Spoilers of Key to the Starry Sky arc but it's super important! This chapter features Michelle Lobster, NOT Imitatia (the traitor who tried sacrificing Lucy), but the one who survived the accident in the Lobster Plantation years before X791. Her husband (for plot purposes) is Jerome from Avatar. It is not my intention to create a new ship, in fact, their relationship is very toxic. I'm just horrible at creating OCs. This fic is officially being marked M from here on out for mature themes.
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Chapter 25: The Case of Michelle Lobster
"Mystogan...a prince?"
"Jellal the impostor?"
"Erza fighting Erza?"
"Gildarts is back?"
Questions circulated the guildhall as the mages explained the events at Edolas. Gildarts yawned and sat through the story with the guild master.
Makarov laughed it off as nothing more than a dream until he heard Jellal convinced the Magic Council to fire Etherion. The Wizard Saint would have rather not had Lucy boast about his heroic deed.
"You did what!?" Makarov shouted as Jellal contemplated explaining his reasoning behind the potential reaction to be predicted. Lucy flinched, mouthing an apology to the Wizard Saint. But knowing Jellal, he wasn't bothered by Makarov. "If you misused Etherion in any form, you would've lost your job!"
"I suppose so. However, it was the only way to get you all back. Or would you rather have been magic energy?"
"If it meant not being guild master, then I would consider it."
Gildarts heartily chuckled, "You're really that desperate, aren't you, old man?"
Jellal continued, "You could at least appreciate the others for making the effort to rescue Magnolia. Your dearest children cried when they contemplated your death."
Said children seemed completely fine after Makarov reprimanded them and sent back to their homes. It was late in the afternoon, and Jellal's not-so-subtle appearance caused a roaring crowd, especially when the others thanked him for saving Magnolia.
Especially Erza, who was now seated beside the guild master.
Makarov nearly had a heart attack upon hearing that she fought with one arm against countless foes and escaped a hotel in the middle of the night to save Jellal—with absolutely no plan.
He jumped off the bar counter to confront every wizard that fought in Edolas.
"I can feel the pain you endured in your time of Edolas. Thank you for giving Mystogan the Fairy Tail farewell. I'm sure he'll be a great king. As for you children, I'm proud of you all for saving Magnolia."
Mirajane and Erza pointed at Jellal. "Oh, that was all him."
Makarov made a note of it, unsurprisingly. "And it seems we have a new face amongst ourselves. Care to introduce him, Gajeel?"
Gajeel grinned, "Hey geezer, this here is my cat, Lily. He's the strongest of all the kitties in our guild."
"Oh, yeah?" Natsu challenged, cursing under his breath.
Carla crossed her arms, "So that was his reason to get an exceed of his own?" Gajeel seemed riled up by her statement. He sheepishly released Panther Lily.
Panther Lily stared at Jellal, seemingly unamused by the guild's rowdy behaviour. "So you're the Earth Land version of Prince Jellal. And here, they call you a council member?"
"That is correct." Jellal answered. Everyone was confused why Panther Lily could not uphold his stronger form, but regardless, found the miniature version of him adorable.
Jellal put his title past the point to acknowledge the mages. "It wouldn't have been possible if you all hadn't invaded the kingdom. Especially you, Erza. Thank you."
Erza could feel his stare on her right side of the body. "I was just looking after a friend, that's all."
"Yeah! You're awesome, Jellal!" Wendy beamed, pulling him in for an embrace. The gesture surprised Jellal, but Erza could see the beaming smile on his countenance at Wendy's warmth.
"You've grown since you've introduced yourself, Wendy. I'm proud of you."
Wendy could only be glad that she met such an honourable person.
"We're going to Porlyusica's for a bit. But before that, I want to check up on Simon...and the others." Jellal didn't find any of his closer friends in sight. They must have been in the second floor infirmary if he had to guess.
"I'll come with you," Erza said, making the odd observation as well.
Juvia was nowhere to be seen either, which was why Gray still remained by Gildarts hands in his coat pocket. He was too on edge to be shirtless.
Makarov stopped them momentarily. "Jellal, before you go in there, know that Simon hasn't left that room since the incident in which he got injured. Something tells me that potion was much more than something that would injure a mage."
"That is the problem with these illegal apothecaries. They combine random ingredients, and label them to be something else." Jellal clenched his jaw, having half a mind to track that man again and make him suffer.
The entire group that returned from Edolas followed Jellal to the second floor infirmary. They found Simon looking up at the ceiling rather dully. His eyes remained red and swollen.
"His condition's only worsening," Erza gulped, rushing to his side. "Simon...can you hear me?"
Millianna raised her head from the sheets, "Erzy, you came..."
"Did we come too late? What became of him?"
Sho frowned. "I'm not exactly sure. Simon's been out of it lately...he barely communicates with us."
Jellal studied Erza's reaction, and she appeared as though she would choke as she recalled the words of the fortune teller.
"The circle of love you revolve in will result in a mournful loss."
The circle of love...
Jellal, Simon, and herself.
Erza's grip loosened on the sheets that covered Simon, and she looked up at Jellal, almost sick. "We have to see Porlyusica right now."
"Are you sure you're fine?" Jellal inquired firmly. Wally and Millianna sank down to Erza as her face went pale.
"I'm alright...but can we please go to her, right now?"
Jellal wordlessly got Simon to float with the mattress beneath through his Telekinesis. Wendy came forth and told the Wizard Saint, "I'll heal him."
Juvia, who had finally gotten out of her trance, watched as Simon left the infirmary through the help of Jellal and Wendy. She followed silently, knowing something the others didn't.
The former Tower of Heaven of children's faces mirrored Juvia's expression. For once, though, Gray paid mind to her. That sadness told Jellal that she had known more than she let on.
And then there was Erza, who was battling with her own revelation.
A herd of humans on Porlyusica's doorstep was the last thing she wanted. Porlyusica stared at the mages one by one, wondering why there was no adequate way to transport Simon.
In the end, she chose a Wizard Saint, a healer, and the injured. The rest were stranded outside, much to Millianna, Sho, and Wally's fury.
"Kitten Blast!" Millianna announced, breaking through the wooden door. Wally shot it down as an added measure.
"I didn't take you guys to be the wild bunch," Lucy commented cautiously.
"Yeah? They're great at it, if you ask me," Gajeel replied, remembering how they fought against Naked Mummy.
Porlyusica stared at the broken door and the culprits who oh-so casually entered her house.
"So, you children have chosen death, I see." Porlyusica claimed, taking the broom in her hand and swinging it at the trio. They all yelped and ran outside, tripping on the remains of the door.
Jellal reasoned with Porlyusica, "They were the primary caretakers of Simon. They mean no harm."
The old woman rolled her eyes, then beckoned the children to stand in a corner of the house, as though they were being punished.
Erza spiralled deep in thought as Porlyusica examined Simon's condition. She used her magic to check Simon's heartbeat. The sound echoed across the room.
It was abnormal.
"I don't think that's how a heart is supposed to sound like," Jellal said.
"That's correct. This potion seems to have taken a toll on Simon's heart. For some reason, the potion seeped into the bloodstream, and it's got him paralyzed."
"Is there a way to extract it?" Sho asked.
She said nothing in response concerning Sho's question, instead saying, "I can heal him so that he wakes up, and he'll pull through thanks to this child's healing magic."
Wendy's eyes shot up, "Wait! My healing magic allows me to drain out poison from someone's body. I can extract it."
"What an interesting revelation. If we had found you before Erza severed her arm off, she would still have her arm intact." Jellal recalled, much to Erza's irk.
"Well, we didn't have time when we had an emergency at hand," Erza said with a lilt in her voice.
Porlyusica eyed her from the corner. "Drop it, you two. You can't change the past. I'll see if there's a way to recover your arm."
"Thank you for your help, Miss Porlyusica and Wendy."
Wendy smiled, glad she could be of use. Jellal noted that her healing abilities were beyond an ordinary mage, and he had to wonder if that, too, was something Grandeeney taught her.
Natsu stood by the door, anticipating Simon's awakening. Everyone watched keenly as Wendy worked to remove the poison. In the meantime, Porlyusica retrieved Erza's arm, which was encased in ice. She put it near a window to melt.
"I can speed up the process of the melting," offered Jellal, nearing Porlyusica. He extended his hands and generated magic from his palms, as bright and hot as the stars. Within seconds, the ice melted, leaving the limb on the counter.
Erza didn't mind having her guild watch, however, it made her uneasy imagining the thoughts spinning through their minds. Jellal observed her impending discomfort and approached those at the door, knowing they all felt the same.
"You all should go rest, it's been a long day," Jellal suggested, to which the others stared at one another.
Porlyusica scoffed, "He has a point. After what happened in Edolas, you all should rest."
"You know about that world?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"I am originally from Edolas, and was brought to Earth Land with that same spell spontaneously."
Everyone's mouths were agape, unable to believe what they just heard.
"That's why...you smell like Grandeeney." Wendy concluded.
Porlyusica prepared a needle and inserted it into a bottle, filling it up with the substance. "Are you related to her in any way?"
"She's my mother."
"I see..." she hummed in deep thought, "stay back for a while, I have something to give you."
Wendy wondered what it could be, but suspected that it was related to Grandeeney.
Mirajane spun on her heel. "I have to go."
Erza frowned, "She's going to visit Lisanna's grave."
The others followed her immediately after, particularly Natsu. He, too, held on to the idea of Lisanna possibly being alive. Carla lingered at the door, eyeing Wendy before taking off.
Porlyusica injected the substance into Simon's body, then flushed it out with saline. "He'll be out for quite a while."
"Thank you!" the Tower of Heaven children crowded the healer, who was reminded of her first encounter with them, when they all desperately thanked her for restoring Erza's eye.
And when the little girl cried after having an eye to see through.
"You all should know better than to crowd around me," the old woman stubbornly shook her head. Everyone laughed, relieved that Simon was going to recover.
Which left Erza, who Jellal especially gave an expectant look. Jellal looked away from Simon's body, still remembering when the apothecary spilled the contents of his vial.
"I do not know of a way to restore Erza's arm," Porlyusica informed flatly, not knowing what to do with the arm Erza brought back.
Jellal's face fell more so than Erza's, who didn't mind if she had to spend the rest of her life using one arm. The Wizard Saint summoned a spell book, piquing everyone's interest. "Well, I assumed you would say that, despite making it appear you had a plan."
A glimpse at the book's title and the elder shoved it back into Jellal's hands. "Have you gone mad, Jellal? You intend to use a forbidden spell on her? What kind of law-abiding councillor are you?"
"True, I may be a hypocrite in such regards. However, I believe there is no concept of dark or light. All magic traces back to one origin. I don't think what I'm doing is wrong, even if I go against your morals."
Porlyusica eyed him warily. "For someone young, you have acquired a deep understanding of magic. I suppose you have a point..."
"His understanding of magic is twisted, not deep," Erza said, scorning at Jellal for his imprudence.
To defend himself, Jellal replied, "The true taboo of magic is immortality and the ability to resurrect the dead. There is no value in life if the dead can live on, which is why Zeref's magic is forbidden."
With a grunt, the woman took the book from him and began flipping through the pages, wondering if he knew what he was getting himself into. "Who has seen her severed arm?"
"A few guilds," he vaguely replied, earning a raised brow from Porlyusica. She did not seem convinced by his answer, but didn't dawdle on it any longer.
Erza stared up at the book. "Zeref's magic brings consequences upon the caster. He used the Black Arts."
"He gained immortality because he cast a forbidden spell. Besides, Zeref did not create this spell. He merely used it, as documented in a few of his biographies. I've done my research, so fret not, Erza."
She looked away, "I'm not sure if I'm entirely convinced."
Porlyusica glanced at Jellal after reading the procedure of the spell he had bookmarked in the thousands of pages. "I need to suture the wound."
"I can cast the spell, and you can suture the arm. If Wendy has remaining magic energy, she can numb Erza."
Wendy clutched her dress with nimble fingers, straying from Simon's limp body. "I'll try my best..."
Erza almost fainted at the sight of her arm, closing her eyes and lying down on the infirmary bed. Wendy placed a hand on her forehead, "Erza, are you alright?"
She gave a slight nod in response, keeping her limbs as still as possible. Jellal signalled Wendy to cast her spell until Erza's body felt like jelly. An anesthesia. The feeling was suddenly overwhelming for Erza when she found that her body remained paralyzed.
Upon reading the instructions a third time, the limb was floating in the air by Jellal's Telekinesis, and he slowly brought it forth to Erza's severed arm. The spell created a magnetic field between the two figures, and the connective tissue on Erza's body branched out to bind itself with the detached limb. Her head rolled back from the pain, not fully numbed by Wendy's support magic.
Porlyusica grabbed a sterilized needle and held it above Erza, injecting her with a local anesthetic. Wendy turned her head around, wondering how much blood she would lose during the process. She had seen some clumps of blood sticking on her arm as Jellal continued transferring tissue and veins to secure the arm in place.
"Look at Jellal playing the role of a physician," Wally whistled.
"I think he has a knack for everything," Millianna proclaimed, "he and Wendy can be Fairy Tail's renowned healers."
The practitioner grasped Jellal's wrist, slowing down the process. "We can't risk anything going wrong with this spell. Now, allow the tissue to repair slowly. I'll start stitching after you've secured the veins."
"Her tissue is just fine. You can attach it back now."
A growl erupted from Erza when Porlyusica began suturing the limb to her body. Her toes curled at the sensation, and unable to help it, she kept pleading for Jellal to stop. Jellal mentally slapped himself, since he only now realized that Erza wasn't completely numb.
"Good grief, even a needle won't keep her down?" Porlyusica huffed in frustration. Millianna and Sho kept her body pinned down to the bed.
Wendy placed her hands over Erza and muttered an incantation to ease the pain.
"Just a little longer," Jellal requested, hoping Erza would listen. She wanted to fight against it all, but did her best to stay down.
Porlyusica shot him a look. "Are you almost done?"
Jellal nodded, "The book said that once the body part is reattached, the spell will use the ethernano from their body to link the sensory receptors to the brain."
"You're sure you won't run out of magic energy? This spell requires casting for the next six consecutive hours." She inquired, rereading the spell and procedure before turning her head to him.
"I'm fine." He confirmed, meeting Erza's eyes tentatively.
Wendy fell asleep by the time Jellal finished, and Porlyusica went to hunt for more medicinal herbs. The two Fairy Tail mages worked nonstop to recover Erza's arm. Jellal was relieved to have someone like Wendy tag along. No matter how time-consuming the task was, she kept using her magic on the S-Class Wizard, and even spared some time to heal the battle injuries from Edolas.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Erza's wakefulness until she placed a hand on top of his, with the arm he spent hours repairing. She was smiling widely, "Someone has a talent for forbidden magic."
"Technically, it's not forbidden."
Her expression softened as she moved her right arm, "Thank you for restoring my arm."
"It's the least I could have done," he gestured to the others, who towered over Erza's bed.
"I know you're a fighter, Erza, but you need to simmer down when you're on an anesthetic." Wally whistled, holding his hands up in surrender.
Erza sniffled in achievement, "It seems I'm immune to many things."
"That's not necessarily something to be boasting about when you're in pain and need anesthesia." Jellal pointed out. "But thanks to Wendy, you pulled through."
"It was nothing, really." Wendy brushed off, blushing at the praise.
As impeccable as always, Porlyusica strolled in with jars of herbs collected from the forest along with her knapsack. She placed it down on her study desk and ushered to Wendy. "I have a few things I need to speak about with her. You lot are more than welcome to leave if you have recovered."
"Simon's still asleep," Millianna chirped.
"I'll send him back once he's fully recovered," the physician promised. Everyone's tense figures relaxed upon the news.
"Thank you, Miss Porlyusica," Erza bowed her head, "twice you've helped me, and I'll forever be grateful for it."
She huffed, "Enough of that, child. You can thank me by leaving immediately."
They all filed out without another word, knowing how Porlyusica valued her privacy.
"Do you think Wendy will be fine?" Erza asked. "It's good to know she has an elder looking after her, almost as if she were Wendy's parent. It makes me wonder...if our parents would be as loving."
Jellal paused for a moment, before managing a sigh. "She'll be fine. As for us, I'm sure in the future, many of us will become the parents we wished we had."
Sho chimed in. "Jellal, have you ever wondered who your parents were?"
"I've pondered over the idea. I have no recollection of them. To be fair, I don't think anyone of us remember our parents."
"I can't remember, either. But if we ever had a chance to meet them again, would you?"
"I would. To know all the answers to my unanswered questions. To perhaps understand why they left me at such a young age. I...feel no emotion at the mention of them."
"Since we have no memories with our parents, it's natural that we feel detached at the mention of them. It's different from acknowledging Master Makarov as our parent." Erza drawled, finding herself in an abyss of thoughts back at the Tower of Heaven. Did she even live with her parents? Did she even have a proper surname?
As if reading her thoughts, he said, "Maybe if we find your parents someday, Erza, you can adopt your real surname."
"I want to keep my last name," Erza quickly protested. "I've grown attached to it. No matter how tempting it is to become part of a family, I'll always be Erza Scarlet."
"In retrospect, my decision to give you that last name was rather whimsical."
Millianna shook her head, "Are you kidding? It's a fitting last name for her."
"It is," Erza hummed, "and I'll always cherish it."
Jellal seemed content with the decision and said nothing else about it.
Erza's thoughts lingered on the procedure of her arm. What Jellal did...she knew it was unethical. Doctors would have to replace limbs artificially in a world without magic.
But Jellal...he used forbidden magic without a second thought. Some part of her knew he wasn't as moral as the guild painted him to be. Yet, Erza couldn't say anything because it showed that Jellal was loyal to a fault.
She finally accepted that his understanding of magic made him a moral relativist.
That, was what Makarov realized before anyone else did.
Everyone welcomed Erza back with her arm restored, much to Makarov's relief. Gildarts remained at a loss on how Erza casually paraded without an arm. How lucky she was to restore her arm, for Gildarts had to replace his body parts with artificial limbs.
His gaze narrowed on Jellal, who was likely the culprit behind restoring Erza's arm since there was no known spell able to accomplish such a feat.
"So," Gildarts started with a whistle, nudging Makarov. "What became of Jellal and Erza? I see they're as close as ever."
"Nothing," the guild master answered dully. "Jellal was going to give her a promise ring, but he decided against it after a war with Phantom Lord."
"Right, I don't see those troublemakers around. Guess you took them down, didn't you? After all, you've invited two of their biggest members in Fairy Tail."
"That war was won with consequences...especially for Jellal. He was Jose's captive at one point. I don't know the details of what went on between them, but Jose's words still affect the boy."
"Jellal is one mysterious man. Maybe if I talk some sense into him, he'll reconsider leaving Erza waiting around like that."
"He won't exactly be happy if you pry into his private affairs. Besides, Erza is hardly the problem. There are other issues that plague his mind whenever he thinks of her."
"Nothing better than to knock all the doubts out of him," Gildarts sang, much to Makarov's irritation.
As an afterthought, Makarov said, "I wonder where the kids are. I thought Natsu would jump at the opportunity to spar with you."
"He tried it when Etherion was about to fire. Didn't end well when Erza hauled him by his scarf."
The guild master inhaled helplessly, expecting as much from the Dragon Slayer. When he scanned the room, Jellal and the others were nowhere to be seen, either.
"How could I forget...?" Makarov swore under his breath. Gildarts questioningly awaited for an explanation.
"Today is Lisanna's death anniversary."
Gildarts gulped, "Lisanna...died? When?"
"Right after you left for the century quest. She went on a mission with Mira, and then...unable to control the beast with his takeover, Elfman had unknowingly clawed his sister."
Gildarts got off the stool. "Where's her grave?"
Makarov accompanied him on the trip, and when they reached the grave, they found most of the guild already surrounding the grave. It rained heavily once again, like it did the day she died.
Mirajane and Elfman placed another bunch of flowers to recognize her third anniversary after she passed away. Gildarts couldn't comprehend the loss of the brightest girl in the guild. New and old faces gathered to mourn over the loss.
Unexpectedly, the rivals that Gildarts had come to known were now beside each other, comforting one another. Mirajane rested her face against Erza's shoulder.
"Perhaps another day for your childishness, Gildarts." Makarov said, leaving the interpretation of the words up to him.
And so, while Magnolia had been returned to the mages that same day, it left the guild to suffer a loss.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her with a newborn in her hands. The sudden rush of freedom away from her husband had left her panicking. The baby wailed as Michelle tripped on a few rocks, almost dropping her child.
The unnamed child cried as his mother ran, trying to find an escape. She clutched the basket, with blankets over blankets for her newborn's comfort. It was not long before the head of the Lobster family caught up to the mother and son, demanding her to stop.
Afraid, Michelle held a hand out and stood on top of a bridge, almost out of the mansion's grasp. The little boy cried for his mother, hungry, tired, afraid, and cold.
So cold. He could almost sense his inevitable fate. The baby cooed for a moment, and Michelle almost fell in love with her son again. Her desire to get rid of him grew into an invading thought as she realized there would never be another chance to escape her horrible marriage.
She despised the newborn's green eyes. If she didn't get rid of her son, he would become a mirrored image of his father. Those eyes staring at her with love would soon kill others.
It's a fate she was shackled to the moment she was born into the wealthy family.
Her husband caught up, and she felt as though her face aged a decade at the sight of him.
"Michelle," he called out. It sounded like a lover's plea, but it was her death knell. A reminder that she could never seek freedom. "Come home. Why must you drag my son along with you? The bairn is probably cold."
Shakily, the woman shook her head. "I'll never come home again! I know how you'll raise my son, and he's going to become a monster if I let him live with you!"
Jerome sighed, almost as if he was used to her hysterical behaviour. "You're a cruel mother, Michelle. Who are you to separate a father from its child?"
"I get to decide what's best for my child. I don't want to see him near you!"
She hated how he kept his cool, as if there was nothing wrong with their relationship. As if he never wronged her for countless nights.
"I promise everything will get better if you come home with me."
Michelle shook her head, unsure of what to do. Behind her, she could see the worried faces of the employees of the Lobster Plantation—the people that always did his bidding—murmur amongst themselves. "And if I don't?" she challenged.
"I promise you will never see his face again. A pity for you that the patriarchy is so valued in our bloodline."
She cried, trying to stifle her sobs as the tears rained down upon her baby's blanket. He wasn't crying for food anymore. The baby seemed mesmerized by the moon. It was unfitting for such a terrifying night.
Her husband growled, "I think you've made your decision very clear." For every step she took back, he matched hers. She could only manage a small kiss on her child's forehead before she sobbed even louder. The little head poking out of the bundle whined, fearing for the mishaps in her decision.
She whispered to her son, "I...can't leave you."
"Michelle."
The voice became impatient.
Without a second thought, Michelle threw her child off the bridge, in front of the prying eyes of her husband and the housemaids.
The woman felt numb, void of emotion. Jerome dropped to the ground, knowing his child had no chance of surviving the fall. He gripped the railing of the bridge and closed his eyes. Michelle had never seen him cry, and now he was sobbing into the night after witnessing his child die. His cries echoed into the night, and not once did Michelle feel empathy or pity. Her revenge against him was exacted, though, unexpectedly.
Losing an innocent child who stayed clinging to its mother.
That is all she remembered.
Is this how I wanted him to suffer? By throwing my own child over a bridge?
The thought of her baby being gone never properly registered to her. Killed by her—much less.
"You...you took his life away from him!"
"I...I did what?" more tears pricked her eyes as she understood what she had just done. She reached over and screamed for her baby.
Jerome's eyes were sharp, boring in hers. "Are you trying to justify your reason for murder? You killed my child!"
He swiftly strangled Michelle's throat until she fell unconscious. His blood boiled as he searched for the child across the river. Nowhere to be found, he ordered the witnesses to take her back into the mansion. He stared at his hand, remembering how the child had gripped a finger, rocking it gently as his son yearned for his parents.
Almost a year spent nurturing it to birth, only to witness the child's demise.
The papers given to Jellal in his office explained the court trial that would not start for another hour. He read over the case and raised an eyebrow. Usually, cases of murder were not brought to the attention of the Magic Council unless it involved wizarding guilds, mages possessing illegal magic, or a mage in general.
From his encounters with members of the Lobster Plantation, none of the family members were mages nor did they associate themselves with other wizards, aside from the family head's good relationship with former Chairman Crawford.
Jellal stared at the information on his office desk, trying to make sense of how the court proceedings were in any way related to a mage.
A mother murdering their child, he mused to himself as he continued finding any relevant information. The father of the child had filed the case as premeditated murder, according to the reports.
To think a mother would try to kill their child. It seemed almost surreal to Jellal. Then again, perhaps his own parents shared that sentiment, which was why he was orphaned at such a young age.
He left for the courtroom in the Fiore Branch of the Magic Council with a pile of papers neatly ordered. Immaculate. Many people praised him for possessing such a quality.
He could see the Rune Knights escorting a young blond man and a small woman who barely had the strength to walk. Her posture mimicked a penguin, and he could see why. Though others might ignore the detail, she had just given birth. Jellal pitied her when nobody had the decency to help escort her because she was labelled a murderer.
"Rune Knights," Jellal called out. They stopped walking, with the defendant squeezed between the two heavily armed males.
"Councilman Jellal," they both simultaneously called out. Upon hearing the words, Michelle stiffened, as if facing a wrath worse than the Black Wizard Zeref.
Jellal glanced at the spectacle. "Though she may be a wrongdoer, she needs assistance. If you will, please escort her as you would anyone else so impaired."
They hesitantly shot each other looks before moving away from Michelle to arrange a wheelchair for her.
Her lips trembled as she passed by him, muscles sore and aching from a painful labour.
Jellal took his seat in the courtroom and waited for the remaining members to gather. He could see the puzzled looks on some, feeling as though some information was missing.
Was a child such a burden to her that she threw him off the bridge? It seemed it brought more pain than happiness to her, judging from her tired state.
Perhaps what made it more unnerving was Gran Doma's presence. He seemed almost angry at seeing Jerome enter the courtroom.
Judging by the look, Jellal concluded that Gran Doma had prior knowledge about Jerome's connection with Crawford Seam in the past.
Michelle followed in a wheelchair, being pushed by an amphibian, with the Rune Knights following behind. She wasn't much of a threat in her vulnerable state, yet there were guards stationed around Jerome as if his life depended on it.
A messenger of the Magic Council cleared her throat before speaking. "Today's court trial proceedings include a charge for premeditated murder against Michelle Lobster. Before us is the plaintiff, Jerome Lobster, and the defendant, as mentioned previously. Please take the stand."
Both people faced the Magic Council as Gran Doma began his opening statement.
"Mister Lobster, you stand before the Magic Council to prove your wife guilty of premeditated murder for your unnamed son, who was just a day old. Please describe to us the night of the happenings."
Jerome ran a hand down his unkept blond hair. "Your Honour, the unjust murder occurred the night my son was born. He was the firstborn mage into our family. My son was to become a powerful mage in Ishgar, and he lost his life to his own mother.
"I remember the night clearly, when she took our son out of the house when I was occupied by my work. I followed her after being informed by the housemaids. She stood upon a bridge and my child was in a basket, as if she prepared to send him off into the water. After my attempts of trying to get her to come home, she lashed out at me like a wild beast. It was unbecoming of a proper lady. She threw my child into the water, and I watched as the basket dropped to meet...to meet my baby's demise."
Michelle stifled any sounds and protests she wanted to make.
Gran Doma raises a brow. "Where was the bridge located?"
"Right outside the Lobster Plantation, Your Honour."
"And how many nights ago was this?"
"Exactly two."
Gran Doma gestured to the other council members. Belno was the first to speak, "Did you confirm the child was dead?"
"Yes! I searched far and wide for my little boy. Unfortunately, he didn't make it out alive. Imagine, Councillor Belno, if you were the child. What would you be thinking as you were being tossed into the water? My child probably wondered where his mother went, why he couldn't breathe as his lungs were being drowned in water. Why? Why was it so cold? Why did his mother abandon him?"
Jellal could hear Belno's sniffle, sympathizing with the parents. From below, Michelle burst into tears.
"I didn't mean to kill him! Oh, my little boy! My son!" she cried.
"Missus Lobster, you are still in court," Gran Doma reminded. She placed a palm over her mouth to stop sobbing, but couldn't. She shook her head hysterically to deny the possibility.
Org raised a brow. "Chairman, it seems the defendant has indirectly pleaded guilty to the murder."
Jerome remained refined, stirring curiosity among the councillors.
Michello impatiently exhaled, "As someone who monitors the plantation frequently and knows of the bridge you speak of, the fall is small enough so that even a toddler can survive. Therefore, I cannot assume your child is dead."
Jellal spoke up next. "We should ask the witnesses to confirm the child's death."
He thought of himself as apathetic for speaking about a child's death so blandly. It disheartened him, but in the courtroom, there was no regard for emotions. Many housemaids stood to speak, yet only one brought on an instance of abuse, which opened up another discussion.
The result of the court trial was a very unexpected one. Jellal didn't want to hear to half of it after the others began discussing it amongst themselves. He left straight for the guildhall after the conclusion of the court trial.
It had been two days since Magnolia's restoration, and Gran Doma exchanged no words with Jellal on the Worth Woodsea incident to press charges.
Simon returned to the guild that day, gaining attention because of his paralyzed state earlier yesterday.
"Simon," Jellal greeted, taking a seat beside him. "How are you feeling now?"
His friend beamed. "Much better, for sure. Natsu and Gray told me all about Edolas. You didn't happen to find my counterpart, did you?"
"Well, I did." The answer surprised Simon, who only joked about it.
"Really? In that case, what was he like?"
"Different, I'd say. He used magic as well, but that resulted in him..."
Jellal didn't want to remember Edolas Simon's execution. In fact, he didn't know what became of them after, despite warning him to stay away from the authorities. "Never mind. I think you're much more optimistic than him."
"It seems I haven't been in the best state lately, either." Simon sighed. "I didn't imagine that apothecary would conjure up something so life-threatening."
Life-threatening, he said. Jellal raised a brow. "Did Porlyusica perhaps say something about your condition? Wendy said she successfully extracted all the poison."
Simon considered informing Jellal of something, but decided against it. "Nothing in particular. I'm just thinking about how distant we've become since the war with Phantom. You're busy these days, and Erza too."
"Sorry, the reformation of the council has me occupied. Speaking of which, I was wondering if you ever considered doing magical research. The Magic Council invested in a research wing, and I can invite people to become a researcher. You seemed like the perfect candidate, along with Levy."
Simon grinned, "Of course, I'm honoured that you considered me for such an esteemed position. I'm assuming that was your doing. Working your way around the Magic Council is what you do best."
"I think it's mere luck."
"No, whenever someone meets you, they are instantly stunned. It's as if you put people under a spell by enchanting them."
They both knew he was especially referring to Erza, who was seemingly invested in Jellal since she met him.
Should he reply to that? Would that make Simon feel worse? He wouldn't know and didn't have the chance to see through to it as Makarov summoned all the S-Class Wizards for a meeting about the upcoming trials through a telepathic connection. It was bound to come, but at this time of the year, Jellal's schedule was nothing short of busy, especially with many court hearings being scheduled at the end of the year.
"Duty calls," Jellal got off the bench, adjusting his coat.
"Don't overexert yourself at work, there's still the S-Class Trials you have to keep in mind."
"I will. Please be sure to tell me if you're feeling unwell."
Simon gave a small nod that was anything but honest.
Jellal headed down to the guildhall library, finding a table with five seats.
The four S-Class mages and Makarov went on to discuss the location of the trial, which Jellal had known since the Phantom Lord war.
Erza was the first to catch onto Jellal's lack of observation as Makarov debriefed them about the upcoming S-Class Trial.
All Jellal could think about was the court trial, and parents. Would a mother want to hurt her child like that? Even if they were born from the very pits of hell?
Everyone had offered an idea to optimize the trials this year, except him. There was a difference between Jellal's silence and inattentiveness that was noticeable to Erza.
Gildarts kicked back in his seat, holding the newspaper he collected on his way to the guildhall. "Say, Jellal, how often does the Magic Council deal with the murder of a child?"
Erza and Mirajane glanced at each other before turning to Gildarts. "Come again?"
"Quite rarely," Jellal answered, catching onto the case in the newspaper that was written about, and very quickly, might he add.
Makarov exhaled sharply, directing his words at Gildarts. "You didn't listen to a word I said, did you?"
"It got a bit...uninteresting." Gildarts confessed shamelessly.
The guild master grunted, "I'm afraid that's an unpopular opinion."
"Ask Jellal, he's been awfully quiet today." Gildarts whistled at the Wizard Saint. "You seem sick, kid."
Jellal studied Gildarts for a long moment before drawing a breath. "I suppose it's been a long day on the Magic Council. I think it would be fit to finalize the details of the trial another day."
Concerned, Erza meant to have a word with Jellal after the meeting. She was the first to notice his odd behaviour. She objected, "The trial is a little over a week away. We can't afford to delay things unless absolutely needed."
Gildarts yawned, invoking Erza. "He's right. We powerhouses need our naps too."
"I don't think Jellal suggested it for the same reason as you. Besides, you've done nothing but lounge around the guildhall since your return."
"C'mon, give the kid a break, Erza. He returned from the Magic Council, and what an exhausting day it must have been."
The blue-haired mage did not protest against Erza's proposal since it was a valid point. "We can continue the meeting."
"Killjoy, I want out of this room."
Makarov swore under his breath before slamming a book on the table. The sound echoed throughout the guildhall's archives. "Alright. Meeting adjourned. We'll continue this tomorrow."
Jellal glanced at Gildarts. "Where did you hear about the child's death?"
"Some newspaper. It apparently got publicized by the family head of the Lobster Plantation. Guess that's why it's such a big deal. Why the sudden interest?"
"To think they have the gall to publicize such a misinformed story."
"It shouldn't come as a surprise for a councillor. After all, you dealt with the case this morning."
"Still, the fact that word got out quickly."
"That's probably the thing that's been bothering you for a while. You know, I would at least go talk to the woman. She is a victim in her own way."
Gildarts plopped the newspaper on the table, crossing his arms. The court trial had not only been plaguing Gildarts' thoughts, but Jellal's as well. He thought handing the case over to the non-magical body of the government would prevent Michelle from getting a punishment from the Magic Council. It should have never been brought to them in the first place, since Jerome was also convicted of crimes against his spouse.
Regardless, the Magic Council declared she would be sentenced to five years while seeking rehabilitation in Zentopia's prison, upon Jerome's request. Apparently, the Lobster Plantation valued the Zentopia Church's doctrine, and thought it would be best if Michelle received treatment within a religious organization that reconciled with their habitants.
The intentions of the family did not seem bad at first glance. What made the request suspicious to Jellal was that no government had a say in Zentopia's policing. Stepping foot into their sacred grounds to refute them would ask for a death wish, since they were an independent state from the Kingdom of Fiore.
Erza shot them curious looks, remembering the conversation she had about parents a couple of days ago. "A mother killing their child?"
"This one was unusual because the trial was passed down to the non-magical world. The two governments have never interacted in such a way." Jellal explained. The entire group had chimed into the conversation, which made Makarov grouchy because just moments ago they seemed bored with his proposals about the S-Class Trial.
"The Magic Council wasn't wrong," said Gildarts, despite not being a fan of them. "They concluded the trial of the murder of the child. But it opened a new case between the couple regarding abuse. The Magic Council does not deal with crimes unrelated to magic, hence, they passed the new case to the non-magical world."
"Although the Magic Council did the right thing, the defendant was sentenced to prison in Zentopia, a place where no government official has power. Even the Kingdom of Fiore cannot interfere with their affairs."
At this, Mirajane merely smiled, "There's nothing to worry about, Jellal. Lapointe's was gone some time ago, so there shouldn't be any problems with the woman's punishment in Zentopia."
The news of Lapointe caught everyone unexpectedly. "When did he disappear?"
"Not too long ago. It was before the Allied Forces took on the mission."
Gildarts snatched the newspaper from the table, "I heard there were speculations about the child not being dead."
Erza's eyes narrowed at him, "If the child were alive, I'm sure someone would have found him by now."
"The Lobster Plantation, Erza? Nobody's had the luxury of coming miles near it except for certain acquaintances. Though, now it's bound to be abandoned once the court hearings finish."
"Not sure if Jerome's going to land in prison, there's not much evidence stacked against him." Makarov argued.
Jellal crossed his arms. "He'll be spending at least a year in jail. Jerome was involved in illegal schemes for the sake of the Lobster Plantation. Although irrelevant to the case, the occupants of the plantation briefly mentioned the inner workings of Jerome's business, to justify their master's imprisonment for violence against his spouse. That's another matter entirely, though. I would argue he's just as guilty as his wife for the murder of his child."
"The Lobster Plantation, huh?" Erza mumbled to herself. From the looks of it, Jellal could tell she was scheming something that was not in her best interest. The topic had overtaken the details of the S-Class Trial. Erza would have to reschedule another meeting, and apolegitically bowed her head to Makarov.
Jellal was the first to leave his spot. "We should call it a day. That trial is irrelevant to the magical world, so I wouldn't bother looking into it."
"I'm beat," Gildarts groaned, "time to get some shuteye. Fetch me when we hold the next meeting."
With that, he left the other S-Class wizards in an unsettling silence. Although unknown to Mirajane, Jellal had a hunch where Erza would head to next after hearing about today's court trial.
Knowing Jellal had a tendency to remain silent, everyone warranted his behaviour as normal.
Erza's excuse of heading towards Magnolia Bakery had been dismissed, since her fondness for treats was no secret. Jellal had not questioned it, either, and grabbed a book from the guildhall library before joining Simon.
She sighed internally; Erza would never understand their love for magical theory, especially since they had no use for the discoveries made hundreds of years ago. Perhaps he was still trying to find a lead on Primordial Magic.
In their younger years, people had referred to them as the Golden Trio because they stuck together everywhere they went.
But it also sparked guilt, because she knew of Simon's feelings towards her. She always overheard people teasing him for it, namely Wakaba and Macao, but he acted just as refined as Jellal when in her presence.
The question still stood for her about what she would do if Simon ever said anything. It was something she never had the luxury of pondering since she imagined in her younger years that it would forever be the three of them as friends.
No, I'm making excuses. I don't want Jellal to be just my friend.
Only Jellal understood her weak points, and lest her friends from the Tower of Heaven cry about the dreams that haunted them, Jellal would never. He was overwhelmingly patient and mature, forced to be so for the sake of protecting others.
Erza smiled to herself while thinking about him. In another universe where they would have led a simple life, she could have loved him without thinking about the consequences of her actions. Simon would be hurt, she knew.
So they would pretend until they wouldn't be able to.
She tried to not let the thoughts unnerve her. Being alone allowed her to absorb her thoughts, most of which were unwelcome.
The S-Class wizard continued along the path to the Lobster Plantation, a map of the ancient historical sights of Fiore taken from the guild's archives. Erza never knew why or how the books came handy to her, but she supposed that was why Levy, Jellal, and Simon bothered reading the entire guild's archives.
She heard faint footsteps, turning on her heel and summoning a blade to confront the intruder.
Well, that wasn't how she should describe it, since she clearly was trespassing.
"You're not going any further."
Erza sighed, casually swinging her blade to confront the person. "Why did you follow me, Jellal?"
The Wizard Saint emerged from a tree, patience thinning. Yet, he spoke calmly, "I had a feeling you would investigate the child's death."
"That really wasn't my intention. I got curious because of a coincidence...something the fortune teller said."
"You keep bringing up this fortune teller. I didn't know you believed in their superstitions."
Erza huffed, "What do you know about fortune tellers?"
He grinned, "You're going to regret asking that."
Nonetheless, she challenged him, "Everything she told me until this point came to fruition. Why wouldn't this one?"
"You're referring to the blessing? She determines your future through some cards based on the heavenly bodies she sees. Asteroids are calamity. The Sun is hope. Meteors indicate the inevitable. And stars...are blessings."
"It wasn't mere luck! She told me you were in Edolas and on the brink of death. I fail to see how her predictions would be the luck of the draw by cards."
"Well then, you did all the linking, Erza. She didn't predict that I would be in Edolas, she only spoke of concepts vaguely. You simply pieced the information so that it made sense. Even Carla could not predict such a thing," he explained.
"Carla?" Erza asked, confused. "She doesn't have the power to see into the future."
"She most certainly does. From what I heard, she led the group to their inevitable capture in Edolas. It was her conscience forcing her to fulfill what was to come in the future."
"So you're saying that if a person makes connections to a significant event, that isn't fortune telling, but mere coincidence?"
"That's correct. Would you mind sharing what this blessing is, anyway? You have been rather vague about it."
"Well...that's because it's something bizarre. I'm sure it won't come true."
"You make it seem that it's more personal rather than bizarre."
"The blessing is more applicable to parents, so I don't think it will come true."
"So, you're saying this blessing is a child?" he concluded.
"Was it really so obvious?"
"Your comment about parents gave it away. There is nothing wrong with the blessing itself, unless it has to do with childbearing prospects."
Erza looked as though she was going to burst. Jellal chuckled, "I'm only teasing you, Erza."
"You're insufferable," she claimed. "But Mira mentioned something similar, since she was with me as well. We paid a fortune just to try and find you."
"I'm assuming Mirajane talked you into that. She probably wanted other information, but no matter." Erza stared at the ground when he said that, knowing that Mirajane really wanted a prediction of Erza's romance. "Perhaps the fortune referred to your childbearing prospects at a later age. Though, with how you discipline the guild member, it's not hard to picture you as a parent."
"I think the sentiment is shared with everyone in the guild."
"Apparently so," Jellal confirmed.
The rustling of bushes caused Erza to confront the noise, and she found a woman across the river hiding behind a tree.
"Erza, don't go after her. We have no business being here."
She looked back at Jellal once, before she was quick on her feet to pin that woman down confrontationally by jumping across the river bank. The stranger yelped, begging for her life to be spared, as Erza towered over her.
Jellal sighed and whirled Erza away from the frightened being. The gesture surprised the scarlet-haired mage when their faces were close.
Beside her was a damp basket, and the woman continued sobbing.
"I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to hide the child!" she repeated hysterically. Erza relented, kneeling down to her level to comfort her instead.
Jellal peeked inside the basket, and didn't believe his eyes.
A baby was asleep, breathing as though he never went through the river. He bent down to the child's level, brushing the blanket to feel it.
"Is this...the son of Jerome? And you found him in the river?"
She nodded, "I...I'm a housemaid for the Lobster family. I found his son here while I tended to the garden."
When the housemaid met Jellal's gaze, she instantly blushed. "A Wizard Saint right before my eyes? You're more beautiful than the books portray you."
Erza's eyes narrowed at the Wizard Saint, waiting for him to say something.
"Those words do me great honour. Thank you."
The scarlet-haired mage inquired, "Did you tell anyone of him?"
"N-no. Neither the mother nor father remain in the household. Missus Lobster is in Zentopia Church, while Master Jerome..."
Jellal figured it out by how the maid averted her gaze from him. "He's under house arrest, correct?"
"Please, he can't know I'm here." She squeaked, apprehending the basket. Jellal held onto the handle, preventing her escape with the child.
"If you know Master Jerome as you say, then what do you reckon he would do with the child if it were in his possession?"
"Pardon?"
Erza glared at him. "Jellal, your questioning method is rather upfront."
He put a finger to his lips and pressed further into the question. "He must have been horrible to his wife. What do you think he would do with his son?"
She knew the answer all too well, but still insisted on taking the basket. "Please, you have to understand that I'll get in trouble."
"If nobody else knows that the child lives, then who will put you in harm's way?"
Erza could tell that the maid had become mesmerized by Jellal, and she would give the Wizard Saint what he wanted.
"Nobody will ever know you encountered this child if you give him to me. I mean no harm to you or this infant."
Jellal himself knew what effect he had on this woman, and as expected, she handed the basket to him. "I must go now," the woman blurted. "Will you be back?"
"Not with the child," he confirmed, to which she blushed and played her part as a maiden.
She had taken his words the wrong way. Though, Jellal purposely left his statement vague to get her to do his bidding.
The maid walked back to the estate, instantly forgetting Erza and her troubling master.
Erza watched the woman, "The look in her eyes was one of love."
"Not love, Erza. Lust." Jellal corrected. "She admired an image of me that was not real, so that cannot be love."
He picked up the basket, wondering how much longer it would take until he woke up. Erza gazed at the boy intently. "What are we going to do with him?"
Jellal knew Michelle hadn't meant any harm to her child. The look in her eyes was pure remorse for what she had done throughout the court trial. "Return the child to his mother."
"And if she doesn't want him back?"
He knew what she wanted to hear, but he wouldn't give her false hope. "We could be thrown into prison for taking someone else's child to raise as our own. For the sake of our guild, we cannot take him in."
Erza noticed how he used the plural term, though, she was ready to raise him herself. "But anyone could mistreat this child. I...feel obligated to help him, because if he were to grow up orphaned, he would endure the same pain that we had."
A yawn interrupted their thoughts, and as soon as Jellal heard it, he knew crying would follow. "Erza, let's get out of here and discuss this somewhere else."
The mages jumped across the narrow river and escaped into the forest, trying to enter Magnolia in an area that wasn't crowded.
Even now, Jellal had doubts about being seen with this child. Even if the boy's description was not given in the court trial, anyone could expect, given the coincidence.
Erza found a picnic table in an abandoned park and took a seat there, trying to come up with scenarios as Jellal placed the basket on the table.
"We need to take him out of that basket," Jellal said as a starting point.
After that, the child wailed so that the entire park could hear him. Jellal panicked, not knowing what to do. Erza reached for the child and lifted him out gently, as though she were an experienced caregiver. She placed his head over her forearm and used her other arm to span it across his body, rocking it gently.
She seemed so happy, as though it were her own child she embraced.
"Have you done this before?"
Erza nodded. "Before the Tower of Heaven, I used to help the nannies in Rosemary Village to raise the orphans. Right now, though, he's hungry, and probably needs his diaper changed."
It was all so foreign to Jellal, but familiar to Erza. "Should I find a place that sells formula milk? I can...also seek diapers."
"And wipes," Erza added, as though she were correcting him.
He was gone immediately. The distressed cries of a baby were nothing new to Erza. She walked around, trying to get him to calm down.
At least nobody was around the park to complain about the wailing. Back at Rosemary, other children would bang the doors of the orphanage and demand that the babies keep quiet.
It took longer for Jellal to return than expected, so naturally, he offered an explanation. "I needed the salesperson to help me figure out the sizes, and what formula milk to buy."
Erza laughed, and he sheepishly smiled in response. "I've never seen you struggle with anything new, so this is different."
"My experience with children is limited."
"Well, that's why we learn." She held her out expectantly, and Jellal gave her the diaper first. Fascinated, he watched as she lay the baby back into the basket and expertly removed the new one to change it while using the wipes.
The child wailed as Jellal pulled out the formula and unscrewed the cap, attaching the nipple to it. He gave it to Erza and observed the way she specifically angled the bottle. They both exhaled in relief when the little one stopped crying.
"We'll take him to his mother tomorrow." Jellal said, leaving the events after up to Erza's discretion.
"That's fair. She'll want him back, I know it." At least, that was her hope.
"He can stay over at my place tonight. With you at Fairy Hills, having him there will cause a commotion. I just don't want anyone knowing about this until we're clear of what will happen with him."
"The problem is, you don't have experience with babies." Erza affirmed, a statement which he couldn't deny.
"Alright...then, did you want to stay over at my place? We'll bring all this," he gestured to the baby supplies on the picnic table, "over at my place."
To another person, the idea would have sound ridiculous, but Erza complied easily. "That's a better plan."
A moment of silence followed as Erza directed her attention to feeding.
"I'm glad that you investigated the case further. Had you not done that...he would have ended up in Jerome's hands."
Part of Jellal had a feeling that Michelle would reject her child, and that Erza's blessing would be him, just as the fortune teller predicted.
Erza held him out to Jellal. "Do you want to hold him?"
He held his arms out, and Erza took the liberty to position the baby upright against Jellal's shoulder. The Wizard Saint was about to ask why this position was ideal until he heard the baby burp. It was a much more delicate sound, and it bothered neither of them.
"Oh no!" Erza huffed, grabbing a mini towel from her space dimension to wipe off the excess milk dripping from the baby's chin and running down Jellal's coat. "Your coat smells like milk."
"It's alright." He gently assured, placing him in the basket carefully. With all the blankets surrounding the baby, he fell asleep in no time.
"I don't want you to feel as though taking care of this child is your burden." Erza explained, knowing others thought of it as a burden.
"Those people are unfit to be parents, then. A child really is a blessing."
"He'll probably go back to his mother. Whatever happens, I just want to best for children like him."
"You have done the best for children like him, back at that orphanage in Rosemary. So rest assured, Erza, your hope will come to fruition." He grabbed the basket, "Let's go retrieve your stuff from Fairy Hills so you can stay the night over."
She followed him, grateful that he came after her. He would keep this hidden from the law, this much she knew.
That night, they both shared the same dream. Erza slept in the guest room and forced Jellal to hand the child over to her so that she could supervise him, while Jellal remained on his own, waiting for the child to wake up in the night so he could help Erza.
They both had been awakened many times throughout the night for the sake of the child. The last round of sleep was when they both had the dream. Jellal would have liked to call it déjà vu, but it was too real for such a coincidence.
Would this boy really be their child? That was the overwhelming reality if Michelle denied keeping him.
That morning, he opened the top drawer of his night table and found the velvet box with the ring. Jellal got dressed for work, made another round to the table, and pocketed the ring.
He made breakfast, then found Erza still in her room, head sunk into her hands.
When he entered the guest room, Erza and Jellal were staring at each other intently, waiting for one another to speak about the dream.
"Erza...I made some breakfast. I'm at the council today, so we can visit the church when I return. There's a spare key to the apartment at the entrance if you need to go out."
Is there even a point of going there? We both know her answer, is what she wanted to say.
"That's fine, thank you for the breakfast." Erza replied softly. "Have a good day at work."
"Thank you," he said, as though they were a married couple saying their routine goodbyes.
The meeting room for today was the one with the round table as the chairman prompted everyone to sit down. There were inkpads in the middle, and everyone took one.
It was nearing midday, and Jellal planned to head into his office to create invitations for Levy and Simon. After the hypothesis of Etherion worked, the Wizard Saint suggested that the Magic Council open up a research wing with renowned scholars and capable wizards interested in pursuing their career in magical research, which would cause the Magic Council to receive grants from other governments. Jellal already had two in mind from Fairy Tail: Levy and Simon.
Not only that, but Belno and Org suggested that it be under his name, too. That request was declined by Jellal, so the Magic Council had yet to find a name for the research foundation.
That day, however, Jellal did not expect the news that would impact his position as a councillor.
Gran Doma appeared with a large lacrima in the middle of the room, displaying a contract. "The government suggested that we amend our terms and conditions for those serving the Magic Council. With a new chairman and many new members, I have revised it and received approval for implementing the terms, effective when you sign the contract."
Many of the councillors were quick to sign. These were the people who would kill to attain their position on the Magic Council.
Gran Doma eyed Jellal while saying, "Oh, and do read the terms carefully."
Jellal stared at the paper, and the first term had been bold for Jellal's eyes alone.
A member of the Magic Council may not be affiliated with official or unofficial guilds throughout their term. Section 1(c) explains the risks of such an individual being part of this organization. No confidential information from the Magic Council can be given to an external party, including (but not limited to): guilds, religious organizations, affiliated groups, sponsors, and anyone not authorized to contain such knowledge.
Did people know that Jellal was infiltrating the Magic Council to gain information on Alvarez? Even then, he got little information other than their attempted invasion years ago. That wasn't necessarily confidential, and Jellal made certain that nobody would know what went on in the Magic Council. Even Makarov was oblivious to the existence of Face.
As if Gran Doma sensed his reflection, he spoke, "The Oración Seis knew of Nirvana, and successfully unsealed it. Such knowledge must have been given by the former, or perhaps current, councillors. Therefore, we must set more rules so that we don't find ourselves amongst traitors."
Jellal set his quill down. "I cannot sign this, chairman."
Gran Doma sighed, "I cannot choose your priorities between your guild or the Magic Council, Jellal. But given your circumstance, you play a much more important role than many of us. And for that reason, I cannot risk your safety by having you affiliated with a guild. Besides, acting on your own agenda can bring about consequences on the council. A guild can...influence your decision-making at times."
Jellal waited for anyone to add on, or to make an objection.
Silence followed.
"...what makes you so confident I will choose the Magic Council over the guild?"
"Only a fool would turn their back on their duties to the government. If you truly value the lives of those around you, then you would be wise to quit Fairy Tail. If word gets out that you are the seal for Face, then enemies will do anything to kill you."
I said I'd give Erza an answer after we returned. What will she say when I give her excuse after excuse? Does she not deserve my answer, or my time? That child...if she takes him in, will she not be alone?
So many questions, all of which would be answered if he made a decision right now.
"If I fail to sign this contract, I will be forced to leave the Magic Council, correct?" he felt a bit foolish for asking a question he already knew the answer to.
"Of course." Gran Doma asserted.
To choose between two valuable things is the last position he wanted to be in. Erza would be selfless enough to want him on the council rather than by her side.
But that wouldn't be fair to her.
"Then I...no longer wish to remain on the Magic Council."
Everyone stared at him in surprise—some disappointed, others laughing internally at his supposed foolishness, and some pitying him.
But none could comprehend the wrath on Gran Doma's face.
The ring felt heavy in Jellal's pocket as Gran Doma spoke. "I have given you the benefit of the doubt, despite the fact that you appeared as an accomplice to the Oración Seis."
"Then wouldn't a man as heinous as myself be keen on securing my position? Nothing is stopping anyone from contacting a third party, even if you have set these rules."
Jellal wondered how much longer it would take for Gran Doma to realize that he had no ulterior motives. Any sane person could tell that Jellal did not care if he lost his position.
Gran Doma chuckled momentarily, "What you all signed just now...was a Geass Scroll."
So that was the catch. A Geass Scroll—once signed, that contract would bind to a mage forever. Not even death could separate you from it. It would be impossible to go against the terms stated.
Still, none of the councillors seemed surprised by the news, which was a relief, since nobody had any intention of acting against the terms. "I must commend you for being so thorough," Jellal said, rolling up the scroll and tossing it back to Gran Doma. "However, you already know my answer."
"The lives of your guild members are at stake alongside yours. If you leave the Magic Council, you will have no form of safety."
"You're wrong, Chairman Gran Doma. Countless former members have fled their position because of their political enemies, all of which stemmed from becoming a councillor. I would risk the lives of those around me were I to stay here."
"At least...reconsider it for a few days. I'll give you more time, but I cannot undo the terms on this scroll."
"I have made my decision, chairman. Please do not presume upon my second thoughts."
Jellal knew if he signed the Geass Scroll, he would be bound to the Magic Council for the rest of his life. Was it so wrong of him to long for freedom? Was it so hard to attain something he dreamed since the Tower of Heaven?