Golden Core

(Bai Ziye)

August 11

There are four days left before the official start of filming.

Halley and I were summoned by Sirius to the mountain villa complex in the northwest corner of the city.

On one hand, they discussed future arrangements; on the other hand...

"Halley, your medical report is in."

Sirius didn't bring Zara this time; she gave Halley a full-body medical examination to confirm whether she was truly harmless.

Of course, the medical examination report and such were just something she made up.

This so-called physical examination was entirely conducted by her pair of bright, clear eyes that seemed to emit X-rays.

The devilish blonde idol, wearing glasses and a white coat, spoke in a doctor's tone, "Your core is indeed golden, the same type as the Monster in the two attacks that happened recently. If left unchecked, your mind will eventually be twisted by that Dark Energy. However, your symptoms are relatively mild, since you managed to control yourself after becoming Monster thanks to your good mindset."

A golden core...?

Behind this series of recent events, the shadow of "gold" can always be seen.

Unexpectedly, Aldebaran, the "Golden Consort," was even more inclined to stay behind the scenes than Betelgeuse.

If the "magical girl" I met on the balcony was indeed Aldebaran, then why did she give me the gold fragments?

There are still too few clues to figure out what the Golden Consort is thinking.

"... Do you mean I'll end up killing people everywhere?"

Halley's expression was naturally not pleasant, but she tried her best to hold back. She had already learned a couple of days ago that fluctuating emotions could cause her to lose control. If she couldn't be a magical girl, she could at least be a decent human being.

That's probably what she was thinking.

"I won't let you become like that."

I patted her on the back and reassured her, "Even if you lose control, I'll knock you out and lock you up immediately."

"Why did I have to experience this...?"

Halley covered his face in pain.

Sirius patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't be discouraged yet. There's been new progress regarding the proliferation of that Dark Energy. That thing feeds on negative emotions, so the one who's been the most stable lately is actually Anjie, who's under SpiCa's control and whose mind has been overwritten."

I asked, "So, SpiCa's magic can be used as a healing method?"

"Hmph, using all your freedom to stop things from getting worse? Unless it comes to the point where not doing so would turn you into a complete Monster, nobody wants to become a mindless puppet."

Really.

Becoming a SpiCa puppet is worse than becoming Monster.

"But don't worry, science is always progressing. The Dark Energy has been sampled, and research departments all over the world are working overtime. Besides, you're not the only one troubled by this."

Sirius pointed to the Monster and the witch sitting opposite him.

"The Dark Energy within them is no less than yours. If they would lose control just from contact with this energy, they wouldn't be sitting here now. In short, you need to find a way to stay optimistic and forget that you're Monster."

"How could I possibly forget that!"

Halley, however, let out another long, deflated sigh.

Ceruno and Aunt Yuehan also need to be careful, as the Crystal within them are also tainted with Dark Energy, albeit slightly, but it is still a potential risk.

"Miss Sirius, I have an idea."

Held in the arms of the Shark Princess Witch, Ryu suddenly raised his hand.

Seemingly to satisfy the interests of the Shark Princess Witch, he always maintained a cross-dressing, lolita-like demeanor when he was with her, and he still does now, having completely become her plaything.

"Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

"I believe Miss Ceruno's magic can filter out this Dark Energy."

Using bubble wrap for filtration might actually work.

The Crystal within her body was contaminated by a small amount of Dark Energy, thus granting her the ability to sense Dark Energy.

Since it can be sensed, then theoretically it should be able to filter it...

But that's only in theory.

"Want to use Ceruno- chan's magic to filter it?"

Sirius also said, "Then we must make her believe that she can do it. I'm afraid that even the slightest wavering will prevent us from eliminating such stubborn energy."

However, Ceruno is inherently insecure, and her lifestyle has fostered an inferiority complex that she couldn't overcome even after becoming a magical girl.

"Then, this Idol Festival might be a good opportunity."

I suggested, "Sirius, why don't we try to manipulate the match and let Ceruno win the championship?"

"No way, I won't do it."

The Shark Princess Witch protested.

Her voice when she's not singing is like a distorted radio; when she suddenly starts singing, it really hurt my ears.

However, this also shows her attitude: she has no intention of easing restrictions.

Liu also chimed in, "That's right, this competition is about our freedom."

"... I... I disagree too."

But I didn't expect even Halley to say that.

"Why? Don't you want to break the curse?"

"Although it's an ominous force from 'the Other Side,' it's also my only hope for a comeback as an idol. Miluno, I don't want to give up like this, but if she can defeat me head-on, I'll accept my defeat wholeheartedly."

As she said this, she was grabbing my sleeve.

She knew she was walking a tightrope...

Yes, falling down would mean certain death, but the Dark Energy on the 'The Other Side' was the only tightrope beneath her feet leading to hope.

"Okay, let's try it as Halley suggested."

Sirius shrugged and surprisingly nodded in agreement.

She even lectured me. "You're actually asking everyone to throw matches? You're not only underestimating this profession, you're also underestimating Ceruno- chan... Do you really lack confidence in that girl Miluno- chan?"

I was somewhat discouraged. It wasn't that I didn't trust Ceruno, but the reality was that things weren't looking good.

"Her current popularity isn't as high as mine, and if she lacks confidence, her performance will be even worse."

However, I was more popular as an idol than as a magical girl.

And it's much higher.

The number of fans and trending topics has also increased at a visible rate. The previously unknown Moonlit Gale will be reborn as an idol...

That was a really bad joke, but it was kind of cool in retrospect, though the outcome was completely unexpected.

Is it really because Miluno's battle time was too short and she didn't even appear on screen?

"Well then, Miluno- chan."

Sirius was still unhappy with what I said. She pointed at my nose and said, "This Idol Festival featuring magical girls will also be held in the form of magical girls! Miluno, if you lose to Seluno, I will tell her your secret."

"...?!"

No!

I only said she had no chance of winning, but I didn't say she couldn't beat me!