Magnolia Station.
Natsu and Gray were arguing.
Lucy and Happy sat on a bench chatting.
"Shh"
A carriage stopped in front of Lucy.
Jehfrit stepped down from the carriage.
Today, he was dressed in light colors and wearing a hat.
"Mr. Jehfrit, your luggage," the coachman brought down the suitcase.
"Thank you." Jehfrit paid the fare and gave a generous tip of half the carriage fee.
"Morning, Mr. Jehfrit," Lucy greeted with a lifeless tone.
"Good morning, Miss Lucy."
Jehfrit sat next to Lucy and asked, "Why do you look so unhappy?"
"Haa—" Lucy sighed deeply and said, "My abilities aren't that strong to begin with, and Natsu and Gray are like this. I'm very worried about what to do when we encounter enemies."
"Don't worry." Jehfrit smiled and said, "Natsu and Gray are very reliable. Erza can lead us to victory effortlessly."
"What about Mr. Jehfrit?" Lucy asked.
She thought Jehfrit, though not as gentlemanly as he appeared, was rather mischievous and enjoyed teasing people. This proved that Jehfrit was highly intelligent and rational.
As a teammate, he would be very dependable, as Mira had said.
Unlike Natsu and Gray who were impulsive.
And
Erza also seemed quite reckless.
"I'm not good at frontal combat, and Miss Lucy, as a Celestial Spirit Mage, is similar."
Jehfrit took out a card and said, "This is something that can save your life. When you're in danger, spread your legs, hold it high with your left hand, cover your face with your right hand, and shout the incantation 'I am the mage of dark flames, ignorant one, be devoured by the pitch-black flames.' Then, you'll be safe."
"Really? Something like a playing card can... You're not fooling me, are you?" Lucy sounded skeptical.
"I wouldn't lie to you, this is no small matter." Jehfrit said seriously.
"Thank you!" Lucy gratefully accepted the card but hesitantly asked, "Do I have to do these actions and recite this?"
"Yes, absolutely. Remember what I just said; don't miss anything, or it might not work!" Jehfrit said earnestly. "Or, would you like to try it now?"
"No!" Lucy quickly refused.
"Then make sure you remember it clearly; it's a matter of life and death!"
"Mm-hmm." Lucy nodded, silently repeating the incantation in her mind.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Erza arrived dragging a large cart of luggage. Natsu and Gray immediately became best friends, arms around each other's shoulders.
"Lucy," Erza looked at Lucy and smiled, saying, "I heard that you defeated a mercenary gorilla with just one finger. Thank you for joining us; this mission will surely succeed!"
"Eh?!" Lucy was startled, feeling honored under Erza's expectant and grateful gaze.
But defeating a gorilla with one finger was nothing but a rumor!
If she showed weakness in battle, would she...
"Erza, don't put too much pressure on the newcomer." Jehfrit said.
"Jehfrit!" Lucy looked at him gratefully. He really was a reliable and kind person!
"Jehfrit." Erza frowned at him and sternly said, "You'd better feel some pressure. This task is very troublesome!"
"I understand." Jehfrit nodded, making no objections.
Eisenwald? Troublesome?
A guild leader couldn't even beat Natsu.
There was even a fool who blew Lullaby to his master's brother.
Fairy Tail haven't been really beaten by a legal guild before.
He came this time just for a vacation and to have some fun.
He glanced at Lucy, who immediately returned a grateful look, and he smiled gently.
Lucy
What a naive and interesting child.
"Toot toot toot"
Natsu, who had been full of fighting spirit before departure, was now lying on the seat, his head resting on Erza's lap, looking miserable.
Jehfrit leaned against the window, watching the scenery outside.
Erza was recounting the events.
While returning from completing a mission, she heard news about the dark guild Eisenwald.
They had found the cursed flute Lullaby and were planning a big conspiracy.
Erza decided to take everyone and storm into Eisenwald!
"Lucy, there's a lot of soup coming out." Happy said.
"That's sweat," Lucy was trembling all over from fear of Erza's plan.
Jehfrit cast a glance.
Though Lucy could be very reliable in critical moments, her timid demeanor was also amusing.
The group chatted idly until they reached Onibas Station.
After getting off the train and until it departed,
Happy asked, "By the way, where's Natsu?"
"."
"Natsu was left on the train!" Lucy belatedly shouted.
"It's all my fault. I should've known he can't handle transportation!" Erza felt extremely guilty.
"Don't worry, right, Jehfrit?" Gray looked at Jehfrit and said, "You're not a careless guy."
He trusted Jehfrit completely in some matters but not in others.
Jehfrit gave a faint smile, and his figure slowly disappeared.
"Eh?" Lucy was taken aback.
"With Jehfrit's magic, as long as he stays within a certain range, he won't be affected. He must be on the train." Gray consoled.
"Why didn't you remind us, Jehfrit!" Erza angrily said.
"With him taking care of Natsu, there shouldn't be any problem." Lucy felt reassured.
On the other side.
On the train.
'Bang'
Kageyama, the dark mage of Eisenwald, stepped on Natsu's face arrogantly and said, "Don't get cocky just because you're from a legitimate guild, little fairy."
This ignited Natsu's anger.
But just as he was about to cause a commotion, the train continued moving, and his magic dissipated, leaving him without any fighting power.
Kageyama mercilessly beat the already weakened Natsu.
Not far away.
Jehfrit sat calmly and did not intervene.
Natsu had thick skin and wasn't some delicate flower. This level of attack was, at most, like a massage.
At this moment, the train suddenly stopped.
The sudden change caused Kageyama to lose balance and fall forward.
The hideous flute thus rolled onto the floor.
Only then did Jehfrit walk over, pick it up, and place a fake flute he had casually made last night on the ground.
Kageyama didn't see this series of actions. He hastily picked up the fake Lullaby.
"You bastard, how dare you hit me!"
Natsu revived on the spot, his hands gathering flames, preparing for a fierce strike.
"All right, don't destroy the carriage. Save your money. You're not a kid anymore. How will you chase girls if you're broke?"
Jehfrit tapped Natsu on the head, then remembered that Lucy was quite wealthy and willingly giving, so Natsu had someone to support him, unlike himself!
Thinking of this, he suddenly regretted tapping lightly!
"Jehfrit, why are you on the train? Were you just watching the show while I got beaten up?!" Natsu redirected his anger towards Jehfrit.
"Yes, I saw your pathetic state, Natsu." Jehfrit's voice came from behind Kageyama.
"When?" Kageyama was startled and just as he turned around, he was kicked down by Jehfrit.