The shimmering ripples of [Aqua Aera] dissolved into the dry air as Lucy stepped through the portal.
As the portal closed behind her, she was immediately greeted by a wall of oppressive heat. The landscape was a desolate wasteland—cracked earth and rising heat haze as far as the eye could see.
In the center of this scorched earth stood a massive, silver structure. It was shaped like a gleaming crescent moon, looking entirely out of place in the middle of a desert.
The Bureau of Magical Development.
"Phew... it's like an oven out here," Lucy muttered.
She focused her magic. As a Water Dragon Slayer, she instinctively manifested a thin, invisible layer of cool moisture around her skin. The temperature dropped instantly—at least for her.
I need a plan, she thought, crouching low. I can't just charge in like Natsu or Wendy would. I have to be a ghost. A ninja.
She recalled the time Natsu and Wendy tried to act like ninjas. Back then, she had laughed at how silly they looked.
And now, here I am... doing the exact same thing, she sighed.
"Really, Lucy? You can be so silly sometimes."
Lucy nearly jumped out of her skin.
Wha—! Rolotia! Stop appearing in my head without warning! she screamed internally.
"Ahahaha, sorry, sorry," the goddess's voice echoed with playful nonchalance. "Anyway, how's the progress?"
I'm at the very start! Don't be so hasty, Rolotia!
"Fine, fine. I'm going off then."
The presence vanished as quickly as it had arrived. Lucy groaned to herself.
Unbelievable. She always complains about being a 'busy goddess' when I actually try to summon her, but she has plenty of time to haunt my subconscious just to tease me.
"I heard that, you know."
"PLEASE STOP READING MY MIND!" Lucy barked mentally. "And I thought you said you were leaving!"
Silence. This time, Rolotia was truly gone.
Lucy rubbed her temples. "It's barely started and I'm already exhausted... Anyway, back to the mission."
Movement caught her eye. In the distance, a figure was patrolling the perimeter.
The man wore a grey jacket and a white hat with gold trim. A vibrant red scarf with a green emblem was tucked into his collar, and his face was hidden beneath the brim of his hat.
An officer, Lucy's eyes narrowed. Perfect.
If I knock him out and use Transformation magic, I can walk right through the front door.
She didn't hesitate. She activated [Aqua Aera] again, not for travel, but for a short-range blink.
In a splash of silent water, she vanished and reappeared directly behind the guard.
"Wha—?"
The man didn't even have time to turn his head before Lucy's strike landed. He collapsed into a heap.
"Hehe, sorry. No hard feelings," Lucy whispered.
She dragged the unconscious man behind a jagged rock formation and began her incantation. Her [Transformation Magic] was no longer the basic version taught to beginners. It was an advanced variant—refined to the point where the "Dragonization" side effects were completely neutralized.
She didn't just look like him; she could perfectly mimic his vocal cords.
"Okay," Lucy said, testing the guard's voice. It was a perfect match. "Let's infiltrate."
Inside the Bureau
Walking into the building was surprisingly easy. The interior was clinical, cold, and smelled of sterile chemicals.
"Hey, you!"
Lucy stiffened as another officer—Officer A—approached her.
"I hear the personnel for Test Subject 3373 are already on schedule," Officer A grumbled. "You're new here, right? Can you replace me? I need to go stationed at the subject's room, but I've got... business to take care of."
Lucy played along, dropping her shoulders to look like a nervous rookie. "Me? Uh, yeah... I'm new. Is it really okay for me to handle that? I just got recruited."
Officer A waved a hand dismissively. He was clearly just looking for an excuse to slack off. "Don't worry about it. I just need to go... do something. Just take my spot."
He's just being lazy, Lucy thought. How convenient.
"Okay, but... I don't actually know where the room for Test Subject 3373 is," Lucy said sheepishly. "Could you point me the way?"
Officer A looked annoyed. "Did the Director not give you a briefing? Forget it. Go North from here, then turn West at the second intersection. When you hit the T-junction, go North again. It's right at the end of the hall. Tell the other guy it's a shift change. I'll take the responsibility."
"Thank you, Senior!"
"Yeah, yeah. Now move it!"
Lucy hurried through the corridors, following the directions precisely. While the officer had been rude, he had unknowingly given her exactly what she needed.
She reached a heavy, reinforced door. Another guard was standing there, looking bored.
"Hey," Lucy said, mimicking the lazy tone of the previous officer. "Shift change. It's my turn."
"Oh? Already?" Officer B sighed with relief. "Then I'll leave it to you. I'm dying for a break."
"Good luck with your break," Lucy replied.
Once the officer's footsteps faded away, Lucy was finally alone. She turned toward the terminal next to the door. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she pulled up the file for the room's occupant.
Subject ID: 3373
Name: Ultear Milkovich
Lucy's eyes widened. A small, triumphant smile played on her lips.
"Bingo. I can't believe I found her this early."