"No, thank you. You can keep it. I'm not interested in forging a support-type innate curse tool. Don't you have something unique and powerful, like my mother's innate curse tool?" Ava spoke her mind. She felt that the remaining curse items—the ice cream scoop and the Goli soda bottle—weren't something she could imagine wielding as the world's most powerful curse master.
Meanwhile, Matthews and Sonia helplessly gave up, leaving Ava to her fate. Ignorance was also known to be a factor that could strengthen one's will. They believed Ava's level of ignorance and blind conviction in herself would aid her during the curse core condensing ceremony. They didn't want her success rate to be affected by forcing a change in her mindset. Besides, they would have plenty of time to discipline her once she became a curse master.
Janice understood this, so she, too, chose to ignore Ava's ignorant remarks—for now. People would pledge their lives for such an opportunity, and yet there was Ava. It was important to understand that strong support-type curse tools were incredibly rare in the market, while attack-type tools were a dime a dozen.
Not to mention, such a tool would open up an endless stream of income for them. They would never have to worry about money or resources again. As for self-protection, they could simply buy multiple attack-type curse tools and overwhelm their enemies with powerful curse abilities, just as Janice had done when dealing with her uncle.
Ace briefly considered the Devil's Puff for his sister, but with him alive, she didn't need to worry about resources—only powerful enemies. And so, he ultimately decided against both the Devil's Puff and the Memory Mirror.
However, Ace would strongly recommend them to Ava. With a powerful support-type innate curse tool and her mother's influence, she could easily climb to the top ranks of the C.I.B. But it didn't suit Ava's feisty nature, and she had made that clear herself. Matthews seemed to be going along with it, not wanting Ava's dislike for the curse item used in her awakening ceremony to negatively affect her chances of successfully awakening as a curse master.
Ace, having already undergone the awakening ceremony, understood the importance of one's state of mind during the process and agreed with that approach. But he couldn't help but enjoy Matthew's helplessness.
After the incense burner, Janice picked up the ice cream scoop and introduced it. "I call this curse item the Weeping Scoop."
As she spoke, the cursed ice cream scoop began to condense orbs of ice in its bowl. Once they had fully formed, the orbs would drop to the ground, and a new one would begin to form in their place, like shedding frozen tear drops.
Seeing this, Ava's eyes lit up, and she asked, "If I use this to forge my innate curse tool, will it gain ice-type curse abilities?"
"Maybe. But I wouldn't describe the ability of this curse item as creating ice—it's more about condensation. It uses the negative emotions I supply to it to condense the moisture in the surrounding atmosphere into these ice orbs. The simplest way to observe this is by looking at the rate at which the scoop forms an ice orb. It varies depending on the moisture in the air and available negative emotions. So, if you use it, it will most likely help you forge an innate curse tool with condensation-based abilities," Janice corrected Ava. She explained her analysis thoroughly so her clients could make an informed decision. After all, this concerned their future.
"They're the same," Ava muttered, rolling her eyes at Janice, then announced, "I want it. Mom, get this cursed ice cream scoop for me."
Although she didn't want to be seen wielding an ice cream scoop, she didn't mind if it allowed her to create and manipulate ice. She would treat it as her unique magic wand.
Matthews nodded and said calmly, "Okay. Be patient and follow the process."
Ava calmed down. Her mother's words were like water poured on the fire in her heart.
Janice then held up the Codd-neck glass bottle with a marble stopper and introduced it. "I call this one Jackpop, because every time you pop it open, anything can happen. It might spew out hot lava or even curry—sometimes, if the negative emotions it receives are strong and pure enough, it produces pseudo-curse potions with various effects. Once used, the bottle seals itself and begins 'cooking' something new. It can only be opened once it's done. The cooking rate depends on the strength and purity of the negative emotions it absorbs. However, what it creates in the end is unpredictable."
Due to its surprise element and loud popping sound, I call it Jackpop. Its ability lies in creation. Honestly, I can't vouch for what kind of ability one's innate curse tool would develop from using this item. But if you like to gamble, I would strongly recommend it—who knows, you might just hit the jackpot."
Alright, now that you've all heard my analysis of what these curse items are capable of, name your choices, and I'll take the rest back," Janice declared, smiling gently at Lyra and Ava.
"I want the Weeping Scoop," Ava repeated her choice, which wasn't surprising. What did surprise everyone, however, was Lyra's decision: "I want the Jackpop."
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, and soon Matthews added, "Young lady, I suggest you don't risk your future on this one. Creation-type abilities can be overpowered, but they're usually a dud."
Matthew's advice came from years of experience recruiting agents for the C.I.B. She had seen many curse masters with creation-type innate curse tools with abilities like creating clay bricks or pure water, who had no choice but to join the C.I.B.'s logistics department just to survive. These individuals were the most exploited employees in the entire organization. Even Crimson Eyes wouldn't dare to complain in their presence—after all, he was handsomely compensated for his time, while these poor souls were not only underpaid but also unrecognized and unappreciated for their sacrifices.