Chapter 9

"Whoa, it's almost dawn. I should tidy up before I go home."

The underground library was a bit messy from my play with the Grimoire.

Since I had set up a barrier beforehand, there was almost no damage, but there was some disorder on the bookshelves and furnishings.

"Shall I help you, Lloyd-sama?"

"There's no need for that. ...Alright."

As I deployed the spell, the scattered books and magical tools floated gently and returned to their original places.

This is an original spell I created.

It traces the memory of the object itself, gives it power, and returns it to its original place.

Its effect is effective for all objects, whether they are dust or dirt, and even the book of the Grimoire that I had erased is back to its original state.

...Though only in appearance.

"Wow, that's some powerful magic!"

"It's not really magic, but it's handy for finding things or tidying up."

By the way, spells that incorporate magical power are called spell formulas, and when these are bundled to achieve a specific effect, they are called magic.

This level of spell is not called magic.

"By the way, Grimoire, you're quite noticeable in that form. Can't you shrink or disappear?"

"It's not impossible... but..."

Grimoire was evasive.

The spell to change form is quite high-level.

Moreover, it's a spell that is difficult to use and selective about its user. It's understandable that he can't use it.

"Why don't you live in my body? I'll lend you my right hand."

When I offered my right hand, Grimoire looked incredulous.

"Huh? I-Is that okay?"

"Wouldn't it be less noticeable that way?"

Grimoire looked puzzled but turned away from me, grinning.

"Kukuku, this is unbelievable. Hosting a familiar in your body means you must always be prepared to have your life threatened unless there's a strong trust relationship. Do you even know that, you naive fool? If you let me use even one arm, I could easily kill the main body! I could kill you in your sleep and take over your body...!"

"Hey, what are you mumbling about? Come on, hurry up."

"Right! Here I come!"

Grimoire responded energetically and turned into a black mist, entering my right hand.

"What the...!? The density of magical power in here is insane! It's so packed that there's no space for me to... h-hey...! My right arm is impossible. At least the wrist and above... gah, no good! Not even a single finger...! Aaaaaah!"

After a roar, a line appeared on my palm, and a mouth opened.

Grimoire was panting heavily.

"Haa! Haa! Just the skin of the palm was the limit...! What kind of magical power density is this...!"

He was muttering something, but it seemed he had managed to enter.

"Hey, is that the hand you used for dual incantation?"

"Y-Yes, that's right! I knew Lloyd-sama was interested in dual incantation, so of course this body is yours and can be controlled by your will."

"Really? That sounds interesting."

Dual incantation. With the right use, it could do a lot.

Yeah, I'm excited. I'll try it out later.

"Even though I couldn't take over your body... if I get close to you, you'll eventually let your guard down. No need to rush... I'll take my time. Kukuku."

"Hmm, did you say something, Grimoire?"

"N-No, nothing! By the way, Lloyd-sama, you can just call me Grimo!"

"Got it. I'll count on you, Grimo."

"Y-Yes! I'll work my hardest for Lloyd-sama!"

By the time we finished, the room was tidied up, and I left the library, returned to my room, and went to sleep.

***

The next day, I was on the castle rooftop.

"Lloyd-sama, why are you here?"

"I want to try dual incantation right away."

It was lunchtime, so the guards were on break, and no one was around.

Of course, I had set up a barrier.

The time was short, but now I could experiment with magic without any worries.

"Can you lend me your power, Grimo? Let's start with a chant. Can you chant 'Blazing Fireball'?"

"Of course!"

All magic has a chant.

However, most magicians adapt their own spell formulas to eliminate or simplify the chant.

For lower-level magic, the chant and magical power are almost unnecessary, but for higher-level magic, the spell chant is necessary because the spell formula alone is insufficient.

I want to activate two spells simultaneously with dual incantation.

I wonder what kind of effect it will have... I'm excited.

"Let's go, Grimo."

"Right!"

As I spoke, the mouth on my right hand opened.

I started the chant again.

"■――"

"Kyaa!?!"

Suddenly, Grimoire screamed.

"W-What was that!?"

"Huh? I just chanted the spell..."

"That!? I heard an incredible amount of spells all at once!?"

"That's a bundle of spells. I packed a hundred spells into one breath."

The ■ I just spun is that bundle.

I thought a demon could do this much...

"No way! I know about spell bundles, but I can only bundle two or three at most! To follow that chant speed, I need a lower-level spell... like 'Fireball'!"

"Isn't a chant unnecessary for 'Fireball'?"

"N-No... I need it normally..."

I was surprised. A chant is needed even for a lower-level spell like 'Fireball'.

Maybe the ancient magic culture emphasizes chants.

On the other hand, I specialize in shortening chants, so I can't do chants for lower-level spells.

Well, if that's the case, there's no choice.

"Then I'll have to do it alone."

"Huh...? So you're going to do two people's chants by yourself!?"

"Right, let's see if I can speak normally from this hand... Ah, ah, yeah. It's fine."

I tried speaking from the hand's mouth. It was a strange feeling, but not difficult.

This way, I can do dual incantation alone.

"Let me set up a barrier just in case. Then, let's try again... ■■■――"

I performed a dual incantation of 'Blazing Fireball' and 'Rushing Waterball', two high-level spells.

They activated accurately at a slightly higher altitude—

—but what the...? I felt an incredible surge of magical power.

If I continued, the barrier would collapse! I cut off the magical power supply and forced the activation.

Immediately, the two mixed spells exploded.

A huge explosion occurred, and the barrier disappeared. The surrounding clouds were blown away.

"What... kind of power...!"

"Wow, that's amazing."

This is dual incantation. I tried to suppress the power, but it still broke my barrier.

I wonder what would happen if I used full power.

"What! There's a huge sound in the sky above the castle!"

"Could it be a dragon!?"

"Run, run!"

I heard the voices of the guards from below.

Oh no, if they find out, I'll be in trouble.

I jumped off the rooftop and ran back to my room.