After so many unexpected events yesterday, Ars had finally returned to his normal self. With his curse beside him, he was now ready to face everything that came his way in his journey to become the Curse Conqueror.
Ars yawned.
"Grandmother, where are you? And where's my breakfast? Please hurry—I have to go train! You know I finally got my curse yesterday. I was so tired last night, so I'm telling you now!"
His grandmother's voice came from the backyard.
"I'm outside. The food is on the table. And tell me—since when have you been interested in training? Until now, I've never heard that word from your mouth. And what's this nonsense about you getting something?"
Ars exclaimed excitedly,
"Look, Grandmother! I finally got my curse! Isn't it amazing? Now I can use curse magic like everyone else! But… wait, what is that worm-like thing surrounding you?"
His grandmother chuckled.
"Huh? So you really did get a curse. Let me see… ahh! It looks strong! And you fool, of course this is my curse spirit. If it surrounds me, it belongs to me. You'll need to get used to seeing these things. Also, I want you to take a part-time job—no more living off my pension. And… I'm not certain, but I think I've seen your curse somewhere in my father's old books."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Ars, check who it is," his grandmother called.
Ars rushed to open it.
"Sir, your mail—from the Eldian Magic Curse School."
Ars gasped.
"Mail… from Eldian Magic Curse School?"
He opened it hesitantly, closed his eyes, then peeked inside.
"Oh my gods! YES! I got a seat for the entrance exam! Now I can take the test!"
Theodore smiled.
"Looks like you're one step closer to becoming the Curse Conqueror."
Ars swallowed nervously.
"But there will be so many strong participants. Just imagining their curses gives me chills. Help me, Theodore, please! I was only ten when I came to this isolated mountain with Grandmother because everyone bullied and despised me. Eight whole years have passed—I've never met another boy my age. And I'm not from a royal or noble bloodline. I'm just a peasant with no extraordinary talent. That's why I wasn't blessed with curse energy."
Theodore's eyes hardened.
"Do you think bloodline or inherited talent truly matter? For me, they do not. What makes a person great is his ability to make the right decisions at the right time, and the hard work done with consistency. Nothing else matters. Ars, you're mature now. Stop caring about those sick notions of bloodline and talent. Blaming things beyond your control is just an excuse to escape the truth. Focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot. Now, tell your grandmother we'll be away for a while—we're heading deep into the mountains to train."
Ars nodded firmly.
"Okay. I'll focus on what I can do, not on what I can't."
Theodore smirked.
"Good. Now let's depart—the curse monsters are waiting for us."
Ars froze.
"Ehhh?! We're going to train with curse monsters on the very first day? But I don't even know a single curse magic technique yet!"
Theodore replied calmly,
"We are not going to fight immediately. Once we arrive, I'll teach you how to cast a cursed magic attack. Now get going."
Ars straightened up, motivated.
"Alright, let's go. I'm ready to face whatever comes next."
Theodore sighed in frustration.
"Idiot. First tell your grandmother we're leaving."
Ars blinked.
"Oh, right… Grandma! I'm leaving for training. I'll be away for a while, please take care of yourself."
His grandmother frowned.
"But what about the part-time job I already arranged with the store owner downhill?"
Ars waved dismissively.
"I'll do it when I come back. Bye, Grandma!"
His grandmother mused softly,
"Oh boy, look how much you've grown. Not long ago you were just a child despised by everyone for not having curse power. Who would have thought you'd become the host of such a powerful ancient mythical curse? Hmph! Mateo, your son has finally joined the chase to become the Curse Conqueror. Your efforts did not go to waste."
Ars turned to Theodore.
"So, what's your type of curse magic?"
Theodore replied,
"I can use all four elements—fire, water, earth, and wind. But I also possess dark curse magic."
Ars's eyes widened.
"Huh?! You can use five types of curse magic? And what the hell is dark curse magic? It sounds insane! Normal curses can only use one type, and strong ones at most two plus healing. You must be ridiculously strong!"
Theodore shook his head.
"Yes, I can wield five types, but that doesn't mean I'm invincible. There are countless beings stronger than me. Remember, curses can only manifest about twenty percent of their true power. But a host… a host can unlock the full hundred percent, and even surpass it."
Ars gasped.
"So… there's no limit to a curse's power?"
Theodore answered gravely,
"You could say that. But extending beyond human limits is nearly impossible."
Ars grinned.
"Well, I got lucky with a mythical curse. By the way, why are we walking? Can't we just fly with your powers?"
Theodore chuckled.
"You need to build your muscles. Who knows, there might be a physical test. You can't rely solely on curse magic—you must be strong in combat too. Ah, here we are. This open forest clearing will be our training ground for the next twelve days."
His voice hardened.
"Now, let's begin."
Ars nodded.
"Yes, let's start our training."
Theodore instructed,
"For the next twelve days, you'll do two things: first, close your eyes and focus on the flow of power throughout your body. Second, train your body—gain muscle, stamina, and strength. This will nurture your curse magic. Also… girls like boys with good physiques. You're tall and handsome already; add some muscle and they'll fall for you."
Ars groaned.
"Girls falling for me? No chance. Even with a handsome face, I'm still… me."
Theodore smirked.
"We'll see soon enough. Now, begin."
For the next twelve days, Ars meditated and trained relentlessly. Theodore guided him, motivating him whenever he faltered. At times Ars wanted to quit, but Theodore reminded him of the people who had despised him, fueling his determination.
Soon, the twelve days ended.
Ars stood proudly, flexing his arms.
"Theodore, you were right! After some days, training felt easier. And look—I've gained plenty of muscle too. Now I'm all set for the entrance exam."
Theodore said, "No, the final task remains. Do that, and then we can say you're truly ready."
Ars frowned. "Huh? Final task? What is it?"
Theodore's eyes gleamed. "We'll find a curse monster to test how much you've grown in the past twelve days."
Ars hesitated. "But I'm not able to launch any attacks yet. All I did was meditate and train my body. How can I defeat a curse monster with just strength? That's not enough to take one down."
Theodore replied firmly, "Believe me, you'll be able to use curse magic after this."
Together, Ars and Theodore ventured deep into the mountains.
Eventually, they spotted a herd of cursed deer being chased by a massive Red Horn Tiger.
Theodore smirked. "Looks like we found the monster we need. Let's block its path."
Ars shouted in panic, "Are you insane?! That thing will murder me! Just look at it—it's enormous! I'm not going anywhere near it!"
Theodore waved dismissively. "That beast is weak. I'm certain it can't fire curse magic with its horn. It's just a baby Red Horn Tiger. You can defeat it with your bare strength. And remember, in the entrance exam there will be participants who can defeat full-grown Red Horn Tigers with ease."
Ars clenched his fists. "Alright… fine. Hey, you bastard! Come at me, dirty fella!"
He turned around, slapped his butt at the monster, and taunted, "Show me what you've got!"
The tiger roared violently, its horn glowing crimson. A blazing red beam shot toward Ars. He barely dodged, saved by an inch.
Ars screamed as he ran desperately, "Ehh!! What the hell, Theodore?! You said it was a baby and couldn't use curse magic!"
Theodore muttered, "Well… judging by its meat size, it's clearly full-grown. I was just about to tell you, but you provoked it first."
Ars shouted furiously, "Moron! Do something now! Don't just stand there—you're my curse! Help me, or this thing will eat me alive!"
Theodore vanished, teleporting around Ars as the monster chased him. "Close your eyes," Theodore commanded. "Focus on the flow of our power. Channel it into the nerves of your hands. Lock onto your target, then release. That meditation we did was for this moment. I know you can control it."
Ars closed his eyes while running, concentrating on the flow of power from his mind to his hand. He locked onto the target and released the tension— But nothing happened.
Shocked, Ars stumbled on a pebble, lost his balance, and fell. "Ahh! I'm dead now!" he screamed. "Why is it always me?! This is all your fault, Theodore! If you hadn't provoked me, I wouldn't be here!"
The monster advanced step by step. Ars cried out, "I can't die here! I won't be eaten by such a disgusting beast! Every day I trained until I puked, just to change my fate. But everything is the same… all my efforts wasted. This is the end. I failed myself. Failures can't change."
Theodore's voice thundered, "Ars, you cannot die! Focus—try one more time! You are chosen by me, one of the legendary curses. I can help you achieve every dream. Just try again!"
Ars clenched his teeth, regaining his resolve. He focused the flow of power through his entire body, channeling it into his hand. He released the tension—
A jet-black smoke burst forth, engulfing the monster and knocking it unconscious.
Ars panted in relief. "What… was that, Theodore?"
Theodore's eyes widened. "You used my dark curse magic on your first try? I thought you'd start with one of the other four elements. That was my hardest technique. Incredible… looks like I've finally found a worthy host. Elena… it won't take long until we reach you."
Ars grinned. "Yes! I finally used curse magic. Now nobody can stop me!"
Theodore smirked. "Then let's go, Ars. Our next destination—the Eldian Magic Curse School."
After returning home and telling his grandmother about the exam, she chuckled. "Okay, take care of yourself. And don't forget to eat your vegetables."
Ars groaned. "Please, Grandma! I'm not a kid anymore."
As Ars and Theodore descended the mountain, Ars muttered, "Isn't it strange? Grandma didn't mention the part-time job she arranged before training."
Theodore shrugged. "It's normal at her age. She can forget things."
Ars frowned. "But she never forgets… anyway, let's take a bus downhill or we'll be late."
When Ars reached the town, the crowd stared at him, whispering, "Look at that boy… his curse is terrifying. He must be powerful."
Theodore asked, "Doesn't that bother you?"
Ars smirked. "Not at all. When I had no curse, they laughed at me, mocked me, even beat me. That's why I avoided coming downhill. It's been three years since I last came here. Now they're terrified of me. Humans are disgraceful. Look at their pathetic curses—most of them are just domestic animals. How shameful! Hahaha!"
Theodore mused silently, "Ars once had a kind and warm aura. Now… everything is different. His aura feels like that of a cold-hearted assassin."
Finally, they reached the school.
Ars grinned. "Yeah! We're here. Let's see where they're collecting entries."
Theodore pointed. "Look, the entry hall is there."
Ars entered, where a clerk asked, "Mister, why are you late? Everyone is already inside the exam hall."
Ars snapped, "It's none of your business, old man. Write my name—Ars Segrain."
The clerk stammered, "Wait, sir! I was only saying that last year's honorable students are already here. You need a test number. Without it, you can't enter."
Ars turned back, snatched his test number violently, and attached it to his back.
The clerk warned nervously, "Be careful. I've heard last year's honorable students are also participating. There are many strong contenders this year."
Ars slammed his hand on the table, glaring. "I am not weak!"
The clerk trembled in fear. "E-Especially that boy…"
Continued in Chapter 3