*BOOM*
But Deliora slammed him down with a punch.
Ansa grabbed Jehfrit in retaliation, only to realize he'd caught a red-threaded fist instead of Jehfrit's actual arm!
*CRASH*
Deliora delivered another punch.
Ansa had barely managed to rise when he was smashed back down.
He got up again and lashed out with a kick.
*BOOM*
Teal went flying.
Deliora struck again with another devastating punch!
"It's like art," Ikuto said in awe.
"Yeah," Emily nodded.
Jehfrit had truly taken deception to its absolute peak!
Every one of his attacks was real!
Yet every blow Ansa landed hit nothing but illusions!
Jehfrit hid behind the truth.
If they weren't observing from the sidelines, imagining themselves in this situation, it would feel utterly hopeless!
*BOOM*
Ansa unleashed a burst of magic, tearing the ground apart to finally drive Jehfrit away.
*CRASH*
But the very next second, countless red threads rained down from the sky, piercing through the earth and slamming Ansa brutally into the ground!
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
A barrage of spells followed.
Ansa scrambled to respond.
Some were real, some were fake.
He couldn't tell the difference at all!
*BOOM*
Suddenly, a massive force erupted beneath him—a gaping hole had appeared under his feet without warning!
He started to plummet!
Startled, Ansa reached out to grab the edge of the pit.
But his body was yanked upward, and he was thrown into a judo throw!
He crashed heavily onto the ground!
Disorientation, imbalance—everything was thrown at him!
Blindness, deafness—all piled on as well!
And then came simulated attacks from the entire guild. These were all illusions, yet wrapped in real attacks, which in turn were layered with more illusions—he'd never land a hit on Jehfrit!
"This guy is just a punching bag!" Lucy couldn't help but comment.
"How much time is left?" Erza asked.
"Forty seconds!" Ikuto replied.
The group's emotions surged.
At this rate—
They could win!
But just as that thought crossed their minds—
*BOOM*
Jehfrit was suddenly sent flying backward.
*Clatter*
The golden halo behind him dimmed, and the cards scattered everywhere.
A shield fell from the sky, stained with blood.
A slip of paper drifted down slowly, bearing the words: *Sorry, Jehfrit. I've lost too much blood. This is all the strength I have left.*
It was written by Tiffanya.
The red-thread locks were crafted from her own blood.
Normally, she used them sparingly, often just wrapping them around her fists to form gauntlets.
Only Jehfrit had borrowed them twice—and both times, he'd used them extensively.
The first time was manageable, but this time, he'd drained her so completely that she was now in critical condition from blood loss. Her magic reserves were entirely depleted, leaving nothing more to give!
Knowing Jehfrit was surely facing a powerful enemy, she had no choice but to sever their magical link.
If she didn't, she'd die before him—but she trusted that if Jehfrit were truly in mortal danger, Miko would break her principles and step in!
And because Tiffanya severed the connection, a chain reaction occurred.
Caught off guard, Jehfrit was sent flying by Ansa.
"I'll kill you!"
Ansa counterattacked!
*BOOM*
Jehfrit raised the shield Tiffanya had created with her last reserves of magic and blood to block an attack, but Ansa tore through it and pinned his arms and legs.
*CRASH*
Ansa delivered a brutal punch, shaking the entire earth!
"Jehfrit!" the group cried out.
"My turn!" Ansa laughed maniacally, unleashing a flurry of blows on Jehfrit.
Magic, punches, kicks—anything he could use, he did!
Jehfrit barely raised his arm before Ansa grabbed him and slammed him into a judo throw!
*Snap*
His arm dislocated.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Ansa leapt high into the air and stomped down hard on Jehfrit!
"Jehfrit!!!"
Mirajane's magic was already depleted, but gritting her teeth, she charged forward anyway.
*Slap* Ansa grabbed her by the neck!
"You son of a bitch!!!"
Jehfrit went berserk, flooding Ansa's body with magic!
Ansa's brain felt disconnected from his body, as though his soul were imprisoned!
"Don't touch my children!" Makarov, despite his injuries, transformed into a giant and delivered a crushing punch that sent Ansa sprawling.
Jehfrit seized the moment to wrap his arms around Ansa from behind.
"Hit him!" Gray roared.
"Even if our magic is drained, it doesn't matter!" Natsu and Lucy struggled to their feet. "We'll squeeze out tomorrow's magic, the day after tomorrow's magic—whatever it takes!"
"Don't underestimate Dragon Slayers!!!!"
*BOOM*
Natsu's magic flared once more—not much, but enough to inspire hope!
"We are Fairy Tail!" Erza leaned on her sword as she stood.
"Because I am Laxus!" Laxus clutched his chest.
"I will protect everyone in the guild!" Gildarts rose with Kana's support.
"Fairy Tail never fears any enemy and never abandons a comrade!" Mystogan declared.
"Ansa, you bastard!" Natsu charged forward. "You picked the wrong people to mess with!"
"Natsu!!!!" Jehfrit transferred his magic to him.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"
"Hidden Fire Form —"
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!!!"
Natsu transformed into a flaming sword of gold and orange, charging straight at Ansa.
Ansa tried to resist, but the moment he touched the flames, all his senses were completely disrupted!
*BOOM*
Natsu delivered a punch that sent Ansa flying.
"This is our last bit of strength!" Lucy shouted.
"To hell with you!" Gray summoned his final Ice Make spell: Ice Geyser.
*SWOOSH*
*BOOM*
*THUD*
The attack landed.
Everyone collapsed, utterly spent.
"Is that all?"
Ansa slowly climbed to his feet. Though battered and broken, as a demon, his health bar was absurdly thick. Even after taking such damage, he wasn't in mortal danger.
He advanced toward Jehfrit.
Jehfrit helped Mirajane to a half-standing wall and leaned her against it.
"Master!" Emily tried to rush over but was held back tightly by the Exceeds.
"Cough cough, Jehfrit." Mirajane looked weakly at him, forcing a smile.
Jehfrit gazed at her neck. Her once fair skin was now blood-red, marked with a clear handprint—courtesy of Ansa's earlier grip.
He reached out and gently traced the mark.
"I'm fine," Mirajane smiled.
*Sigh*
Jehfrit retracted all his externalized magic and located a "door," transmitting himself to Tiffanya's location.
"Given up?" Ansa smirked.
"No—"
"The magic show is ending, and it's reaching its climax."
Jehfrit stood tall, surveying the crowd with a confident smile under the expectant gazes of everyone.
"Jehfrit, die!" Ansa charged at him.
"Everyone—" Unfazed, Jehfrit turned his back to Ansa, spreading his arms wide as if basking in applause.
"Behold—"
"The miracle of magic!"
*Thud*
Just five meters away from Jehfrit, Ansa suddenly collapsed face-first.
"..."
Dead silence filled the area.
Jehfrit spoke. "This has been a collaborative magical performance by everyone from both our worlds. Thank you for watching."
"Jehfrit!!!" Ansa struggled to get up.
Jehfrit twirled his wrist twice, then bowed deeply while lowering his hand. "Now, the curtain falls."
*BOOM*
Ansa collapsed heavily, unable to move.
They won!!!
Everyone erupted in cheers.
This was Jehfrit's miracle!
And also the miracle brought about by everyone's efforts!
The perfect cooperation between the strongest fighters from both worlds had worn down Ansa's magic significantly.
Jehfrit's impeccable support ensured that not a single ally died during the intense battle.
After everyone else retreated, a few Dragon Slayers and Jehfrit's relentless assault had whittled down half of Ansa's health bar.
Jehfrit's explosive release of magic had left Ansa incapacitated.
Finally, in their darkest hour,
everyone poured out their last ounce of strength, saving Jehfrit and Mirajane while successfully holding on for the final crucial seconds.
Twelve minutes!
Everyone had given their all!
One link connected to another; every single person pushed past their limits!
And then the miracle happened!
This wasn't just Jehfrit's solo performance—it was a miracle created by everyone on stage, each an irreplaceable lead actor!
"Fairy Tail—" Emily shouted with excitement: "The best!"
She ran over and threw herself into Jehfrit's arms, proclaiming with admiration, "Master, Deception Magic is the magic of miracles!"
"Heh heh." Jehfrit smiled warmly.
"Waaaahhh!" The little girl burst into tears.
She had been so tense just moments ago.
Seeing everyone injured.
Seeing her master fight personally.
Thinking victory was secured when he suppressed Ansa, only for the situation to reverse instantly.
Watching her master get beaten mercilessly by that powerful demon—he wasn't as tough as Natsu or Gajeel. Everyone was worried, especially her. If the Exceeds hadn't held her back, she would've rushed in long ago.
But!
They won!
Everyone held on until the very last second!
And her master delivered the perfect finale—a miraculous conclusion only possible through Deception Magic!
Ansa, who had seemed invincible, suddenly collapsed, like a magic trick—
No, this was a grand illusion!
An enemy no one could defeat, a demon capable of destroying the world!
And yet, he fell at her master's feet!
Fifteen minutes!
Every second was a miracle!
Especially the moment Ansa collapsed!
Learning Deception Magic was truly the best decision ever!
*Sigh*
In a certain inn in Edolas.
Tiffanya, her skin pale, leaned against the wall and exhaled in relief.
"What kind of existence did that guy run into? He nearly drained me dry."
She sensed the magic Jehfrit had returned to her and pouted. "Deception magic isn't something I can even use."
"Sigh."
She sighed again. "I'll have to put my mission on hold. In this state, I can't possibly take on any tasks."
After catching her breath, she turned and headed downstairs.
"Bring me ten servings of meat!"
"No! Twenty servings!" She changed her mind and muttered to herself, "I'll make sure to keep track of the bill. I'll get him to reimburse me later!"
The royal city lay in ruins.
Though the enemy had been defeated,
the citizens couldn't rejoice.
Their homes were gone.
After resting for a while and regaining some strength,
Mystogan, supported by Ed-Erza, walked to the city walls and addressed the sorrowful populace. "As long as people are alive, everything can start anew!"
"The Kingdom of Edolas will not be defeated by any hardship!"
All the citizens gazed at the vibrant heir to the throne.
Ed-Jehfrit suddenly shouted, "Long live King Jellal!"
"Long live King Jellal!"
Instantly, the entire crowd joined in.
Amidst the cheers, Mystogan looked toward the members of Fairy Tail.
Slowly, they raised their hands—palms facing outward, index fingers and thumbs forming a circle pointing skyward.
This was Fairy Tail's iconic gesture, an agreement between Laxus and Makarov.
Now, it was a promise shared by all comrades!
"Even if we never meet again, the bonds of family will never be severed!"
Lucy said emotionally.
"..." Jehfrit adjusted his glasses and said, "Who said we'd never meet again?"
"???" Everyone turned to look at him.
"I might just perform a box-to-human magic trick someday," Jehfrit chuckled.