In the store
"Boss, boss, do you have any Celestial Spirit Keys here?" Yukino's little eyes sparkled as she rushed into the store and asked a shrewd-looking merchant behind the counter with great anticipation.
"Celestial Spirit Key? Oh, it's the kind of key that can open a door and summon battle, right?" The shopkeeper was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized, slapped his forehead, and explained to himself.
"That kind is really rare, but I happen to have one here!!" The shopkeeper held up a beautifully decorated little box to Yukino as if it were a precious treasure.
"Wow~ It's the key to Ursa Minor!" Yukino exclaimed with delight as she picked up the silver key from the box.
"This is really powerful, and it even has special effects!" The shopkeeper praised the key enthusiastically after seeing how much Yukino liked it.
"Bang! How strong can it be!" The store door was suddenly pushed open with great force.
A bald man with a gold chain around his neck and a cigarette in his mouth, wearing sunglasses, pushed open the door and was stunned by what he saw inside the store.
He thought it was just a little girl, but he didn't expect there to be a man, two children, two cats, and a beautiful woman who looked a lot like the girl.
"Oh, it's the whole family!" cough cough
The shouting man exhaled a puff of smoke, then fanned the smoke in the air with his hand before carefully examining the group of people in the shop.
However, he didn't seem to notice anything wrong, and instead focused his attention on the key in Yukino's hand.
Runa glanced at Zorn, and seeing that Zorn didn't react, she frowned. Then, she subconsciously tried to channel her Magic Power, but Zorn grabbed her arm.
At the same time, Yukino frowned, staring intently at the uninvited guest who had suddenly barged in, and gripped the key tightly in her hand, questioning with a hint of displeasure, "Who are you? Why did you interrupt our conversation?"
The bald man's lips curled into a slight, contemptuous smile. He removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of cunning eyes, and said dismissively, "My Afu, also a Celestial Spirit Mage. But with such a low-level constellation like yours, how could you possibly have any real power? You're just trash..."
"Hmph, even this Cygnus Celestial Spirit in my hand can only be considered barely passable!" The man took out a silver key from his waist, looked at it with disdain, and even spat on the ground.
The splattered saliva got on the key, but he didn't care, just casually fiddling with it.
Then, as if remembering something, he angrily said to the boss:
"Hey old man, every time I tell you to contact the other branches of the Magic shops as soon as possible to ask if they have any news about the Zodiac Keys... it's been so long and you still haven't heard a single thing! You're such a useless piece of trash!"
The man grew angrier and angrier, and suddenly he lashed out at the boss, preparing to rush forward and attack.
"You bastard, you really deserve a beating..."
Upon hearing this, Sting and Rogue were instantly enraged. They clenched their fists, ready to charge forward and teach the man a lesson.
"Flo-Flo~" Flo also clenched her little fists, making a gesture as if she was about to hit someone, to express her dissatisfaction.
"That's not true at all! Celestial Spirits are our most important partners, not useless trash!" Yukino gripped the key tightly in her hand, as if protecting the most precious treasure.
Her eyes were firm and bright, filled with love and respect for the Celestial Spirit.
Her voice was clear and resonant, tinged with anger and resentment, as if she wanted the whole world to hear the cry from the depths of her heart, "You are not worthy of possessing the Celestial Spirit Key!"
Finally, Yukino raised her chin and looked directly at Afu without fear.
Her eyes revealed a determination and courage that moved everyone who looked at her.
Her hand, gripping the key, trembled slightly, but remained steadfast, as if telling Afu: No matter what, I will protect my Celestial Spirit Key.
She then looked at the key in Afu's hand with affection.
"Well said, Yukino." Zorn smiled and patted Yukino's head, his eyes sparkling with approval.
With a light flick of his right hand, a crisp sound rang out, and then a golden Magic Circle rose up beneath the shop.
"This..." Afu stared wide-eyed, astonished at everything that was happening before him.
He had initially thought Zorn was just an ordinary man, but he never expected him to possess such powerful Magic Power.
In the blink of an eye, the group of people were moved to an open grassland.
Even the shop owner was brought along.
"Boss, could you please be a witness as well..." Zorn said apologetically.
The boss nodded in agreement.
He didn't want the Celestial Spirit Keys to fall into the hands of such people; in fact, he knew the whereabouts of one of the Zodiac Keys.
But those kinds of people really don't deserve it.
But this little girl...
The boss looked at Yukino was looking down at her keys, with a smile in his eyes.
As soon as Afu landed, he turned and ran away without hesitation.
However, he suddenly found that his body was completely unable to move, as if he had been firmly nailed to the spot by an invisible force.
His eyes widened, his face filled with terror as he looked around, his heart pounding with fear. He realized he might be trapped in an inescapable snare.
"I advise you to fight honestly. If you lose, you'll only lose the key, otherwise..." Zorn's cold voice suddenly echoed in his mind, and the great terror between life and death reverberated in his heart.
Afu gripped the Cygnus Celestial Spirit Key tightly in his hand, trembling, and gritted his teeth.
Seeing that the other party was ready, Zorn glanced at Sting, who was encouraging Yukino, and directly reached out and pulled him aside.
"Yukino, this is your first battle with your Celestial Spirit partner. Are you ready?" Zorn asked softly. It's normal for Yukino to be nervous since it's her first battle. He gently patted Yukino's head.
Just as he was about to say something, Zorn saw Future Lucy looking at Yukino with a worried expression.
He couldn't help but smile, making room for Future Lucy.
Yukino lowered her head, her eyes filled with reluctance, and tightly gripped the key in her hand.
She really couldn't bear to use this key in battle, because she hated fighting between Celestial Spirit.
Runa silently watched Yukino, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts. In her younger sister, she seemed to see the figure of a woman she both loathed and admired, and was grateful to.
She glanced discreetly at her Future Lucy, who was equally worried beside her.
She taught me what a true partner is...
"Yukino- chan, carefully feel the emotions conveyed by this key..."
Future Lucy crouched down and gently took Yukino's small hand in hers, her forehead pressed tightly against Yukino's, her eyes filled with tenderness and encouragement.
She said softly, "This key has a strong desire; it longs to fight for you and hopes to help you overcome all difficulties and get your companions out of trouble."
So don't be afraid, feel its power!
To be continued~