"I definitely don't want to be Jehfrit's enemy," Lucy quickly shook her head. "But... Mirajane? You mean Miss Mira?"
She didn't recognize the other three names. She'd already witnessed Erza's strength firsthand, but Mira…
Mira seemed so gentle and kind—could she really be that powerful? Even comparable to Erza?
"Maa maa, that's all in the past," Mira smiled warmly.
"Well, while Miss Mira is incredibly strong, it's true she hasn't fought in years," Gray added.
"Why—" Lucy began, but Jehfrit placed a hand on her shoulder. She glanced at him, noticing he had put on his glasses and subtly shook his head.
Lucy, being perceptive, immediately fell silent.
"It's starting," Gray announced.
"I'll head out then," Jehfrit said casually.
"Eh? You're not staying to watch?" Lucy asked, puzzled.
"Ha—" Jehfrit yawned loudly. "What's there to see? It's already over."
"Over?"
Lucy turned toward the scene unfolding before her. Natsu unleashed a burst of heat, charging straight at Erza. After exchanging only a few blows, a frog-like figure hopped into the middle of the fray.
"That's enough. I'm an envoy from the Magic Council!" the humanoid frog declared.
Everyone was stunned.
But Jehfrit had already left.
It was all just a show anyway.
A few days ago, Erza and the others had defeated Eisenwald—a noble act—but the battle had caused significant property damage. The train station was wrecked, and Natsu had burned the railway tracks. All of this reflected poorly on the guild leader.
The Magic Council's visit was merely for show, a way to demonstrate their authority over lawful guilds like Fairy Tail while ensuring the guild cooperated publicly. Fairy Tail wasn't a dark guild; they cared about their reputation.
This entire ordeal should have been resolved within a day or two. However, thanks to Natsu's antics, both Erza and Natsu were detained longer than expected. Still, given Fairy Tail's influence, this was as fast as things could go—all unnecessary procedures had been skipped.
Who could blame them? Fairy Tail was too powerful for the council to mess with. They investigated quickly and released Natsu as soon as possible, hoping he'd cause trouble elsewhere instead.
The guild celebrated the return of Natsu and the others by drinking together.
"Jehfrit, just stay close to Mirajane," Makarov advised seriously from his perch atop the bar counter.
"Master... I feel like you're worrying about something rather impolite," Jehfrit remarked dryly.
Lucy held a glass of fruity, light alcohol and looked curiously at Jehfrit standing behind the counter. "I've never seen Jehfrit drink before."
Gray chimed in, "Not only does he not drink—he can't even touch the stuff."
"Why?"
"Because—" Gray started to explain, but suddenly felt drowsiness wash over him. Nearby, Lucy and Happy had already collapsed onto the table.
"Damn…" Gray tried to resist, but sleep overtook him as well.
'Tap'
'Tap'
'Tap'
With faint footsteps echoing through the guild hall, nearly everyone had fallen asleep.
Erza remained conscious, though barely, kneeling on the ground and struggling to stay awake despite the overwhelming urge to succumb to slumber.
Jehfrit gently helped Mira sit against the wall, lowering her down carefully. Both he and Master Makarov felt drowsy but managed to resist better than the others.
Mystogan, cloaked in black robes, had arrived to take on a mission.
Jehfrit chuckled softly. "What a special day—two big figures showing up at once."
Mystogan glanced upward briefly before turning and leaving. As he exited the guild, people began waking up one by one.
"What happened?" Lucy groggily rubbed her eyes, feeling as though she'd just drifted off.
"Mystogan came by—it's his Sleep Magic," Gray explained, looking at Jehfrit, who appeared completely unaffected. "As expected, only someone like him can resist Mystogan's magic."
Lucy glanced at Erza, who was now standing unsteadily, and Jehfrit, who stood calmly behind the counter. Her understanding of S-Class mages—and Jehfrit's abilities—deepened considerably.
Her gaze shifted to Natsu, still sprawled out on the floor, snoring loudly.
Natsu...
She sighed and shook her head. How could he sleep so soundly on the cold floor? Walking over, she hoisted him up. Over time, Lucy realized her strength had grown significantly—probably from constantly restraining the fiery dragon slayer. She was no longer the delicate young lady she used to be.
"By the way, why does he make everyone fall asleep when he visits?" Lucy asked curiously.
"No one knows for sure, but he doesn't want anyone seeing his face," Gray replied. "Maybe only those strong enough to resist his Sleep Magic are allowed to see what he looks like."
Gray gestured toward the bar. "Probably only Master and Jehfrit know his true appearance."
"And me, Gray," a voice called out from upstairs.
Everyone looked up to see none other than Laxus standing there.
"Laxus!"
"When did you get here?"
The guild members exchanged puzzled glances.
"The stubborn one's arrived," Gray muttered under his breath.
"Laxus!" Natsu shouted upon waking. "Fight me!"
"You? You couldn't even beat Erza," Laxus sneered.
"What did you say?!" Erza bristled at his words, but she didn't act on her anger. While Laxus' arrogance irritated her, it wasn't reason enough to attack a fellow guild member.
"Accept my challenge, Laxus!"
With that, Natsu leaped toward the second floor.
'Boom!'
Makarov's enlarged arm slammed Natsu back down.
"You're not S-Class. Don't go upstairs," Makarov said sternly, eyes closed.
"Hahaha, Natsu, maybe try reaching the second floor first!" Laxus laughed mockingly, covering his face.
The guild members frowned. Laxus' rebellious phase seemed to stretch on endlessly.
"Or..." Laxus' grin faded as he locked eyes with Jehfrit. "Why don't *you* come up here?"
Jehfrit calmly set down his glass of strawberry-flavored soda.
"Laxus." Jehfrit's voice came from behind him.
Laxus tensed, lightning crackling around his arm as he spun and threw a punch.
'BOOM!'
The force of the blow tore a massive hole in the second floor!
Laxus' expression hardened.
'Click'
The cold barrel of a gun pressed against Laxus' temple. Jehfrit's voice was calm but firm. "Don't move."
"Hey, old man, Jehfrit isn't S-Class," Laxus smirked confidently.
"Jehfrit," Makarov opened his eyes slightly.
"I haven't gone upstairs." From somewhere in the main hall, Jehfrit sat casually, raising his glass toward Makarov.
Seeing this, Makarov closed his eyes again.
"Laxus, cherish these moments while you can. Right now, you're quite dull," Jehfrit said, rising to his feet and heading toward the door.
"Is that so?" Laxus grinned smugly.
'CRASH!'
A deafening thunderclap reverberated through the guild. Everyone instinctively covered their ears!
Golden lightning streaked across the room faster than the eye could follow, striking Jehfrit squarely on the shoulder!
Laxus materialized amidst the lightning, pressing his palm triumphantly against Jehfrit's shoulder.
"Jehfrit!" the guild cried out in alarm.
'BANG!'
A gunshot echoed through the room.
Laxus froze. The wire connecting his left earphone was severed just above his shoulder.
Jehfrit stepped forward, patting Laxus lightly on the shoulder. His tone carried a note of solemnity. "Don't strike at your comrades, Laxus. If you do, your plans will crumble before they even begin, and you'll end up exiled from the guild. That would be laughable, wouldn't it?"
Laxus narrowed his eyes, watching silently as Jehfrit walked out of the guild without another word.
"Hmph."
Only after Jehfrit boarded a carriage and disappeared into the distance did Laxus let out a disdainful snort. In a flash of golden lightning, he vanished from the guild, moving too fast for anyone to track.
The guild members collectively exhaled in relief.