To use a simple example—it's like a marriage certificate.
A couple who's been dating for eight or nine years can still break up easily; the person who wants to leave just picks up their bag and walks away. But once they have a marriage certificate, even if they only met through matchmaking and got their license after a few months, getting a divorce isn't so simple. It involves a lot—dividing assets, possibly children, and the families behind each person. That kind of relationship, in most people's eyes, is far more binding. Even when lending money, lenders often increase the credit limit because one side has a legally recognized spouse—not just a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Once Ron and Alice entered into a contract, their bond was already that of tightly bound partners.
"But Ron, I'll probably need to stay in Gourmet Paradise for a few more years to continue studying. During that time, I can't go adventuring with you. Right now, I'm not strong enough."
What Alice meant by "not strong enough" referred to both her personal strength and her culinary skill. Even though she was currently first among the Elite Ten, every year the Moon Institute graduated someone who had once held that title. Being first among the Elite Ten only demonstrated her talent—it didn't mean her skills had reached their true peak. Compared to some of the past graduates, many of them likely surpassed her in terms of ability.
Ron nodded. "It's fine, no problem at all." It actually fit perfectly with his plans. In the near future, he had no intention of going on ingredient expeditions. However, once he reached the Dark Continent, he might start to have such needs.
"Mhm, then for the next few days, let me take you and your group around the Moon Institute. Great-grandma told me to be your guide—I know the place pretty well."
"Is the timing okay?"
"It is. Now that I'm part of the Elite Ten, I don't have to attend most of the regular courses."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Alice glanced at the sky outside. "Ron, it's getting late. I'll head back for now. You all should get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll come by to get you."
Ron watched Alice until her figure disappeared from view, then finally retracted his gaze.
"A contract..." Ron looked down at his hand. The moment the contract was formed, he could clearly sense its presence. He had obtained something from Alice—though it was difficult to describe precisely what. It felt more instinctual than rational. When Ron looked at a living creature, an idea would naturally come to him—if this creature were used as an ingredient, how should it be processed?
Inspiration would then be triggered without conscious effort.
"So this is what it means to have sensitivity to ingredients? It really could be useful in battle—especially against non-human targets."
When it came to fighting humans, this ability wouldn't help much. Ron had fought humans countless times; he understood human anatomy completely—where the vital points were, how an attack would affect the body—he was already fully aware. But when it came to fighting non-human beings, like magical beasts, this ability was extremely valuable.
What surprised Ron even more than the ability itself, though, was what happened to the crystal orb the moment the contract was formed. The progress jumped—directly increasing by twenty percent, from fifty-two to seventy-two. That single contract was worth several days of prior effort.
"Maybe it's because this contract holds a lot of weight within Gourmet Paradise? Or maybe it's because of the contract's existence that Alice's awareness of me, in some way, grants me a boost? After all, she's been immersed in Gourmet Paradise for a long time."
Ron didn't dwell on it too much. For him, it was a good thing—not a bad one. It meant that he was now one step closer to fully absorbing the essence of Gourmet Paradise.
Alice returned to her home. "Great-grandma," she called as she stepped into the study.
Linne was seated in a chair. "Alice, did you sign the contract?"
"It's done," Alice nodded, then grumbled a little. "Great-grandma, why didn't you tell Ron? When I brought up the contract today, he didn't even know. It was so awkward!"
Linne chuckled. "Wasn't that more fun?"
Alice feigned a pout. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Waving a hand, Linne said, "Alright, alright. Now that you've formed the contract with Ron, you probably understand him better. What's your impression of him?"
Alice's expression turned serious. "Through the contract, I can vaguely sense that Ron's strength is immense. I'm no match for him. Among people in Gourmet Paradise around our age, I don't think anyone could beat him—not even those a few years older."
"And he's a member of the Zoldyck family. If all Zoldycks are as principled as you described, then Ron is the best partner I could possibly ask for."
"But I'm also the best possible partner Ron could find. Among my generation in Gourmet Paradise, no one can surpass me in strength or culinary ability."
"Our contract is truly a union of the strong."
"I'll work hard to raise my cooking to the level you've demanded. Once I do, I'll start my culinary adventure."
Linne seemed to drift into a memory.
"I was just remembering something," Linne sighed. "Time passes so quickly. Alice, I hope you and Ron can do even better than I once did with Zigg."
"The future is in your hands now."
Alice nodded firmly. "Don't worry, great-grandma—we will!"
The next day, Alice arrived early at Ron's place. She led Ron and the others on a tour of the Moon Institute, explaining everything along the way.
They started with the junior division—ate at the cafeteria, watched student matches, and audited a few classes. Two days later, they proceeded to the senior division. The progress on the crystal orb increased once again.