NOVPUBShye did not need to train as hard as the others since heuld increase his attributes with a mere press of a button.
Thus, after making sure that Kirov and the others had settled in and were making efficient progress in their training, Shye left for a while to attend to other matters, namely checking on Nookie and further strengthening his Grand Dragon Army.
Unfortunately, his timing of leavinguld not be worse.
Only a day after his departure, a young woman suddenly knocked on the doors of the training room where Kirov, his men, and the squad captains and vicemmander of the Black Dawn Unit were training.
Upon opening the doors, Shirley's eyes widened and she immediately hugged the young woman.
"Hehe, hello, Big Sis Shirley." Maia greeted with a cute smile.
"M-Maia! How are you feeling? I heard about what happened from Shye," Shirley asked worriedly.
"Ahh... I'm embarrassed, but it is what it is," Maia replied, a mix of embarrassment and sadnessloring her beautiful face. "My so-called boyfriend turned out to be nothing but an agent working for my brother's enemy..."
"That's alright," Shirley assured. "As long as you're alive, you'll find a better man."
Upon hearing thenversation between the two, those from Colzen Academy rushed over, equally worried about Maia.
She was a genuinely likable little sister, and as a result, everyone naturally grew close to her, especially since she often hung around Shye whenever she had the chance to.
Similar to Shirley, the Colzen folks first inquired about Maia'sndition, and only afternfirming she was fine did they start chatting with her—some even bold enough to crack jokes about Leffen.
Meanwhile, a certain curious midget crept closer.
Seira had long known that her boss had a little sister. However, this was the first time that the two of them would actually meet.
As Shye's ultimate underling, sheuldn't allow herself to be outdone by the likes of Harry and David in befriending Maia.
Hence, after waiting for a while, Seira jumped at the first chance she got.
"H-Hello there, boss' little sister!" she exclaimed, instantly capturing Maia's attention. "I-I'm Seira Ramah, your big brother's ultimate underling!"
Her passionate and strangely prideful introduction stupefied even those from the Kirov Strike force, causing them to view her in a different light.
They all received a beating from this grape-haired shorty after unintentionally making fun of her height.
As a result, they initially saw her as a prideful female captain, especially after noticing how close she was to the Black Dawn Unit's Vice Commander, Izanagi.
Over the past week, their respect for her grew, realizing that she was one of the stronger captains under Shye'smmand.
However, what the hell was this? Why was she so prideful when introducing herself as "the ultimate underling"?
Where's the strong and prideful female captain they looked up to?!
As they watched her endlessly flatter Maia, even massaging her shoulders and back while chatting with her, Kirov and the othersuldn't help but slap themselves before returning to their training.
The image of the short, beautiful, and prideful female captain they had in their minds was undeniably shattered.
Instead, they turned their attention to the ashen-haired young woman.
She was undoubtedly Commander Black Dawn's little sister. Theyuldn't help but inwardly question why she was here, though.
Shouldn't she be resting in some private room as far away from danger as possible?
Their questions were quickly answered, though, as the blabbermouth midget asked what was on their minds for them:
"So, little boss Maia, what brings you here? If you're looking for the boss, I'm afraid he just left yesterday."
"Ahh... I see," Maia replied, her expression clearly downcast.
However, as she remembered her original goal, her mood lifted, and her face brightened again.
"Oh well, I guess meeting Big Brother will have to wait!" shentinued. "I'm here to join the Black Dawn Unit anyway. I'll have plenty of chances to talk to him in the future."
Upon hearing her words, Seira and the others awkwardly looked at each other, eventually turning their heads towards Ian, the unit's Vice Commander.
Naturally, Shirley didn't want to dampen Maia's spirits.
However, she was also hesitant to let her join the unit, unsure of how Shye would react if she did.
Fortunately, Ian was quite the decisive man.
"No," he said. "Wait for your big brother to return andnvince him first. If he finds out we let you join without hisnsent, he'll probably beat us up without mercy. He mentioned he'll be back in a month for a mandatorymmanders' meeting. Wait until then."
"Aww,me on, big bro Ian! Let me join, please?" Maia begged, "Didn't you acknowledge my talent andmbat sense in the past? You should know I can hold my own!"
"W-Well, I did," Ian admitted, causing the members of the Kirov Strike Force to stare at him in shock.
This insanely powerful vicemmander actually rgnized the talent andmbat instincts of a young woman whouldn't be more than twenty or twenty-one years old?!
As a result, they began to see Maia in a new light, thinking something along the lines of, "like brother, like sister."
What else did they expect? There was no way the monstrous Commander Black Dawn's little sisteruld be ordinary!
"However, that was then, and this is now," Ianntinued. "You might have been strong for your age back then, but when was the last time you trained? I don't mean to be harsh, but you've fallen behind quite a bit, and you'd likely just be a burden to the unit."
"H-Hey, lil' bro Ian, aren't you being a bit too harsh on little boss Maia? Why not give her a chance?" Seira interjected, seemingly trying to flatter Maia but actually supporting Ian and giving him an opening to shut down Maia's attempt once and for all.
Only, she didn't expect that things would not turn out the way she expected.
"Oh! Big Sister Seira understands!" Maia exclaimed excitedly. "Why not let me prove myself first?"
"Hmph, fine," Ian snorted. "Since you're so determined to be humbled, I don't mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of your big brother. I'll give you three opponents: you must absolutely defeat the first one, at least fight the snd to a draw, and you can lose to the third, but you must put up a fight. In the end, I'll decide whether you pass or not. Sounds fair?"
Ian talked harshly, but in the end, he, too,uldn't bear to heartlessly turn away the Colzen Crew's optimistic little sister.
Hence, he decided to give her a fair chance. Who knows, maybe Maia truly has what it takes?
Furthermore, with this, he would be able to justify his decision when questioned by a raging Shye in the future and avoid a nasty beating.
"Yay! Thanks, big bro Ian! You're the best!"
