175 Teacher Vivi (1/2)

Looking out over the crowd, Kennedy finally had understood what she had been missing, however that also added a bit of sadness to her face.

'I wonder how many times he has actually risked his life fighting...' The thought flashed through her head at the same time if flashed through Malene's head. Both girls had a momentary bout of sadness that soon left.

They could no longer dwell on the things that have already happened. They could only advance towards the future.

”Line up. We're going right now,” Kennedy said with conviction. After having her team's short comings revealed to her, Kennedy immediately thought to remedy the problem. But Vivi had another idea.

”Hang on a second there big sis. How about we do things another way?” Vivi asked with a sweet smile.

”Another way? What did you have in mind?” Kennedy asked, looking towards her. Malene looked at her as well, wondering what she was thinking. In truth, Malene wished that Aqua was with her at the moment, or even her newest spirit friend Lilac. But they had ventured off together for some training with Aqua leading the way. With things the way they were, Malene preferred it this way. Unlike before where she was only able to fight using Aqua, she had gained her own abilities. This was the only reason that Aqua felt she was safe enough to leave by herself. Otherwise, Aqua's growth wouldn't be as exceptional as it is now since Malene wouldn't have been able to go out with them as much.

Had they been here, Malene would have loved to have had Kennedy's recruits fight Aqua as Aqua would have kicked all their asses. She figured that might show them just how lacking they are. After all, she understood Kennedy's plight in not wanting the recruits she had trained so much to be killed uselessly. And showing them a battle they can't win would have done wonders for their growth. Still, now that Vivi was offering something, Malene was quite curious.

”I happen to have a rather special ability that can... help to show them what they might one day fight,” Vivi said, wording it rather strangely.

”A special ability?” Kennedy asked, thinking that she was up to something and wanting to play along.

”Yes. An ability to summon a demon beast here for them to fight. But there is only one problem...” Vivi replied, acting hesitant.

”What's that?”

”Well, I can bring the creature here... but I can't control it in the slightest...”

”What?”

”Huh?” Malene added on, not getting that this was a show. She continued,

”What's the point of bringing a creature in that you can't control? Is it super strong?”

”EAT THEM?!?!” Malene was confused and shocked, wondering why this was a good idea according to Vivi. Although she had agreed that they needed harsher training, half of them getting eaten would be over kill, wouldn't it?

Kennedy smiled at this. She was starting to get an idea about what Vivi wanted to do. Even she noticed the nerviousness in her group's demeanor and that was what she was going for. They had started to get an inflated ego about their abilities which needed to be crushed. She couldn't do it herself as they would just attribute that to Kennedy's power. So if Vivi had some sort of way to do that, she would be greatful.

”Well... i mean, it's not like it could swallow them all at once so it's fine...” Vivi's voice trailed off.

”Ok. You have all heard what is being suggested. Thoughts?” Kennedy suprisingly asked everyone for their thoughts about Vivi's idea. As she looked out over the crowd, she noticed that they were a bit nervous, but there was also some looks of disbelief in their faces, as though they didn't think that Vivi was being serious. Despite their flaws, they had fought demon beasts before and had seen real action. So why would this be different.

One of the young, blonde haired girls in the front row stepped forward and said ”Mam.”

”Go ahead Renee.”

”I think it will be fine. But I must ask, will this be a one on one challenge? We have gotten used to working in groups against demon beasts so a bit of adjustment would be needed to fight one on one. If that were the case, wouldn't it be better if someone as strong as you mam were to train us?” Renee asked Kennedy before turning her head to Vivi with a slight look of mockery. As far as Renee was concerned, if this girl wanted this thing to challenge them, it would only be right to do so when they were at their strongest. Otherwise, what was the point? Wouldn't fighting the boss be better than wasting their time on whatever animal Vivi had in mind. This was also her way of sucking up to Kennedy

Just as she thought that she had posed a question that would disregard Vivi's purposal, Vivi laughed.

”Ha ha. Oh damn... This girl... Ha ah ah ha.”

Hearing Vivi's mocking words, the girl turned a bit red while her face displayed an obvious frown. When Vivi finally stopped laughing at this movie like scene, she finally said,

”It's going to be all of you fighting this creature at once. No need for any one on one's or group fights. All twenty some of you can work together. Any other problems?” Vivi asked while looking at the group. Seeing their smug faces caused Kennedy to frown but made Vivi that much happier. The more arrogent they were now, the better it would be when they fell later.

”I guess that's that. Ten minutes and we will start. Clear the room.” Kennedy quickly gave out instructions before turning to Vivi.

”Is there anything you need?” She asked, but then added,

*You can actually ocntrol this thing right?* Kennedy was asking half becuase she wanted to make sure it didn't get lose somewhere and also half because she didn't want all of her people to die due to their carelessness.

*Of course. That creature will be me afterall?*

*YOU'RE FIGHTING!?* In a strange twist, Malene somehow injected herself into their conversation, surprising all three of them.

*You heard us?*

*Is this now a group chat?*

Kennedy and Vivi both had their own questions and it was obvious this was the first time it had happened to any of them so Malene tried to explain.

*Well, yeah. I was able to catch the bits of conversation that were going on between you both and figured I would listen in. And then suddenly, when i spoke out, you all heard me. Kinda cool, huh?*

Staring at Malene's pleased face, Vivi turned back to Kennedy and just said,