After quickly washing up, Lucy changed into a white sleeveless fitted top with blue cross-striped accents, paired with a blue pleated skirt.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the wardrobe room, she spun once with satisfaction.
"Hmph. Cute yet capable. Lucy-sama is full of energy again today."
Perhaps Meredy had been right about her tendency toward a bit of self-admiration.
After enjoying her reflection for quite a while, she tied her hair into a side ponytail with a blue ribbon and confidently stepped out of the room.
"Yo, up early today, Lucy. You're starting to look a bit like a proper mage."
Sorano, just coming down from the third floor, greeted her with mild surprise, seemingly impressed that a noble-born girl could wake up this early.
"Good morning, Sorano-san… uh, Meredy, did you really study all night?"
Lucy responded happily to Sorano's approval, but her attention immediately shifted when she noticed Meredy coming down from the third floor with a tired expression.
"No, I just barely passed whatever it was."
"I was just used as a pillow by Sorano-senpai all night. My head was buried in her chest and I almost suffocated."
As she spoke, she shot a resentful glance at Sorano's unusually prominent chest, with a flicker of envy hidden in her eyes.
"Uhh…"
Lucy had no idea how to respond to that.
After subconsciously glancing at Sorano as well, she could only let out an awkward laugh and drop the topic.
Sorano today was wearing a white strap dress. The soft fabric clung tightly to her mature and sensual figure, outlining her well-proportioned curves.
Noticing the gazes from both of them, she instinctively lifted her chest slightly and said with casual confidence:
"It's average. Meredy, you're still young, you'll grow up to be like me eventually."
"And Lucy, didn't I say yesterday? You've already grown quite a bit. You might even surpass me."
"Don't tease me like that, Sorano-nee. And it's not like I only have that…"
Lucy awkwardly tried to cover her chest while subtly showing off her own figure instead.
Seeing the two of them competing in their own way, even Meredy, who was clearly still undeveloped, clicked her tongue in disdain.
However, Sorano seemed more interested in something else. Her gaze shifted from Lucy's upper body down to her waist, where a key pouch was attached to her belt.
"Not bad. You've got more Celestial Spirit keys compared to last time."
"Show me sometime. I'd like to see how much you've improved."
"Sure. I'll definitely broaden Sorano-nee's horizons."
Lucy confidently patted her key pouch and immediately agreed.
Meredy also regained interest, dropping her earlier complaints.
"A spar? I can be Lucy's opponent~"
"Don't steal the spotlight, brat. A Celestial Spirit mage should be tested by another Celestial Spirit mage like me."
Sorano lightly smacked Meredy on the back of the head and made the decision for Lucy.
"Ah, so it's a spar? I thought I was just going to show my current Celestial Spirits."
Lucy hesitated. Her combat experience was limited, and losing too badly in a spar with Sorano would be embarrassing.
"What are you talking about, kid? Being able to summon Spirits and being able to fully utilize their strength are two different things."
"The first can be done by any mage who gets the keys. The second is what determines whether a Celestial Spirit mage is truly qualified."
"And besides, as a Fairy Tail mage, you can't be someone who can't fight."
"I… alright. I understand. I'll do my best."
In the end, Lucy was convinced and accepted the spar.
"Good."
Sorano nodded in satisfaction, then casually changed the topic.
"But not right now. Let's eat breakfast first."
So, once again, Lucy followed them to Kabe's neighboring manor.
"Wait, why is even breakfast at Kabe-nii's place? Is this place some kind of cafeteria?"