Lucy sighed, closing her eyes to focus on the mental link once more.
Rolotia? Can you cast a sound barrier around this room? I don't want the staff or my family barging in. Explaining a kidnapped child from a secret laboratory is… a bit much for a Tuesday.
"Lucy, what exactly do you think I am?" Rolotia's voice echoed, sounding exhausted. "A high-tier goddess or your personal utility kit?"
A goddess who can do anything! Tehe~☆ Lucy replied playfully.
"..."
A heavy silence followed.
"Fine," Rolotia sighed. "But the [Sound Barrier] will only last for one hour. Make it count."
Thank you, Rolotia! You're the best!
"Hmph. I'll excuse myself then."
It's not like you were actually here in person anyway... Lucy thought.
"Ara, Lucy... maybe you don't need that barrier after all~?" Rolotia's voice turned dangerously sweet.
WAIT, NO! I'm sorry! Goodbye! Lucy quickly severed the telepathic link, a cold sweat running down her back. It had been four years since she met Rolotia, and the goddess was still completely unpredictable.
She turned her attention back to the bed. The young girl was stirring.
Ultear's Perspective
Darkness. Cold. The smell of antiseptic.
That was all I knew. The doctors told me my mother had abandoned me because my magic was too unstable. They said they were the only ones who could "cure" me.
My eyes fluttered open. I wasn't in the lab. I was in a soft bed, surrounded by warm colors and the smell of lavender.
"Where... am I...?" I muttered, my throat dry.
"Hello there. Are you finally awake?"
A bright, cheerful voice reached my ears. I bolted upright, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"WHO ARE YOU?! WHERE AM I?! WHERE IS MY MOTHER?!" I screamed, my magic beginning to flare up in a panic.
Lucy's Perspective
I had a feeling she'd react like this. Good thing I got that barrier from Rolotia, or the entire Heartfilia estate would be knocking on my door right now.
"Don't worry, you're safe here," I said, putting on my most "Angelic Smile."
Okay, maybe it's a bit conceited to call it angelic, but I'm a very cute kid. It's a powerful weapon!
"NO! I WANT MY MOM!" Ultear screamed again, tears welling in her eyes.
Aish, how do you calm a crying child? Think, Lucy, think!
Then, it hit me. The universal peace offering.
"Here," I said, reaching into my bedside locker and pulling out a brightly wrapped sweet. "A candy for your thoughts? If you stop crying, I can explain everything."
Ultear's sobbing hitched. She looked at the candy, then at me. "Really...?"
She grabbed the candy and began to munch on it, the sugar doing its job of distracting her from her trauma.
"Finally, some peace," I muttered. "Alright, I should probably show you my real self."
The Pact
With a soft glow of mana, I deactivated my [Transformation Magic]. My tall, disguised form shimmered and shrank, returning to my true state—a seven-year-old girl with blonde hair.
Ultear almost choked on her candy. Her jaw dropped.
"Wait... you're... you're a tiny kid?! You look way younger than me!"
I gave her a wry smile. "Ahahaha... yeah. This is my real form. The other one was just a disguise for the infiltration."
Ultear's expression darkened, her gaze falling to her lap. "You're younger than me, but you're so strong... Maybe if I were like you, my mother wouldn't have thrown me away."
"That's not true," I said firmly, my voice dropping its playful edge. "Ultear, your mother didn't abandon you. There isn't a mother in this world who would willingly throw away a child like you. Those people at the Bureau lied to you."
Ultear looked up, her eyes wide and trembling. "How can you be so sure...?"
"Call it a hunch. Or call it fate," I said, offering her a hand. "Look, if you don't believe me—and if you're worried about your magic—how about this? I'll train you. I'll teach you how to master that power. Once you're strong enough, I'll personally take you to see your mother. Then you can ask her yourself."
Ultear's breath hitched. "Really? You... you mean it?"
I nodded. "I mean it. But it's not a free ride. While I'm training you, you'll have to act as my personal maid. Deal?"
Ultear didn't even hesitate. A spark of hope returned to her eyes. "Deal! I'll do anything! As long as I can get stronger like you... I want my mother to acknowledge me!"
I gave her a thumbs up. "Settled! Anyway, let's introduce ourselves properly. My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I'm seven years old."
Ultear blinked, her face freezing in shock.
"Eh? Seven?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I'm... I'm Ultear Milkovich," she stammered. "I... I'm ten years old."
I froze.
...TEN?!
SHE'S THREE YEARS OLDER THAN ME?!