Book 20 Chapter 27
Episode 192
Rin felt a tension so strong she couldn't even breathe lightly.
Her clenched fists felt unpleasantly damp with cold sweat.
She had never imagined that the short time Nils spent wrapping the hood around Link's head would feel so long.
‘What if it fails?’
The magic inscribed on that hood was designed to emit currents that control brainwaves flowing in the frontal lobe, but it was merely based on books… there had been no experimental subjects.
‘If Tureina really couldn’t speak, I would have experimented a lot.’
If she raises so many hopes and then Link's speech doesn't open… wouldn't Link be upset?
“It, it’ll be fine! Master’s magic is [the strongest]…”
Tureina said, pulling on Rin's sleeve.
“Hey, I’ve graduated from that now, okay? I don’t even use it, so why do you keep imitating it? It feels like a dark history is following me awake and asleep, so I feel terrible.”
“Kkyuuuuuung.”
“Yes, it will be fine, Rin.”
Senior Disciple Phormas placed a hand on Rin's head and smiled gently. Phormas and Tureina were like assistants in this research, so they were qualified to be present.
“It’s done.”
Nils, who had fitted the magical device onto Link's head, leaped down from her shoulder.
“…?”
Link looked alternately at Rin and Nils. This was a surprise gift, so it hadn't been properly explained.
“Link, what you have on your head now is something I was originally researching to make for that Tureina, but that tomboy was just lying. Since there's no one else to give it to, I’ll just give it to you, Link.”
“Hey, you impudent fellow, by whose arbitrary decision do you omit the achievements of this Nils Blantz? What about my feelings? My skill in creating this magical device?”
“Ouch! I'm not finished talking yet!”
Clang!
Rin, who blocked Nils Blantz's wrench aimed at her crown with a staff, had her inner thoughts leak out.
“How slow… even hitting.”
“Oh?… Are you saying you want to properly fight with this Nils Blantz?”
“No, I’m not? I’ve never harbored such feelings? I’ve graduated from that now?”
That’s right!
That voice was recited by Tureina, excerpted from [The Dictionary of the Strongest Mage]! What a synchronization rate!
“Silence! If it's you, you've harbored such impertinent thoughts and more!”
Nils, knowing it wasn't Rin's true intention, deliberately created a playful atmosphere.
‘So that this fellow wouldn't be hurt.’
Link's language function… had been designed to be lost to maximize combat ability since he designed the [Demon Slayer] project with Greta Vizier.
“Ri, Rin.”
Just as they were about to quarrel, at that very moment, there was a sound that made Rin and Nils' hearts pound with emotion.
“Ni, Ni, Niiils.”
Link!
Our Link!
had started to make a sound!
“Tha, thank, thank you.”
Nils couldn't believe his ears.
Even while creating the magical device, he clearly believed it was impossible. He had thought he was merely humoring Rin.
‘But how, how on earth… although the technology of the <Ones Who Came> was said to be a mystery or even a miracle in the field of medicine… could it make even this impossibility possible?’
Laughter burst from the mouths of Rin and Nils, who had been staring blankly at Link and each other, almost simultaneously.
“He spoke! Link, Link spoke! It's a success, Nils!”
“Oh, oh yeah! I heard it clearly too! This fellow can speak! Not being able to speak, it felt like raising a dog that was well house-trained and understood commands well!”
“Link, let's practice your self-introduction! Your name is Cassel, Cassel Lingkan!”
“Li, Link’s name is Cassel. Ca, Cassel Lingkan.”
“Can't you do it more coolly? Don't you know people call Link the Demon Slayer now? It was super cool when he fought Omec, so that's probably why. Try it with more dignity.”
“A demonstration by a seasoned assistant is needed. Hey, Rin's young apprentice. Show us once. In your master's way.”
“I am… [the strongest].”
“Ah, don’t do that!”
“Kkyu wooo Kkyuuuu!”
“Ah, ah, don’t, don’t do that.”
“Even Link?! Tureina, because of you, they’re teasing me in pairs! You’re dead! Aren’t you coming here?”
Amidst that boisterous scene, Senior Disciple Phormas wore a smile that looked like it would break at any moment.
‘Truly, he has changed so, so much.’
If it had been the Rin of old, he wouldn't have cared much about others' feelings.
He would have even thought it better if it failed.
Because he would have believed he grew through repeated trial and error.
‘The old Rin… after teaching Gisela magic, would pretend to read a book indifferently when Gisela actually did well.’
Dean.
Truly, it is as you said.
- Rin, something… has finally started to happen to that child.
Something truly happened to our Rin during the four-year journey.
Laughing with others in their laughter.
Crying with others in their tears.
It seems he has grown into an adult who can purely and honestly layer his heart over others' hearts…
‘He will soon meet Rin again, and I cannot even imagine what expression he will have then…’