“Grandpa, why must and [Inhuman] be with a [Compatible]?

“You’ll understand when you’re older, Yuudai. One day you’ll realize what a blessing it is. Only by meeting your grandmother could I truly unlock my full potential as an [Inhuman]...”

“But Grandma is…”

“When you find that right [Inhuman] to bond with, treasure them. You only get one chance. When one of our kind’s special bond is severed for whatever reason, it's gone… Forever.”

“Grandpa, you’re crying!”

“Am I? Oh dear, an old man like me getting so emotional…”

---

“Shiori, I’m going to need you to explain to me in detail what that [Soul Link] thing is.”

Yuudai gingerly placed his fork back onto his plate as he said the above. Only a few crumbs of hamburg steak were left.

“... I see.”

“What?”

“Your elders still haven’t told you yet, despite you asking in the letter.”

“... Correct.”

“Well, how do I put this…”

“Take your time.”

“Umm… essentially, its umm…”

“Shiori…”

“W-when an [Inhuman] and a [Compatible] love each other very very much, they form a [Soul Link]! There! I said it, okay?”

That was an unexpected reaction.

“Why are you getting so flustered over this?’

“How dare you make a pure maiden say something like that, y-you pervert?”

“Is this supposed to be some ecchi stuff for [Inhumans], or are you just messing with me? Also, you were literally offering yourself to me in nothing but a towel yesterday.”

“... True.”

“I still don’t get why you’re so flustered.”

“It’s a bond d-deeper than blood!”

“Ah. So I’m going to assume this reaction is just a thing for [Inhumans]. So what effects does this link thing have?”

Shiori took a moment to collect herself.

“It's formed when both sides decide willingly to pledge their soul to each other. It can’t be forced by any other means. After the [Soul Link] is formed, the [Compatible] will be able to use all their previous techniques utilizing [Soul Energy] with much more precision and to a higher extent, while the [Inhuman] gains access to the [Compatible]’s [Soul Energy] to fuel their [Magic].”

“I see. So that's why that woman’s body strengthening was so high? Is a [Soul Link] rare though? While some [Compatible] members of my clan are quite strong, I’m not sure whether it's the effects of a [Soul Link].”

“It's actually not that rare, but as far as I know, one as powerful as the one between the flame [Inhuman] and the knight girl is pretty uncommon. Apparently, the stronger the connection between the two, the more powerful the effects of [Soul Link].”

“I didn’t sense any love between those two, though.”

“Well, love is the most common catalyst since those feelings don’t dissipate for a long time, but a [Soul Link] can also work off other connections, like hate...”

“Man, that's a pretty troublesome ability to fight against. I wish we had an easy solution…”

Yuudai trailed off as Shiori had a complicated expression on her face.

She mumbled something inaudibly.

“What was that…?”

“We do have a solution, I said.”

“...”

“I’ve already pledged on my end, Yuu-kun.”

What's with this shoujo-like development? It pains me, but...

“... Yuu-kun?”

“I can’t answer your feelings.”

I’m sorry for breaking your heart, Shiori-nee, but this is the best for both of us. A woman like you truly does deserve better than a useless man like me.

“I see. Good night, Saito-san.”