Waking up in their dorm with the daylight spilling from their open window for the rest of the year would annoy Lucy endlessly, but on the first day the rays hitting her face always brought comfort to her.
She was still here. She was at school and her father couldn't reach her.
Lucy looked over to Levy's bed to greet her, but her roommate's bed lay bare and the uniform that once hung on the chair at her desk was gone, although the stacks of textbooks relating to course work remained mostly untouched. Wiping the sleep from the corner of her eyes, she checked the time on her phone to see it was an hour before she needed to get to her first class - nodding to herself as she realised she had just enough time to get some writing done before she had to go down to breakfast.
She rolled out of her bed, feet padding gently to her desk and pulled out her chair. Reaching a hand into her drawer, she feels the crisp texture of her favourite letter paper. Pulling out the paper foiled with golden stars, she plucked up her pen and courage and put her thoughts to paper.
"Dear Mum," she started out loud, as she always has, each time hoping to summon a bit of her mothers spirit as she wrote to her.
Dear Mum,
I hope you're okay, wherever you are. Home isn't home without you.
I've started my third year at school and I'm nervous. It's great to be back and to see my friends and have my freedom back, if for a short while, but how much longer can this school guard me from Dad and his demands.
I feel like time is running out for me. I only have 1 more year left after this and then my options for my own life dwindle. Will Dad force me to marry a man I do not care about? Will I need to run away from those whom I've grown to treasure and love, never to see them again for risk of endangering both them and myself?
Just thinking about it makes me want to tug my hair out. But onto a more confusing matter.
I found something I'm not sure I was meant to find in the estate library, but I remembered that you always told me the stars we're important so I went to the section of the library you had Dad build for us. At the top I saw the book you used to read to me and when I opened the book there was a hole carved out the back of it to hold 3 golden but unique keys.
Cancer. Capricorn.
Aquarius.
I want to ask you so many questions, but you're not here. And that hurts.
I have a feeling you wanted these to stay hidden, so I hid them from everyone in my bag, but I need to find a better way to keep them on me at all times. They're like a constant reassurance that something of you is always with me
I wish you were with me.
Your loving daughter,
Lucy
Sealing the letter away in a plain envelope with the date in the bottom corner, she reaches for the top of her desk, where a locked jewellery box is stationed. She picked up a necklace from her nightstand, a beautifully carved key with a heart as a handle, and with nimble fingers slid the key into the lock.
She kissed the letter before she tucked it neatly away, blending in with the dozens of the same looking letter.
Once she arrived at the hall, she instinctively looked up to the language board which hangs over the large doors. English is written in bold letters and those of the small student body were milling about the place, all comfortable speaking Fiore's first language.
She was relieved to see on her walk down that the school had been reverted back to its normal state overnight, historical weapons hanging on the walls with plaques, and long book shelves that filled the corridors had been reverted to their informative information on espionage and spywork.
Instead of going straight to the food line, Lucy made a beeline for the beverages cart to grab a cup of tea, waving at Mirajane who sat near the food and swiftly made her way to where she could see her friends had gathered. Levy appeared to have her nose stuck in one of her many textbooks whilst Erza and Juvia chatted amongst themselves with Wendy sitting off to the side, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"How did you sleep?" Lucy asked Wendy as she sat in the chair across to her, next to Levy who hadn't even noticed she arrived.
"Not very well." Wendy admitted with a sheepish smile. "There was just so much to think about! Miss Porlyusica never mentioned that she worked at a school for spies! One of the older girls told me that we can't speak to each other next week if we don't learn another language!" Her eyes look tearful when she asks next, "Does that mean I won't be able to speak to anyone for a whole week?"
There was only one student that Lucy knew would enjoy tormenting younger students. "Let me guess, the girl's name was Cana?"
Wendy perked up, "How did you know that?" She gasped. "Is it a spy trick?"
"Not so much a trick as it is just having to put up with Cana for 3 years. And about that language thing…"
Wendy looked genuinely petrified as she trailed off and Lucy couldn't help but giggle at the young girl. The whole language rumour was familiar, thrown around the school at the beginning of each year. Every student at Mavis' academy had once feared the same thing.
Putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Lucy calmed her slightly before speaking. "The language thing is true! But only in the meal halls. Did you see that big board above the door?" Wendy nodded. "Each week that language changes - this week it's English because you first years haven't had a chance to learn any other languages yet. I think this week you guys will be learning mandarin in your IC class."
"IC class?" Wendy questioned.
"Have you got your timetable yet?" Lucy asked the girl instead of answering her question, who instead of responding, lunged for the bag at her feet. Quickly she pulled out a laminated piece of paper and handed it over to Lucy.
Upon looking at it, Lucy beamed at her, "Looks like you have 6th period with us Wendy! That's odd - first years never have CO with older years off the bat." She pointed to today's schedule, "See! You have IC first - it stands for International Communication. Next you have P - Protection and Enforcement. That's where you'll learn self defence. You have recess and then have a double Computing lesson. After lunch you then have History of Espionage and then Covert Operations, but we just call it CO."
Lucy looked over to ask Erza a question, only to be met with her and Juvia grinning at her.
"What?" Lucy asked.
"Juvia thinks Lucy has grown up incredibly." Juvia answered, with Erza nodding seriously while Lucy tilted her head like a confused dog.
Erza smirks, adding. "Our resident princess has changed quite a bit over the past couple years."
Lucy's face suddenly felt hot. She knew immediately what they were insinuating, and was helpless to control her cheeks flushing red.
Having been homeschooled before arriving at the school, she hadn't exactly been equipped with the social knowledge of how to make semi-normal friends. Complaining about everything, expecting others to make her food…Lucy couldn't think back to when she first started without cringing in on herself, wishing for a painful and swift death.
"Juvia does not miss the whining during P ." Juvia mused out loud, shaking her head. Lucy covered her face with her hands, opening her mouth to defend herself, but the familiar voice Mavis cut her defence off.
"Good morning!" She beamed at them all with a smile from the staff table, "Before you all finish your breakfast and head out to your first classes of this year, just some brief morning announcements. The fourth floor of the residential wing is still off limits. Construction will be finished by next week and I expect all of you to leave it be."
Lucy had thought about it last night, but there was no way that there could possibly be new classrooms being built above them. Logistically it wouldn't work; the hallways are too narrow and too separate from the rest of the classrooms. Any student who had to go up there would be late for their next class.
Lucy really wasn't interested in the other morning announcements as they were mainly for the first years, reminding them to stick with their designated teacher.
A bit bored, Lucy peered over Levy's shoulder to see what she was so absorbed in reading. Skimming along the paragraphs, the word 'breadcrumbing' stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Levy!" Lucy scolded her friend, "Why are you already reading about surveillance tactics? That's not supposed to be covered until next month! This week is just a recap of last year's content in CO."
"Because we," Levy smirked, pointing her fingers at the two of them, "are going to find out what they're hiding." She subtly shifts where her books lay, giving Lucy a look at her plans. "I've looked at all the possibilities and we can pick two ways to go about getting up there."
Lucy could feel a headache forming. Deciding to bite the bullet, she prompted, "And that would be…?"
"We can do some recon ourselves, or," She grimaced, "we can break into Aquarius' office and take a picture of the blue prints."
"Why is there always a we?" Lucy moaned, with her face planted on the table.
Lucy's stomach was slammed onto the ground as soon as she heard the sound of the bell ring. Time slowed as she tried to get back on her feet, but the feeling of a knee being pressed into kept her neck still, halting her of any movement.
"You lasted a whole 40 seconds this time." She heard from above her, and when the weight finally shifts off of her Lucy cranes her neck upwards to see Erza already shifting to help her up from the ground, "You should be proud - you just need to watch your opponents eyes."
"Yeah, yeah." Lucy muttered, half heartedly glaring at Erza. She really was regretting asking her to be her sparring partner, but regardless she got back into stance. "Why did the teachers let you train me," She moaned pitifully, "even though you're a fourth year. It's totally. Unfair."
Her grin was malicious and smug. "As I've already far surpassed my year level P requirements, you're stuck with me. Otherwise I could talk to Mira about swapping roles. I hear that she's getting a bit bored of doing Mavis' paperwork…"
"No!" Lucy yelped loudly, shaking her head frantically. It was one thing to face Erza, it was a completely different thing to have to fight Mira. Putting on a false smile, she fauxed concern. "T-that's fine! We shouldn't bother Mira. She's so busy already."
"If you're sure." Erza said, drawling slightly, "Are you done stalling now?"
She released a long drawn sighing yes while drawing herself into a fighting stance.
"Again." She demanded, with a grin on her face. Erza matched her grin with a devious glint in her eyes and moved to the other side of the mat they were using to spar.
Protection and Evasion, P , was an essential and mandatory class that all students had to undergo. Taking place in a barn just slightly off the main campus was a comfortable combat gym for the class to take place. Lined with boxing bags in the corner, weapons in cabinets lined on the opposite side and sparring mats littering the middle.
Erza raised her wrapped fists in a defensive pose, legs spread and ready to dodge anything that came towards her. Lucy took that as permission to start and wasted no time in crossing the distance as quickly as she could. Desperate to get the upper hand quickly, she thrust her arms out and took a swing at Erza's ribs, trying to push her off balance. Locked in the motion due to the force of her swing, she could do nothing as Erza ducked out of the way and got behind her. Swiftly changing the rhythm of the fight, Lucy was now trapped in the corner.
She could go through the legs, or shove to the side but both would leave her physically exposed. Erza clearly could tell too, she thought as she eyed Erza's fists out and at the ready to strike. There was no way out of this, Lucy thought. Erza beat her out on both strength and combat strategy. 2 years of combat training compared to a lifetime.
"Come on Lucy - you know better than to stay stationary!" Erza called out. The urge to snap at the red head was strong, but Lucy didn't want to risk actually angering her. That would be a completely different spar. Lucy mentally shuddered at the thought.
Shaking her head out, she brought herself back to focus. How could she over power someone who is both stronger and smarter than her in battle? An idea formed in Lucy's head. There was a way out of this position, but it was a risk.
Before she can chicken out, Lucy moves forward suddenly, closing space between the two of them. Erza swung herself forward first, aiming to slam a palm to Lucy's chest, but just as before, when Erza was locked in the motion of charging forward like water, Lucy slid to the side and used her leg to trip Erza.
The sound of Erza thudding to the ground was all Lucy heard from behind her. Surely out of bounds, Lucy jumped up in the air and pumped a fist.
"Yes!" She whooped doing a little victory dance, "I beat her!" She spun to look to the side, searching for any witnesses. "Oh please tell me that someone saw-"
Suddenly, there was a deathly grip on her shoulders that held her in place long enough to send ice cold chills down her spine as Erza spoke softly, "Are you sure about that?"
Before Lucy could attempt to wriggle out of the hold, Erza had swept her leg behind Lucys causing her balance to give out and she slammed onto the ground. Erza already had her hands behind her pinned in a police hold.
Erza chuckled. "I applaud you for your imagination Lucy, but next time, I recommend you make sure your opponent isn't going to get back up."
"Right." Lucy wheezed from the ground, "I'll keep that in mind for next time."
"I can't believe I have to take CO this year," Levy moaned at Lucy, hands swishing in her upset. "I'm going to suck at field work! I'm supposed to be the girl in the chair! IT support! The Quartermaster for gods sake! Not running around being useless in a specialisation I'm never going to go into!"
From behind them, Erza's voice cut in, "Levy, you of all people should understand how vital it is for students to be fully rounded" She scolded, continuing with a pointed look, "You knowing how to survive in the field could save your, or someone else's, life one day."
Levy turned her head and huffed, muttered lowly about wastes of time and marched forward, leaving the group behind in their shock.
"Don't mind Levy," said a voice behind her. Yelping and spinning around, she sees Juvia, who had somehow materialised behind her. Lucy desperately wants to know how she did that, but seeing her smiling sadly in the direction Levy had disappeared stops her as Juvia continues, "We had to spar during P today and… Levy lost to Juvia quite… How should Juvia say… " She takes a moment before deciding, "Badly. The teacher supervising told her that her form was so bad she may have to take extra classes after school on a Tuesday."
Realisation dawned on Lucy. "Which is when her advanced computing classes with Mavis are."
Juvia nodded. "Exactly."
Everyone knew that Levy had been taken on as a sort of 'protege' by their principal Mavis in their first year, after Levy had managed to successfully hack the Council's secure mainframe in under 20 minutes. The classes with the world renowned tactician were like a badge of honour for her.
Erza looked stoic for a moment before she spoke surely. "Then we are going to help our friend. If she needs the extra help, I will happily be of assistance," She declared, pointedly looking around their trio to see if anyone would dare disagree, "Look at how well Lucy has improved under my tutelage."
Fighting the urge to shiver, Lucy made the mental note to apologise to Levy. While she had asked Erza to help her in her training, she only did so out of pure necessity. No one deserved to face that kind of punishment.
The group now slightly sombre, they made their way towards the basement of the school via the elevator. Lucy had once loved and looked forward to getting to see the location of the CO Class. Taking place in a room called Sublevel 1, it required specially granted access, only given to second years.
Once Levy had attempted to sneak in during their first year, keen to absorb every piece of information about a new secret world she had become a part of, but had been caught off guard when she had suddenly gotten locked in the elevator until a teacher had come to fetch her. An hour later, the teachers had opened the door to see her lying on the ground as she listened to a pre-recorded lecture by Mavis, talking about the 'learning of correct fundamentals before practical application'.
All students had to take at least one year of the class, much to the students who focus on Research and Developments dismay. For those that wanted to continue with CO, they needed to pass the year's class, which only half the girls did. It was rumoured that they would receive authorization to other floors, but Lucy was almost positive that Cana was probably just messing with her when she added that tidbit of information.
Once they got to the elevator, Levy was nowhere to be seen. The steel doors opened instantly as soon they got there they wasted no time and shuffled in. Without looking Lucy raised her hand to press the button. Only to feel the smooth metal interior
"What the…?" Lucy murmured, examining the section. Last year there had been a control panel there, but it had somehow vanished.
"Do you ever use your phone, Lucy?" Said Juvia, shaking her head.
"Not really - my dad got rid of my SIM card over break so I couldn't call you guys. Kinda got out of the habit." She scrunched up her nose in distaste. Juvia merely sighed and pulled out her own and showed her a message from the schools announcements page, run by Mirajane, displayed on the screen.
"This year there have been some changes around the school - all for the better security and safety of our students. To get to the Sublevels, simply say your name and the floor you wish to get to. However, if you say a level you do not have clearance for, the elevator will not move and your name will be added to a registry for a teacher to see and have a refresh on clearance authorities.
Best wishes,
Mavis Vermillion
Principal."
"Huh." Lucy said, "So I guess all I have to say is, Lucy Heartfilia, Sublevel 1?"
And as soon as the words left her mouth, they all felt the sudden movement of the elevator plummeting downwards.
Once the elevator doors reopened, the shining sight of Sublevel 1.
Sublevel 1 was clearly no joke to anyone that saw it, made of frosted glass and iron as far as the eye could see. Along the eerie corridor were dozens of doors which followed the hallway that seemed to branch off endlessly into other hallways.
"Only a student or teacher would know how to differentiate this hall." Erza said as she led them down the hall, "If you look on the floors, engraved in the metal there are stars that mark which direction to go to get to the elevator."
"Not stars," Lucy gritted out before trying to gently correct, "Constellations. But the only ones here are all the ones that make up the 12 Zodiac."
Wait. Zodiac.
Her mind instantly goes back to her room, where her mothers keys lie in the inner lining of a suitcase and their familiar themes of stars her mother always loved.
Before Lucy can ponder why Zodiac's would be around the school, the familiar class bell rings down the hallway. Erza's back stiffens, and Juvia's eyes are wide as saucers.
"Isn't Miss Aquarius covering for today's CO class?" Juvia said hesitantly.
Lucy swallowed hard, "Yeah."
"Juvia thinks we should probably run."
"Good plan."
The sound of rapid falling footsteps is all that they hear and they round a corner. The door rapidly approaching her face, Lucy tries to stop herself moving, which causes Erza, who was directly behind her to knock her forwards.
Slamming face first into the door, it opens with the force and Lucy yelps as she's sent sprawling to the floor. The classroom is silent as Lucy bites down the pain in her legs. Raising her head, she's met with absolute loathing in her teacher's analytical eyes.
"Running in school hallways? Tripping over yourselves? How very ladylike, Lucy." Aquarius looked like a vein was about to pop out of her forehead, before she spoke in a deadly calm voice, "You're lucky I don't kick you three out of this class for being late. God I hate subbing for this class."
"Sorry, Miss." They said, inching backwards.
"Sorry my foot," She snarled at them, her temper explosive. "Do you even understand how to read a clock? Clearly not - sit down. You're wasting both my time and your classmates' time."
They bustle to sit down next to a terrified looking Levy. Looking at them with one final look of disgust, she started. "Now that all of us have managed to finally arrive, we are headed for the school's docks, where the first, second and fourth years are going to be waiting for us." Her eyes practically shimmered with glee as she added, "And together, you will be taken to today's exercise's location."
Whispers filled the room, and Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that there was something Aquarius wasn't explaining. She almost wanted to bet money that today's class wasn't going to be a textbook learning exercise.
Arriving at the grounds took less time than expected, though that was probably thanks to the group's mutual fear of being on the receiving end of Aquarius' vengeful wrath.
Once they had arrived, Lucy could spot the first years sticking out like a sore thumb. A group of prepubescent girls huddling around each other with Porlyusica at the head was an extremely perplexing sight. Lucy couldn't think of a time the woman had been glad to see any group of children so close to her, despite her profession. She was a retired field medic from the Demon Wars, now working as the full time school nurse as well as teaching
All of the students were still in their uniform, the school standard blue pleated skirts and white button ups, looking ready for battle despite the no weapons rule Aquarius had put on the schools online announcements page.
Aquarius pushed her way to stand in front of the two groups, confident and with her blue hair swishing fiercely in a tight ponytail. "Today is going to be the first CO class that the first years face, and the only one until they become third years themselves. This is merely to show you our future expectations of you, and to see if you would like to be in this field of work."
Before she could continue, Wendy raised her hand, in front of the small group of first years. Incredibly small, Lucy realised. She's sure that there were at least 20 of them yesterday - now there were only 6.
"Um, Miss Aquarius?" Wendys voice shook as she asked and withered slightly when Aqaurius snapped her head towards her, but braved on, "Do you happen to know where the rest of our class is?"
There was a moment of silence as Aquarius looked at each individual first year. "All students need to be 100% in," Aquarius stated coolly, "Those who decided that they weren't suitable for this school have been sent home, with their memories wiped by a high up member of the Council as a security precaution." She took a moment to let the message settle before continuing, "Our top priority here is raising the next generation of spies. This isn't a game brats, as I'm sure you're aware. This is life or death, so it's not unusual to have withdrawals."
It was Levy who was the first to break the gloomy silence. With a raised hand, her eyebrows scrunched as she questioned, "...What exactly is our group's aim for today's exercise?"
A devious smile broke out on Aquarius' face, suddenly sending the field that they were standing into the minus temperatures. "Listen up brats, here is your overall mission objective for each of you, and I'm only going to say this once. In teams of 5, Your job is to perform reconnaissance on a 4th year student, without her noticing you. I'll specify in which way in just a moment. Should she notice you, you will be disqualified. If any civilians begin to suspect you, you will be disqualified. If I see any sabotage of another team, or any kind of stupid miscommunication, you're disqualified without a second thought, and you will face detention with me personally overseeing it. Do I make myself clear?"
All students yelled agreements in sync and began to shift amongst themselves to form into their teams, which in reality was really just their year group with how small each year group was.
She then looked over to where Lisanna, Kinana and Laki were standing. "First and Second years. This is your first training covert operation of many. Spend this time observing your surroundings. Your objective is to tell me how many cameras are in town as well as avoiding being detected by the fourth year. If you spot her, you need to stay out of sight and alert the third year Technical Coordinator of her position. Levy is to receive all information. If you encounter the fourth year, do not engage." She grinned, "You won't stand a chance."
"Third year, I want you to figure out what her order is at her regular cafe. Once you have the information, you'll perform a brush pass to me at exactly 5pm to the left of town hall. I will be in a disguise so you'll have to first figure out who I am. Understood?"
All students yelled agreements in sync and began to talk amongst themselves as they started splitting into teams. Looking over to see Aquarius' all too excited face made Lucy feel sick to the stomach with worry. She was too happy about having to take a class with more students than necessary.
Lucy couldn't help but think that there was more to what the challenge actually was. Fighting the urge to flinch back Lucy called out nervously, "And who is it we're watching?"
Please be Evergreen. Or Bisca. Or-
"Why," she drawled, manic eyes flaring in a way that never meant anything good, "You lot will have to recon the she-devil herself." Gasps broke out among the older girls, and the first years began tittering neverosly at the reaction of the older students. She added, "Without being spotted once - or you fail."
Oh god. Lucy shared a look with Levy and Juvia. Surely you can't fail your first class?
"Teams are that of 5, third years, I expect that you each know your roles by now. For the first years, we're going to do a quick recap on the roles in a recon mission. First years, pay attention. What is the role of the Eyeball?"
Levy's arm shot up instantly, but Aquarius's eyes skipped over her with disinterest.
"Laki!" She snapped.
"Y-yes!" The light purple haired girl spluttered for a second before managing to contain herself. Correcting her glasses, she said slowly, "The eyeball is the operative with visual contact with the subject."
She nodded. "Correct. Back up? Kinana?"
"The operative with sight of the Eyeball."
"Correct. Reserve?"
Levy interrupted before Aquarius could ignore her again, "The operative that has sight on the target as well as keeping an eye out for suspicious surroundings!"
"Yes, that is correct once again." Aquarius had a visible eye twitch as she spoke, "Now, usual teams, however I have some adjustments. First years, your odd numbers mean that one person will have to work with the older girls. Any volunteers?"
The kids all mumbled to each other nervously for a couple minutes. Lucy was about to snap at them before she spotted Wendy roll her eyes at something one of her classmates said. Wendy raised her hand and smiled nervously at the teacher, "I don't mind being with others!"
Aquarius nodded, "Okay, you'll be with the third years. They already have Erza filling in for them in their field work, so this should even the playing field a bit."
Wendy scuttled towards the 4 of them, receiving back pats from them all as they refocused on Aquarius.
"Bisca will be in charge of communications for the first years and Cana will be in charge of the second years. Levy will be for the third years, just this once." She glared at the small bluenette who attempted to merge into Lucy's shadow, "Mavis may have had you excused from CO last year, but mark my words - this year you will be in the field."
Levy let out an audible gulp.
Rolling her eyes, she turned to face all of them. "Alright brats, load up in the van - school issued earring communication devices are mandatory, as well as the fairy tail's bracelet embedded with a tracker. You'll have time to talk on the way so let's move it."
Everyone moved towards the van, but Lucy was still thinking about how on earth they were going to last with Mira as their opposition. She was so deep in her head, she jolted when she felt Erza push her forward.
"Come on Lucy!" Called Levy, who had somehow managed to already get a foot in the van with Juvia and Wendy.
"We've got to get ready." Erza nudged her with a grin. Her excitement shined in her eyes, and Lucy couldn't help but feel the knots in her stomach ease. Feeling her own mood start to lighten, she grinned back as they headed towards the first of many training missions of the year.
How could she possibly fail with all her friends with her?
