Karen, who had just been crushed emotionally, finally felt a tiny bit better when she heard Lucy's question.
Right, I am someone who holds two Zodiac Gold Keys.
So what if you have more magic power, with only one Zodiac key, your limitations are still huge.
Thinking that, Karen's confidence slowly returned. She smugly unfastened the key pouch at her waist and flipped it open.
Inside were two golden keys and six silver keys. She lifted them slightly to show them off.
"Of course I can introduce them. Especially Leo and Aries. They are my most trusted partners."
"Wow, that is amazing. Big Sister Karen, you actually have two Golden Keys."
As expected, she got exactly what she wanted, that bright "envy" from the girl in front of her.
Only, Lucy then turned and beckoned to the butler nearby.
The butler respectfully stepped forward and presented a delicate little pouch inlaid with several pink diamonds.
Lucy took the key pouch, and in the spirit of sharing, pulled out three keys from inside and placed them on the table.
"I also have three Zodiac Keys. Aquarius, Taurus, and Cancer.
I have also gathered a few of the Silver Keys..."
Karen could no longer hear the rest. Her eyes were blank as she stared at the three golden keys Lucy had casually taken out first.
The very last fragment of pride in her heart shattered completely.
Three...
This little girl, who is only this big, not only has more magic power than me, even the number of Zodiac keys at her waist crushes mine completely.
A sharp sense of defeat surged through Karen, as if all the years she had lived so far had been a complete waste, even though she herself was only seventeen.
But compared to Lucy, who was only eleven, Karen had no choice but to admit it.
Her heart as a mage had cracked.
Lucy was still chattering happily about her partners.
When she noticed Karen suddenly slump back in her chair, a little white "soul" almost floating out of her mouth, she stopped and asked doubtfully,
"Big Sister Karen?"
"Pfft..."
Mira burst out laughing on the spot.
"Say no more, Lucy. If you keep going, this old woman is going to go insane from jealousy."
"...?"
Lucy blinked her big eyes in confusion, her head full of question marks.
...
The luncheon came to an end amid everyone's amazement, and one person's silent heartbreak.
Kabe wiped his face with his napkin, then let out a huge burp before leaning back in satisfaction.
"Hic... Sorry, the food was just too delicious. I could not help eating a little more than usual."
This is not "a little," you know, everyone silently complained in their hearts.
"Since we are full and rested, it is about time for us to be on our way.
Lucy, thank you for your hospitality. If you ever come to Magnolia, I will treat you to a meal."
Hearing that Kabe was leaving so soon, Lucy looked a bit reluctant.
"Eh, you are leaving already? I still wanted to introduce you to more of my Celestial Spirit partners and show you around the manor."
"Sorry, Lucy. This matter is a bit troublesome.
As much as I would like to stay, I have a duty to hurry back to the guild and report everything that happened to our master."
Kabe steeled his heart and refused Lucy's attempt to keep him.
This mission involved nobles, and it also touched on the villain Brain, that small boss in the shadows.
Just in case, he needed to hurry back and tell Makarov about it.
That way, Makarov could contact the Magic Council, and they could warn the Celestial Spirit mages across Ishgar to be on their guard.
"I see... Magnolia, right? If I get the chance, I will definitely go there."
Lucy's expression drooped, but she still mustered a smile and bid them farewell.
"Then we will be taking our leave."
Kabe stood up, nodding slightly, then turned to ask Karen,
"Greenhead, what about you? Want to head out together?"
"I... I need to go back to my guild and rest for a while too."
Using the table for support, Karen struggled to her feet, her spirit completely exhausted. She planned to rest properly once she was back at the guild, and think carefully about her future path.
"I will see you out."
Lucy hopped down from her chair, and with Aquarius at her side, escorted the three of them to the manor gate.
"Kabe, Mira, and Big Sister Karen, you must come and visit me again if you get the chance."
Lucy stood at the door, waving her small hand reluctantly.
Kabe lifted his hand in a cool little gesture, but only left her with the sight of his back as he walked away.
...
After they had walked a good distance away from the manor, with their backs to Lucy, Karen suddenly spoke in a small voice, her head lowered.
"Mr. Kabe, do you really think I am not suited to be a Celestial Spirit mage?"
Kabe had not expected that question. He glanced back at her, then turned his gaze forward again, looking straight at the road ahead.
"Who knows. The path in front of you is never just one single road. If you feel that one is too hard to walk, then change to another."
"I see... I think that makes sense."
Karen's voice grew softer and softer. Clearly, the blow Lucy had dealt her had already lodged itself deep in her heart.
Although, whether in his previous life watching the anime, or in this life interacting with her, Karen had never given Kabe a particularly good impression.
But since she had not completely stepped onto the wrong path yet, and her heart was not totally twisted...
Kabe decided to say a few more words for her sake.
"Look, why are you so hung up on it?
There will always be people stronger than you in this world, people more talented than you.
If you keep staring at their backs and obsess over reaching the exact same height as them, you will never get what you truly want.
All you will do is make your own life miserable.
Be a little more honest with yourself. Pick a path you like, then close your eyes and keep walking forward.
Even if it is a muddy, broken road, even if you trip and fall along the way...
When you finally open your eyes and look back, you will see that the road behind you is covered in your footprints.
Dirty footprints, maybe still caked with mud, but they are marks you made yourself, step by step."
"My own footprints..."
Karen mulled over Kabe's words.
It felt as though the darkness clouding her heart was being torn open, and a faint light finally shone through.
"I understand. I did not expect someone your age to sound like a philosopher.
Once I get back, I will think carefully about your advice, and try to find a path that belongs to me."
It was as if she had figured something out.
When they reached the main road leading to the city gates, Karen stopped walking.
"We part ways here then, Mr. Kabe, and you too, little delinquent girl. Next time we meet, I will show you a completely different me."
She lifted her brows slightly, smiling as she waved to the two of them, then turned and headed down another road.
Her figure slowly melted into the crowd.