Thought Projection? Wizard Saint?

When the twin blades carved through Jellal's magical defenses and struck his chest, he truly believed that would be the end.

A searing pain exploded across his torso as the blades left behind an X-shaped gash. His shirt tore open, and blood poured from the wounds. For a brief moment, consciousness nearly slipped away.

He knew it, he was no match for Erza in this state. But he couldn't afford to die. Not yet.

Clang! Clang!

The two swords slammed into the floor on either side of his neck, stopping just short of taking his life.

Erza exhaled sharply and sat down beside him. "What's your real goal here, Jellal? I've studied the R-System. Sure, the structure and theory are plausible… but the most important requirement is impossible to meet."

Despite everything, she was still trying to reach him with reason. That was just like Erza—unable to bring herself to finish off a former friend.

Jellal let out a sly chuckle, lips curling into a dangerous grin. "Didn't I already say it? The key requirement... is you, Erza. The perfect living sacrifice."

"It's not about the sacrifice!" Erza's voice sharpened, frustration flaring. "It's the magic power! You need 2.7 billion units of Ethernano to activate the R-System! Even if we gathered every wizard across the continent, we still might not have enough!"

Jellal fell silent. If he said any more, he'd risk giving something away. Better to change the subject. "Still planning to stay? In a few minutes, Etherion will fall."

"Jellal! Your dream ends here! Do you really want to die like this?" Erza pleaded. She still hoped to save the boy she once knew, the boy who'd lost his way.

Jellal's expression softened, just like the kind smile she remembered from childhood. "I don't have a choice. My body's no longer my own… Zeref's lingering will has taken hold of me. I'm just a puppet being used to bring him back."

"Possessed…?"

That smile—warm, gentle, the same one that had once given her hope, it shook Erza. For a moment, her thoughts wavered.

"I can't save myself… no one can," Jellal murmured.

"I—"

Boom! Rhodes burst through the upper chamber wall, Mira flying in right behind him.

He looked at the battered Jellal on the ground and blinked. "Is it over already?"

Erza looked flustered. "No, he—"

"If you're hesitating, then I'll do it," Rhodes cut in. "Otherwise, bind him for now—but either way, we're leaving. Etherion could hit any minute. We can't trust this tower to hold. Everyone down below is still waiting for us!"

His words came out in a blur as he moved forward decisively.

"Wait, Rhodes," Erza blocked him, "It's more complicated than that. Mira, can you put him to sleep with a spell?"

Jellal's eyes darkened. The Fairy Strategist wouldn't fall for his tricks so easily.

…

"Ultear."

In the Magic Council's war chamber, Siegrain, still masquerading under that false identity, suddenly whispered to Ultear and streaked out in a flash of golden light.

"What the hell is he doing?!" barked Org, eyes wide with fury. "He's the one who pushed for Etherion, and now he's running away?!"

Although the Council held command over Etherion, it wasn't a weapon to be used lightly. Every launch required justification.

This time, they had gambled everything. The Tower of Heaven was home to potential hostages and innocent lives. Even if it was to prevent Zeref's return, there would be backlash. Legal repercussions. Reputations at stake.

Some of them might have to step down. Some could face tribunal judgment.

And yet, the very man who had aggressively advocated for the strike, the one who had convinced them to go forward—had just vanished.

Did he really think fleeing would absolve him of responsibility?

"Please be patient, Lord Org," Ultear said gently. Her voice was calm, her tone slow and deliberate, as if soothing the Council's nerves.

In truth, she was only trying to buy time. Just a few more minutes, she needed a better excuse to cover Siegrain's sudden disappearance.

"Lord Siegrain received urgent intelligence that must be confirmed immediately."

Org's brows furrowed. "What kind of intelligence demands personal confirmation at such a critical time?"

Ultear offered a soft, enigmatic smile. "It concerns the lives of the innocent civilians… the very people you all have vowed to protect, even at great personal cost."

"What did you say?"

"Explain yourself clearly!"

The council members stirred uneasily. Though they had steeled themselves to take responsibility for Etherion's deployment, no one truly wished to stain their legacy with the needless deaths of innocents.

Ultear knew this well—and pressed the advantage.

"The Kingdom of Caelum has just reported… that the laborers forced to build the Tower of Heaven have returned home safely. Which means..."

The council members leaned forward.

"Jellal released them when construction was complete?"

"There are no civilians left inside the tower?"

"Is that report confirmed?"

Ultear nodded lightly. "That's why Lord Siegrain needed to verify the information in person. The matter is of utmost importance."

"If it's true, that would be a relief!"

Their expressions softened. If the tower truly held no innocent lives, the guilt of authorizing Etherion would be easier to bear.

Later, they could justify the decision with pride, claiming that the Council acted with precision and resolve.

Only Yajima remained still. His gaze fixed on Ultear, thoughtful and quiet.

Was it really that simple?

…

None of the Council realized the truth: the moment Siegrain vanished from sight, he slipped through dimensions.

In the blink of an eye, he arrived inside the Tower of Heaven.

"Wait!" Siegrain called out, his voice sharp.

He raised a hand to stop Mira. "If you use hypnosis magic… it could disturb Zeref's lingering spirit!"

"Summon, Brambleback! Red buff!

Take over, Mountain Dragon Soul!"

Rhodes didn't hesitate. The moment Siegrain appeared, Rhodes activated his magic. With a powerful flap of his wings, he dove low, swooping forward in a blur.

In one swift motion, he crashed into Erza, knocking her aside with brute force. Then he slammed his fist square into Jellal's temple.

"No!" Erza cried out, but she was already airborne, flung across the chamber. Her back struck a wall lined with arcane runes.

She winced, pain shooting through her limbs, but ignored it. "Jellal!" she gasped, scrambling to her feet.

But it was too late.

Jellal, completely unguarded, took the full force of Rhodes' punch. His eyes rolled back. The blow sent him flying—first into the giant magic crystal in the center of the hall, shattering it on impact.

Then he crashed into the altar meant for Zeref's resurrection, splintering it.

Still airborne, his body slammed into the rear wall and tumbled all the way to the outermost balcony. There, his momentum finally slowed—his neck grazing the edge of the sword that had been previously driven into the ground.

A deep gash opened across his throat. Blood poured freely.

It was unclear if the blade had cut through his trachea, his artery—or both.

Was he still alive?

"You..." Siegrain's image flickered violently, his body beginning to distort. His once-solid figure grew hazy, translucent, like the other half of a magnet being drawn toward its source.

He drifted helplessly toward Jellal's motionless body.

He only wanted to stall for a few more minutes, just a little more time. Why had this man acted so quickly, so ruthlessly? Didn't he care about Erza's feelings at all?

Erza's breath caught. "A Thought Projection?!"

Rhodes and Mira exchanged stunned glances.

"Councilor Siegrain… was actually just a Thought Projection of Jellal all along?"

If Lucy had been there, she'd definitely be yelling at Rhodes for acting without thinking again. But Rhodes had believed Siegrain and Jellal were twin brothers, working together in secret.

He attacked without hesitation because he didn't want a rogue Council member interfering—especially not one who'd turn one boss battle into two.

But this?

Just a projection?

A Thought Projection that infiltrated the Magic Council, posed as a councilor for years, and was even named one of the Ten Wizard Saints, all while remaining completely undetected?

And the real body, the one that Erza had just barely managed to fight, was this powerful?

Then… if that was only half of him—

How terrifying would Jellal be at full strength?!

...

Bonus @1.2Kkk

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