In the distance, Jehfrit adjusted his glasses.
The combined efforts of Natsu and Gray had created a chaotic battlefield—an icy inferno where frost met flame. The collision of their opposing magics disrupted the air itself, generating thick clouds of steam that formed a "domain" around them. Within this swirling chaos, Jehfrit's first-stage magic was severely hindered, its effects dulled.
This was Natsu's innate combat genius at work—perhaps not something he consciously understood—but instinctively, he had achieved what others might compare to Jose using black mist to restrain an opponent like Jehfrit. And Gray? He seamlessly followed suit, contributing to the effect without hesitation.
Of course, this wasn't true equivalent to Jose's black mist magic. While it dampened magical potency, the steam didn't provide feedback or control for either mage. If it were actual black mist capable of reporting enemy movements, Jehfrit would've thrown in the towel long ago!
The sheer force of their clashing powers pushed Jehfrit far back from the epicenter.
"At this range, Jehfrit, you don't have any other tricks up your sleeve, do you?" Gray taunted. "I know that new gun of yours isn't ready yet."
"Get ready, Jehfrit," Natsu growled, cracking his knuckles as if preparing to deliver a devastating punch.
"Well then, brace yourself—you might cry after this," Jehfrit replied coolly, drawing his sword, Hani.
*KABOOM*
A barrage of ice spears shot toward Jehfrit. Natsu charged forward simultaneously.
Jehfrit's eyes twitched slightly as he sidestepped just in time. The ice spears struck the ground where he'd been standing moments earlier.
But the danger hadn't passed—in fact, the ice spears were merely a feint.
"HRAAAAH!"
Natsu closed in with alarming speed, throwing a powerful punch aimed directly at Jehfrit's stomach.
Solid contact!
Wait… Was that Jehfrit—or a fountain?
Natsu blinked in confusion. His fist had connected with a nearby fountain instead of his target.
Where was Jehfrit?!
"Gray!" Natsu shouted urgently over his shoulder.
But it was too late.
*SWISH*
Jehfrit glided smoothly on roller skates, executing an elegant spin. With Hani drawn, he pressed a card against the blade with his left hand before delivering a heavy blow with the flat side of the sword into Gray's flank.
*KABOOM*
The card erupted with tremendous force, amplifying the strike. Gray was sent flying backward, clutching his side.
"Damn it… How can you still use Deception Magic when we're so far apart and the surrounding magic is so unstable?" Gray groaned, feeling like his ribs might've cracked under the impact.
Since acquiring Hani—a blade forged from the remains of a demon Jehfrit defeated—he rarely relied on auxiliary tools like enchanted cards. Before obtaining the sword, he'd crafted such cards to compensate for his physical weakness. These cards, when activated, could generate bursts of kinetic energy, propelling his attacks further than his strength alone allowed.
But with Hani? There was no need. Even unskilled swings could shatter Erza's armor if timed correctly.
Still, against someone like Gray, Jehfrit opted for non-lethal strikes—using only the dull edge of the blade. To make up for the lack of sharpness, he employed outdated techniques designed purely for raw explosive power.
As for Gray's question about how Jehfrit managed to manipulate Deception Magic despite the distance and chaotic environment? Well, that was thanks to reaching the second stage of his abilities. At this level, Jehfrit could directly manipulate the "magic seeds" planted within his targets' bodies. Whether deceiving their senses or influencing emotions, these seeds did all the work without requiring real-time connection.
However…
When faced with Gray's inquiry, Jehfrit remained silent. Let them assume his magic had simply grown stronger—a quantitative leap rather than a qualitative one. Concealing his true capabilities was part of the artistry.
A magician knows—
To never reveals all his secrets.!
"JEHFRRITTTT!" Natsu roared, charging back into the fray.
Jehfrit wouldn't give them another chance to coordinate. Using illusions to fake another attack on Gray, he turned his attention to Natsu instead. Pressing another card against Hani's blade, he swung hard, striking Natsu's side with the flat of the sword.
*KABOOM*
Natsu was sent sprawling just like Gray before him.
Without pausing, Jehfrit shifted his focus back to Gray. Continuous sensory deception rendered Gray unable to distinguish reality from illusion; every defensive move he made proved futile. Against a true enemy, Jehfrit's blade would've ended things instantly.
But this was Gray.
So Jehfrit settled for non-lethal blows—repeated strikes with the dull edge of Hani until Gray couldn't keep up.
*KABAM*
After a flurry of attacks, Jehfrit delivered a stylish high kick, sending Gray crashing painfully to the ground.
*PANT PANT*
Even Jehfrit found himself breathing heavily by now.
Despite taking a beating, Gray remained surprisingly resilient.
Fine. Enough warm-up.
*WHOOSH*
Behind him, scorching heat signaled Natsu's return.
Jehfrit immediately deployed sensory deception once more.
By the time Natsu and Gray realized they'd been tricked into perceiving each other as threats, it was too late to stop their attacks.
*KABOOM*
Natsu's fist slammed brutally into Gray's face while Gray's ice pillar struck Natsu squarely in the abdomen.
These weren't mere punches—they carried devastating force behind them.
*KABOOM*
Gray was sent flying dozens of meters away, smashing through several walls. Meanwhile, Natsu crashed into a cluster of trees, disappearing deep into the forest after being impaled by Gray's ice pillar.
"Cough… cough…"
Both mages staggered to their feet, one clutching his face, the other nursing his gut.
Jehfrit manipulated Natsu's senses again, sending him off on a wild chase. Then, he turned his attention to Gray.
Dazed from Natsu's punch, Gray swayed unsteadily, barely managing to stay upright by leaning against a wall. This was the perfect moment to finish him off.
Enough warming up.
But Jehfrit had only taken a few steps when—
*BZZT*
An overwhelming aura descended like a hammer, crushing the air beneath its weight.
Jehfrit froze, unable to move.
The next instant, a demonic queen materialized before him.
"Hello, Mira—"
*KABOOM*
Before he could finish, Mira's fist slammed into his stomach, cutting off whatever witty remark he'd intended to make. Pain exploded through his body as he collapsed forward, only to be caught by Mira herself. She turned her gaze toward Natsu in the distance.
"Good job!"
With Jehfrit unconscious, his magic dissipated, freeing Natsu from the illusion. Reacting instantly, Natsu rushed toward Jehfrit, ready to retaliate.
"Natsu, go help Erza," Demon Queen Mira commanded imperiously, tilting her chin upward with an expression that brooked no argument.
Natsu skidded to a halt—he wasn't stupid enough to defy that look.
"NATSU!"
"GRAY-SAMA!"
Just then—
The magical barrier shattered.
Lucy and Juvia emerged from their petrified state, rushing excitedly toward their respective partners.
Natsu grinned broadly, unfazed by Lucy's enthusiastic embrace. Gray, however, looked mildly uncomfortable but didn't resist Juvia's affectionate hug.
"…"
Mira watched the scene unfold from afar, a faint smile playing on her lips. One hand cradled Jehfrit while the other gently stroked his hair.
Soft.
Fragrant.
Jehfrit opened his eyes to find two massive mountains blocking most of the golden sky above him.
Licking his dry lips, he muttered weakly, "Miss Mira… That punch was a bit much, don't you think?"
"What did you expect? Playing villain doesn't end well, especially when you're sober," Mira replied from above, having already reverted to her normal form. She now understood the full context and firmly believed—Jehfrit hadn't been drunk at all.
"How long was I out?" Jehfrit asked.
"Not long," Mira answered. "Natsu and Gray went after Laxus. Erza and Mystogan are still fighting."
"I can't stay here," Jehfrit said, attempting to rise. "If I miss our meeting, Laxus will never let me live it down."
"You…" Mira chuckled softly, helping him to his feet.
"Ow…"
Jehfrit winced, rubbing his sore stomach. Clearly, Mira had already healed him, leaving only lingering discomfort. It wasn't enough to hinder his movement, though.
"Thank you, Jehfrit," Mira said suddenly.
He didn't respond.
Mira gazed at his retreating figure, her eyes shimmering with warmth and admiration.