If we were to discuss the strange traditions of the Nasuverse, some might mention the legend of Mystic Eyes, while others might point to the pursuit of pleasure. However, if we narrow the scope to the worlds where Servants can be summoned, everyone would undoubtedly give the same answer: "killing oneself."
Although Aoko Aozaki isn't currently in the Nasuverse, she has undoubtedly replicated this fine tradition in another world. She is presently locked in combat with a Duplicate Aoko before her.
From what it appears, this duplicate can use all the Glintstone and Gravity magic Aoko learned in this world. It even replicates parts of her Magic Circuits and the Crest of Magic, allowing it to wield Aoko's signature move, the Magic Bullet.
Having copied a large portion of Aoko's magic, their battle appeared incredibly fast and intense from the perspective of Blazer, who was watching on the sidelines. Within mere minutes, the Parthenon-like structure they fought in was utterly destroyed.
Aoko unleashed her improved version of the Swift Comet Azur without warning, targeting the duplicate directly. This spell had greatly enhanced activation speed and firing efficiency, showcasing Aoko's personal style, though its power was slightly reduced as a tradeoff.
Her attack was unexpected, but the duplicate had inherited Aoko's excellent reflexes. At the last moment, it used Miriel's Vanish to evade the deadly strike, resulting in the obliteration of half of a Marika statue behind it.
At the same time, the duplicate reappeared behind Aoko. A storm of destructive meteors composed of a deadly barrage pierced through Aoko's body in an instant. Alarmed, Blaidd nearly rushed in to intervene, but then noticed Aoko emerging unscathed from the dissipating smoke.
A massive icy-blue Glintstone greatsword formed in Aoko's hands, her slashes as graceful as a butterfly yet as lethal as a hunting predator. With a horizontal swing of Adula's Moonblade, a crescent-shaped wave of cold energy surged toward the duplicate.
The duplicate immediately fired a barrage of Magic Bullets with its free left hand, attempting to both attack Aoko and intercept the magical strike. However, it underestimated the overwhelming magical energy Aoko had infused into the attack. After repeated compression, the magical slash was solid and indestructible, forcing the duplicate to once again use Miriel's Vanish to shift its position.
Perhaps trying to mimic Aoko's displayed abilities, the duplicate reappeared above her in midair. Wielding the icy-blue magical greatsword, it slashed downward mercilessly, intending to use Aoko's techniques against her.
This time, however, the attack wasn't obscured by dust clouds. Aoko stood her ground, unmoving, her crimson hair faintly glowing. The blade of the magical greatsword "passed through" her body without causing any damage, merely freezing a large portion of the ground beneath her.
The duplicate paused, seemingly in a state of confusion. It couldn't understand why Aoko's body was immune to its attacks, nor why it couldn't replicate this particular trait. This was undoubtedly the first time it had encountered such a situation since its creation.
"Am I still flawed? A false king can never become a true king, just like the Eternal City buried in the dust of history..."
In the moment of the duplicate's hesitation, a sly smile crept across Aoko's lips. She subtly curled her fingers, triggering a hidden move she had prepared earlier in the fight.
A translucent forcefield blade, manipulated by Aoko, ruthlessly pierced through the duplicate's back. The sharp blade emerged from its chest, disrupting the silver Tear's imitation of Aoko's body structure, though no blood flowed.
For the first time, the duplicate's face showed surprise, pain, and confusion. Seeing that expression on a face identical to her own, even Aoko felt a bit awkward. However, she hesitated not at all. Since the Silver Tear before her showed no intention of cooperation, destroying it and searching for the remains of the Mimic Tear became the only viable option.
Aoko stepped forward, the tip of her Staff of the Absolute gathering immense magical energy that would undoubtedly reduce the duplicate Aoko to dust.
Yet once again, the duplicate's response surprised her. The human form collapsed into a pool of silver liquid, reverting to its original state as a Mimic Tear. Aoko noticed, however, that the Tear had sustained significant damage, with its energy flow drastically slowed.
"Please wait!" a young female voice, unfamiliar and trembling slightly, emerged from within the silver Tear. "Oh divine being from afar, could you hear me out before taking action?"
Aoko raised an eyebrow, halting the surge of magic gathering at the tip of her staff but keeping it ready to fire. She hadn't expected this: in the original game, this Mimic Tear had been silent and was simply destroyed. That it could now speak was undoubtedly intriguing.
"Our conflict is merely a misunderstanding born of a lack of communication," the silver Tear said. "If you listen to my story, I'm sure it will benefit you. So please, I beg you, hear me out."
"Fine," Aoko said, holding her staff. "But my patience is limited. Be concise—why did you attack me, and what benefit do I gain from sparing you?"
"…Thank you," the silver Tear whispered, trembling. "My name is Asimi. I am, in truth, a silver Mimic Tear created by the Nox people. I can transform into various beings, mimicking their every move, including their techniques and abilities."
"My creators endowed me with intelligence, allowing me to speak and think," Asimi continued. "But this precious gift also allowed me to understand the concept of death—and to fear it."
"If possible… I hope you will spare my life," Asimi said, her voice shaking. "I want to live, to witness more sights, to learn more knowledge, rather than die meaninglessly under this false starry sky."