Fairy Tail: The Fraud Mage

"Hah…"

With their enemies defeated, Gajeel finally let out a breath and collapsed to one knee.

"Gajeel!" Levy rushed to his side.

"I'm fine. Just... need more iron," Gajeel grinned weakly.

"On it." Levy quickly conjured up some steel for him.

The moment he bit into the metal, Gajeel's strength began to return—his wounds slowly closing before their eyes.

"Levy! Gajeel! What happened?!" Erza's voice rang out as she dashed over from the woods.

She had just recovered from her earlier match with Elfman and Evergreen and was taking a quick rinse in the river when she sensed the battle. The unfamiliar magic signatures sent her running.

"Erza," Levy breathed in relief, immediately recounting everything that had just happened.

"This is bad…" Erza frowned, pulling a flare from her belt. "Grimoire Heart has made its move."

"They're way more dangerous than Oración Seis. And their Seven Kin of Purgatory are another level entirely."

Fwoosh!

A red flare shot into the sky—signaling the entire island: prepare for full combat.

On a cliff nearby…

"Mr. Mest, what's that light?" Wendy asked curiously. She was still new to Fairy Tail and didn't recognize the signal.

"Ah… that? Uh…" Mest scratched his head, then suddenly clutched a rock and pretended to gnaw on it. "I have no idea!"

"Huh? You really don't know?" Wendy asked, puzzled.

Carla narrowed her eyes and turned to the blue Exceed beside her. "Happy… you know what that was, right?"

Happy blinked, tail stiff. "It means we've got enemies! That flare tells us to regroup—fast!"

Fwoosh!

A second flare lit up the sky—this time, gold.

"That's the Guild Master's signal," Happy said urgently. "We need to move, now!"

"Why are there enemies here?!" Wendy said, visibly shaken.

Carla's voice grew serious. "It's not just one. Two flares from two different places—this is a full-scale invasion."

Just then, Lily flew in fast, eyes sharp.

"Wendy, Carla, Happy—get away from that guy!"

"Wait—what?" Wendy blinked in confusion.

Boom!

Lily transformed into his massive form, stepping between the others and Mest with a glare full of suspicion.

"I've had a bad feeling about you," he said. "You claim you trained under Mystogan, but where did you learn that teleportation magic?"

"I… uh…" Mest faltered, clearly nervous.

"Wrong answer."

Lily wasn't buying it.

People from Edolas couldn't use magic on their own. Mystogan's magic came from enchanted staffs—he didn't teach traditional spells. Mest's abilities made no sense.

Even Wendy was beginning to see the cracks in his story.

"You're not one of us, are you?" Lily said. "You forged your identity, used memory-altering magic to sneak in under Mystogan's name."

"What are you talking about?" Mest gave a forced laugh.

"You didn't even recognize the guild's flare signals," Lily snapped. "That's your biggest mistake."

"Yeah!" Happy said, suddenly catching on. "Even I knew that one!"

Then Carla stepped forward, eyes cold. "Mest—Jehfrit knew who you were from the start."

Mest's eyes went wide.

"He knew from the beginning," Carla added, pulling out a card. "That's why he gave me this magic as a... 'bribe.' Even if the gift was a bit much."

Wendy's eyes widened. "So that's why… Mest! Who are you, really?!"

Mest sighed and was about to answer—when his pupils shrank in fear.

Swish!

He vanished in a flash of teleportation.

"Wendy!" Lily roared, flying after her.

Mest had grabbed Wendy, Carla, and Happy—then blinked away just before an explosion lit up the area where they'd been standing.

Boom!

Mushroom cloud.

They'd barely escaped.

"What the heck just happened?!" Wendy shouted.

"Enemy attack," Mest growled.

Lily flew back into position beside him. "If Jehfrit hasn't taken you out yet, that means you're not a direct threat—so for now, we fight side by side."

Mest didn't respond.

Instead, he and Lily turned toward the massive tree ahead.

A man's face appeared on the trunk, smiling with eerie calm.

"You're quick. Impressive," said the tree-face. "Name's Azuma. I'm one of Grimoire Heart's Seven Kin of Purgatory. Unfortunately… I'm here to kill you."

"Tch. Just my luck," Mest muttered. "Thought this would be a simple recon mission…"

"But now… Jehfrit, Zeref, Grimoire Heart—"

"Who are you really, Mest?!" Wendy demanded.

"You still don't get it?" he said, smirking darkly. "I'm with the Magic Council. I came here undercover to investigate Fairy Tail."

"What…?" Wendy looked devastated.

"I prepared for this," Mest said, eyes on Azuma. "I can't move against Fairy Tail anymore. But if I destroy Grimoire Heart… well, that's still a win."

Azuma chuckled. "You think you can destroy us? That's cute."

He pointed toward the sea, where several council warships had appeared.

"I summoned the Council's elite capture fleet," Mest said smugly.

Azuma cut him off.

"Oh, those?"

Boom!

Explosions rocked the sea—every last warship went up in flames.

"What?!" Mest stared in horror at the rising mushroom clouds. "That was the Council's best force!"

"What did you do?!" Wendy gasped.

"Exactly this." Azuma raised one hand.

"Wendy, watch out!" Carla and Happy grabbed her and flew upward.

Boom!

Another explosion wiped out the ground they'd just stood on.

"You bastard!" Lily roared, charging Azuma.

Azuma didn't even blink.

Tiny glowing spots appeared around Lily—then exploded, knocking him out of the sky.

"Damn!" Lily spread his wings, barely catching himself. "If only I had a sword—"

"Mest, we've got to fight back!" Wendy shouted.

"Agreed," he nodded. No point running now—there was no escape.

"Sky Dragon's Acceleration!"

"Steel Arm Strength!"

"Armor Boost!"

Wendy stacked buffs onto Lily, who immediately rushed to draw Azuma's focus.

"Happy—get behind me," Carla said, gripping the card Jehfrit had given her. "Wendy, lend me some magic power."

"Okay!" Wendy passed her energy over.

"Shared Magic—activate!"

Flash!

A blinding green light—and a gorgeous white-haired girl appeared, cat ears twitching, dressed in a school uniform.

Wendy blinked. "Why is… her chest so…"

Happy turned. His eyes went wide. His soul practically left his body.

Carla drew in a breath.

"Sky Dragon's… Roar!"

A blast of wind kicked up debris and dust—blocking Azuma's line of sight.

"Now!" Mest teleported behind Azuma with Wendy.

"Sky Dragon's Roar!"

"Towering Inferno!" Azuma's flames surged up, blasting both of them back.

"Wendy!" Lily shouted, only to get hit head-on by another explosion.

Boom!

He dropped.

"Carla—what do we do?!" Happy's voice trembled as he looked around at their fallen friends.

Carla clenched her teeth.

"Sky Dragon's—"

Boom!

Too slow. She was blasted away.

"Wendy… Carla… Lily…"

Happy stood alone.

Azuma stepped forward, sneering. "Only you left, little cat."

Happy turned and saw Carla lying motionless in her Exceed form, bloodied and broken.

A fire burned inside him.

Why?

Why am I so weak?

Why can't I protect anyone—like Natsu can?

I'm not strong like Lily. I'm not as useful as Laxus's Exceed, Pantherlily.

Even Carla… she can fight now.

But me…

He pulled out the last of Jehfrit's cards—and hurled one at Azuma.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Did nothing.

Azuma advanced, unstoppable.

"Happy… run…" Carla whispered.

"I…"

Tears streamed down Happy's face. And then—his own magic burst outward.

"How can I run?!"

"I'll never abandon my friends!"

"Even if I'm weak—I'll fight!"

"Even if I die—I'll fight!"

"Because I'm a wizard of Fairy Tail!!!"

He threw the rest of the cards in the air, tears flying, eyes blazing.

The ground split open—Azuma sank slightly as a swamp formed beneath him.

He shrugged it off.

A windstorm howled. Azuma blasted it away.

Fire flared—he waved it aside.

Card after card failed. Azuma walked straight through.

Until he stood before Happy.

Happy drew a short sword—his final defense.

Azuma formed one from leaves in his hand and slashed downward.

"Raaaahhh!"

Happy screamed, swinging his blade with everything he had.

Crack!

Happy's sword shattered.

But Azuma's sword never landed.

Clang!

A staff blocked the blow.

Azuma's eyes widened. He jumped back fast—putting ten meters between him and the new arrival.

When had this man gotten so close?

Azuma could sense teleportation. This wasn't that. He hadn't noticed anything.

If this guy had attacked instead of defending, he might already be dead.

"Jehfrit!" Happy shouted, tears breaking free. "You're always late!"

"Sorry, Happy," Jehfrit smiled warmly.

Of course, it wasn't his real body. Just another illusion.

"I want power," Happy sobbed. "Power to protect everyone!"

"I understand," Jehfrit said, crouching to ruffle his fur. "Leave this to me."

"Jehfrit," Happy said, turning back toward Carla, "take him down."

"Gladly."

Jehfrit's smile faded into calm focus as he faced Azuma.

"Fairy Tail's Elegant Magician."

"I know who you are," Azuma said, suddenly very serious.

Now the tables had turned.

Before, Azuma had exuded confidence—an overwhelming presence. But now? He looked uneasy.

He launched "Branch Blade!"—but the swords passed right through Jehfrit.

Tap.

A blade rested lightly on Azuma's shoulder.

Drip.

Sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Towering Inferno!"

Azuma exploded in flames—then teleported behind a tree.

Tap.

The sword rested on his shoulder again—closer this time.

He turned slowly. Jehfrit was right there.

"Point-blank detonation!"

Boom!

Trees were obliterated.

Tap.

The blade was now at his throat.

Azuma's heart dropped.

He was being toyed with.

Just like he had done to Happy—dragging out the fear, savoring the helplessness.

That same blade... kept getting closer.

He had one last shot!

"Roaring Hive!"

Tree branches swarmed, exploding everywhere. He slipped into the trees—vanished.

And re-emerged closest to Happy.

Shlick.

A red line opened across his neck.

He clutched his throat and vanished back into the roots.

This time, he stayed underground.

He sent vines to seize Happy and Carla.

But—no reaction. They'd turned to stone.

The real Happy was already flying upward with Carla in tow.

"Damn it!"

Azuma summoned a massive tree-serpent—twisting and rising toward the sky.

But it wasn't long enough.

He moved closer.

Boom!

A powerful blast knocked him from the roots.

Slash!

A searing pain tore across his back.

He rolled away, panting—and looked up at his attacker.

Jehfrit stood there, calm as ever, a polite smile on his face.

Sword resting on his shoulder.

Chin tilted upward in silent challenge.

Azuma felt his heart clench.

He liked fighting strong opponents—but this wasn't a fight anymore.

This was a death sentence.