There are certain classic events that come hand-in-hand with being popular.

One such event had now befallen me—Sorciera.

Yes, the appearance of a fake.

“My imposter… huh.”

“Yeah. Lately, they’ve been spotted frequently around Chroma.”

With those words, Clam-chan showed me a video through her Dive Gear.

The video seemed to be set in a city at night, showing a beautiful girl with silvery-blue hair leaping across rooftops.

Her outfit and hair looked identical to Sorciera’s.

Hey, Starreader’s Staff, is that you?

『Of course not. If it were me, I’d be hinting at the Sorciera–Zero connection and pushing the grassroots ZeroxSor movement. But that fake in the video isn’t doing any of that. That Sorciera’s a failure. Inedible.』

Don’t eat the real one either.

『Also, there’s no elegance in her movements. If it were the real Sorciera, she’d move more gracefully, captivating every onlooker with her charm. And she wouldn’t be filmed enough to become a topic like this!』

I couldn’t agree more with Starreader’s Staff.

Always mysterious, leaving only the bare minimum of information.

That’s Sorciera.

Compared to that, how about this Sorciera?

My fans were buzzing with excitement over the fake and spreading the video. Some even captured over ten seconds of her clearly on camera.

That’s not Sorciera.

She might look similar, but she’s not.

Most importantly, there’s no radiance befitting a beautiful girl.

At that point, I felt it was an insult to all beautiful girls.

If she were a girl who admired Sorciera, she should carry the sparkle of a beautiful girl in her heart.

Even if they’re a guy, if they aspire to be a beautiful girl, that radiance should be there.

If it’s not, then it means she’s using Sorciera purely for selfish gain… or maybe—

“Maybe it’s not even a living being…?”

“You know something!? That’s so like you, Sorciera!!”

“…Yes, of course.”

My thoughts slipped out by accident, but it looked like I hit the nail on the head.

Now what?

『Your mouth still drips like always, huh.』

Shut it! I need to cover this up somehow.

Just say something random…!

“This could get troublesome. But… fufu, sounds fun.”

“Kei, are you okay? Word is, this fake was using the same power as you.”

Oh crap, I’m done for.

My Interference ability’s been copied?

Wasn’t Interference always top-tier!?

What happened to it being Tier 1!?

『Hahaha! Interference can’t just be copied. It’s our power alone.』

『…No, we can do it.』

Huh?

『Huh?』

A-Angel-kun…!?

『Angels learn and evolve from defeated individuals. It’s no surprise that an angel capable of Interference might be created. I’m proof myself. I was created to counter My Lord, who defeated the second angel, by developing poison. That failed, so it’s highly likely the next step is countering with Interference.』

『Don’t act all high and mighty, newbie! Interference isn’t some trick you can copy! It’s manipulation of phenomena!』

『Indeed. So, I suspect it’s limited to Interference abilities that Sorciera has used in the past. By restricting its scope, it becomes replicable.』

So… I’m fighting my past self?

『Exactly. Was that helpful, My Lord?』

『That’s when you’re supposed to say “Did that help?”』

『Is that so… Did that help?』

Great, now we’ve got a summary-site bot.

“Kei, can you win? Fakes are always super strong at first. You’ll need a powered-up form to beat Dark Sorciera! …Wait, is this a movie arc!? Do we get a rare tie-in item with early tickets!?”

“Fufufu, who knows?”

I patted Hikari-chan on the head and smiled.

Her pure words always bring a smile to my face.

And I want to live up to those expectations.

So with that said, I’m counting on a new anti-fake form.

『You upper-level folks are always like this! Don’t you understand how rough things are at the frontlines!?』

『Frontlines…?』

Same old story.

As for the deadline… Well, since I’m heading to Chroma for the Hinotsuchi Cultural Festival, I’d like it ready by then.

『That’s only three days away!』

That’s still three days.

All my previous form changes were just off-the-cuff anyway.

『Wha… Those were off-the-cuff!? I lost… to improvisation…?』

Angel-kun looks deeply shocked.

Apparently, Zero-mode really beat him down.

When did they even fight?

Maybe when I was out sick?

To be fair, the magic usage wasn’t incorrect.

“Anyway, we need to figure out what the fake is after. …There’s only one Sorciera.”

Clam-chan said something terrifying.

That might even include killing.

Either way, we’ll need to meet the fake at least once.

If they’re my fan, maybe I’ll at least give them a head pat as service.

『It could be an angel. My Lord, be careful.』

Hey now, Angel-kun, relax.

I’m the strongest Sorciera, remember?

『But Interference is originally the power of the Cocoon of Calamity. Even if this is a limited imitation, it would be a tough battle. We should be thoroughly prepared.』

『Why are you being so serious…? You’ll never make it as a beautiful girl like that.』

Even stiff beautiful girls exist, Starreader’s Staff.

A beautiful girl-type angel learning human rules and emotions… yeah, that’s solid.

Eventually, let’s make you a beautiful girl too, okay? ^^

『? Is beautiful girl something one becomes, or something one perceives…?』

He’s already forming weird values.

“Kei, there’s one more thing I need to tell you…”

Clam-chan said with a serious face.

“This fake… apparently attacked Toa-chan yesterday.”

Alright, I’ll kill them.

No mercy, no play.

Fast and clean kill.

『Laying a hand on a beautiful girl… time for cleansing.』

『What’s gotten into you two?』

The fake injured a beautiful girl.

There’s no pity left for them.

“…So, is Toa-chan okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. She was in Chroma helping with event setup when she ran into Sorciera by chance—”

“And got attacked. …Why didn’t she tell us sooner?”

“She was taken to the hospital and just woke up. She was working alone, and had no one to contact. …Actually, Mizuhi and she were supposed to head there to help starting today.”

I see…

So Toa-chan was attacked yesterday by that repulsive fake.

Then contacted us as soon as she woke up.

…Hm?

『Something wrong?』

How did she know it was a fake?

Without knowing my identity, she should’ve said she was attacked by Sorciera.

And this video too—most people online believe it’s really me.

“I’d like to ask one thing. How did she know it was my fake?”

Totally unexpected—but now there’s a chance Toa-chan knows my identity.

Damn it, I didn’t want the early group at Fectom General Academy to know…!

『Wouldn’t it be easier if you just revealed your identity?』

『No no, it’s better to save the reveal for later drama. Plus, those who were with you the longest get the biggest payoff.』

You get it, Starreader’s Staff.

Exactly.

That’s why I always played it perfectly in hiding my identity—!

『Well, perfect might be a stretch… yeah…＾＾』

What are you laughing at?

“Toa said she couldn’t talk to Sorciera. She kept repeating the same line like a robot.”

“Same line?”

“‘Bring out the Sanctuary-user’—that’s all she kept muttering.”

Sanctuary? Dunno what that is… What even…

Guess I’ll pretend I know.

No room for ignorance in a mysterious beautiful girl.

“I see. Sanctuary. Then that must be her target.”

“Yes! Speaking of Sanctuary, that’s the relic inherited by the Chroma Music Academy’s student council president!

She must be trying to steal it, by creating an evil Sorciera army…!”

Thanks, Hikari-chan!

That wasn’t in the Chroma original so I had no idea!

“Alright, alright, fiction fiction. Quiet down, Hikari.”

Clam-chan patted Hikari-chan’s head.

Then looked at me and said:

“Also, Toa said Sorciera would never do something terrible. That’s why she believed it was a fake… She trusts you.”

“Fufu, what a pure girl. Not that she really knows what I’m thinking.”

“Says the one who’s clearly a little happy.”

“…I don’t like those kinds of jokes.”

“Yeah yeah.”

Clam-chan chuckled softly.

I like this kind of exchange.

Seems like I’ve built a good relationship with Clam-chan too.

『She’s your personal brain-melter now. Better keep her nearby to keep melting more brain matter＾＾』

『Can’t you two just flirt normally? Why all the roundabout nonsense…?』

That is love.

『…Love.』

I’ll teach you someday, too.

Now then—our next step is set.

Time to avenge Toa-chan.

『Let’s break their mind and kill them＾＾』

You are seriously pissed…

“I won’t allow this farce with my face to continue. Let’s head to Chroma immediately.”

“Figured you’d say that.”

Clam-chan nodded.

Then she offered Hikari-chan to me.

“Like I said, Mizuhi and Hikari are heading to Chroma today. I’ve added Kei’s name to the roster too. That should let you act freely at the attack site.”

“My, how well-prepared.”

“I want to find—no, kill the fake who hurt Toa and sullied your name. Mizuhi goes without saying, and Hikari’s gotten weirdly strong lately, so she’ll be useful too.”

“‘Weirdly’ aside, I am strong! Leave it to me!”

Hikari-chan puffed out her chest proudly.

So cute＾＾

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!!!”

Hikari-chan’s spirited voice rang through the room.

Come to think of it, this might be our first real mission together.

『Sorciera struggling with upbeat Hikari—Angel-kun, your thoughts?』

『She likely sees Hikari as a reflection of her younger self, adopting her as someone to protect.』

Great, now I’ve got two pervs. >＜