The morning sun was about to break through the window.

　I was working on deciphering Mireia's research materials. It had been an all-nighter, but for some reason my strength showed no sign of slowing down.

　The first thing I did was read "The Adventures of Holo," which I borrowed from the library.

　Having read only grimoires, it was a new experience for me to come into contact with the genre of novels.

　I don't have any particular impressions of the book.

　If I had to say, I guess I would say that I understood that this kind of story is liked by the public. Perhaps I lack the sensitivity to enjoy novels.

 

　However, reading "The Adventures of Holo" was very important for me to decipher Mireia's research materials.

 

　From the way Mireia was acting, I could tell that she wanted me to decipher the code.

　If she didn't, she wouldn't be handing over her valuable magical materials to me.

 

　Now, it would be fine if I tried to decipher the code, but that would take too much time.

　I guessed that if Mireia wanted me to decipher the code, she might have left a hint somewhere.

　The only possible hint was the novel "The Adventures of Holo," which Mireia had said she liked.

　So I borrowed a copy of "The Adventures of Holo" and showed it to Mireia, then asked her about the code.

　Mireia's reply, though vague and unclear, could be taken as an affirmation.

　That's how I ended up reading through "The Adventures of Holo," but to be honest, the contents of the book itself are useless for deciphering the code.

　The important thing is...

"I found it."

　I pointed to a sentence.

 

　"Ash's death was not in vain."

 

　That's what the protagonist, Holo, said to the villain.

　Ash, I think, was a comrade who died protecting Holo.

　Regardless of the content, this sentence is the key to unlocking the cipher.

　By the way, the reason why I was able to find the key was just by counting backwards. Even though it is a cipher text, I can imagine the contents of some parts of it. If you think of the rules to make the ciphertext from your imagination, the key key will naturally appear.

　The next step is to superimpose the key on the ciphertext and replace the letters based on the correspondence table used in the cipher.

　In this way, the deciphered research materials gradually came to the surface.

 

　So I read through Mireia's research materials.

"It's really not that interesting.

Unlike "The Adventures of Holo," the training materials were very interesting.

"But this might require a lot of preparation."

　I said to myself as I read everything.

　Hmm, I wonder what I'm missing.

　I wonder what I'm missing... I'm trying to think of a way to satisfy my needs.

　Then I realized that she has everything I don't have. The only thing I'm worried about is whether or not she will tell me. But that could be negotiated.

"It's almost time to go to school, maybe I can meet  her now."

　After saying that, I left my room.

I left my room.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning?

　After deciphering Mireia's research materials, the place I asked was the student council room.

　It was still early in the morning for school, so it seemed that only the student council president was in the room.

"There was a reason I really wanted to see the president.

"Did  you inspire  to join the student council?

"No, I'm not.

" Well, then what reason do you have?

"I'll be straight to the point. Let me see your research materials."

"Hmm, what do you mean by that, ......?"

　The  president had a troubled look on  her face.

　That's probably true. For a  mage , his research materials are more important than his life. It's not right to show it to others so easily.

"I'll pay for it."

　I said to myself as I leaned forward.

"The price is. You're showing me magical materials, so you're willing to pay a certain price?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I've come to do."

　When I said this, the student council president pretended to think about it.

　I'm sure she's going to demand something substantial. However, I'm prepared for it. If I can see  her research materials, I'm even willing to do anything.

"If that's the case..."

　I'd be willing to do anything to see the Chairman's research materials.

　When I heard that, I couldn't help but think...

 "Are you sure you want to do that?"

　 she asked  me back.

"Hmmm, maybe you thought I was a meaner person?"

"No, that's not what I meant. ......"

"Then it's settled.

　Then,  she took out a sheet of paper from  her desk.

　The moment I saw it, I knew what it was.

"Let's make a blood pact, shall we?

　It's a contract between two people who drip their blood on each other.

　If you make it, you have to keep the contract.

　It is often used to make a contract with a demon, but of course it is possible between humans as well.

　However, it's not often that people make blood pacts with each other, but since I'm showing my research materials to others, I have every right to do so.

　After exchanging the blood contract, the chairman and I were able to obtain  her research materials.

　This research material would be the key to what I was going to do.