Jellal went rigid.
In an instant, a chill shot up his spine to the crown of his head, and cold sweat soaked his back.
Stiffly, inch by inch, he turned his head.
Pop.
A soft sound rang out, like a soap bubble bursting.
Less than a step away from him, a figure appeared out of thin air, then grew in the breeze, returning to normal human size in the blink of an eye.
The black-haired man crouched lightly beside him, propping his chin on one hand as he watched him with keen interest. A pair of pure white wings behind his back gave a gentle flutter, then dissolved into motes of light.
He was completely unharmed, without so much as a wrinkle in his clothes.
He raised his head and lazily waved at his companions on the rooftop, all of whom stood petrified, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
"Hey, everyone. Thanks for the hard work~"
A suffocating silence fell over the rooftop once more. The awkward silence did not last long, however, before a jumble of fierce, pounding footsteps broke it-
"Blanc!! We're here to save you!!"
"Erza! Natsu! Are you all right!?"
"Ooooh! You bastard kidnappers, give Blanc back!!"
The Guild Master, restored to his original size, led the charge, with Mira, Elfman, Cana, Loke, Warren, and the others close behind. They were covered in soot and dust, clearly having fought their way up from the foot of the tower.
Juvia eagerly poked her head out of the crowd and immediately spotted her target. "Gray-sama!! Juvia successfully brought everyone over!"
Yet the reinforcements, who had come prepared for a fierce battle, stopped in unison when they saw the rooftop battlefield. Though it was in ruins, the fight had clearly ended.
Elfman stared with his mouth hanging