Inside the shop,
"Boss, boss, do you have a Star Spirit Key here?" Yukino, with her eyes sparkling, rushed directly into the shop and spoke to a seemingly very shrewd merchant behind the counter, full of anticipation.
"Star Spirit Key? Oh, it's that kind of key that can open a gate and summon a battle, right!" The boss was startled at first, then suddenly enlightened, he slapped his forehead and explained to himself.
"Those are very rare, but I just happen to have one here!!!" The boss held a gorgeously decorated small box in front of Yukino as if it were a treasure.
"Wow~ It's the Ursa Minor key!" Yukino was full of joy as she picked up the silver key from the box.
"This is very strong, and it also has the bonus of special effects~" The boss praised the key vigorously after seeing that Yukino liked it very much.
"Bang~ How strong can it be!" The shop 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, had just pushed open the door and was stunned by the scene inside the shop.
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 very much like the girl.
"Yo, it's a whole family!" "Cough cough~"
The shouting man exhaled a puff of smoke, then fanned away the smoke lingering in the air with his hand, and then carefully scrutinized the group of people in the shop.
However, he didn't seem to notice any problems, so he focused his attention on the key in Yukino's hand.
Runa secretly glanced at Zorn, and after seeing that Zorn had no reaction, her brows couldn't help but furrow. Immediately afterward, she subconsciously mobilized the Magic in her body, but Zorn pulled her back.
At the same time, Yukino also frowned, staring intently at the uninvited guest who had suddenly burst in, and tightly clutching the key in her hand, she questioned with a hint of displeasure: "Who are you? Why are you interrupting our conversation?"
The bald man's lips curved slightly upwards, revealing a scornful smile. He took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of cunning eyes, and said dismissively: "My name is A Fu, and I'm also a Star Spirit Mage. But with an insignificant constellation like the one in your hand, how much power could it have? It's just trash…"
"Hmph, even this Cygnus Star Spirit in my hand can only be considered barely acceptable!" The man took out a silver key from his waist, looked at it with disdain, and even spat on the ground.
The splashing saliva landed on the key, but he didn't care, just casually fiddling with the key.
Then, as if he remembered something, he angrily said to the boss:
"I told you, old man, to contact the branch stores of other Magic shops as soon as possible to inquire if there's any news about the Zodiac keys… It's been so long, and there's still no news at all, you're a useless good-for-nothing!"
The man became angrier and angrier as he spoke, suddenly losing his temper at the boss and preparing to rush forward to hit him.
"You really are asking for a beating…"
Sting and Law, upon hearing this, had their anger ignited instantly. They clenched their fists tightly, seething with rage, and prepared to step forward, wanting to teach this person a lesson.
"Fro Fro~" Fro also clenched his small fists, making a punching gesture to express his dissatisfaction.
"That's not true! Star Spirits are our most important partners, not useless trash!" Little Yukino clutched the key tightly in her hand, as if protecting her most precious treasure.
Her eyes were firm and bright, filled with love and respect for Star Spirits.
Her voice was clear and loud, carrying a hint of anger and dissatisfaction, as if she wanted the whole world to hear the cry from the depths of her heart. "You don't deserve to own a Star Spirit Key at all!"
Finally, little Yukino lifted her chin, fearlessly looking directly at A Fu in front of her.
Her eyes revealed a determination and courage that was truly touching.
Her hand, clutching the key, trembled slightly but remained firm, as if telling A Fu: no matter what, I will protect my Star Spirit Key.
She then looked at the key in A Fu's hand with a loving gaze.
"Well said, Yukino." Zorn smiled and stroked little Yukino's head, his eyes sparkling with approval.
He flicked his right hand lightly, making a crisp sound, and then a golden Magic circle rose from beneath the shop.
"This…" A Fu's eyes widened as he watched everything unfold before him in surprise.
He had originally thought Zorn was just an ordinary man, but he never expected him to possess such powerful Magic.
In the blink of an eye, the group of people was transferred to an open grassy area.
Even the shop owner was brought along.
"Boss, please be a witness," Zorn said apologetically.
The boss nodded in agreement.
He also didn't want the Star Spirit Key to fall into the hands of such a person; he actually knew the whereabouts of one of the Zodiac keys.
But such a person truly doesn't deserve to own it.
However, this little girl...
The boss thought, smiling as he looked at Yukino, who was bowing her head and looking at the key.
As soon as A Fu landed, he didn't hesitate to turn and run away.
However, he suddenly found that his body was completely unable to move, as if an invisible force had firmly pinned him to the spot.
He widened his eyes, his face full of terror as he looked around, his heart filled with fear. He realized that he might have fallen into an inescapable trap.
"I advise you, just have a proper battle~ If you lose, you only lose the key, otherwise…" Zorn's cold voice suddenly echoed in his mind, and the great terror between life and death resonated in his heart.
A Fu trembled as he gripped the Cygnus Star Spirit Key in his hand, gritting his teeth.
Zorn saw that the opponent was ready, looked at Sting who was encouraging Yukino, and directly reached out and pulled him away.
"Yukino, this is your first battle with your Star Spirit partner, are you ready?" Zorn asked softly. After all, it was her first battle, so it was normal for Yukino to be nervous. He gently rubbed Yukino's small 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, moved aside, and motioned for Future Lucy to come over.
Yukino lowered her head, her eyes full of reluctance, clutching the key tightly in her hand.
She really couldn't bear to use this key to fight, because she hated conflicts between Star Spirits the most.
Runa silently watched Yukino, her mind filled with countless thoughts. In her sister, she seemed to see the figure of a woman whom she both disliked and admired, and was grateful for.
She quietly glanced at Future Lucy, who was equally worried beside her.
It was she who taught herself what a true partner was…
"Yukino-chan, feel the emotions of this key carefully…"
Future Lucy squatted down, gently held Yukino's small hand, and pressed her forehead tightly against Yukino's, her eyes filled with tenderness and encouragement.
She softly said: "This key has a strong desire; it yearns to fight for you, hoping to help you overcome all difficulties and free your partners from their predicament.
So, don't be afraid, go and feel its power!"
To be continued~
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