After the incident, Peri invites Hazel and Jasmine to come over to talk. The three, along with a healed Irep, walk towards a familiar apartment. Hazel suddenly recognized that the apartment they were heading to was the one that she lived in.
"Is this where you live, Peri?" Hazel asked him.
"Yes. I live on the second floor. But, I live alone. I've been living on my own for about four years now. I'm thankful my parents were well off..." Peri told her.
"I also live on the second floor." Hazel informed him.
"So we are neighbors then." Peri said. He looked a little more happy that one of his new students lived across from his apartment.
Peri opens his apartment door and lets the two younger girls in. "Go ahead and sit on the couch. I'll get some water and fruit for you to snack on." He told them. Hazel and Jasmine sat on the couches. Jasmine looked very comfy. A few minutes later, Peri put apple slices and some cups of water on the coffee table. Hazel grabs a slice and starts to eat it.
"This tastes great Peri! Thank you so much!" Hazel thanked the older boy.
"Since you two have been chosen by Irep, it means you two are now involved with this. I think I should inform you about what I do." Peri told the two girls. He then set his purple soul gem on the table. "That is my soul gem."
"That's pretty..." Hazel complimented him.
"When Irep forms a contract with someone, a soul gem is created. This is what identifies us as magical girls and boys. Or magical warriors. It is also the source of our power." Peri informed the two girls.
"What do you mean by a contract?" Jasmine asked Peri.
"I can grant any wish you desire." Irep answered.
"Really?" Jasmine asked him.
"What kind of wish?" Hazel added.
"Anything you want. I can even make miracles happen." Irep told them.
"Are there any rules or wishes we can't make?" Hazel asked him.
"There aren't actually. But, you only do get one wish. But, in exchange for that wish, a soul gem is created. Those who own one are given the responsibility of fighting witches." Irep told them.
"What are witches?" Hazel asked him.
"If magical girls and boys are born from wishes, then witches are born from curses. Magical warriors spread hope, while witches spread despair. And what's more dangerous about them is that they can't be seen by normal humans. Doubt and suspicion, irrational rage and hatred, they sow the seeds of catastrophe in this world." Irep told the two girls.
"Many inexplicable suicides and murders that occur can be caused by a witch's curse. It is a formless evil that eats humans from the inside." Peri added.
"If they are so dangerous, then why don't people know about them?" Jasmine asked Irep with concern.
"Because witches hide within labyrinths and never show themselves to people. You two were in a witch's labyrinth earlier today." Irep told Jasmine.
"Labyrinths are very dangerous. People who are swallowed up into them don't often live to tell the tale." Peri added. Hazel looked frightened by Peri's words.
"Hey Peri... are you really fighting something that dangerous..?" Hazel asked Peri in concern.
"Yes I do. Sometimes I even risk my life." Peri answered truthfully. He looked more serious. "This is why you two should think about this very carefully. It is true that Irep can grant any wish you desire. But, death is part of the deal."
"This is a hard decision..." Jasmine admitted.
"If you want, I can take you on a few witch hunts after school tomorrow. Let's meet at the cafe at the mall after school." Peri told them. "That way, you two can see what it's like to fight a witch, as well as having the time to think if you would risk your life for a wish you truly want."
"Hey Peri, I have another question... is Dev a magical boy just like you?" Jasmine asked Peri.
"He is. And he seems quite powerful too." Peri told her.
"So wouldn't that make him a good guy..? He is fighting witches... but... why did he attack Hazel?" Jasmine asked in a concerned tone.
"He was after me." Irep admitted. "I think he was trying to stop me from making a contract with Hazel."
"Why would he do that? Wouldn't it be better if more people were magical warriors like him and Peri?" Jasmine asked.
"That isn't really the case. It's actually more common for magical girls and boys to fight each other..." Peri told Jasmine.
"Why..?" Hazel asked.
"There are rewards for destroying a witch. So, in many cases, it will turn into a contest. Magical warriors may even fight over it." Peri continued.
"So, Dev predicted that Irep would try to make a contract with Hazel, and that's the reason he was also pestering her..?" Jasmine guessed.
"That's most likely the case." Peri said.
