What surprised Rabbit Girl somewhat was that Angel was not alone in the outer hall.
Gray Porcelain was there too, curiously studying her as she emerged.
"Captain, that person who looked exactly like you just now... who was she? The moment I came out, I saw her turn into golden motes and merge into your body..."
The moment Rabbit Girl heard Gray Porcelain's words, she understood when it had come out.
She did not answer immediately, merely raising a hand to gently press against her chest.
The golden light had clearly merged into her chest, yet she herself felt no change at all.
She had thought she would receive "memories" or "skills," allowing her a glimpse into the thoughts of her other selves, but there was nothing... That left her feeling strangely hollow.
Angel seemed to see through Rabbit Girl's thoughts and softly said, "Actually, this is the most real outcome."
Rabbit Girl raised her head, her face filled with doubt.
Angel said, "If they merged into your body, yet their own thoughts emerged—questions completely beyond your knowledge base... do you think they would still be you in that case?"
"This arena trial was itself a discussion of forms of existence, of the id, the ego, and the superego."
"The path you chose to clear it was not the superego, so in the end, you merely completed an integration and return between the id and the ego."
"Though your final 'theory of variables,' together with her 'practice of variables,' surprised me greatly—indeed, even delighted me. But... it still did not reach the level of the superego."
For the true superego needed to be defined by your future self. She had only helped you integrate the present; only you yourself could transcend the present.
Angel's gaze rested quietly on Rabbit Girl.