*Boom, boom, boom*
Above the city, the battle raged on.
Brain and his two companions were under immense pressure. Even with a group of mages sharing the burden, they couldn't pinpoint Jehfrit's true form or communicate with each other. What seemed like a coordinated assault was essentially solo combat.
Jehfrit unleashed his full power, disrupting all five senses of his enemies. Though he wasn't manipulating their emotions, it was already proving overwhelming for Brain and his group.
There was no need to guide their emotions – that would be too easy. The enemy mages were already paralyzed by fear, their minds consumed by despair. They were merely defending themselves, unsure what to do next or even why they were fighting. After all, losing meant death, but winning... also meant death.
They didn't know Miko's personality and constantly feared being erased by her magic at any moment.
The word to describe their state? Despair.
In this condition, if Jehfrit wished, it wouldn't take long for him to completely break their spirits.
"You're all so noisy," Jehfrit said as he turned his gaze towards the group of mages. He pulled out several cards and attached them to his back.
With a flap of his wings, the cards released bursts of air, nearly doubling his speed.
*Boom*
He plummeted to the ground like a meteorite, landing amidst a group of weaker mages.
Without using Hani or Teal, red threads appeared around his wrists.
The threads wrapped around his fists.
*Bang*
With one punch, he drove a mage's head deep into the ground.
He followed up with a high kick.
One punch, one kick.
Jehfrit had completely abandoned his usual tactics.
*Boom, boom, boom*
Brain and the others launched magical attacks, but instead of hitting Jehfrit, they struck their own subordinates, who stood frozen, deceived by Jehfrit into imagining themselves in an epic battle.
Not everyone could perceive Jehfrit's movements when he acted – only elite members from guilds like Fairy Tail, such as Natsu or Gray, had just barely reached the threshold of sensing his actions (and even then, only in their normal states).
At the S-Class level, mages like Erza and Laxus could both sense and evade his attacks.
Only someone at Jose's level could counterattack while simultaneously perceiving his moves.
These were individuals completely unfazed by Jehfrit's sensory deception.
Brain and his group fell short of that mark.
They could only protect themselves, while the weaker mages had no chance of retaliation.
*Boom, boom, boom*
The barrage covering the battlefield did not harm Jehfrit but instead knocked out the weaker mages, removing them entirely from the high-level fight.
"And you three," Jehfrit said before turning his head. "No, four."
*Taptap*
A grim-faced Jellal emerged from the room.
"You hurt Wendy," Jehfrit said coldly. "I don't care who you are. If you stand against me and hurt someone as adorable as Wendy..."
"I won't hold back!"
*Boom*
He charged toward Jellal.
Brain and the others immediately reacted, releasing their magic toward Jehfrit.
"Sorry, Miko, please hold on for another forty seconds," Jehfrit said.
"It's alright, Jehfrit. I can endure it," Miko replied.
The magical attacks didn't hurt Jehfrit, but they caused pain to Miko. While it didn't break through his defenses, the pain was real.
Jehfrit couldn't block Miko's sensations in this state – doing so would prevent the powder from adhering perfectly to his body, creating a weakness.
Forty seconds.
That was all he needed to end the fight.
Blood vessels spread across Jehfrit's sclera, creeping into his irises like insects.
His irises turned crimson, enhancing his perception and making him appear more demonic than ever.
"Jehfrit!" Jellal shouted as Jehfrit rushed toward him, attempting to dodge.
"Meteor!"
He transformed into a streak of light, narrowly avoiding the attack.
*Bang*
On the other side, Hoteye suddenly went flying backward.
What?!
Hoteye was the one attacked?!
This was the result of having your five senses deceived.
Humans relied on their senses, instinctively trusting what they saw – much like how swapping keyboard keys in a game could cause confusion.
In less than a second, anyone watching Jehfrit charge at Jellal would naturally focus on that direction.
But in reality...
Jehfrit had appeared before Hoteye, delivering a powerful kick to his chest.
He pressed on, attaching cards to Hoteye's joints – elbows, shoulders, and other limbs.
When Hoteye tried to resist, the cards released bursts of air, amplifying Jehfrit's strikes several times over!
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora—"
Jehfrit unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.
Left hook, right cross, low sweep, high kick.
Hoteye was utterly overwhelmed, unable to defend against the relentless assault.
"Damn it!"
Brain, Midnight, and Jellal quickly intervened, bombarding the area with magic, inadvertently catching Hoteye in the crossfire.
"Don't worry, your turn is next!"
Jehfrit spun around and charged toward Brain.
By the time Brain realized what was happening, it was too late!
"Oración Seis, huh!"
"Nirvana, huh!"
"Grand ambitions, huh!"
"As the leader of evildoers, taste the iron fist of justice!"
"Personality Correction Punch - Self Defense Series!"
"Hundred Hit Combo!"
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora—"
Brain was pummeled like a ragdoll, sent crashing through two streets!
Midnight wiped the sweat from his brow. "Father!"
"Crying for daddy won't help, emo kid!"
Jehfrit reappeared before Midnight.
"Trying to act cool, huh!"
"Emo hairstyle, huh!"
"Twisted space?"
"Instant movement?"
"Illusions?"
"All flashy tricks mean nothing against raw power!"
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora—"
Midnight was driven deep underground, his eyes losing focus.
Gulp – Jellal swallowed hard, completely stunned.
He thought he'd been healed to join the fight against Jehfrit, expecting an easy victory!
He knew Jehfrit was strong – back at the Tower of Heaven, he'd been toyed with by Jehfrit's magic. Even those two mediocre mages, one using fire and the other ice, had overwhelmed him under Jehfrit's command.
He understood that Jehfrit's magic was near-perfect as support.
But who could explain this?
Why had Jehfrit abandoned his usual cunning tactics to resort to brute force?!
Was his raw strength truly this terrifying?!
"Your turn!"
A demonic voice echoed in his ear.
"Wait, Erza—" At this moment, Jellal's survival instincts overrode his brainwashing.
"Do you think Erza's little brothers will show mercy after making her cry?!"
Jehfrit roared.
"I told you, I don't care who you are! If you're my enemy, I won't hold back!"
"And you made Erza cry!"
"Therefore—"
"Your sins double!"
"Three Hundred Hit Combo!"
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora—"
*Boom*
Jellal went flying, crashing into the town clock.
*Dong* The bell rang.
*Thud*
Jellal collapsed lifelessly, his face...
Well, it was impossible to tell his expression.
After being beaten to a pulp, he no longer resembled a person.
*Whew*
"What a rush—"
"Beating people with the iron fist of justice feels great."
Jehfrit exhaled deeply as the scales on his body faded away.
"Jehfrit!" A voice called out.
"Hmm? Tiffania, my perfect girlfriend, what brings you here?" Jehfrit teased.
Tiffania, passionate and violent, matched his current aesthetic. Together, they could engage in intense activities every day.
"Hmph," Tiffania pouted, clearly unimpressed. "Don't call me that. I have no interest in a fragile yet arrogant brute like you."
"A violent queen calling me violent?" Jehfrit feigned surprise.
*Boom*
In an instant, Tiffania appeared before Jehfrit, throwing a punch.
Without his scales, Jehfrit was easily taken down.
Tiffania carried him away.
Brain heard the distant sounds of battle and muttered, "Did we... last shorter than those weaklings?"
The others remained silent, too humiliated to respond.
---
Outside in the wilderness, Tiffania dropped Jehfrit onto the grass.
"Enough messing around, you fragile goose!" she scolded.
"What are you doing, Tiffania?!" Jehfrit groaned, clutching his stomach in pain.
"Oración Seis are criminals who must be stopped to protect my comrades."
"I'll guard everyone in Fairy Tail!"
"Tsk—" Tiffania sighed. This guy had gone from one extreme to another.
She said, "Miss Miko, please return him to his original state."
"I'm sorry, Miss Tiffania," Miko shook her head. "I only obey Jehfrit."
"Jehfrit!" Tiffania grabbed him by the collar. "Have you forgotten everything you once said? A peaceful life is best; fame isn't what you need."
"Look at what you've done! In minutes, you defeated Oración Seis and a former wizard Saint Jellal."
"Are you trying to become the new wizard Saint and gain fame worldwide?!"
"Why not? With talent like mine, I deserve to be the strongest!"
"I'll become the most powerful mage and claim the top spot among the Saints!"
"I'll lead Fairy Tail as its master and bring the guild to the pinnacle of strength!"
"Snap out of it!" Tiffania threw a punch, but it shattered a lingering afterimage.
Jehfrit had already deceived her.
"Trying to run?" Tiffania raised her right hand, revealing a red thread on her ring finger that extended outward.
"Damn it!" Jehfrit cursed. His left ring finger was also tied to a red thread, rendering escape useless.
Tiffania followed the thread, tackling Jehfrit to the ground.
She pinned him down with her thigh, her overwhelming strength leaving him powerless.
"You damn gorilla! Fight fair without the Red Thread Lock!" Jehfrit protested.
"Why should I? I sacrificed my life to bind you, you slippery demon," Tiffania retorted.
Four years ago, she had taken a mission to destroy a dark guild where Jehfrit was undercover, investigating forbidden magic.
Mistaking him for an enemy, Tiffania attacked. Jehfrit initially planned to toy with her, but when she became desperate, she used the "Red Thread Lock."
Tiffania's Chain Magic allowed her to transform anything into chains, including grass and stone. Her most powerful chain was made of her blood – the Red Thread Lock.
Among these, there was a special version called the "Marriage Lock," usable only once in a lifetime. It bound her fate to another's, allowing them to share magic abilities.
Though Jehfrit could borrow her magic remotely, she couldn't use his deception magic.
Despite clearing up the misunderstanding, the damage was done. Bound by the Marriage Lock, Jehfrit's magic no longer affected her.
Though tied together, Jehfrit despised Tiffania, whom he called "violent gorilla." Meanwhile, she mocked him as "fragile goose"—proud but weak.
Their personalities clashed, leading them to avoid each other despite Mirajane's attempts to mediate.
Unless Jehfrit changed his personality entirely, which no one wanted.
Including Tiffania.
"What are you doing?!" Tiffania blushed, feeling something inappropriate beneath her.
"Soft and smooth," Jehfrit smirked. "Feels nice."
"Are you switching from S to M now?!" Tiffania fumed, grabbing his ear. "If you keep this up, I'll contact Miss Mirajane immediately!"
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" Jehfrit laughed, continuing his antics.
"Have you never thought—" Tiffania paused. "That Miss Mirajane might cry because of this?"
"Tch, her tears mean nothing to me."
Jehfrit scoffed. "But I am a bit tired. That's enough."
He released his hold and said, "Miko."
Miko placed her hand on Jehfrit, unleashing a surge of magic surpassing Nirvana.
*Whoosh*
A gentle breeze passed.
"Ah, ow, ow, ow! You violent gorilla, let go of me! Damn it, you took advantage of me while I was down!" Jehfrit yelled.
Tiffania finally stood up.
"Ugh—" Jehfrit sat up, feeling sore all over. The aftermath of excessive physical exertion.
"This hurts so much. I knew direct combat was a bad idea! It'll take days to recover. Damn it, I'll barely be able to squat for the bathroom!" Jehfrit lamented.
"Is it really that bad?" Tiffania sneered.
"Try it yourself!" Jehfrit snapped.
"I train to my limits daily," she countered.
"Can't reason with a violent woman," Jehfrit muttered, rubbing his joints.
Seeing this, Tiffania knelt down and pressed her hands against his calf.
"Ah—" Jehfrit screamed, pulling his leg back. "What are you doing?!"
"Fool, you need to massage it properly to feel better tomorrow," Tiffania explained, pressing firmly again.
Jehfrit gritted his teeth, his face contorting in pain.
"Pfft," Tiffania chuckled. She pulled his head into her chest. "Distract yourself."
Half a minute later...
Jehfrit pushed her away, gasping for air. "Stop!"
"You're really ungrateful. Fine," Tiffania stood up. "That old man you killed earlier survived. I'll track him down. You rest here."
"Wait, no!" Jehfrit grabbed her ankle.
"What now?" Tiffania looked at him.
"I didn't ask for your help, so take me back the way you brought me," Jehfrit demanded.
"You want to go back?" Tiffania frowned. "You already defeated them. Your allies will arrive soon. Leave the rest to them."
"No!" Jehfrit insisted. "They can't know I took down Oración Seis and Jellal alone. That'll cause trouble. I don't want that kind of attention!"
Tiffania was speechless. Just moments ago, he was boasting about the opposite.
"So, what's your plan?" she asked.
"I got beaten up by Oración Seis." Jehfrit declared.
"But you beat them up," Tiffania corrected.
"My whole body hurts!"
"That's because you don't exercise regularly. You've strained your muscles."
"I don't care!" Jehfrit stubbornly replied. "You brought me here, so you're responsible for taking me back. Let Oración Seis beat them up again!"
"What a hassle." Tiffania lifted Jehfrit.
"Be gentle!" Jehfrit cried out.
"Yes, yes, noble sir," Tiffania teased, handling him more carefully.
Brain and the others still lay defeated, staring blankly at the sky.
Suddenly, that demonic voice returned.
"Can you still stand?"