ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen let out a deep sigh as she sprawled across one of the many lounge couches, her long body sinking into the soft cushions. Her shark tail hung off the side, lazily brushing against the floor as she let herself unwind. The exhaustion from the past few hours of cleaning threatened to pull her into sleep, her mind drifting in and out of consciousness.

The rhythmic sound of mechanical footsteps approaching pulled her back to reality. Without lifting her head, she cracked open one eye to see Von Lycaon standing before her. He gave a slight bow.

"Apologies for disturbing your rest, but the twins have returned from their mission and are waiting for you in the training room," he informed her with his usual composed tone.

Ellen let out a small groan, stretching her limbs before sitting up. "Alright, alright... I'll go see them."

Lycaon nodded but did not leave just yet. "Before you do, I have something for you. A uniform, tailored to your current needs. Rina and Corin designed it specifically for you, so be sure to thank them when you get the chance."

Ellen raised a brow. "A uniform?"

"Yes. The twins are not particularly comfortable around strangers, and seeing you in our uniform will help ease them. It will let them know you are one of us and not an outsider."

Ellen sighed, running a hand through her hair before waving him off. "Fine, fine. Where is it?"

"In your room. You should find it suitable."

With that, Lycaon departed, leaving Ellen to make her way to her room. Once inside, she immediately spotted the new uniform laid out neatly on her bed. It was a modernized version of her old maid attire, but with several modifications to accommodate her evolved form.

The uniform consisted of a sleek, high-collared black dress with silver embroidery along the edges, designed to resemble the sharp patterns of a shark's teeth. The fabric was reinforced with lightweight armored plating along the shoulders and forearms, providing extra durability while maintaining flexibility. The sleeves were fitted yet breathable, allowing ease of movement.

A layered skirt extended just above her knees, slit at the sides to ensure her agility wasn't hindered. Instead of traditional stockings, the uniform featured form-fitting dark grey leggings with a faint scale-like texture, mimicking her natural shark traits. The ensemble was completed with a tailored waistcoat, adorned with silver fastenings, and a black leather belt that cinched her waist, featuring subtle accents resembling fin-like protrusions.

Her gloves were fingerless, reinforced with a metallic framework along the knuckles, while her boots were redesigned into durable, heeled combat footwear with red accents and non-slip soles for enhanced stability. A sharp, multi-point necklace remained as a callback to her previous attire, now embedded with a faint frost-blue gemstone.

A final touch was a newly designed hair accessory—a sleek, metallic shark-fin clip that held part of her hair back while complementing her overall look.

Ellen gave the outfit an approving nod before changing into it. The fabric hugged her form comfortably, providing both a sense of familiarity and newfound confidence. It was undeniably made with precision and care.

She made a mental note to thank Rina and Corin later.

Once dressed, she adjusted her gloves, took one final glance in the mirror, and headed toward the training area, ready to meet the new recruits.

Ellen arrived at the training room, her footsteps steady as she took in the sight before her. In the center of the room stood two identical young women, their postures rigid but their eyes filled with a spark of determination. Their matching maid uniforms were crisp and well-maintained, though Ellen could tell from the slight scuffs on their boots that they had been busy before arriving here.

She decided to make her presence known. "Hey, you two must be the new recruits. Name's Ellen Joe. I used to work here before I had to step away for a bit."

The twins turned toward her, their gazes analyzing her as much as she was analyzing them. One of them tilted her head slightly, crossing her arms. "Didn't Lycaon already tell you about us?"

Ellen smirked. "Yeah, he did, but it's always better to hear from the person themselves rather than secondhand. So, go ahead—introduce yourselves."

The twins exchanged a glance before the one who had spoken stepped forward. "I'm Nova," she said with confidence. "I specialize in speed and precision. I'm good at quick strikes and handling delicate tasks, but I still struggle with endurance." Her silver-blue eyes gleamed with an almost competitive edge as she spoke.

The other twin, slightly more reserved, followed up. "I'm Solis. I have more strength than my sister, and I can handle heavier tasks. My endurance is better, but I lack the same finesse she has." Her tone was measured, her words carefully chosen, yet Ellen could sense the same determination as her sister.

As they spoke, Ellen quietly observed them, taking in every detail. They had light blue hair, styled differently—Nova's was tied into a short, practical ponytail, while Solis let hers flow just past her shoulders. Their faces were nearly identical, with sharp yet elegant features, but their expressions set them apart. Nova had a more assertive, playful smirk, while Solis held herself with a calmer, more analytical gaze.

Their movements told Ellen even more. Nova's stance was light on her feet, always ready to spring into action, while Solis stood firm, clearly the one to take on heavier responsibilities. They both carried an air of discipline, though it was evident that their training was still in progress.

As she analyzed them, Ellen recalled what Rina had told her about the twins not long ago.

Flashback:

"They're... energetic," Rina admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she leaned against the counter. "Determined, yes, but also very enthusiastic—sometimes to a fault. Lycaon saw potential in them, though, and we have been short-staffed since you left, so they were taken in. Training them has been... interesting."

Ellen smirked. "Interesting how?"

Rina sighed, shaking her head. "They're eager to learn, but they're still a little reckless. They approach everything with so much energy that they sometimes make more messes than they clean. I suppose they remind me of someone else when she first started."

Ellen rolled her eyes, knowing full well what Rina meant.

Returning to the present, Ellen folded her arms. "Alright, Nova and Solis, I've got a good read on you both. Seems like you've got solid foundations, but there's always room for improvement. So let's see what you're really made of." She gestured toward the sparing area. "Let's get started."

Ellen led the twins to the sparring area of the training room, her posture relaxed but exuding an unmistakable aura of dominance. She moved with the ease of someone who had nothing to prove—yet beneath her composed exterior, there was an undeniable air of predatory confidence, like an apex predator toying with its prey before the hunt.

Raising her hand, Ellen summoned a small black hole in her palm. From its swirling depths, her weapon materialized, slipping into her grasp effortlessly. Nova and Solis watched in amazement, their eyes widening at the display.

"What was that?" Solis asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

Ellen smirked. "Something I figured out a couple of days ago. It's like a pocket dimension. If I want to store something, it just goes in there. It's all instinct." She glanced at the swirling void in her hand before letting it dissipate. "I don't know the full extent of its capabilities, and honestly, I don't plan to find out. That would be a headache I don't need."

Nova and Solis exchanged a look before nodding, absorbing the information. They were determined, but Ellen could see the hesitation lingering beneath their resolve.

Ellen stretched slightly before rolling her shoulders. "Alright, here's how this will go. First, a two-on-one sparring match to see how well you work together. Then, a one-on-one match to see how you handle yourselves alone."

The twins hesitated for only a moment before nodding, determination hardening in their expressions. Ellen chuckled, her sharp teeth flashing in a grin.

"Good. Let's see what you two can do."