32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 182 Another Victoria

Ash and Acerola are now at the counter and the person at the counter is Simon.

Simon: Good to see you again, Ash. There's a new report today- an unusual one. No sign of Legendaries, no portals, no anomalies... But I think you'll agree that it is a matter of immediate concern that, uhm. Apparently that teacher down at Apophyll Academy- Kiki? She's back.

Ash: (Shocked) Are you kidding me? Kiki's back?! I thought she was killed!

Simon: She's been holding sermons regularly for a little bit now. Victoria only just found out herself and headed out already. But I've got a feeling someone might wanna check on her.

Acerola: A revival of a person who was killed...that sounds interesting.

Then Ash and Acerola rush to Apopyll Academy, and they find Victoria as they are now at the Traning Ground, much to their surprise, there is another Victoria standing in front of them. And she has Umbral Energy beside her.

Victoria: So, you heard the rumors too? That Kiki is back. And what a crowd she drew. This turnout is easily double or triple any lecture I gave. But what I really want to know... Is why... Why does she look like- Why does she look like me?!

Ash: It was just like the void...

Ash remembers how he was dragged into the void and met Victoria, but she tells him that her name is Kiki instead.

Kiki: And break. As you continue meditating, you will inevitably find thoughts and feelings bubble to the surface. Though with practice the frequency decreases, this is only normal. Acknowledge that you have had the thought or feeling, and then return your mind to a neutral state. It is all too easy and common to be swept away in the tide of one's impulsive cognition, but there is no need to swim or struggle. Let the thoughts wash around you, and then recede as you firmly maintain your ground. We will begin again; please practice this. Remember, for beginners, it is okay to focus on your breathing rather than simply trying to think of nothing. (Notices Ash and the others) I see we have new guests in the back as well. If you'd like, you may sit and join us in meditation, and if you'd prefer to simply observe for today that's okay as well. Now, silence.

Victoria: This is creepy and weird and I don't like it. I'm not a "guest," I'm supposed to- Ugh, and why does she look like me?! And why does she know her lectures, and talk like her? If this is someone's idea of a joke, I hate it more than anything!

Kiki: Our guests in the back should remain quiet so that the students may concentrate.

Victoria: I got that a lot when I first came here too. But this is so wrong! Kiki is- I could just-...Okay, no. She's right. Before anything, I need to calm myself down. And as much as I'd like to march up there and give her a piece of my mind here and now, I don't think we can really get to her with all these people in the way. I will gather myself and wait.

Ash: (Looks at the crowd) That one in the middle isn't focusing. Twelve o'clock, next to that girl? (Sees the guy moving) There, he just shifted again!

Victoria: As Kiki's assistant- well, former assistant- I'm used to noticing these types. I bet he's lost in some train of thought right now and doesn't even realize it. Part of me wants to go break his focus just to spite "Kiki". It'd take some pestering, but he'd crack like an egg. But that's just petty. There's no need to do that. For now, I'll just try to calm down, and then hopefully this can all be unwound reasonably.

Ash and Acerola decide to sneak into the man and try to talk to him without anyone noticing, and he eventually breaks the meditation.

Black Belt: Managing the academy alone was always an impossible task, but Reborn City as well? There's no possible way I can be expected to lead both of them at once!