curse energy: (185/201)
ii) 1 unit of curse energy = 10 pounds of fat
> Do you want to interchange your fat and curse energy? (Y/N)
Note:
i) Excess fat tissues are the fat that the Toymancer needs to lose to maintain optimal body composition.]
'5 units of curse energy, that is all I can get 50 pounds. Still, it is better than nothing. However, I cannot lose all that fat at once, as I cannot explain my sudden weight loss to my parents and friends. Ten pounds of fat tissue twice a week should do the trick,' Ace thought and instructed, "Convert 10 pounds of fat tissue."
[ — Status screen —
> Fat inverter
-10 pounds of excess fat tissue
+1 unit of curse energy
i) Toymancer's excess fat tissue: 40 pounds
ii) Toymancer's curse energy: (186/201)
> Do you want to interchange your fat and curse energy? (Y/N)]
"No, more. See you in two days." Ace checked himself in the mirror, but he noticed no difference. Later, he pondered, 'If I had an enhanced digestion and fat accumulation type skill or curse art, I could replenish my curse energy without hassle at a buffet.'
"Let's pin it for another day. For now, let's focus on practicing 'curse shroud art' before sunrise," Ace reminded himself of what's important and continued to practice curse shroud art.
Now that Ace could manipulate curse energy in his body with his innate curse tool as a conduit, he started to manipulate his curse energy, circulating it in his body, following the instructions in the 'Curse Shroud Art.' Despite initial setbacks, Ace eventually succeeded in moving his curse energy, as outlined in the 'Curse Shroud Art,' without any errors.
However, Ace found that the speed at which he circulated curse energy in his body was not yet proficient enough to cloak his curse energy aptitude and reserves. He remained determined, convinced that with rigorous practice, he could achieve it by morning.
Ace continued to circulate curse energy in his body, repeating the same pattern over and over again relentlessly. Soon, he became proficient enough in curse shroud arts to camouflage his curse energy aptitude and reserves with a mere thought. After a rigorous practice, it became as easy as clenching one's butt cheeks. But Ace only stopped when he could achieve the same instinctively. It was possible to use it instinctively because it hardly consumed any curse energy, as it hid the curse energy in his body.
Ace could only persist till he met his goal because of the discipline and focus provided by the apex earring's martial arts specialist effect. Even though Ace had achieved his goal, he was too sleepy to celebrate. By the time Ace went to bed, it was almost 4 a.m. He had to get up in three hours. Thankful, he fell asleep as soon as his head rested on the pillow.
Cloaking curse energy aptitude and reserves was just a part of what the 'Curse Shroud Art' could do. Once completely mastered, it would help the curse master hide their presence, turning them undetectable by regular means and senses, much like Dame Wasp's camouflage.
[ — Status screen —
> Dame Wasp,
- Good morning, Master Ace.
- It's 7:15 a.m. You have to wake up now. Otherwise, you will be late for school.]
"I am up," Ace woke up. He had no choice. The status screen interrupted his sleep to make sure he read it. Though disgruntled, he did not forget to thank Mommy Dame Wasp, "Thanks, Rose."
Turning on the water heater, Ace continued to finish his daily toiletry routine. Then, he took a quick shower. Later, he changed into his school uniform and groomed himself. He then strapped on his school bag and carried the juicer downstairs. As he reached the bottom, he heard his mother's voice, "Good morning! I'm making pancakes. Grab a plate."
"Good morning, Mom. Where should I put the juicer?" Ace asked, scanning the kitchen for a suitable spot.
"So, did you fix it, honey?" Mary inquired, her skepticism evident, though she felt compelled to support her son's efforts.
"Yep, why don't you give it a try?" Ace replied confidently. Then, he placed the juicer on the kitchen counter next to the switch. Such that his mother could check if he had indeed fixed it.
Listening to Ace, Alwin, who had been scrolling through his iPad while sipping his morning coffee, paused everything just like his wife. The duo looked at their son in shock. Though Ace might be socially awkward, they knew he was not a liar.
"Mary, why don't you give it a try? Make some fresh orange juice," Alwin compelled his wife.
"Sure, Al," Mary shot her husband a glare. Then, turning to her son, she asked in concern, "Son, are you sure it won't explode, right?"
"Mom, just give it a try," Ace urged, grabbing a plate, taking a pancake, and sitting beside his father.
After initial hesitation, Mary took some fresh oranges, washed them thoroughly, placed them on the cutting board, and then cut them in half. Next, she cleaned and set up the cold press juicer. Then, taking one half of an orange at a time, Mary pressed it firmly onto the juicer's cone, applying gentle pressure to extract the juice. The cold press juicer slowly crushed the orange, separating the juice from the pulp while preserving the nutrients and flavors.
"Well, what do you know, it works," Mary exclaimed in surprise. However, she wasn't quick to compliment her son. She needed to taste the juice first, and if the flavor remained the same as she remembered, only then she would praise him.
As the juice started to flow, Mary watched with satisfaction, occasionally adjusting the position of the oranges to ensure maximum extraction. When done, she turned off the juicer and carefully poured the freshly squeezed orange juice into a pitcher before pouring it into glasses for herself and Ace. As for Alwin, nothing could ever come between him and his morning coffee.
Taking a sip of the juice and savoring the flavor of orange, Mary looked at her son in surprise. Impressed by the taste of the freshly squeezed juice, she exclaimed, "Are you sure it's the same juicer? I didn't think homemade orange juice could be better, but I stand corrected. Thank you, son."
"I told you I could get the juicer working again," Ace remarked, listening to his mother's exaggerated words.
"Good job fixing the juicer, son. Now, see if you can fix my old mini fridge. It will save me a trip to the fridge every time I am out of a cold one during the match," Alwin praised his son and handed him more responsibilities before returning to scrolling his iPad.
"..." Ace did not respond but recalled why he and his sister used to do very little around the house. Nonetheless, Dame Wasp would be doing the actual work. So Ace just nodded along.
Seeing this, Mary and Alwin shared a look, 'Honey, our son has grown.'