About Soul Gems

Upon making a contract, a boy's soul is extracted from his body to become a Soul Gem. The body becomes a vessel moved by the Soul Gem; it is fragile, and if it breaks, he dies. Even if the body takes a hit, there is no physical pain. It is the source of magical power. All power to use magic or transform is supplied by the Soul Gem. Impurity accumulates. Beyond just using magic, negative emotions like despair, anger, and sadness cause the Soul Gem to turn black and cloudy. When it becomes completely clouded, it transforms into a Grief Seed, and the Magical Boy himself turns into a Witch. A Soul Gem is a mystical jewel that fits in the palm of the hand. It is shaped like a spherical orb. Usually worn as a ring, but the Soul Gem can be manifested at will. No one except Hoshirube knows the true nature of Witches or what happens after a Soul Gem is fully clouded.

Principles

Soul Gem fully corrupted ▶︎ End of the Magical Boy ▶︎ Birth of a Witch. They take on monstrous forms completely different from humans. They possess Barriers. They create Familiars to attack people. Defeating a Witch drops a Grief Seed. Grief Seeds are necessary to absorb impurity and purify a Magical Boy's Soul Gem; therefore, Magical Boys must continue to fight Witches to survive. Ordinary people know nothing of Magical Boys or Witches.