Some people say that this world is just a really shitty game. A story with a beginning you canât remember, no good end, no choices, and no point. Idia can see the logical throughline in that, and to a degree believes itâs true.
   Things have changed now that the robotic waifu from the Eternal Tree has started blotting out the sky. Or rather, now that thereâs a path to defeat her. A clearly defined good ending; kill the clones, weaken the original, and either burn away her impurities or eliminate her outright. This is something Idia, the eighteen-year-old one, can clearly understand. It took him about a week of running for his life, but heâs here now.
   Both Idias are walking through the residential areas of Cotes. One has a floating skull brushing against his fingertips; the other has at least three different kinds of firearm.
   âIf we have to have backup, Iâd rather it be one of my classmates,â Idia offers. At least he knows, kind of, what they can do.
   âOne?â The Other Idia scoffs. âWeâll need more than that.â
   Thereâs no shortage of strong people who go to that school, but someone in Heartslabyul can duplicate themselves, right? Who was it... Idia pouts a bit, trying to recall. So many people have so many weird brands of unique magic.
   Fortunately, providence offers an answer, just now coming into their line of sight.
   âCater!â Both of them say it at once; Idia, answering his own thought, and the Other Idia, actually calling out to the person in question. After a moment, Idia turns to look in surprise at his other self, but the deedâs already been done.Â