Returning to Magnolia.
Jehfrit followed his usual routine - checking in at the guild before planning to focus on crafting Teal 7.0.
"Ah, Jehfrit, you've returned just in time!"
Before he could settle in, Natsu slung an arm around his neck.
"What is it?" Jehfrit asked, puzzled.
"That guy Loke gave us tickets to Paradise Resort - super luxurious place! Let's all go together!" Natsu exclaimed excitedly.
"Loke? Since when is he so generous?" Jehfrit wondered aloud.
"Yeah, I'm heading back to the Celestial Spirit World soon, so I prepared gifts for everyone," Loke explained. "Jehfrit, yours is separate. You've helped me quite a bit over the years."
"Oh?" Jehfrit tilted his head slightly.
Loke handed over a paper box, "Go ahead, open it."
"...Why don't you two open it instead?" Jehfrit suggested, noticing Natsu and Happy's curious faces.
"Eh? But Loke gave it to you," Natsu protested.
"It's fine - it's mine, but you can open it too," Jehfrit smiled.
"Alright!"
"Aye!"
Natsu and Happy eagerly opened the box.
*Poof*
Red gas burst out, spraying directly onto Natsu and Happy's faces.
"What? It's just alcohol," Natsu scratched his head.
"Hahaha, too bad," Loke feigned disappointment, "Jehfrit didn't fall for it."
"Speaking of which, Loke, you brought wine, right? Beer might be manageable, but if Jehfrit got drunk on wine..." Gray started.
"Eh? What's the difference?" Lucy questioned, then quickly stopped herself as Jehfrit smiled at her.
"Well, passing out isn't the only outcome... with wine..." Gray considered.
"Gray." Jehfrit interrupted in a low voice, "Let me reiterate - my abstinence from alcohol stems from my father's advice, not inability. Don't spread rumors just because you've knocked me out with sleeping pills a few times, or tricked me with potions, or even succeeded with Mystogan's hypnosis magic."
"You're really stubborn about this," Erza sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Happy chimed in, "Like how Jehfrit always claims he can't catch fish because..."
"In winter, fish hibernate due to cold weather," Natsu continued.
"In summer, they sink deep to escape heat," Gray added.
"...Indeed," Jehfrit adjusted his glasses, a frightening glint flashing across the lenses.
"Stop it! Jehfrit, don't take it to heart!" Lucy looked frightened.
"I'm not afraid of you, Jehfrit! Bring it on if you want to fight!" Natsu rolled up his sleeves.
"Me neither!" Gray declared seriously.
"Why would I fight? I'm a peaceful and reasonable person," Jehfrit smiled.
"Enough," Erza cut in, "Anyway, we can discuss during the trip. We have just enough tickets. If you're free, join us, Jehfrit."
"Alright," Jehfrit nodded, then added, "But let me unload first."
He pulled out a card, tossing it onto the ground.
*Rumble*
Various packages suddenly appeared in a pile.
"What's this?"
Everyone curiously gathered around.
"Small gifts for everyone - labeled with names," Jehfrit explained.
"Thanks, Jehfrit," came the chorus of appreciation.
"Let's go," Erza announced.
"Yay!" Natsu dragged Lucy along at a run.
"Wait, slow down, Natsu!" Lucy called out, picking up her pace to match him.
"Lucy's stamina has improved," Jehfrit observed.
"Will Lucy become a muscle girl?" Happy teased.
"Of course not!!!" Lucy shouted from afar.
Everyone boarded the vehicle.
Natsu instantly sprawled out.
Jehfrit took the window seat, Gray sat in the middle, while Erza held Happy on one side.
As usual, Natsu lay across the seat, face resting on Lucy's lap, eyes closed in discomfort.
"By the way..." Happy looked at Jehfrit, "Can't you use your magic to trick Natsu into not getting motion sickness?"
"Ah..." Jehfrit shook his head, "I can't."
This was a flaw inherent to Dragon Slayer magic. Unless they resolved it themselves, Jehfrit's deception magic couldn't override magical fundamentals.
No magic was perfect - hence why mages studied and developed their abilities.
"By the way, what have you been up to recently?" Jehfrit asked curiously.
Happy eagerly launched into recent events:
First, Lucy went home intending to tell her father that Fairy Tail was now her family too, and she wanted independence.
Worried about her, Natsu and others had accompanied her.
Then there was Loke's true identity - Leo, the Lion Spirit.
After witnessing his previous master abusing spirits, leading to her death, he'd been exiled. Recently, Lucy had accepted him as her spirit, allowing him to return to the Spirit World.
Listening, Jehfrit watched Natsu lying on Lucy's lap while she gently massaged his head - ineffective against motion sickness, of course.
Smiling, Jehfrit asked, "Did Natsu get any recognition?"
"???"
Everyone paused.
Happy recovered first, teasing, "Though Lucy's father seemed strict, others praised Natsu."
Lucy blushed, understanding Jehfrit's implication.
"Mmm..." Gray commented awkwardly, "I suppose Natsu did get some approval."
Lucy's ears turned red as she vigorously ruffled Natsu's hair.
"Ow, Lucy!" Natsu whined.
"Ah, sorry!" Lucy quickly stopped.
Erza wore a satisfied smile.
"They're close~Love is in the air." Happy covered his mouth, making strange noises.
"Nooo-" Lucy covered her head, visibly embarrassed.
At sea, a ship rocked through waves.
At the bow, a beautiful woman in a fine kimono with pink hair sat gracefully.
She placed her katana across her lap, holding a group photo - many children in the picture.
"Emily," she murmured, lips painted red, her face full of worry.
"Captain, since we've taken the mission, don't dwell on it," advised a burly man with an owl's head. "Carrying out our commission properly is justice!"
"Harming innocents isn't justice," she sighed.
"But aren't you earning money to treat your sister? She'll die without treatment," the owl-headed man reminded.
"...I see," she raised her head, looking at the approaching tower, tightening her lips.
Inside the cabin...
Soft voices conversed.
"Udaru Das, the decision regarding the Triforce Captain position rests with you."
"Thank you, President, for this opportunity. That position will be mine!"