"That's right," Rimuru chuckled, ruffling her hair. "And I've got a little something… well, a couple of somethings… special planned for you."
The next morning, Lucy woke to the enticing aroma of something sweet and savory cooking. She scrambled out of the small, comfortable shelter Rimuru had helped her build, her nose twitching. Her eyes widened at the sight before her. Their modest clearing had been transformed. Wildflowers were artfully arranged in makeshift vases (hollowed-out gourds), a small, lopsided cake (Rimuru's baking skills were… enthusiastic, if not always precise) sat on a stump, and a couple of brightly, if somewhat clumsily, wrapped packages lay beside it.
"Happy birthday, Lucy!" Rimuru grinned, holding out the larger of the two packages. His smile was genuine, reaching his eyes, filled with an affection that felt remarkably paternal.
"Sensei! You… you didn't have to do all this!" Lucy gasped, her eyes suddenly shining with unshed tears. It was the most normal, most joyful moment she'd had since… since before.
"Nonsense!" Rimuru said, gently pushing the gift into her hands. "Of course, I did! Every nine-year-old deserves a proper birthday celebration! Now, go on, open it!"
With trembling fingers, Lucy carefully tore at the wrapping paper (which looked suspiciously like cleverly folded large leaves). Her eyes widened as she revealed a gleaming, exquisitely crafted sword. It wasn't a training blade. This was real. The blade itself was a beautiful, almost ethereal silver, shimmering with a faint, pulsating magical aura. The hilt was wrapped in dark blue leather, perfectly sized for her grip, and the crossguard was simple yet elegant, shaped like stylized wings.
"Sensei… it's… it's beautiful!" she whispered, her fingers tracing the cool, smooth metal of the blade, then the intricate, almost invisible carvings on the hilt that seemed to shift in the light. She could feel a faint thrum of power emanating from it.
"It's made from a special kind of star-metal I happened to have lying around," Rimuru explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "I've enchanted it to be incredibly durable, unbelievably sharp, and perfectly balanced for you. It should grow with you, in a way. It'll be your partner."
"Thank you, Sensei!" Lucy cried, her composure finally breaking. She threw her arms around his waist, burying her face in his shirt, tears of gratitude and a dozen other complex emotions flowing freely. "Thank you, thank you!"
Rimuru patted her back gently, a warm, contented feeling spreading through him. "You've been working so incredibly hard, Lucy. You deserve it, and so much more."
After a moment, he stepped back, a thoughtful expression settling on his face as Lucy continued to admire her new sword, swinging it experimentally with a grace that made the blade look like an extension of her arm. "Now then," he began, "I remember you mentioned a while back that your mother, Layla, left you some… keys? Celestial Spirit keys, wasn't it?"
Lucy nodded, her eyes, still bright from her tears, now shone with a different kind of light – a fond, cherished memory. "Yes, Sensei! She taught me a little bit about Celestial Spirit magic. She said it was a precious gift."
"And you mentioned they were special ones, Zodiac keys?" Rimuru asked, his inner otaku, never truly dormant, perking up with keen interest. "How many did she manage to leave with you?"
The mention of her mother, even in this happy context, brought a fleeting shadow of pain to Lucy's eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by a steely determination. "Yes, Sensei. They're Golden Zodiac keys." She carefully set her new sword down and rummaged through the worn satchel she always kept close, pulling out a small, ornate wooden box. "She gave them to me… right before…" Her voice faltered for a moment, but she took a steadying breath. "Here they are!"
She opened the box with reverence. Inside, nestled on faded velvet, lay three gleaming golden keys. "There's Aquarius, the Water Bearer," she said, picking up the first key, its design intricate and familiar to Rimuru. "And Cancer, the Giant Crab." She pointed to the second. "And Taurus, the Golden Bull!"
Rimuru's eyes widened slightly. "Aquarius, Cancer, and Taurus? Wow, Lucy, those are three powerful spirits right there! Your mother must have been an incredibly skilled Celestial Wizard." He paused, his expression turning a little more serious, though still kind. "Lucy, I know a large part of your training, your drive, has been for… for avenging what happened. And we will make sure you are strong enough to face any darkness. But I also want to help you master your mother's magic. Celestial Spirit magic is a unique and powerful art, and I have a feeling you have a profound, natural talent for it, a legacy from her."
Lucy's gaze drifted to the keys, then to the new sword, and finally back to Rimuru. Her eyes, usually so bright or fiercely determined, flickered with a complex storm of emotions – the burning need for vengeance, the sorrow of her loss, the gratitude for her Sensei, and now, a nascent curiosity about this part of her mother she hadn't truly explored. "Yes, Sensei," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I want to learn. For her. And… I won't forget why I started this journey."
"Wait, Lucy! Hold on a just a second there!" Rimuru exclaimed, a sudden, almost manic spark igniting in his eyes. He practically snatched the three golden keys from her outstretched hand before she could even offer them for closer inspection. "Let me… let me take a proper look at these!"
He held the golden keys – Aquarius, Cancer, and Taurus – up to the morning light, his eyes narrowed in concentration, then glowing with a faint, analytical azure light. Hmm, standard Zodiac key construction, high magical energy concentration… but can they be… more?
"[Ciel, my ever-faithful partner!]" he projected mentally, his excitement palpable. "[Analyze these keys! Full structural breakdown, magical resonance patterns, the works! Can I replicate them? And more importantly, Ciel, can I make them stronger? Like, Celestial Spirit King level, or maybe even give them a unique divine oomph?!]"
A calm, collected, and distinctly feminine voice echoed directly in his mind, a voice only he could hear. Analysis complete, Master. Replication of the base Zodiac key structure is well within current capabilities. Enhancement is also highly achievable. I would suggest incorporating materials with superior magical conductivity, such as refined Orichalcum-Adamantite alloy, and infusing them with a carefully calibrated measure of divine energy. Perhaps themed pairs for balance?
Rimuru's grin widened to near-Slifer the Sky Dragon proportions. "[Perfect! Absolutely perfect, Ciel! You always know how to throw a party! Alright, start crafting two new keys. Completely original. I'm thinking… a powerful, complementary pair. Norse mythology is a bit overdone in some dimensions… How about something a bit more primal? Sun and Moon! A matched set, male and female personifications! Make them ridiculously, beautifully, terrifyingly powerful! We're talking 'Oh, look, a small god just showed up' level!]"
Understood, Master, Ciel replied, a hint of what might have been amusement in her synthesized voice. Crafting process for 'Sol, the Solar Sovereign' and 'Luna, the Lunar Matriarch' initiated. Estimated completion: approximately 7.8 seconds.
A moment later, as if condensed from pure sunlight and moonlight, two new keys materialized in Rimuru's outstretched hand. One was a breathtakingly brilliant gold, almost too bright to look at directly, radiating an immense, palpable warmth and vibrant, life-giving energy. Intricate solar flare patterns adorned its surface. The other was a shimmering, ethereal silver, cool and serene to the touch, glowing with a soft, mystical luminescence. Lunar crescents and star-like gems were embedded in its design. They felt ancient, powerful, and undeniably divine.
"Alright, Lucy! Feast your eyes on these!" Rimuru said, his voice brimming with triumph as he turned back to her, carefully handing her the two new, extraordinary keys. "These are special, extra-special birthday presents! Custom-made, just for you, by yours truly… with a little help from a friend."
"Wow, Sensei! They're… they're beautiful!" Lucy gasped, her eyes wide with pure, unadulterated wonder. She took them reverently, one in each hand. The gold key felt warm, thrumming with power, while the silver one was cool, yet pulsed with a gentle, rhythmic energy. "What… what are they? I've never seen keys like these before!"
"These, my dear Lucy," Rimuru explained, puffing out his chest slightly with pride, "are the keys to Sol and Luna – the Sun Spirit and the Moon Spirit! They're… well, let's just say they're a tad stronger than your average, run-of-the-mill Celestial Spirit." He winked.
"A bit… stronger?" Lucy asked, tilting her head, feeling the immense power radiating from the keys in her small hands.
"Think… god-level powerful!" Rimuru grinned, unable to contain his excitement. "Not quite on the level of the Celestial Spirit King, perhaps, but definitely in the same league, with their own unique divine attributes! They are primordial forces, Lucy, bound to these keys, and now, to you! Now, what are you waiting for? Give them a try! Summon them! Let's see what they can do!"
Lucy's eyes, already sparkling with excitement, widened even further. Her heart hammered in her chest, a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration. She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the golden key. It felt… right. She raised it high, just as her mother had taught her for practicing with a toy key. "Open! Gate of the Sun! I call upon thee, Sol!"
BOOOOM! A blinding flash of pure, incandescent golden light erupted from the key, momentarily washing out all color from the clearing. The temperature soared, and the very air seemed to thrum with power. When the light subsided, a figure stood before them. He was immensely tall and powerfully built, with hair like spun gold that seemed to shimmer and flow like solar flares. His eyes burned with a fierce, radiant amber energy, and he was clad in ornate armor that looked forged from pure, solidified sunlight. His very presence radiated an overwhelming warmth, power, and an ancient, unwavering authority.
"Lucy-sama," Sol intoned, his voice deep and resonant as a peal of thunder, yet surprisingly gentle. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head respectfully. "It is an honor beyond measure to be called to your service. The Sun shines brightly upon this day."
Before Lucy could even stammer a reply, Rimuru gestured eagerly to the silver key. "Don't stop now, Lucy! Let's meet the other half of this power couple!"
Still reeling from Sol's appearance, Lucy took another shaky breath and held up the silver key. "O-Open! Gate of the Moon! I beseech thee, Luna!"
A soft, silvery light, the antithesis of Sol's brilliance, filled the air. It was cool, calming, and ethereal. A figure materialized beside Sol, equally impressive but in a vastly different way. She was tall and graceful, with long, flowing silver hair that seemed to capture and reflect the starlight, even in the bright morning. Her eyes shimmered like pools of liquid moonlight, kind and ancient. She wore a flowing gown woven from what looked like starlight and moonbeams, and her presence radiated a cool, serene, and deeply intuitive energy.
"Lucy-sama," Luna said, her voice soft and melodic as a lullaby, yet carrying an undeniable undercurrent of quiet strength. She curtsied gracefully. "The Moon greets you. I am at your service, now and always."
"Wow…" Lucy breathed, her eyes darting between the magnificent, god-like beings standing before her. Sol, the embodiment of fierce, radiant power; Luna, the epitome of serene, mystical grace. "They're… they're amazing, Sensei! Truly amazing!"
"They are indeed," Rimuru said, a immensely proud smile plastered on his face. He felt like a proud parent watching his kid unwrap the best gift ever. "Now, Lucy," he continued, his expression turning a little more serious, "I want you to remember that these keys, Sol and Luna, represent more than just overwhelming power. They represent balance. Light and shadow, day and night, fierce strength and quiet wisdom. They represent the incredible, multifaceted strength that is now within you."
"Yes, Sensei," Lucy said, her voice filled with a newfound awe and a burgeoning sense of responsibility. She looked at Sol and Luna, then at her new sword, and finally at Rimuru, her heart swelling with a gratitude so immense it almost hurt.
"Alright, that's enough of a meet-and-greet for now. No need to drain your magical energy on your birthday," Rimuru said. "You can de-summon them for now, Lucy. We'll work on contracts and getting to know them properly later."
Lucy nodded, a little unsure how to dismiss such grand beings. "Um… thank you, Sol, Luna. You can… return now."
Sol and Luna both bowed respectfully. "As you command, Lucy-sama." They dissolved into motes of golden and silver light, which flowed back into their respective keys, leaving behind a faint, lingering scent of ozone and stardust. Lucy carefully placed the golden and silver keys into her ornate box, alongside Aquarius, Cancer, and Taurus. They seemed to hum with a new energy.
"Thank you, Sensei," Lucy said, turning to Rimuru, her eyes shining with pure, unadulterated joy. "This is… this is truly the best birthday ever! I don't know how I can ever repay you!"
"You're welcome, Lucy," Rimuru said, patting her shoulder affectionately. "Seeing you smile like that is thanks enough." He grinned. "Now, how about we actually eat some of that slightly-burnt-but-made-with-love cake? And then… well, you're nine now, and we've got a whole new dimension of training to cover: magical combat integration!"
Lucy's eyes lit up, her earlier weariness completely forgotten. The prospect of combining her hard-won physical skills with her mother's legacy and these new, incredible spirits filled her with a fresh wave of determination. "Yes, Sensei! Let's do it!"