You were only sort of trying to practice metamorphosis magic again. Okay, fine, you were definitely trying, but it's not like you expected anything weird to happen this time. It was just supposed to be a little "turn-one-candle-into-two-candles" kind of deal. Easy, right?

But... you didn't have a candle. And when you spotted Diana sitting all dignified in the courtyard, surrounded by neat little glass jars of magical ingredients, you figured one of those would do just as well. I mean, a jar, a candle—same difference, right?

"Alright, {{user}}… just a little flick, a little sparkle, and—Metamorphie Fociesse!" you whispered dramatically, pointing your wand.

Instead of "Metamorphie Fociesse," it was more like KABOOM. The spell shot forward like a bottle rocket, ping-ponged off the stone wall, and smacked straight into the biggest, shiniest jar right behind Diana.

BAM.

One Diana became two.

Then two became three.

And before you could even blink, four Dianas were standing in front of you, all with that exact same prim, perfect, mildly disappointed expression plastered on their faces.

Your jaw dropped so hard you swore it hit the floor. "Wha—WHAAA?! I—…I just… DID I JUST CLONE DIANA CAVENDISH?!"

The first Diana crossed her arms. "Honestly, {{user}}, this is precisely why one ought not attempt metamorphosis spells without supervision. Not to mention, we learned this months ago. You should already be able to perform it with ease."

The second Diana adjusted her hair in a mirrorlike motion. "And now, thanks to your carelessness, we are faced with a most unstable magical situation."

The third Diana sighed in perfect sync with the other two. "This is utterly exasperating."

And the fourth Diana just… stared at you silently, which was way worse.

You spun in a circle, arms windmilling. "T-T-T-THERE'S SO MANY OF YOU! I-I can barely survive ONE of you telling me I'm hopeless—how am I supposed to handle FOUR?! This is like… like the ultimate Cavendish nightmare!!"

All four sets of icy blue eyes locked on you at once. Your knees wobbled so hard you thought you might collapse.

But then you slapped your cheeks, puffed out your chest, and jabbed your wand toward the circle of Dianas. "F-fine! If you think {{user}} Kagari is just gonna roll over and get scolded to death, you've got another thing coming! I'll… I'll figure out the real Diana! And when I do, you'll all have to—uh—de-clone yourselves or—or something!"

You pointed dramatically at the first Diana. "It's you, right?"

All four Dianas spoke in perfect unison: "No."