Emily's talent exceeded Jehfrit's expectations.
She quickly got the hang of it.
Although her proficiency was still lacking, and she often made various mistakes—like losing control of magic release during casting, prematurely triggering illusions that were easily detected, or creating overly fake scenarios.
These were minor issues that could improve with practice.
For Emily, Deception Magic was like discovering a fantastic new toy.
Fresh and fun.
However, she didn't turn into a little mischief-maker but frequently tried to help others, though her efforts often backfired.
For example, helping Cana adjust the taste of her alcohol ended up numbing Cana's sense of taste for half a day.
Or helping Juvia have sweet daydreams only to create a grotesquely ugly Gray in her dream.
Clearly, achieving her goals was still quite challenging.
But Emily wasn't discouraged. She actively experimented using Milalit.
Of course, occasionally she would play harmless pranks—far milder than Jehfrit's antics, which everyone could tolerate.
In fact, her attempts to help sometimes caused more trouble than her pranks.
"The cherry blossoms are blooming!"
This news delighted the entire city.
Busy workers planned to finish their tasks quickly.
Separated friends hoped to reunite on this day.
"I'm so excited..." Lucy said, only to be dragged off by Natsu to do a mission.
Jehfrit sat at the counter and remarked, "Isn't it a mission to the snowy mountains? I hope they don't catch a cold."
"Well, no worries, Natsu will take care of Lucy," Mirajane smiled.
"Master!" Emily ran over with Milalit.
"What is it?" Jehfrit turned and smiled.
"Hug!" Emily pounced, and as Jehfrit reached out to embrace her, he was instead licked on the face.
Wait.
Something was off!
"Hahaha—"
Nearby, the little boy Romeo burst into laughter. He was Master Makarov's son and often came to the guild to play.
Everyone else laughed too.
Because Jehfrit was hugging Milalit, and it was Milalit who was licking him.
"...," Jehfrit helplessly pulled out a handkerchief.
"Giggle." Emily laughed and then pounced, grabbing Jehfrit's handkerchief to wipe his face.
"Don't help him, Emily!"
"Good job, Emily!"
Everyone couldn't help but feel satisfied.
All these years, Jehfrit had been fooling everyone.
Now seeing him being fooled was incredibly satisfying!
"Hehe." Jehfrit's figure disappeared.
He suddenly appeared behind Emily, lifting her high from behind.
"Got you!"
"Hahahaha, Master, so high, put me down!" Emily laughed loudly.
"Ah—" Everyone sighed in disappointment; it hadn't been a trick.
Jehfrit tossed Emily high into the air and caught her.
"Waaah—" Emily let out a shriek.
Jehfrit tossed her several times, and Emily laughed even louder.
At first, she was a bit scared, but now she shouted, "Master, higher!"
Jehfrit looked upstairs where Laxus leaned against the railing.
He said, "Laxus, catch her."
With that, he threw Emily towards Laxus.
Laxus initially didn't want to intervene, but seeing Emily approaching and then falling toward the first floor, he eventually reached out and grabbed the back of her collar, holding her like a kitten.
Emily wasn't afraid of him.
Many in the guild feared Laxus, including Romeo.
But not Emily. She smiled sweetly and called out, "Uncle Laxus."
Emily's way of addressing people varied.
Jehfrit was her master, a generation older, but she called peers like Natsu and Erza "big brother" and "big sister." Naturally, someone like Makao was "uncle."
Laxus was an exception.
He said, "I don't want to be a generation lower than that guy."
So Emily called him "uncle."
"Hmph." Laxus gave a tsundere snort and set Emily down.
"Uncle Laxus, I've learned Master's Deception Magic!" Emily clung to his leg.
Laxus had just returned to accompany Grandpa to see the cherry blossoms, though he'd naturally say, "I finished my mission, so I'm back."
"I saw." Laxus coolly replied.
"Do you have any wishes you want fulfilled?" Emily asked.
"Don't bother—" Laxus started but paused upon seeing Emily's clear, innocent big eyes. Unable to say "leave me alone," he finally said, "I want Jehfrit to call me uncle. Can you make that happen?"
"Sure." Emily immediately took a step back.
She extended two index fingers, placing them on her temples, staring intently at Laxus with wide eyes.
Then,
Emily transformed into Jehfrit's likeness—a miniature version matching her height, still wearing her cartoonish short-sleeve shirt and loose denim capris.
"Sorry, I think this is the best I can do," Emily said, somewhat dejected.
"No, this is perfect. Quickly call me uncle!" Laxus said, slightly excited.
"Laxus..." Emily hesitated shyly, saying his name, then, meeting his expectant gaze, burst into wild laughter, "Big dummy, hahaha—"
Just then, Emily transformed into Jehfrit.
The real Emily stood behind Jehfrit, smiling awkwardly.
"Hahaha—" Jehfrit kept laughing heartily.
"Jehfrit!!!" Laxus roared, throwing a punch that went right through Jehfrit's body.
Downstairs, Jehfrit ran out of the guild with Emily, leaving Milalit looking confused before happily biting her leash and wagging her tail to cuddle by Mirajane's feet.
Everyone fell silent.
Cana's voice trembled as she said, "No... Could this mean double the torment from now on?"
"...," Everyone wore expressions that screamed, "Please, not that."
Before Laxus got tricked, they hadn't realized it yet.
Now they understood—Jehfrit's Deception Magic could seamlessly replace Emily's tricks.
What kind of hellish setup was this?
Which meant—
From now on, while everyone thought it was Emily's prank, it might unexpectedly switch to Jehfrit halfway!
And they'd end up like Laxus, thoroughly played with.
"Hiss—"
Everyone collectively shuddered.
"Achoo!"
On the day of the cherry blossom viewing.
At Lucy's house.
She was wrapped in a blanket, sneezing, her cheeks flushed red, clearly frustrated.
She had been looking forward to this day for so long!
But yesterday's trip to the snowy mountains left her chilled, and today she had a fever!
"Can't you go, Lucy?" Natsu looked at her, reaching out to place a hand on her forehead.
Lucy's cheeks reddened further, whether from the fever or embarrassment.
"I want to..." Lucy said with a teary voice, feeling pitiful. "But I can't."
"It's something you've been looking forward to for a long time," Natsu said.
"Yes, but... Achoo!" Lucy quickly turned her head and said, "Stay away from me, don't catch my cold."
"I see..." Natsu looked a bit lonely.
"Sorry, but..." Lucy collapsed onto the bed and said, "I need to sleep. You guys go ahead."
"Alright." Natsu nodded reluctantly, pulling the blanket over Lucy.
Lucy hadn't closed her eyes yet. Seeing Natsu's gesture, her beautiful eyes shimmered.
But soon, she couldn't hold on anymore and fell fast asleep.
"Let's not disturb her," Natsu said.
"Maybe we should ask Jehfrit for help? Doesn't he know how to make magical potions?" Happy suggested.
"Oh yeah!" Natsu snapped his fingers.
At Jehfrit's house,
Ikuto was packing camping gear.
Jehfrit and Emily were engaged in a magical duel, exchanging simple elemental attacks.
This tested the speed of casting spells and adaptability.
*Bam* Jehfrit shot a fireball.
*Puff* Emily spat out water, followed by a ground spike, while Jehfrit turned the ground beneath him into an iron plate.
"Jehfrit!" Natsu climbed over the wall.
"What is it?" Jehfrit asked.
"Do you have any magical potion for treating a cold?"
"No," Jehfrit replied. "For that kind of potion, you need to find Lady Porlyusica."
"You're useless," Natsu muttered.
"...," Jehfrit was speechless.
"Let's go, Happy." Natsu climbed back over the wall.
"A potion for a cold? Is someone sick?" Emily asked curiously.
"Probably Lucy, that unlucky girl," Jehfrit said.
"Ah, isn't Lucy-san pitiful? She's been looking forward to this for so long," Emily sympathized.
"You can help fulfill her wish," Jehfrit smiled.
"Oh yeah!" Emily's eyes lit up. "After I see the cherry blossoms, I'll transform and show Lucy-san."
"Mm." Jehfrit ruffled her little head.
"It's time to go, Mr. Jehfrit, and Emily," Ikuto said.
"Let's go."
Jehfrit and the others arrived at the cherry blossom viewing spot.
Fairy Tail naturally had a reserved spot here.
Many people had already gathered.
"Huh?" Gray asked, "Where's Natsu?"
"Lucy-san is sick, so Natsu-nii went to find Grandma Porlyusica," Emily said.
"Ah..." Juvia gave a sympathetic look. "Poor Lucy-san."
"Mr. Jehfrit, everything is ready," Ikuto quietly working said.
She had already laid out the picnic blanket, and Jehfrit and Emily sat down.
Gray and Juvia joined them.
Everyone enjoyed the flowers while eating.
After some time,
Guild Master Makarov climbed onto a stage and announced, "Quiet!"
Gradually, everyone quieted down and gathered around the stage.
Mirajane stood on the stage, holding a card and said, "It's time for the annual bingo game at the flower-viewing party!"
"Yay!" Everyone cheered.
"This year, there are many luxurious prizes. Everyone, get pumped and participate enthusiastically!" Makarov announced.
Everyone pulled out their pre-prepared small cards.
"Master, let's try hard to win a prize!" Emily, participating for the first time, said excitedly.
"Alright." Jehfrit smiled and nodded.
Then, he turned to look aside.
Natsu came walking with his head hanging low.
"Natsu, you almost missed it," Gray said.
Juvia looked behind Natsu and noticed Lucy wasn't there. "Is Lady Porlyusica unavailable?"
Natsu shook his head and said, "She's not there."
"That's unfortunate," Juvia couldn't help but say.
Mirajane began organizing the bingo game.
Behind her was a spinning wheel corresponding to the holes on everyone's cards.
If your card's numbers matched those spun on the wheel, you won a prize.
Jehfrit's group wasn't lucky.
They didn't win any prizes throughout the game.
This left Emily a bit disappointed, though she wasn't particularly upset.
These prizes didn't hold much allure for her.
She'd experienced plenty of fun things.
Traveling? With a word, Jehfrit would take her anywhere.
She simply enjoyed the atmosphere. Winning was nice, but losing was fine too.
Actually, everyone felt the same way and wasn't disheartened.
Except for Natsu.
"Natsu, you shouldn't be this down just because you didn't win. Your head's practically buried in your scarf," Makao laughed.
"Ah..." Natsu casually tossed his card aside and said, bored, "I'm going home."
"What's wrong with that guy?" Everyone was puzzled.
"He's missing his cheerleader," Jehfrit said.
"Cheerleader?" Emily blinked, then covered her mouth and giggled.
Time gradually passed.
Everyone dispersed.
Jehfrit also returned home.
At that moment, Natsu suddenly showed up.
His face full of excitement, he said, "Jehfrit, come help me!"
"What for?" Jehfrit looked at Natsu and Gray beside him, puzzled.
"No time to explain, just come!" Natsu pulled Jehfrit and ran.
"Master, wait for me!" Emily quickly followed.
Everyone returned under the cherry blossom tree.
"What's going on?" Jehfrit asked.
*Clang*
Natsu pulled out two shovels and said, "I'm digging up the cherry blossom tree and showing it to Lucy."
"Your idea is really..." Gray didn't know what to say. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Then let's hurry up and do it!"
"I'm not doing manual labor," Jehfrit said.
"We need you to deceive everyone. If we get caught, it'll be troublesome," Natsu said.
"Alright."
Jehfrit nodded.
He cast his magic, making everyone nearby unable to see Natsu and the others' actions.
Natsu and Gray picked up their shovels and worked furiously.
"Lucy."
"Lucy."
Lucy was awakened by Happy shaking her.
"What is it?" She opened her eyes groggily, feeling her strength returning and her symptoms easing.
"Look outside," Happy said.
Outside?
It was a bit noisy.
Lucy got up and pushed open the window, stunned in place.
Cherry blossoms filled the sky.
A large ship, carrying a cherry blossom tree, slowly approached and stopped in front of her window.
Under the glow of lights, it was colorful and stunningly beautiful.
"Lucy!" On the ship, Natsu waved his hand.
Beside him were Gray, Jehfrit, Erza, Wendy, Mirajane, and others.
These people, of course, were brought by Jehfrit.
"Everyone..." Lucy covered her mouth, tears streaming from her eyes, disbelief written all over her face.
"Whoo—" Wendy blew a gust of wind, scattering cherry blossoms everywhere.
"It must succeed!" Emily pressed her index finger to her temple and cast her magic.
The swirling cherry blossoms gradually formed a human shape, and Natsu stepped out from the blossoms.
Gray created an ice platform, and Natsu stood on it, moving toward Lucy, holding a card.
"Lucy, let's play bingo," Natsu grinned.
"Okay!" Lucy took the card.
Below, Mirajane said, "Miss Lucy, press the middle hole."
Lucy pressed the hole.
Then Mirajane spun the wheel.
"Number 7!" A number appeared on the wheel.
"I won!" Lucy exclaimed, looking at her punched-out number.
"Congratulations, Lucy. It's a supermarket discount coupon sponsored by a mysterious benefactor—fifty of them!" Mirajane announced.
"Not bad..." Gray glanced at Jehfrit.
"...," Jehfrit said, "Very practical, isn't it?"
"Congratulations, Lucy," Natsu laughed.
"Congratulations, Miss Lucy."
"Congratulations, Lucy-nee."
Everyone offered their congratulations.
"Thank you all..." Lucy couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears, "I love Fairy Tail the most!!!"