Fairy Tail: The Fraud Mage

"Makarov's grandson, huh..." Hades chuckled. "Seems like a promising young man. A shame he'll die here."

"I won't let you kill anyone," Makarov said, shielding Laxus with his arm. "And you won't be able to."

"Master Precht, whatever you've gone through or however strong you've become, remember this: the young of Fairy Tail will always rise, overcome enemies, and protect their family."

Hades laughed. "Spoken like a relic of the past. You've grown outdated, Makarov. Today, I'll show you just how much."

Makarov struck first, but not before calling out, "Laxus, watch his movements. Study his magic."

Laxus nodded solemnly. "Got it."

All around them, Grimoire Heart troops descended from the skies. The battlefield plunged into chaos.

As usual, Natsu got carried away with the thrill of battle and drifted away from Lucy, Elfman, and Evergreen.

"Damn it! Interrupting my S-Class exam!" Natsu roared, his flames blasting through a dozen dark wizards.

"Terrifying!"

"So this is the Fire Dragon?!"

"Incredible!"

Among the chaos, a voice scoffed.

Everyone turned. "It's Zancrow!"

A blond youth stood atop a cliff, clearly ticked off.

"You dare say he's strong?! Hah?!"

Zancrow spread his arms wide, his arrogance flaring. "There is no guild greater than Grimoire Heart!"

Dark fire exploded around him.

Natsu narrowed his eyes. This magic felt dangerous—deadly.

Zancrow snarled at his own allies. "Our guild doesn't need weaklings like you!"

With a violent blast, he incinerated his fellow dark wizards, laughing maniacally as their screams echoed.

"You bastard! How could you do that to your own comrades?!" Natsu shouted.

"Comrades?" Zancrow sneered. "You soft-hearted idiots and your weak little guilds..."

He hurled a jet of black flame.

"Fire doesn't work on me!" Natsu braced for impact, intending to absorb it—

Only to be burned.

"It hurts?! I can't absorb it?!"

Natsu quickly countered with his own flames, dispelling the black fire with raw force.

His resistance and resilience helped him shake it off—but he was rattled.

Zancrow leapt down to meet him.

"What kind of flame is that?!" Natsu demanded.

"You're a Fire Dragon Slayer? Pathetic. You think a dragon's fire can devour a god's fire?"

"God's fire?!"

"My flames are divine! I wield the flames of a God Slayer!"

"A God Slayer?! That's a real thing?!"

From afar, Jehfrit watched. "Kid sure knows how to brag."

"Jehfrit, are you there?!" Natsu called out.

"I am."

"What the heck is God Slayer Magic?!"

"Just fancy fire magic. Nothing you can't handle."

"But I couldn't absorb it."

"He tricked you. You've absorbed even my Deception Magic. His fire isn't special. If it were truly superior, trust me—Zeref would've made it mandatory learning."

Natsu grinned. "So I can punch him."

"Exactly. Go beat his smug face in."

"I'm Zancrow of the Seven Kin of Purgatory," the fire mage declared.

"Don't care." Natsu grinned. "Jehfrit said to kick your ass, so that's what I'm gonna do."

"Fire Dragon Roar!"

"Ignorant fool! Take this—Flame God Bellow!"

The clashing firestorms tore apart the forest, wind howling, trees falling.

"Igneel isn't a lizard—he's a dragon!" Natsu roared, launching a series of attacks.

They traded punches, flame for flame.

"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"

"Flame God Judgment!"

Jehfrit commented, "His moves are clearly copy-pasted off Dragon Slayer spells."

"Stop distracting me!" Natsu yelled mid-air as he got knocked flying.

Jehfrit chuckled. "Sorry, sorry."

"I've got this! Go protect Lucy and the others!"

"Not even near you right now. Couldn't help if I wanted to."

"Damn you!"

Zancrow landed near him.

Natsu countered with another roar, but Zancrow devoured the flames.

"You really didn't know? The gods gave humans fire. It's divine! It devours all!"

"Shut it! You're just a knockoff!"

"WHAT?!"

"I learned from a real dragon. You? A dude who calls himself a god? Please."

"My flames are divine!"

"Whatever. You need a black robe and more theatrics to sell it."

"You ignorant brat!"

"You're the one talking nonsense! Jehfrit said it best: sometimes the only way to knock sense into guys like you is through your face!"

"Enough talking!"

"Bring it! My dragon fire is the real deal!"

Meanwhile, Elfman, Evergreen, and Lucy were still fighting after earlier battles had worn them down.

Suddenly, a monstrous armored beast launched a surprise attack.

"Lucy, watch out!"

A giant toad burst from the earth, catching the punch meant for Lucy in its mouth. It was hurled over a cliff.

"You...!"

Elfman and Evergreen turned to face the attacker—a silver-haired man in a fur coat, glasses glinting.

"Nice job, Belcusas," he praised the armored beast.

"You... One of the Seven Kin of Purgatory?" Elfman asked.

"Correct. My name is Rustyrose."

Evergreen gave Elfman a nod.

He returned her look—no words needed.

"Go play with them, Belcusas."

"Beast Soul!" Elfman charged.

The giant toad finally came to a stop deep in the woods.

"Miss Lucy, are you okay?" it asked, releasing her gently.

"Thank you!"

"Protecting you is our duty. Be careful—the enemy is near."

It vanished underground again.

From behind the trees, a goat-headed butler in a sharp suit and sunglasses appeared.

"Leo!" Lucy called, summoning her Celestial Spirit.

Balls of light formed around her.

"I am Caprico. One of the Seven Kin of Purgatory."

"Caprico?!" Leo's eyes widened. "You're the missing Capricorn from seventeen years ago!"

"You remember."

"Lucy, be careful. Capricorn is strong."

"I know." Lucy nodded.

Caprico seemed surprised. "Lucy...?"

He quickly masked the emotion behind his sunglasses.

Elsewhere.

"Cana?" Ikuto frowned. "You're still trying to finish the S-Class test? Now?!"

Cana stopped. "I won't give up, Ikuto."

"But we're under attack! Everyone's fighting."

"So what? You know Jehfrit."

Ikuto hesitated.

"If he's not panicking, we're fine. And this is my last chance to become S-Class!"

Ikuto fell silent.

"Help me, please."

"I... You may be right. But still—"

"I came here knowing I'd quit the guild if I failed!"

Ikuto was stunned.

"Forget it." Cana turned. "Thanks for helping me this far. But I'm going the rest of the way alone."

She ran off.

"Jehfrit... what should I do?" Ikuto muttered.

Cana ran, repeating apologies with every step.

"Sorry... sorry... sorry..."

This was it. Her last shot.

She had finally found the courage—but now everything was falling apart.

She slowed.

"Sorry, everyone. Sorry, Ikuto..."

She ground to a stop.

And a figure appeared before her.

"Jehfrit..."

Tears blurred her vision. She rushed forward and clung to him, sobbing.

"Jehfrit... Am I being selfish? What should I do...?"

Jehfrit gently rested his hand on her head. "That's why I said—say it all in one breath. First time, full energy. Second, it weakens. Third, it vanishes."

He had once tricked Gildarts into the woods on a dark, drunk night, tied him to a tree, and given Cana a golden opportunity.

She'd chickened out.

Time passed.

Then Gildarts left for three years.

When he returned, she swore she'd finally say it.

But then the island was attacked.

Now? S-Class or not. Confess or not. She was at the brink.

"Cana," Jehfrit said, lifting her chin. "You can do whatever you want. Be selfish."

Cana blinked.

He smiled. "Everyone in this guild puts up with my nonsense. So I'll put up with yours. That's what family means."

"No matter what it is—right or wrong—do what your heart tells you."

"Don't fear the consequences."

"Maybe Emily was right," he added, raising his hand. "Deception Magic fits me. And being the Deception Mage... fits this guild. Because it made me family."

"I'll protect you all. Go on. Be selfish, Cana."

She wiped her eyes. "You're late, you know. And those lines? They won't make me fall for you."

She pushed him and ran.

Then paused, turned back, and kissed his cheek.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Just a thank-you between friends. I'd rather not have Mira glaring at me."

Cana smiled and ran off.