Just as Lucy was about to brush it off, the sound of combat boots on the floor was approached.
Seeing Erza in her armor walking over, her face fell. Trouble's coming. She raised a finger in a frantic shushing gesture.
"Well, Lucy? Did Chase compliment you on your progress?"
Unfortunately, Erza, sitting down nearby, didn't notice the poor girl's crazy signals.
Remembering Lucy's eager enthusiasm the night before, a smile curled at Erza's lips. She sighed to herself, "I never imagined Celestial Spirit magic had this 'Star Dress' application. With some practice, it could definitely bring unexpected combat power!"
Lucy: "..."
"Star Dress?" Mira tilted her head, blinking in confusion.
"Ara? Lucy hasn't told you yet?"
Equally surprised, Erza briefly explained what had happened the night before.
"Nice, Lucy. You've been holding out on us~" Chase's eyes lit up.
Even knowing that with the Dark Magician's training plan, Lucy would be much stronger than in the original timeline, he had at most expected her to achieve prolonged multiple-gate opening. He never imagined she would work out Star Dress ahead of time!
Seeing Chase's demonic gaze — devoid of emotion, only the desire for battle — Lucy hurriedly scooted away from him, only to be blocked by Erza on the other side. No room to retreat.
"Lucy, turn into a crab for me real quick!" Natsu rushed over, his sparkling eyes full of expectation for Star Dress.
The direction seemed a bit off.
"Aye~ Instead of a crab, I'd rather see Lucy turn into a fish~" Happy raised his hand high.
Whether he had been led astray by Natsu or it was his true desire was unclear.
Judging by the drool involuntarily dripping from the corner of his mouth, mm, probably the latter!
"Hey, Lucy, that's not right. Why didn't you tell us about something so exciting sooner?"
Gray also came over, his muscular frame quite eye-catching.
"Gray. Clothes." Mira smiled and reminded him.
"Huh? When did I—?!" Gray was startled.
Seeing the commotion grow, Levy, Cana, and the others all came over. Suddenly becoming the center of attention, Lucy took a deep breath and finally made her decision.
Ever since she had joined, everyone in the guild had been super kind to her. She really should share her joy with them.
So what if Chase sends me flying?
With that thought, Lucy stood up. Deep in her beautiful eyes was the determination to gladly go to her death.
"Open! Gate of Canis Minor! Plue!"
A magic circle lit up. Plue appeared, trembling.
"And then — Star Dress: Canis Minor Form!"
Lucy turned her hand. The silver key in her fingertips burst with light. Multiple expanding circles enveloped her completely.
When the light faded and everyone looked again —
Lucy's usual blue-white blouse and skirt had vanished. In their place was a pure white, one-piece bodysuit with a dog tail.
On her fair, pretty face, a yellow, pointed nose accessory like Plue's was unusually conspicuous.
"OOOOOH!!"
"It really is just like Re-equip magic!"
"But that aside, this look seems way too weak! Nothing like that monster Erza!"
"S-So cute, Lu-chan like this."
The guild members immediately gathered around like they had discovered a new continent. Along with exclamations were relentless mockery and insults.
This was their favorite thing to do.
The most twisted of all was Juvia, muttering "Damn romantic rival, seducing Gray-sama again."
Her resentment was so strong, it blackened the background around her!
"Tch. Just a costume change. I thought she'd transform." Natsu curled his lip in disappointment.
"Even just from the name 'Star Dress,' you should know that's impossible!" Lucy sharply complained. The yellow cone on her nose bobbed along, looking quite funny.
"Hey, Lucy, let me test your cold resistance."
Gray crossed his hands. Cold air emanated from his palms. He looked eager.
"Are you a demon?!"
"Aye~ Lucy, come eat a lollipop~" Happy pulled out a lollipop with a mean expression.
"Even if I changed clothes, I'm not a dog!"
Lucy was getting annoyed by the damn cat. "And even if I were a dog, I wouldn't eat a lollipop!!"
Just as she finished, Plue happily trotted over and started licking the lollipop in Happy's hand.
Lucy: "..."
She was tired. She really didn't want to complain anymore. She didn't even know where to start.
She really should have waited until she could use a Golden Key to show off!
"Hey, you guys. No matter how rude you are, at least show Lucy some respect, right?"
Chase walked slowly up to Lucy, studying her outfit.
Among Lucy's many spirits, Canis Minor, Plue, was arguably the most useless. It served only as a cute pet.
Maybe it had a slight warming effect?
But judging by the form of Star Dress and the faint magic power it emitted, this was indeed a successful application of spirit power.
In other words, Lucy had truly mastered a "future" ability in advance!
The sweat and effort she must have put in were conceivable.
With that thought, Chase raised his arm and slowly reached toward Lucy.
Lucy, with the preconceived idea that Chase was going to fight her, was terrified by the gesture.
Unable to dodge or escape, she simply closed her eyes, accepted her fate, and spread her arms in a giving-up pose. "Bring it on, Chase! I won't cry!"
But the anticipated pain of being punched flying didn't come.
She stood waiting for a few seconds. When a gentle feeling came from the top of her head, she cautiously opened her eyes.
"Silly girl. You must have worked hard to get this far."
Chase patted Lucy's head. A rare gentle smile appeared on his lips. "I want to praise you, not fight you."
"Chase..." Lucy's expression softened. Tears of emotion welled in her eyes.
"Hey, hey, Natsu. Lucy's acting strange. Does she really think this look would make Chase want to fight her? How wishful thinking~"
"Exactly. Even I can't get excited looking at that, let alone Chase."
Happy and Natsu were whispering nearby, revealing the truth.
Their voices were just a bit loud. The whole guild heard.
Lucy: "..."
So what the hell was I getting all emotional for?!
Mira saw her embarrassment and disappointment. She smiled and comforted her. "It's okay, Lucy. I really like this cute outfit. Wearing it in tonight's magical parade, you'll be a big hit!"
Lucy was moved to tears. That made her feel even sadder...
But soon, having processed it, she became happy again. Surprised, she said, "Wait, Mira-nee, I get to be in the magical parade too?!"
"Yes. Because many people were injured in Laxus's civil war, everyone who can move needs to participate." Mira nodded affirmatively.
"B-But I'm still just a newbie..." Lucy said coyly, but the smile on her face grew brighter.
It was the once-a-year grand parade!
"So, are you troubled or secretly pleased?" Gray saw right through her.
"Does this mean Juvia, Juvia can also participate?!" Juvia came sniffing over.
"That's right. It was the master's arrangement this morning."
Receiving a definite answer, Juvia lit up. She clenched her fist, full of energy. "Juvia will work hard to put on the best show with Gray-sama!"
Gray: "Hey, hey, I haven't agreed to anything yet!"
"So cute~" Cana drank and laughed.
Macao and Wakaba drooped their heads in dejection. They had just been thinking of asking the cute Juvia.
And so, the topic shifted from Lucy's Star Dress to the evening's magical parade. Everyone started looking for teammates and introducing their planned acts.
The whole guild instantly became lively (not that it had ever been quiet). Comrades laughed and chatted. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Then, a figure wrapped in bandages suddenly appeared at the entrance.
The heavy footsteps interrupted this rare harmony.
***
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