I placed the last of the 'strategy books' on the table.

''This........is the book that Magnus reads avidly whenever he finds free time, isn't it?
Yeah. But I try to avoid the public eye.
'Come to think of it, you would never let it out in front of Ellis, would you?　I didn't realize you thought of it that way because you were always reading in front of me with impunity.
I thought Ray would be safe enough to look at the book.
'You mean they think I'm harmless...'
I think it's a beautiful thing about you as a person.

　I comforted Ray, who slumped his shoulders in disappointment.

'So, this book is...?
The Survival Guide contains everything you need to know to defeat the Witch King.
When you say every........thing......how much is actually...?
"I always had detailed information in advance about every boss monster I've ever killed, didn't I?
'Yes. You learned it from Magnus' friend, Narsai, didn't you?
'I'm sorry, that's a lie too. No matter how much of a scholar you are, there is no way you could have such detailed and reliable monster knowledge.
'What?　Then, then, no way!
No way. All the information they gave me came from this guide.
'What?　Buh, we've been fighting since we developed our countermeasures and strategy based on that prior information!　If it wasn't for that, it's doubtful that we would have won!
Yeah. If we hadn't raised the bar or had more people, we wouldn't have won.
......................
I hope this gives you an idea of just how big a deal this is.

　When I checked, Ray shook his head repeatedly, his voice still lost.

"In my journey to defeat the Demon King, the Strategy Book is truly a lifeline. You can't ever lose it or have it taken away from you. That's why I can't reveal its existence to anyone.

The attack book is written in sacred script that only I can read.
　To anyone else, it's useless. You can't see the value in it.
　Still, you can't be too careful.

'Then why did you tell me?
'You said you wanted me to trust you?　Then I thought I should trust you, too.

　To Ray's natural question, I looked him squarely in the eye and answered emphatically.

''Nah...!

　Ray's whole body trembled as if he was struck by something invisible.

　When Ray froze in place, I slowly told him.

The reason why I'm so familiar with the Raritan system is because of the strategy book. I've been talking about the main occupation (class) and sub occupation (class), and I know more about the Warriors of Light than you do, all because of the information contained in this book.
I see....well....
And with the help of the attack book, I've come up with a way to help you grow exponentially in a short period of time. It's a far more direct route to success than learning a sub-category.
..........

　Ray didn't immediately respond.
　Instead, he asked.

'Can I read this book, too?'
Yeah. But don't let me down, okay?

　Ray actually picked it up and opened the book and seemed to understand the meaning of my words.

'Haha. What is this? I can't read this at all.
"Sacred carved script. The language used by gods and divine spirits. When I was at the academy, I wanted to know more about the magical divine spirit Luna City, so I deciphered it independently. ........You think this is bullshit?
No.

　Ray, who had been flipping through the pages and looking at the "Map of the World" section, shook his head.
　Unlike the Holy Carved Script, anyone can understand the map (except for the annotations that are annexed to it).

'This map is the village where I was born, right?'
Yeah. Kihasa Village.
It's great. It's interesting. I didn't know there was such a thing in the magazine. Haha, I have one too.

　Ray looked at it once more, then turned the page again.

'Hey, Magnus. Do you remember when we killed the Noble Vampires?
Of course, I'll be very clear.
I was a mess, wasn't I? It was terrible.
I told you that's what it would be like if you hadn't seen it before.
'Yes. Yes. Magnus told me not to panic. We'll just get used to fighting the boss monster.
In fact, you've gotten used to it. You've been fighting proudly these days, and it's been encouraging to see you as a friend.
I must say, the Manticore fight was a masterpiece. Including the plan we developed together beforehand.
'Yeah. That one fell into place nicely, and I was able to keep my cool the whole time.
'If you think it through properly on your own, discuss it thoroughly with your friends, and it works out, it's a great feeling.
''Well yeah. I didn't get a taste of that with Eugene and the others either.

　Ray had a bittersweet look on his face.
　Maybe I'm a mirror image of him, too.

　We are different ages and different countries of birth, but perhaps the fact that Ray and I were able to communicate with each other in such a short period of time is because we carry the same wound in our hearts.

Ray's hand stopped as he flipped through the strategy book.
As if he was overwhelmed by the end of the "Map of the World" section and the pages full of text, which continued on and on, page after page, with a vast amount of sacred carved characters listed on them.

'Even though Magnus would give me the information, I wanted to think about it properly myself. ...But it's not realistic to ask Magnus to translate this much of it, is it?
Yeah, I figured.
I understand.

　Ray closed the 'strategy book' and turned it back to me with a careful hand.

'I believe in Magnus - I believe in my people. Teach me how to be strong.

　I've been waiting for those words.

Listen, Ray. I've seen a lot of people who are very good at using their close quarters skills. That's why I'm going to see them and learn from their skills.

　That's a far more efficient way to enhance it than learning a sub-profession (class) now.
　A warrior of light, that is also a means that can only be done by the type of ray.

If you learn them, your strategy will expand. We're going to have to work together again and exterminate the boss monsters around Crow Hill.
"Yes, Magnus!