Adopted Soldier

When Michel heard what Niki said she was slackjawed at the sudden request. After a moment of stunned silence, Michel spoke, "if your parents are alright with it, then I suppose I can teach you." Niki nodded her head in response and took out her phone. She immediately called her parents and started explaining what had happened, as well as her decision to learn how to become a merc, so that she could get strong enough to defend herself. 

Niki's parents were aware of the current situation of the current world. They were also aware that they could not say that they could protect their children in this kind of world. So Niki learning how to defend herself is a good thing. So after talking for a bit the two agreed and allowed Niki to learn from Michel. 

Niki then handed her phone to Michel, who then started talking to her parents. After a short talk, the two sides came into an agreement. 

Michel sighed as she looked at the determined Niki. Lilitth who was still laying down on the floor was confused with the sudden turn of events. 

"Your Dad and Mom, have agreed in me teaching you how to fight, and how to survive in being a merc. So, for now, you'll be living with us, is that alright with you?" 

"Of course," Niki answered with a smile on her face. 

"Niki, why?" Lilitth was finally able to sit up straight looked at her best friend in the eye, confused about her decision. Since she started staying in normal society, she finally understood that their family's way of life, which was being mercenaries was an extremely dangerous job. She learned from her classmates, that even though there was a huge return in being a merc, usually no one wanted to have the job as a merc, if they weren't forced by extreme circumstances. There are some that want to become mercs even with the danger because of the possibility of getting rich quickly. 

Niki looked at her worried best friend and answered with a smile. 

"I want to become stronger, so I won't be a burden to you or my family. I want to be a merc, so that I can continue to be your best friend Lilitth." Hearing Niki's reply Lilitth couldn't help it and started crying, in which Niki responded by hugging her best friend. Michel who was watching at the side couldn't hold it in and joined in the hugging. 

...

In the distance from the Samaritas land, Reghinald Berdonia watching. He was already aware that there was the chance for the mission to fail, so he wasn't really that disappointed. This was just a trial run to see how strong the security was. Still, now that they know he was after the doll, they will probably tighten the security around, which he might be able to use to his advantage. 

'Who would have expected the doll, to improve so much. I always thought she was a failure, but it would seem that she was more valuable than I initially speculated. With her at hand, I will be able to make Berdonia great again.' 

After looking at the chaotic scene in the Samaritas place one last time, Reghinald left with a smirk plastered on his face.

...

A week after the night attack, inside the training room that was located underground, Lilitth and Niki were training. Lilitth was now using a large sword similar to Rika Saunter's, while Niki was practicing on how to shoot a gun. 

At first, Niki found it difficult to shoot without being pushed by the recoil, but after a few days, and Michel's excellent guidance she was now able to shoot without falling on her butt. On the other hand, Lilitth felt using the sword was better than when she was using a staff. 

She found that the weight of this heavy sword was very comfortable as she continued swinging it. For the whole week, Michel didn't teach Lilitth anything about the sword, except telling Lilitth to feel the sword as she swung it. 

"Lilitth today I want you to fight this person I hired. He claims to be your brother's rival." Michel introduced the new arrival, who was carrying a sword. 

"I'm Setsuna, and I'm really am Alex's rival. His master and my master have been rivals for years, and so as their students, we followed in their footsteps."

Lilitth stood in front of Setsuna and bowed her head. "I'll be in your care," Lilitth said with a smile on her face. Setsuna was caught by surprise as he wasn't expecting Alex's sister to be this cute. 

'How could someone as stoic as that guy, get a sister like this?' 

...

While Lilitth and Setsuna were greeting each other Michel approached Niki. She saw that the little girl had improved greatly, but her accuracy was still too low to be used for actual combat. This was hard to see what weapon was good for Niki to use, seeing as unlike Lilitth she wasn't a person with superhuman abilities. Niki's overall stats were the same as that of any regular ten-year-old girl, the only advantage she had over the others, was her amazing ability to learn quickly. She was the same type of fighter as Lyner, able to copy a move she has just seen once. Yet unlike Lyner her body was too weak to perform the move. 

So aside from learning how to use a gun, Michel made a training course that would improve Niki's overall physical ability. 

"It's time for your jog up the temple today. This time you need to get to the top and come back down in about half an hour. If you don't make it back on time, I'll be increasing the weights on your legs." 

The temple Michel was talking about, was a temple of the old Gods of Berdonia, and it was located atop a hill that had a flight of stairs with five hundred steps. The best time Niki had in going up and down the temple, was fifty minutes, and that was without the weights. Currently on her ankles were weights that weigh around two kilos each. 

Even though she was given such a hard task Niki wasn't demoralized as she simply saluted Michel and started running towards the temple. 

This was Niki's starting point to becoming strong.