"Finally, we've arrived at the museum!" Roxanne exclaimed in her usual cheerful tone, hopping off Vera's back.
Vera and Ellen took a moment to survey their surroundings. The area was already quite crowded, as the museum exhibition was about to open soon. Numerous students from various academies had gathered, chatting among themselves and admiring the architecture.
"We need to blend in and not draw any suspicion. Remember that, Roxanne, Ellen," Vera said, her voice serious and low.
Ellen sighed, shaking her head. "You're always so serious about things like this. But you should know that being *too* serious actually makes people more suspicious."
Vera blinked, realizing Ellen had a point. She took a quiet breath and used her ability to manipulate her own emotions, forcing herself into a more relaxed state.
Watching Vera compose herself, Ellen remarked, "It's natural for you to be tense. This is your first mission in this kind of setting, isn't it?"
Vera crossed her arms. "And if it is? What of it?"
Ellen exhaled softly. "You're an expert at theft, infiltration, and the like. But on a mission like this, we have to act as naturally as possible. Got it?"
Meanwhile, Roxanne had been wandering around the museum grounds. Her attention was drawn to a young girl with long green hair standing by the Lugia fountain in the center of the garden. A small Bulbasaur was beside her, sniffing the edge of the water.
Roxanne felt a strange sensation in her chest. *Wait a minute... why do I feel like I recognize her? Who is she?*
She decided to use her ability to read the girl's thoughts and memories. What she found was chaotic—fragmented and scattered.
*How can this be? Her thoughts feel like they belong to a different time. They're split, broken. But I'm certain of one thing—she's a bookworm,* Roxanne thought, her curiosity growing.
She began walking toward the girl.
The green-haired girl, meanwhile, had lifted her Bulbasaur up, letting it splash its tiny feet in the fountain's water. She seemed perfectly at ease—yet Roxanne noticed something unusual. The girl knew Roxanne was approaching from behind and intended to touch her shoulder. She sidestepped just as Roxanne's hand was about to land.
*Okay, she's moving right,* Roxanne thought, shifting her direction.
But the girl changed her movement again.
*Left,* Roxanne predicted, adjusting once more, this time using her future-sight ability. She knew she would eventually touch her.
The girl kept predicting Roxanne's movements as well, dodging with uncanny precision.
For several minutes, they continued this silent, almost dance-like game—advancing, retreating, shifting left and right. Neither willing to give up.
Finally, the green-haired girl stopped, frustration flickering across her face. She clenched her fists.
"Damn it. Who is this girl? She's so annoying. At this rate, I'm certain she's an esper," she muttered under her breath.
That was when Roxanne's hand gently landed on her shoulder.
"Hello there. What's your name?" Roxanne asked, her tone as cheerful as ever.
The girl turned, her bright eyes narrowing. "My name is Nora. And why have you been trying to touch me this whole time?!" she snapped, clearly annoyed.
Roxanne tilted her head innocently. "How did you know I wanted to touch you? Are you an esper too? Wait a minute—I just remembered that reading *my* mind is difficult. Oh, right, introductions. I'm Roxanne."
Nora raised her hand, revealing a symbol on her palm—the mark of Celebi. "Okay, Roxanne. You see this?"
Roxanne simply tilted her head the other way, genuinely confused. "What is that?"
Nora's eyes widened slightly. She realized then that the merger Audrey had performed wasn't total. Some things hadn't carried over.
"Never mind. You don't need to know about that," Nora said, lowering her hand.
Just then, Bulbasaur leaped out of the fountain, shaking water from its body like a little green puppy.
Roxanne's eyes sparkled. "Aww!" She reached down and scooped up the Bulbasaur, hugging it tightly.
Nora immediately snatched her Pokémon back. "What do you think you're doing with my Pokémon?!"
Roxanne pouted. "I just wanted to hug it..."
Nora studied Roxanne carefully, her thoughts racing. *Wait a minute... judging by her clothes, she's definitely from one of the academies here. But why do I feel like I know her? How is that possible? Is this an effect of the incomplete merger? And why does she feel... familiar? Almost like looking at a reflection.*
Roxanne, who had been reading Nora's thoughts the entire time, smiled and said, "If that's the case, then that means we're the same person."
Nora's eyes went wide. "How can you read my thoughts?!"
Roxanne giggled. "Reading your *memories* is hard. But reading your *thoughts*? That's easy for me. I do it to my friends all the time. And as for us being the same person... we're alike."
Nora scoffed. "What do you mean, 'alike'? We don't even look the same."
Roxanne shrugged. "To be honest, I don't really understand it either. I know we're different. But I *feel* like we're similar."
Nora crossed her arms. "In what way? I'm nothing like you. I don't go around startling people."
In the blink of an eye, Roxanne teleported behind Nora. Nora spun around—and saw Roxanne calmly stroking Bulbasaur, who was now somehow in her arms again.
"Maybe not that," Roxanne said softly, still petting the little Pokémon. "But I know we're alike."
Nora snatched Bulbasaur back for the second time, holding it protectively against her chest. "I don't care what you say. But don't touch my lucky charm—I mean, my Pokémon!"
Without another word, Nora hurried away, placing Bulbasaur on top of her head as she walked off.
Roxanne watched her go, a thoughtful smile crossing her face. She understood now why they were alike.
---
Meanwhile, Ellen and Vera were strolling around the museum grounds before it opened, observing the students from various academies.
"There's no way we're the only ones here. I'm sure there are students from other academies too," Vera said, scanning the bustling square.
Ellen walked beside her, hands in her pockets. "I've already spotted students from Brighton Academy and Etheria Academy."
Vera blinked. "How can you tell?"
Ellen pointed casually with her chin. "See the ones in black uniforms? Those are from Brighton Academy. And the ones in green uniforms like mine? Those are from Etheria Academy."
Vera's eyes widened. "Wait a minute... I just realized. Etheria is a specialized academy for mages. How are you attending there? You're an esper, not a mage."
Ellen sighed, her expression growing complicated. "Yeah... you already know. Before this, I *was* a mage. And I don't know why I became an esper. As far as I know, even in the other world that was merged, I wasn't an esper. I think it's because of the third timeline... but I can't prove it."
Vera frowned. "Alright. So when are you going to transfer out? You're not a mage anymore."
Ellen exhaled slowly. "Maybe after this mission is over."
Vera nodded, but inside, her mind was already racing, preparing different scenarios. She realized this mission was going to be far more difficult than she had anticipated. Students from other academies—especially Brighton Academy—were going to be a major complication.