Jehfrit approached at a leisurely pace, explaining as he walked: "A sacred light that eradicates darkness, obliterating all targets deemed enemies by the caster. A spell with immense range and devastating power."
"Jehfrit, you actually know about it?" Laxus asked, surprised.
"The Master offered to teach me once, but I declined," Jehfrit replied, stopping in his tracks. "I have no interest in such dangerous magic."
Using Fairy Law drained both magical energy and physical stamina—a poor trade-off for someone like him.
If things got too heated, running away was always an option. And if push came to shove, he had far more cost-effective spells at his disposal.
Besides, learning Fairy Law meant accepting the mantle of leadership—and Jehfrit had no desire to shoulder the burden of managing people like Natsu. That sounded downright terrifying!
Moreover, mastering such an ultimate technique often led users to rely on it recklessly—like how Stoneborn champions became overly aggressive after hitting level six or how certain players lost their minds when they unlocked specific abilities.
"So come stop me, then," Laxus challenged.
"Jehfrit, stop him!" Gray shouted desperately.
"No," Jehfrit shook his head calmly. "Go ahead, Laxus. Use it."
"What?!" Both Laxus and Gray were stunned into silence.
But everyone watched helplessly as Jehfrit stood unflinchingly within the glowing radius of the perilous spell, pulling out a vial and administering its contents to Makarov.
Once the medicine took effect and Makarov's strained expression eased, Jehfrit turned to Laxus. "There is no such thing as an invincible spell, Laxus."
"Hmph. Then I'll prove it to you!" Laxus declared without hesitation, beginning to weave the magic.
"Yes, use it," Jehfrit said lightly, almost cheerfully. "I'm looking forward to seeing this."
"Three…" Laxus began counting down.
"Jehfrit! Laxus! Stop messing around!" Gray yelled frantically.
"LAXUS!!" Summoning every ounce of strength left in his body, Natsu tried to lunge toward Laxus but collapsed weakly to the ground instead.
"Two…"
Gray and the others stared in despair.
Jehfrit continued smiling serenely. "Yes, Laxus. Release it. Wipe out everyone who disappoints you—those who anger you, frustrate you, hurt you. Including me, including Natsu, including Gray, including the Master, including everyone in the guild."
"I believe you're capable of it."
"And I won't lift a finger to stop you."
"One…"
Jehfrit called out confidently, "Unleash it, Laxus. I trust in you—and in the outcome that's already been decided!"
Laxus's eyes trembled as memories flooded his mind just before the spell's activation. It was as though Jehfrit's words had unlocked a door to deeply buried recollections.
---
"Big Brother Laxus, thank you for protecting me," Lisanna said tearfully. "Does it hurt? Your wounds look awful."
"It's fine—it doesn't even hurt. This is nothing. Lisanna, I'm the Master's grandson. Protecting you is my duty!" Laxus grinned through his tattered clothes and bruised face, proudly bearing the marks of battle without shedding a single tear.
---
On a grassy field:
"Damn it, Laxus! Next time, I'll definitely beat you!"
"Hahaha, Natsu, you've still got a long way to go."
"Laxus, I'm hungry."
"Let's catch some rabbits. Think you can stand up?"
"Of course!"
---
In town:
"Laxus, what's that place over there? It looks different from the other shops."
"Gray, stay away from there. Bad things happen there—Gildarts warned us!"
"Got it."
---
At the guild hall:
"Laxus, take me on a mission with you! I want to earn money for my sister's birthday present, but she only takes Elfman along." Lisanna pleaded with tears in her eyes.
"I'll go with you, Lisanna!" Natsu volunteered.
"Me too!" Gray raised his hand.
"Not with this idiot!" Natsu and Gray immediately started brawling.
"Alright, let's all go. What's the job, Lisanna?" Laxus pulled off his headphones.
"Driving away wild boars."
"Great! I'll take down three!" Natsu shouted enthusiastically.
"I'll get four!" Gray chimed in.
"Then I'll handle five!"
"Six!"
"Seven!"
"Enough, you two idiots." Laxus smacked them both upside the head.
---
At the guild entrance:
"Hey, trickster. You think messing with everyone is fun?" Laxus glared at the newcomer.
"I find it quite amusing, actually," the stranger replied, adjusting his glasses.
"Don't get cocky in Fairy Tail, you hear me?!"
"Oh, relax. I know who you are—you're Laxus, the Master's grandson. Practicing your leadership skills?"
"That has nothing to do with it!"
"Then why does what I do concern you?"
"You piss me off!"
"Come hit me if you dare, little... Lightning Dragon—"
"Why you—!"
After a fierce brawl:
Lying flat on his back, Laxus looked over at the figure leaning against the wall, panting heavily. "Trickster… What's your name?"
"Jehfrit."
"Hmph. Next time, it'll be you lying here!"
---
No!
I don't care about those memories!
Laxus roared, "All of you—DIE!!!"
"Fairy Law—"
"ACTIVATE!!!"
*BZZT*
Golden light enveloped the entire city!
Everyone blinded by the brilliance felt not fear—but warmth. Like basking in sunlight on a winter day, mages even felt their magic replenishing.
Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel rose incredulously, watching as the golden light contracted and coalesced into a humanoid form.
Laxus…
Why?
"Why?" Laxus whispered, unable to believe his own eyes.
Not a single person was injured!
Fairy Law had activated…
But…
He whipped his head toward Jehfrit, who stood smiling.
"Satisfied now, Laxus?" Jehfrit chuckled. "Did you see your true heart, you tsundere?"
"No!" Laxus snarled. "Jehfrit, you manipulated me with your magic!"
"Eh, maybe. But now, allow me to be your opponent." Jehfrit shrugged dismissively.
"I'll defeat you!" Laxus took a deep breath.
By now, his magic reserves were nearly depleted. His stamina hadn't recovered, and the fact that Fairy Law had seemingly done nothing left him confused—and oddly relieved. Emotions tangled within him, weighing him down.
With so many debuffs stacked against him, fighting Jehfrit seemed impossible. Even taking on Natsu and the others would be a stretch.
Natsu and the group rose to their feet but made no move to intervene this time.
"JEHFRRIT!" Laxus charged forward, lightning crackling fiercely in his hands.