"You… You're Fairy Tail's strongest mage?" Azuma gritted his teeth.
"No," Jehfrit replied calmly. "I'm not even an S-Class wizard."
Azuma stared at him in disbelief. "Fairy Tail really has monsters like you…?"
Jehfrit scoffed. "What a narrow-minded fool. Has your entire guild never heard of newspapers? You came all this way to die without even understanding my magic. How pathetic."
He stepped forward, blade gleaming. "Fairy Tail is top-ranked among the Light Guild Alliance. Can Grimoire Heart say the same in the dark?"
Azuma didn't answer.
"Let's wrap this up," Jehfrit said, raising his blade.
"Towering Inferno!" Azuma launched one last, desperate spell.
Jehfrit's projection couldn't withstand that kind of power and backed off—but Azuma didn't press the attack. Instead, he sank back into the earth and fled.
Tap.
Jehfrit lowered his sword and turned to Happy. "Go mess with him a little."
"Gladly," Happy smirked. When Jehfrit said "mess," it was never just a prank—Azuma was in for hell.
Jehfrit tossed him a card. "Heal up and regroup with Master Makarov after."
"But what if more enemies show up?" Happy asked.
Jehfrit pointed to a drifting trail of green mist.
"Follow that. You won't run into any enemies."
Then he vanished to pursue Azuma himself.
"Carla…" Happy activated the card, revealing a pile of healing supplies. He knelt beside her, ready to patch her up.
"Give those to Wendy first," Carla said, her voice weak but steady. "I'll be fine."
"…Okay." Happy nodded and hurried toward Wendy with the medicine.
Carla watched his small frame fade into the distance, shoulders hunched, wings flapping a little unevenly. Her eyes softened.
She bit her lip and called out, "Happy!"
He froze, not turning around.
"I'm… a cat."
Happy blinked, then slowly turned his head, confused.
Carla blushed and turned slightly away. "This transformation spell—turning into a person—it's just magic. If you want to learn, Jehfrit can teach you. But you should know… no matter what… you're still a cat. And I…"
"…Am a cat, too."
"Carla." Happy straightened, voice full of resolve. "Speed can help Laxus. Lily has power. You can fight beside Wendy. And me? I'll find out what I can do for Natsu."
"I'll figure it out."
Carla nodded softly. "I believe in you. I'll wait."
Happy puffed out his chest proudly, then turned to glance smugly at Lily—who raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Lily muttered, "So that's how it is, huh…"
Back near the First Master's grave, Jehfrit adjusted his glasses.
Maybe he shouldn't have brushed Happy off so casually before.
Carla was royalty—and now that she'd mastered Shared Magic, she'd soon be fighting nearly at Wendy's level.
Not that Fairy Tail cared much about ranks.
But Happy might struggle if the gap between him and the others grew too wide.
The real question was: what was Happy's role supposed to be?
Shared Magic?
Aza spoke up. "Master, from the data I collected while Happy was 'playing' in the Mirror World… His cognitive processing speed and problem-solving abilities are quite high. Possibly higher than Carla's."
Jehfrit raised an eyebrow. "You're saying…"
"With the right magical tools, he could offer high-level combat support."
Happy's weakness was his magic capacity. That limited his power ceiling.
From a traditional mage standpoint—even ignoring Lily—Carla had far more combat value.
But battle wasn't just about raw power.
Deception Magic, for instance, barely used any mana—and yet was terrifyingly effective.
Just one Dragon Slayer's roar cost more magic than Jehfrit needed to deceive an entire village.
"Magical tools, huh…" Jehfrit rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Suddenly, the earth rumbled.
A towering giant appeared on the battlefield—blocking out the sun.
"It's the Master!"
Fairy Tail members across the island turned to see Makarov, transformed into his giant form.
"Grimoire Heart…" Makarov's voice boomed. "You will go no further!"
"This is your last chance—retreat now, and I may spare you!"
The sheer magic pressure radiating from Makarov was overwhelming—like standing before the sun.
Even the elite members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory broke into cold sweat.
"Is this for real…?"
"He's not called one of the Ten Wizard Saints for nothing…"
Fear spread through the enemy ranks.
"Hmph." Hades scoffed. "Makarov is old. His body can't sustain that form for long. Nothing to be afraid of."
"Advance."
The airship moved forward.
Boom!
Makarov raised a massive fist and slammed it toward the ship.
"Shields! Raise the defenses!"
Countless magic circles formed—but Makarov's punch shattered them all.
CRACK!
A quarter of the hull was instantly destroyed.
"Insane power!"
"If he lands another hit, we're doomed!"
Makarov swung again—the ship barely dodged.
"Fire the Jupiter Cannon," Hades ordered.
Unlike Phantom Lord's sluggish version, Grimoire Heart's cannon fired instantly.
Boom!
It struck Makarov's arm, burning the skin—but didn't force him back.
With a growl, he kicked the airship—splitting it clean in two.
"We're done for!" the enemy screamed.
Hades stayed calm. "Ultear. Do it."
Ultear stepped forward, casting her magic.
"Arc of Time—Rewind."
In an instant, the airship reassembled, as if nothing had happened.
"Huh?" Makarov blinked in surprise.
"That magic…" Natsu recognized it. "That's the one from Galuna Island!"
Far off, in the mountains…
"Jehfrit, what's going on?" Laxus asked as he stepped from a cave, scanning the battlefield.
He didn't see anyone nearby—but he knew Jehfrit was watching.
That guy always operated from the shadows—honestly, he'd probably be more comfortable on the villain's side.
"Grimoire Heart's here to crush us," Jehfrit's voice replied. "The Master's out there holding them off—but his body won't last. Their commander? That's on you and Gildarts."
"And the rest?" Laxus asked.
"Natsu's crew will handle it. I've got eyes on the whole island."
"Good," Laxus nodded.
Elsewhere, Gildarts stepped from another cave, arms folded as he looked skyward.
"No way this is just a raid," he muttered. "Grimoire Heart came to Tenrou Island for a reason."
"They're here for Zeref," Jehfrit replied.
Gildarts froze. "Zeref, huh… That's a name I didn't want to hear."
"There's worse coming," Jehfrit said.
"…Worse?" Gildarts' brows lifted. "So what's the plan?"
"Let Laxus prove what he's made of. As for the heavy lifting… that's you."
Hades was strong. Too strong.
Makarov could fight him, but his stamina wouldn't last.
Laxus wasn't ready.
Even Gildarts probably couldn't win outright—but together, they could buy time for Natsu's group to wipe out the rest.
Then regroup.
Then crush Hades.
That was Jehfrit's first plan.
He was still lingering near the First Master's grave. Once it was over, he'd take Mavis with him and disappear.
She didn't talk to him much—but no way was he leaving her to be defiled by Acnologia.
If escape failed, and Acnologia arrived faster than expected—he had a second plan.
If that failed too… a third.
But best case? They get out alive.
If they could avoid another seven years of loss… that was ideal.
"I'll handle it," Gildarts cracked his knuckles. "You're treating me like Natsu now…"
The others might not fully understand Jehfrit.
But Gildarts did.
Fairy Tail's strength didn't lie in any one person—it was built on many strong shoulders.
So Gildarts, like Jehfrit, didn't mind using enemies to help Natsu and the others grow stronger.
He even laughed when Gray or Natsu got knocked around.
But when Jehfrit delivered a free XP boost like this?
That hit a little different.
Back outside…
Makarov was panting hard.
Eighty-eight years old. His magic and stamina weren't what they used to be.
He couldn't help but feel envious when he saw Laxus in his prime.
Still, even though he tried to stay fair—he'd always secretly hoped Laxus would become the man he could pass the torch to.
And thankfully…
Though he had once strayed, Laxus had been brought back by Jehfrit.
Now Makarov glared up at the enemy airship.
He was old.
But behind him stood the next generation—strong, capable, loyal.
And he would show them what it meant to be Master of Fairy Tail.
Especially Laxus.
Watch closely, Laxus.
The Master of Fairy Tail is someone who will risk his life to protect his family.
Makarov clenched his fists and threw another punch—
But the ship dodged again.
He growled, pulling his hands together as golden magic gathered into a glowing sphere.
"This is your final warning…"
"By the judgment of Fairy Tail—"
"You have three seconds!"
"That magic… It's not a bluff!"
"What the hell is that?! It feels like the sun!"
Even the Seven Kin of Purgatory were sweating bullets.
Finally, Hades stepped forward, calm but serious.
"To be marked as an enemy and struck down by Fairy Law…"
"Makarov… even now, you're still willing to use that spell?"
"One…" Makarov began counting.
"Stop him!" the Seven Kin of Purgatory panicked.
"Two—!"
Before anyone could act—
"I'll handle him," Hades said.
He appeared above the ship, facing Makarov directly.
"Stand down, Makarov."
Makarov's eyes widened.
That face…
The second Guild Master of Fairy Tail—Precht.
Though older and different now, Makarov would never mistake him.
Even shocked, he quickly calmed himself and prepared to fire anyway.
"No time for reunion, old man?" Hades smiled.
He brought his own hands together—summoning a black orb.
"Demon's Law."
"Makarov, if I release this spell, neither of us will like the result."
"…Why?" Makarov didn't think he was bluffing. He knew Precht could do it.
But something didn't make sense.
When Makarov took over as Master 48 years ago, Precht was already an old man.
Now Makarov was nearing the grave—and Precht looked younger and stronger than ever.
How?
Whirr. Makarov's magic dissipated.
"I need an explanation," he said.
Moments ago, he was ready to kill his enemies.
But now—with Fairy Law canceled—he needed answers.
Why had the man who'd once mentored him—who was like a father—become a Dark Guild Master?
And why… had he come to destroy their sacred island?
"You poor man…" Hades sighed, raising a hand.
A dark magic circle appeared—and chains burst forth, slamming Makarov to the ground.
His giant body shrank rapidly.
Hades turned to his subordinates. "What are you waiting for? Move out."
"Yes, sir!" The stunned wizards snapped out of it and stormed the island.
Makarov groaned, rising shakily.
He wasn't injured badly—but his pride…
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning slammed beside him.
Hades turned and saw the figure with spiky blond hair and smoldering eyes.
"Laxus," he murmured, smiling faintly.
Like looking into the past.