"Eh? Ah! I remember now, it's Classmate Madoka and Classmate Sayaka. Why are you two here?" She blinked, looking at the two whispering girls with some confusion. "You were brought by Sister Mami. Sister Mami told me she was going on patrol. Does this mean you saw Sister Mami use magic while she was on patrol?"
After explaining why they were at Mami Tomoe's house, Mami Tomoe led Madoka Kaname and the other girl to sit at a small triangular tea table in the living room. Soon after, Yoshino brought out several exquisite pastries and black tea to everyone.
"These are your cakes, Classmate Madoka, Classmate Sayaka." After placing two portions of pastries in front of them, Yoshino sat down next to Mami Tomoe. She had finished preparing the food, so she no longer needed to work in the kitchen.
"It looks delicious, this cake. Then I won't be shy, I'll dig in~" Looking at the pastries in front of her, Sayaka Miki picked up a fork and put it in her mouth. "Mm~ It really is delicious. I didn't expect there to be such a tasty cake. Hehe~"
Although she was laughing, the events that had just transpired were a bit too impactful for Madoka Kaname. Those strange things lingered in her mind.
"Because you were chosen by Kyubey, you can no longer remain outsiders. There are some things I need to explain to you." Mami Tomoe took out an oval-shaped gem glowing with orange light from her person and showed it to them: "This is a soul gem."
"Wow~ It's so beautiful~" Sayaka Miki exclaimed, looking at the sparkling soul gem.
"Mm. This is the gem produced when a girl chosen by Kyubey makes a contract with it. It is the symbol of a Magical Girl and the source of her magic." Mami Tomoe took a sip of black tea and said softly.
'At the same time, it can also be called a spiritual core, and it is the vessel for the Magical Girl's own soul.' Looking at the soul gem in Mami Tomoe's hand, a magic circle secretly appeared in Yoshino's eyes, analyzing it. 'Indeed, the soul has separated from the body. It's truly amazing that such a thing can be done. Kyubey's power is truly miraculous, to be able to achieve complete separation.'
"What's a contract?" Sayaka Miki asked curiously.
"I can grant you one wish, anything at all." With a tempting tone, Kyubey spoke first before Mami Tomoe could answer.
"It shouldn't be that simple, right? To be able to grant any wish, this world isn't that simple." Interrupting their conversation, Yoshinon spoke to Kyubey. "Every world advocates the principle of equivalent exchange. While granting wishes, what price do the girls who sign contracts with you have to pay?"
"Of course there is. As the price for granting a wish, a soul gem will be produced, and the person who obtains it will be given the mission to fight witches. All girls who sign contracts with me will become Magical Girls and fight witches." Kyubey replied calmly, not flustered by Yoshinon's words.
"Then~ is Classmate Shikino the same?" Madoka Kaname asked, looking at Yoshino who was nibbling on her cake. Since she was here listening to their conversation, did that mean she was also a Magical Girl or a girl chosen by Kyubey?
"No, she isn't. Although she seems to have abilities similar to a Magical Girl, she isn't a Magical Girl yet. She is a special existence. I haven't made a contract with her, and she isn't a Magical Girl, but she can use abilities similar to a Magical Girl's." After repeated observation, Yoshino's soul was still in her body, and she didn't have a soul gem.
"How about it, Yoshino? What have you decided? Do you want to make a contract with me and become a Magical Girl?"
...Ignoring Kyubey's words, the contract was useless now.
"What are witches? How are they different from Magical Girls?" Hearing Sayaka Miki's question, the ignored Kyubey immediately began to explain to the two clueless girls.
Although Kyubey's story concealed important details, at least everything it said was true. Its linguistic ability made even Yoshino, who knew the truth, want to give it a thumbs up.
"Now that you know these secrets, you must also consider carefully. Chosen by Kyubey, you have the opportunity to have any wish granted, but you will also face danger at any time." Although she really hoped to have a few comrades-in-arms, Mami Tomoe knew very well that this was not something one could just casually join.
"So if you don't have a 'wish that you absolutely must fulfill no matter the cost,' I advise you not to make a contract with Kyubey."
...Mami Tomoe's words calmed the two down. Especially Sayaka Miki, a glimmer of light flashed in her downcast eyes; she indeed had a wish that she had to fulfill no matter what.
"Kyubey, I want to ask, what standard is used to calculate one wish per person?" Just then, Yoshino, who had been silent, spoke up.
"That, of course, is because everyone only has one soul. If you wish for multiple wishes, that's completely impossible. Because a person can only have one soul; no one can have more than one wish granted." Kyubey said nonchalantly. It had answered this question too many times. Many greedy Magical Girls had made this wish before signing a contract, but in the end, none of them were granted. Because they only had one soul.
"...I see."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"