The library doors slammed open, dust curling like smoke in the golden light streaming through towering windows. The room was vast, shelves stretching toward the ceiling like pillars of a forgotten temple. In the center, on a marble pedestal, lay a single leather-bound book.
Lucy's breath caught. Her hands trembled as her eyes widened.
"Daybreak…"
Natsu cracked his fists, fire already licking at his knuckles. "Finally. Let's burn it and head home."
Happy flapped his wings, grinning. "Aye, sir! Easy job!"
But before they could move, mocking laughter boomed from the doorway.
"Fools! Did you really think you could trespass in my home?"
Duke Everlue waddled inside, garish silks clinging to his swollen form. A jeweled cane tapped furiously against the floor with every step. His face twisted with rage, cheeks blotchy red.
"That book is mine!" he bellowed. "And you'll pay for daring to touch it!"
Natsu's grin widened. Flames burst from his hands. "Good. I was getting bored."
Lucy's jaw tightened. She stepped protectively in front of the pedestal. "It's not yours! That book doesn't belong to you."
Everlue's purpled face contorted. He slammed his cane into the marble floor, and golden light flared. A massive magic circle spread out beneath him.
"Come forth—Virgo!"
The ground glowed, and a woman emerged from the circle. She wore a frilled maid's uniform, pink twin-tails bouncing with the movement. Chains clinked at her wrists. She bowed low, eyes downcast.
Lucy gasped. "She was a Celestial Spirit?!"
Keal's mismatched eyes narrowed. "Tch. So this pig really has a golden key."
Everlue's voice cracked like a whip. "Obey me, Virgo! Bind them all!"
Without hesitation, Virgo's chains shot forward. They lashed toward Lucy, forcing her to dive aside. Natsu swung his burning fist, but Virgo's chains intercepted, wrapping around his arm. He snarled, pulling free with brute strength, but more chains followed.
Happy zipped in the air to avoid them, yelping. "She's fast!"
Lucy gritted her teeth. Virgo wasn't moving on her own will—she was obeying her contract. Spirits always did.
The battle raged through the library, books flying as chains slammed against walls. But then, the heavy tramp of boots echoed from the hall.
"Open up! By order of the kingdom, Duke Everlue, you are under arrest!"
Dozens of knights stormed inside. Their leader raised his sword. "Your crimes against noble law and abuse of wealth will be judged by the crown. Surrender!"
Everlue's face drained of color. "W-What?! You have no right—!"
Before he could finish, Natsu charged with a roar. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" His blazing punch smashed into Everlue's gut, sending him crashing into a heap of broken shelves.
The knights swarmed him at once. Shackles snapped around his wrists. He sputtered protests, but unconsciousness claimed him quickly.
The moment his body went limp, Virgo froze. Her chains fell slack, clattering to the floor. Without her master awake to maintainqq her, the summoning magic unraveled. In a burst of light, she vanished.
Lucy clutched her keys, heart racing. "Virgo…"
The knights dragged Everlue away, their footsteps echoing through the ruined library. Silence followed.
A moment later, golden light shimmered. Virgo reappeared, kneeling with her head bowed.
"The contract with Duke Everlue has been nullified," she said softly. "As my former master is imprisoned, I am free to choose a new one."
Lucy blinked. "Y-You can do that?"
Virgo lifted her head slightly. Her eyes, though calm, held something new—something warmer. "Yes. And I choose you, Princess." She extended her key, glowing faintly. "Will you accept me?"
Lucy's hands shook as she reached forward. Her voice was soft but steady. "Of course. I'd be honored."
As her fingers closed around the key, the contract sealed itself in golden sparks. Virgo bowed low.
"From this day, I serve you. Please punish me as you see fit, Princess."
Lucy flailed, face burning. "Wh-What?! Punish you?! That's not—! I don't do that kind of thing!"
Virgo's lips curled faintly. "To deny me punishment is agony… Truly, you are merciless."
Lucy buried her face in her hands. "This is worse than I thought…"
From the side, Keal chuckled darkly. "Well, well. I didn't expect your first golden key to come with chains built in." His mismatched eyes lingered on Virgo, his grin edged with something wicked. "Tell me, maid… do you enjoy those chains? Or do you prefer when someone else pulls them tight?"
Virgo shivered, her head tilting slightly as though weighing his words. "This one… has the aura of a sadist. A true master."
Lucy waved her arms frantically. "H-Hey! Don't encourage her, Keal!"
He smirked, stepping close enough for his shadow to brush against Virgo's bowed form. "Careful, Princess. If you're too kind, she might start sneaking off to me for the punishment she craves."
Virgo's chains rattled lightly as though in anticipation. But then she bowed deeper toward Lucy. "I will never betray my master. My loyalty is absolute. Even if it means denying myself, I serve only you, Princess."
Lucy's face burned scarlet. "I don't want punishments or betrayals! I just want a partner who'll fight with me!"
Virgo's lips curved into a small, obedient smile. "As you command. Your mercy is the cruelest pain."
Lucy groaned, clutching her head. "Why is she like this?!"
Keal's chuckle rumbled low. "Because fate decided to give you the one spirit who thinks kindness is torture."
"Not funny!" Lucy snapped.
Natsu, who had tuned out most of the conversation, clenched his fists. "Enough talking! Let's wrap this up and get out of here."
Happy fluttered onto his head, grinning. "Aye, sir!"
Later, the group delivered the book to Kaby Melon. The old man's hands shook as Lucy explained softly, "Daybreak isn't cursed. Your father hid a farewell message inside. This was his last story—his way of leaving you something precious."
Kaby's eyes filled with tears. He clutched the book to his chest. "So… he wasn't a failure. Thank you. Thank you all."
Lucy smiled, her own eyes misting.
Natsu stretched, fire harmlessly crackling at his fists. "Glad that's over. Next time, I want a fight that lasts longer."
Happy perched on his head. "And more fish!"
Keal lingered a step behind, watching Lucy with a faint grin. She caught his gaze, blinking in confusion.
He inclined his head, his voice low. "Not bad, Princess. You're starting to sound like a real mage."
Lucy's cheeks warmed, but she smiled back, heart swelling. For once, she felt like she belonged—not just to the guild, but to something greater.
Their first mission ended not with riches, but with bonds—between guildmates, between mage and Spirit, and perhaps something deeper still.