The library doors slammed open, dust curling like smoke in the golden light that streamed through towering windows. The room was enormous, its shelves stretching toward the ceiling like the pillars of some forgotten temple. In the center of it all, on a marble pedestal, lay a single book bound in rich leather.
Lucy's eyes widened. She stepped closer, her voice trembling with awe.
"Daybreak…"
Natsu's grin spread ear to ear. His fists clenched, fire already itching to fly.
"Finally. Let's destroy it and get outta here."
Happy bobbed in the air, wings fluttering excitedly. "Aye! Easy job!"
But before Lucy could take another step, mocking laughter boomed behind them, rattling the shelves.
Everlue waddled into the library, his plump body squeezed into garish silks, a jeweled cane clutched in one stubby hand. His face twisted with rage, lips curling around his teeth like a cornered boar.
"You pests dare invade my home for my treasure?!" he bellowed. "I'll make you regret the day you crossed Duke Everlue!"
Natsu's flames sparked to life, his grin widening. "Good. I was getting bored."
Lucy's jaw set as she stepped protectively in front of the pedestal. "It's not your treasure! That book doesn't belong to you!"
Everlue's face turned a sickly shade of purple. His stubby fingers twitched, and with a guttural snarl, he thrust his cane into the floor. "Then tremble before my true power. Come forth—Virgo!"
The library floor glowed as a massive golden magic circle spread beneath Everlue's feet. A burst of light erupted, and from it emerged a woman in a frilled maid's dress. Her pink hair hung in twin tails, her wrists bound in chains that clinked with every movement. She bowed low, eyes lowered.
Lucy gasped. "A Celestial Spirit?!"
Kael's mismatched eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "So this pig really has a contract he doesn't deserve."
"Teach them their place, Virgo!" Everlue commanded, spittle flying from his lips.
Without hesitation, Virgo surged forward, her chains snaking like vipers toward Lucy.
"W-Wait—!" Lucy cried, fumbling for her keys.
The chains snapped tight around her wrist, dragging her off balance. She stumbled to her knees, gasping.
"Lucy!" Natsu roared, rushing forward, but Virgo swung her chains in a wide arc, forcing him to skid back or be entangled. Everlue's laughter shook the walls.
Kael stepped smoothly into the fray. One chain lashed at Lucy's face—but his hand shot up, catching it mid-swing. The links rattled violently in his grip, but his expression didn't flinch.
"Pull yourself together, Lucy," he said, his tone calm but sharp. "She's not your enemy. She's a Spirit. Talk to her."
Lucy's eyes widened at his words, her panic cracking. Right. She was a Celestial Spirit mage. Spirits weren't weapons—they were partners.
She forced her voice steady. "Virgo! You don't want to serve him, do you?!"
For the first time, Virgo's eyes flickered. The chains loosened just a fraction.
Everlue shrieked, his face blotchy with rage. "Obey me, slave! Crush them!"
Lucy's grip tightened on her keys. She straightened, raising her chin. "No! You don't belong to someone who treats you like that. Your real master should respect you. If you'll fight by my side… I'll be that master!"
The chains trembled. Virgo's head lifted. Slowly, the golden tether of her contract snapped, vanishing in shards of light. She dropped the chains and bowed low before Lucy.
"Yes, Princess."
Lucy blinked, stunned. "P-Princess…?"
Virgo's lips curled in a faint smile, her voice smooth and submissive. "I have chosen my new master. Please… punish me as you see fit."
Lucy flailed her arms, face turning bright red. "Wha—?! Punish you?! That's not—! I don't do that kind of thing!"
Virgo tilted her head, her chains clinking as though in anticipation. "I exist to be ordered, Princess. If it displeases you, then I must be punished."
"I-I said no punishment!" Lucy squeaked, waving her hands frantically. "Just… just fight by my side, okay?!"
Virgo bowed deeply. "As you command. Deny me the punishment I crave—it is agony beyond measure. Truly… you are cruel, Princess."
Lucy groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is worse than I thought…"
Behind them, Kael chuckled, his voice low and edged with amusement. "Now this is interesting."
Virgo's eyes flicked toward him for the first time, and a faint shiver ran through her frame. "Oh… this one has the air of a true master. A sadist… one who would not hesitate to chain me down."
Kael smirked, meeting her gaze without flinching. "You're not wrong. But you already picked your Princess. Better hope she's as merciless as I'd be."
Virgo's lips curved into a small, eager smile. "Then perhaps one day, you'll show me what she withholds. I welcome the pain."
Lucy's face turned redder than Natsu's flames. "H-Hey! Don't encourage her, Kael!"
He shrugged, still smirking. "I don't encourage. I just tell the truth."
Natsu, utterly missing the innuendo, stamped forward with fire blazing around his fists. "Forget this weird talk! Time to fry the fat pig!"
Everlue screeched, pointing at Virgo. "You traitorous spirit! I'll drag you back into chains!"
Virgo raised her hands, chains uncoiling like serpents ready to strike—but this time, they lashed toward Everlue himself, not Lucy. He shrieked as he stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet.
Natsu roared, launching forward in a fiery blur. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" His blazing punch slammed into Everlue's gut, the impact sending the duke soaring across the library like a sack of potatoes. He crashed into a mountain of bookshelves, which collapsed with a deafening crash.
Happy clapped his little paws. "Aye! Natsu wins again!"
Virgo turned back to Lucy, bowing once more. "You have freed me, Princess. From now on, I exist to serve you. Call on me, and I shall come. Even if it means digging the deepest hole or tightening the cruelest chains."
Lucy groaned again, clutching her head. "Why is she like this…"
Kael leaned closer, his smirk tugging higher. "Because you're the perfect opposite of what she craves. That's why she likes you."
Lucy flushed, glaring at him. "That doesn't make me feel better!"
Virgo, utterly unbothered, gave Kael a lingering glance before vanishing in a swirl of golden light.
---
Later, the group delivered the book to Kaby Melon. The old man's eyes filled with tears as Lucy explained softly,
"This book isn't cursed. Your father, Kemu Zaleon, hid a message inside. Daybreak is his farewell, his last story. He never wanted it twisted into something shameful."
Kaby's shoulders shook as he accepted the book with trembling hands. "So… he wasn't a failure after all. Thank you. Thank you all."
Lucy's smile was tender, her eyes misting.
Natsu stretched, flames harmlessly crackling at his fingertips. "Glad that's over. Next time, I want a fight that lasts longer."
Happy perched on his head. "And maybe more fish!"
Kael lingered at the edge of the group, his mismatched eyes resting briefly on Lucy. When she glanced at him, he inclined his head with quiet approval.
Lucy blinked—then smiled, warmth flooding her chest. For once, she wasn't just the nervous newcomer fumbling through her first mission. She was a mage who had stood her ground… and earned the trust of a Spirit.
Their first mission had ended not in riches, but in bonds—between guildmates, between Spirit and mage, and perhaps something deeper still.