As mentioned before, I absolutely do not want to team up with Gray.

However, if I agree temporarily here, I’ll have a legitimate reason to look through his books and easily find an opportunity to slip the intelligence in. I can always go back on my word later.

I say, “It would be my honor to fight alongside a hero like you.”
“Excellent. Then, just in case, could you please break your contract with Adam during this period and form one with me instead?”

Even though Gray’s smile is becoming increasingly nauseating for some reason, it’s actually a reasonable suggestion.

But re-signing a contract…

Terminating a contract requires consent from both parties. Adam would definitely agree, so that’s not an issue.

Normally, after a contract is broken, the contractor can no longer use the spirit’s runes. But mine is an exclusive contract; the runes will remain in Adam’s body for a long time, so it won’t harm him.

However, the problem also lies with it being an exclusive contract… If Gray doesn’t have one on hand, would we have to use that perverted contract again? Forget it.

On the other hand, I’ve already created a large enough gap in the malignant curse. Seems there’s no need to pretend to team up.

As I secretly slip the paper page in, I say, “If you…”

Gray interrupts me with a laugh. “Just joking, just joking. How could I poach Adam’s person?”

It takes me a few seconds to understand his meaning. Once I do, in a fit of anger, I accidentally clench my fist, crumpling the paper page in the process.

Idiot! Fool! Love-struck imbecile! What weird things are you misunderstanding on your own?!

Ahh… Look what you’ve done. Now I have to start over from scratch.

Whatever, it’s fine. Let him think what he wants. I’ll just make use of this setting.

I close the gap in the malignant curse, use creation runes to repair the paper page, and say coldly, “Adam has always respected and admired you. Is this the face you show him?”
“Admired…? Sorry, sorry. Please keep it a secret for me. Just to be clear, I didn’t force Adam into danger; he volunteered. After all, with someone like you by his side, it’s only natural he’d want to improve.”

Making it sound like Adam is getting into trouble because of me. That’s exactly why you gossip-mongers are so annoying.

But, thinking about it carefully, Adam probably did volunteer. Quite gutsy.

I’ll praise him a bit in front of Emily later.

“I’ll keep your secret. But could you also allow me to look through these books? I’ve fought Mordresar’s subordinates before and might be able to supplement your intelligence. Also, I want to understand the enemy.”
“Please, go ahead. I’ve granted you access.”
“Thank you.”

After a simple thank you, I head toward the third stack of books, ready to continue my document-forging plan. However, Gray sticks close again.

Buddy, were you always this annoying?

“Excuse me, is there something else? I believe you’re also busy preparing for the labyrinth exploration?”
Gray smiles shamelessly. “Just providing some reading guidance. I’ve categorized the books by importance.”
“The pile on the far right you went to first is the least reliable, therefore least important. The contents are mostly secondhand unofficial histories or street rumors.
“In contrast, the further left the pile, the more important. For example, the second pile from the left contains Mordresar’s personal notes.”

Yeah, yeah, sure, sure. Don’t get so close. Maintain a normal friend… enemy distance.

I pretend to be interested. “I see. How did you mark the importance of each book? Did you use a self-created magic?”
“Exactly. I built a book management system. Not only can I find any book I want in this sea of texts at will, but I can also sort books scattered all over the floor by various categories in seconds. I’ve already applied for a patent with the Mage Association.
Are you interested?”
“That sounds incredible. Would you be willing to explain it in detail?”
“Of course. The system is complex and intricate, with powerful functions divided into three modules. But the essentials are only the universal construction runes and perception runes…”

Under my flattery, Gray shifts his attention away from me as a person and starts excitedly talking about his new invention.

I’m not interested in book management, but his self-satisfied enthusiasm is somewhat amusing. Too bad I have business today, or I’d gladly indulge his blabbering.

The words go in one ear and out the other. I occasionally nod pretentiously, ask a few questions to feign immersion, while subtly moving next to the second pile of books from the left.

Mordresar’s personal notes.

Gray is extremely likely to browse these booklets repeatedly, making it easy to discover the page. Moreover, it’s plausible for Mordresar to have recorded information about his own spirit.

I insert my finger, create a space, and slip in the repaired paper page. Done.

Time to find an excuse to wrap up and leave.

Gray hasn’t noticed at all and is still talking about his great invention. He says, “…Once a document is registered in the system, it can be restored even if destroyed. I can demonstrate right now. Want to see?”

Something feels off. I nod out of habit, but after nodding, I feel something’s wrong.

Wait, what are you doing?

Gray condenses a small fireball at his fingertip and tosses it onto the pile of Mordresar’s notes.

This narcissist probably added rapid combustion runes to the fireball. Flames instantly engulf and burn the half-person-high pile of books. The books turn to charcoal, and the flames vanish.

Gray snaps his fingers. Creation magic activates immediately, and an identical pile of notes reappears before me.

“This restores everything. Each document is completely identical to before destruction. How about that?”

Well, except for the intelligence I painstakingly prepared for you, you bastard.

I have to dig my nails into my palm to stop myself from punching Gray in the face.

I muster all my strength to put on a happy smile. “That’s… truly, truly amazing. Wouldn’t such precise restoration consume a lot of mana?”
“The book management system is powered by me personally. So, this level of consumption is just a drop in the ocean.”

…A drop in the ocean, my foot. More like the sweat on your forehead.

That little display just now consumed about a tenth of his mana. To use a sports analogy, it’s like forcing a college student who’s been holed up in their dorm for three years to run a kilometer.

So eager to show off? Then let me help you out.

“I see! Please, let me try it too!”
“Uh, this… You really shouldn’t use attack magic. I’ve set up many traps in the tower to detect attack magic. You might get hurt by mistake.”

I roll up my sleeve, revealing my seemingly frail arm. “Thank you for your concern, but I have confidence in my muscles.”
“…Then, please.”

Gray’s face turns pale. Hah, it’s too late to regret now!

I walk over to the leftmost pile of books. Gray, say goodbye to your most important materials! Even if only temporarily.

I pick up the topmost untitled booklet.

Just as I’m about to tear it apart with force, Gray grabs my wrist.

He smiles bitterly. “Sorry, not this one.”
“But it can be restored, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to see it destroyed.”

His tone is low, his expression somber. Fool, think that will make me soften?

…Damn it, it actually does.

“I understand. Is this a very crucial document?”
I place the booklet back in its original position. Simultaneously, I suddenly find it somewhat familiar.

Gray says, “No, it’s just some insignificant records. They only hold personal meaning for me.”

I look at the booklet again, carefully examining this tattered, repeatedly rebound little book, and recognize its identity.

It’s Gray’s diary.

I saw it right after we escaped Mordresar’s dungeon, when it was still brand new.

For the first few months, Gray would scribble in this diary every night. But after teaming up with the other companions, I rarely saw him write in it and thought he had lost it.

So, he kept it after all.

I ask, “Stories of your past adventures? They certainly deserve to be cherished.”
Gray gently strokes the notebook’s cover. “They are the adventure stories of an old friend of mine.”