[Don’t take that stone...]  

Stone? What, the core stone? Why?   

[Just don’t take it...]  

Okay, stop bullshitting with me, alright? I am going to take it.   

[I am serious! You cannot take the stone, buddy!]  

And why is that!?   

[...]  

Tell me.   

[Oh, tell me this first, do you remember Rebecca’s pussy? It must have felt really good, right? And Layla's? Both are top-notch, right?]  

Obviously, they are...   

[Though it’s a pity that your cock is so small that you cannot even enjoy them properly. How about you buy some more skills?]  

You are again insulting my penis!? I will fucking—  

....  

You are changing the topic! You always do this and try to get away from telling me things! I am not falling for it again. Tell me or I will take the stone.   

[...]  

.....   

[.....]  

.........   

[... Fine. I will tell you. And to be honest, it’s not like I don’t want to, but just so you know, if you mention anything about what I am going to tell you to anyone, even accidentally, the consequences will be bad. You see, sometimes it’s just better to remain oblivious to things. Do you really want to know?]  

Yes.  

[Sigh... very well. Can you at least promise me that you will try your best to not slip out anything?]  

Well, I promise I will try...   

[Sigh... I guess this is fine for now. Well, first, let me tell you that as a system of the same origin, I can trace the energy those core stones are emanating right now. In fact, I am even reading their signatures. And if there is one thing that I am sure of, is that all those stones are corrupted.]  

Corrupted? What!?   

[Yeah. You see, core stones are really delicate in nature and they also contain a huge amount of magical power in them. And together, both of these factors make the Core stones extremely unstable.]  

[Wait a second, can you see how the stones are contained?]  

Oh, yeah, they are showing the stones...   

Currently, on big pulling carts, numerous core stones are being delivered on the stage. Each and every one of them is encased in a glass box, giving full visibility of what’s inside them.   

Aren’t those... bands?   

[Yup, they are. And you see that yellow shining thing in the middle? That’s the core stone.]  

Those are the stones? They are smaller than I thought...   

[Just like your cock... fufufu, kidding. They are small but are packed with tremendous magical energy so basically, size doesn’t matter... at least in this case, fufufu.]  

You mother fucking...  

[Ahem, anyway, back to the topic. It is clear through the signature of magic these core stones are emanating out, that they are stabilized very poorly... or, I should say, hastily.]  

Hastily? What do you mean by that?   

[Nothing much. I just think that while the humans might have found out a way to stabilize core stone, this particular batch of stones was probably done so fast and recklessly that most of the stones got corrupt. And even if some of them were done right, being together with the corrupted ones have converted them as well.]  

But why the fuck were they in a hurry to stabilize them, huh?  

[You don’t get it? Really? This whole tournament is a hurried thing, buddy. Obviously, the core stones are going to be as well.]   

True... Anyway, shouldn’t we do something about this then?  

Maybe I should tell someone that the stones are corrupt. They might replace them?  

[Sigh... That’s why I wasn’t telling you, buddy. Don’t you think it's a bit weird that a 17-year-old person with no past experience with magic suddenly turns up saying that he has observed magical corruption in the core stones? Just so you know, only people with a considerable level in their system can do this...]  

Eh? So, we cannot do anything?   

[Us? Right now? No, we cannot do anything. Well, except not using the stones ourselves...]  

What about Leo and Ryan, huh? And Maya? I cannot let them all use the core stones!!!   

[Calm down, buddy. Those stones are going not going to instantly do something bad to them. By corrupt, I mean that the amount of magical power they let out fluctuates drastically. While this is not entirely safe, immediate action is also not required. At least not for others...]  

Not for others? What do you mean by that?   

[I mean, that you specifically cannot use these stones as you are in level two. Your body can access and produce magic on its own without the stone. But if you do use an unstable Core stone, your internal magical links may disrupt completely.]  

Holy fuck... Then what should I do? Refuse to take the stone?   

[Well, I guess you can take it. But don’t even think about using it. Anyway, I need to urgently go now but I will return later today when they will to teach you to actually use magic...]  

Hey, wait, tell me where you are disappearing to these days!? Hey!  

[Sigh... Well, I might as well take a few more seconds and tell you about that as well. So, haven’t you wondered where the black system has been these past few days?]  

The Black system!?   

Yes! You told me that it will come and give me missions but it still hasn’t shown up yet!  

[Oh, believe me, the black system has been trying really hard to overtake. It’s just that I am constantly keeping it at bay somehow. And that’s why I am so busy these days...]  

Keeping it at bay, but why? Didn’t you say that I should experiment with the glitched system to fix it? How am I supposed to do that if you won’t even let it take over?   

[Tsk... Think about it yourself. Do you really think black system should be there when you were settling affairs with Layla and Rebecca? Think about what it asked you to do last time, and then answer...]  

.... no. You are right.  

[See? I was working so hard just so that you don’t fuck up with harem girls, but fuck them up!]  

Oh... I cannot believe I am going to say this, but thanks, I guess.  

[Just fuck enough busty babes and I will consider myself thanked. And anyway, I cannot hold for much longer. If you are lucky, you might get today off as well.]  

Fucking hell!? Just today!?  

[Don’t be surprised, buddy. It’s the best I can do. Anyway, I am going. See you later!]  

 

 

  

__________  

 

 

  

  

“Why... Why the fuck are you doing this to me, God!? Can’t I enjoy something just for once in my life!?” Leo says while sobbing hard.   

As of right now in the auditorium, everyone has gotten their core stone bands and are settled back into their seats, including myself.   

The process of distributing the core stones was nothing special. They just asked us to sign some agreement; stating that we are allowing them to magically place the CS band (short form for “core stone band”) on our hands for a specific period of time.   

Then, the elf and vampire magicians along with Naomi started attaching the bands by calling all of us to the stage one by one.   

Though I also didn’t fail to notice that Naomi looked a little strange. I even saw her engaging in, what looked like a heated argument, with Principal Winde.   

“So... So many times, I tried...” Leo sobs again.   

Damn... Finally, Leo's smug face has broken. Though I am still a little confused as to why.  

Well, talking about what happened a little before...  

Distribution of the CS bands was taking a considerable amount of time, so, everyone was leisurely talking to each other, including the three of us.   

Suddenly, during our conversation, Leo turned extremely smug again and started telling me and Ryan about “something” which he was clearly dying to tell us for a long time... only to be interrupted by Ryan's name being called from the stage in the middle of his sentence.  

After Ryan returned, a frustrated yet smug-filled Leo again started telling us about that “something”... only to be interrupted again by my name being called this time.   

When I return with my CS band, Leo was extremely furious with what’s happening, but still, he somehow managed to regain his smugness and confidence and started telling about that “something” for the third time... only to be interrupted yet again, by his own name being called.   

He literally just came back crying and is refusing to tell us anything anymore...   

“I just... Hate everyone...” Leo sobs.   

“It’s okay buddy, you can tell us now, whatever it is that you want to tell us. All of us are already called to the stage. No one will disturb you anymore,” Ryan says consolingly.   

"R-Really?” Leo asks with traces of hope again appearing in his eyes.   

“Yup, be fast and tell us now,” I answer.   

Leo gives me and Ryan a nod and after taking a big breath, he opens his mouth to speak again...   

“As I told you both, I am way ahead of both of you in the race of—”  

“Yeah, yeah, you have said this three times already. What’s next!?” Ryan asks impatiently.   

“Shut the fuck up, bitch! Let me speak for once!” Leo shouts angrily.   

Tears are again forming in his eyes.   

“O-Okay, say what you want...” Ryan says, shrinking back.   

Leo takes another big breath.   

“Guys, I have a girl—”  

“Students!”  

Suddenly, principal Winde's loud voice enters my ear, drowning whatever Leo is saying.   

“The Core stones are given to all of you now. And I know you all cannot wait to try out magic with it, but please bear with me for a little longer.  

“In just a few moments, I will be explaining to you all about the upcoming mixed race magical tournament, but first....”  

A bright smile form on principal Winde’s face.   

“Let’s welcome our guests and your new fellow students the other races who have finally arrived!”