Black Crystal

(Sun Yao)

"It depends on the situation, doesn't it?"

Miss Metal was the first to speak.

Although she had transformed, she wasn't wearing the JK uniform-style Battle Dress; she was still wearing her dark green work clothes.

"Whether a person can turn back into Monster after becoming one, whether they acquired their power voluntarily, whether they can maintain their rationality and self, and how to deal with humans who have turned into Monster —these questions require further observation before we can draw any conclusions."

A very rational answer.

Sirius pressed further, "You mean, once you're certain the other person can't turn back, you'll kill them?"

"That's right, but it's out of necessity."

Sirius then looked at the others and asked, "Do the others have similar thoughts?"

Miluno stated bluntly, "Save them if we can, otherwise deal with them on the spot. Let's capture a few alive first before drawing any conclusions."

"I agree with Miluno's opinion."

When I said this, the other magical girls all agreed, and no one raised any objections.

SpiCa continued, "Judging from the battle on Antarctic Star, the Monster transformed from humans are not as strong as the Monster from the Other Side. Their fighting style is closer to that of instinctive beasts than warriors with combat intelligence. The problem is that this unpredictable stealth greatly increases the number of casualties."

Metal added, "There have been two 'Empty Wormhole' in the last two days, right?"

"That's right. There's at least one more Monster or someone who has gained Monster powers lurking in Skyreach City. This man himself has extreme violent tendencies, which is why he was exposed so quickly. If the remaining one is good at hiding, it will be difficult for us to find him with our current technology."

Miss Fenghua asked with her eyes closed, "So how does the Association plan to respond, and what kind of cooperation do they need from us?"

"If possible, I hope everyone will proactively patrol their respective areas to ensure a rapid response to any incident. If Empty Wormhole reappears afterward, the Association will designate a one-kilometer radius around it as a restricted area and deploy personnel to search for the whereabouts of the 'The Other Side' forces..."

"I disagree, SpiCa."

Sirius, however, objected.

"A prolonged lockdown will cause public protests, you know? Do you know how many people will be affected within a kilometer of the city center?"

Miss SpiCa replied, "This is just necessary patience; it's better than someone dying, isn't it?"

"You always think everything will go according to your plan, but the Association is currently in the eye of the storm. Any unreasonable measures will be met with resistance. Even if the government is willing to cooperate with the Association, the public will definitely protest... Sigh, only after becoming the acting chairman myself did I realize how capable A-Ji."

Does this count as her acknowledgment of her father?

Miss SpiCa countered, "Then what are your brilliant ideas?"

Sirius stood up, holding the microphone.

"The time is ripe, SpiCa. It's almost time to put our wormhole technology into practical use! Use our wormholes to block the wormhole on the 'The Other Side'! No matter what kind of Monster or things come out, send them all to the battlefield we've prepared. As the defenders, we can gain the upper hand!"

"Phew, you think I hadn't considered this option?"

Miss SpiCa shook her head and said, "Since the other side made the first move, no matter how fast our calculations are, our deployment speed will always be a beat too slow to intercept what 'the Other Side' drops in the first instant."

"..."

If it's about interception, my magic seems capable of that too...

But I'm alone, so I can't always be exactly where the wormhole unfolds, especially if it's Empty Wormhole.

"If there are no other problems, let's proceed with my plan... Ceruno."

"Ah? Yes!"

Being suddenly called out by Ms. SpiCa made me a little nervous.

"You stay behind; some research requires your assistance. Everyone else, please increase security in your areas."

"Okay!"

"Alright, that concludes the agenda for this meeting. Dismissed."

Everyone else left first.

I went with SpiCa and Sirius to the branch's upper research department alone, but I still don't know what kind of research it is...

"Let's do it here."

They simply led me to a reception room.

"Ceruno, deactivate your transformation and show me your Star Crystal."

SpiCa said that, and I instinctively resisted turning back, but after only a moment's hesitation, I obediently deactivated the transformation...

"Huh?"

Sirius asked, "It seems like it can't be resolved either?"

"... Hmm, what's going on?"

"Ceruno- chan, I'll be blunt, your Crystal has been corrupted by the power of 'the Other Side,' and you are now a magical girl close to a witch."

Do I possess the power of a witch?

When was it...?

"Ah!"

I've got it.

"That's right, your Crystal was retrieved using A-Ji's broken horn, but it contains not only the Star Crystal, but also the black Crystal he absorbed earlier... that's probably a crystallization of power from 'the Other Side'."

It was after absorbing the Black Crystal that my father's strength increased dramatically, transforming him into the Gun Witch with the Dragon Factor.

But the witch...

"Wait a minute, I don't feel like I've turned into a witch. My magic power limit hasn't increased much either... and I don't have any urge to do bad things... Will I become someone I don't recognize? That kind of power must come at a price, right?"

Am I going to turn into something bad?

What's this usually called?

**?

SpiCa tapped my forehead.

"Calm down. There's no evidence that becoming a witch would make you want to do bad things, is there?"

Sirius comforted her, saying, "Don't worry. The black power remaining in the Vega Crystal is minimal. Aside from preventing you from reverting to your transformation, it has no other side effects and won't give you any power either. So, it's impossible for you to squander magic like a witch."

"Since it has no effect, you shouldn't have told me..."

Miss SpiCa deactivated her Star Crystal, reverting to her original white lab coat, and said, "I originally planned to observe the situation, but things have changed. In order to identify this new type of Monster as soon as possible, we must better understand that power."

"... Are there no other research materials besides me?"

I have a vague feeling of unease.

SpiCa reassured, "The forced fusion of the Star Crystal was also influenced by that Dark Energy, so Yuehan and Anjie will assist me... Of course, the latter only agreed under my manipulation."

Brainwashing? Wait, that's not even consent!

"No, there won't be any danger, will there?" I asked cautiously.

"I assure you, there will be no danger to your life."

"Does this mean that anything is possible except for not dying?"

Miss SpiCa smiled kindly, but did not deny what I said.

"Ceruno, please overcome this obstacle to save the city and the world."

I just feel like it's terrifying!