As the seal was slowly lifted, intricate magic arrays materialized, their glowing lines drawing an arcane pattern in the air. A powerful magical aura surged outward, filling the space with a tangible energy.
"Is it finally done?" one of the council members muttered. "The next step is to activate the Tower of Paradise..."
The process was complete, and the ultimate weapon—the Magic Elf Power, which contained vast amounts of energy—was released into the world. The magical power spiraled up into the sky, creating an awe-inspiring display of force.
About half a minute later, Ken, Erza, and Jellal, still locked in battle atop the tower, all felt the overwhelming surge of magical energy flooding their surroundings.
"Finally... the dark ritual is about to begin!!" Jellal exclaimed, his voice filled with manic excitement as he looked up at the storm-churned sky.
"Are you still going to die here...?" Jellal taunted, his eyes glinting darkly.
As Erza contemplated their situation, a voice suddenly broke through her thoughts.
"Would you like to give me a warm hug at the last moment of your life?"
It was Ken, his usual carefree tone offering an odd comfort in the face of such dire circumstances.
Erza couldn't help but smile bitterly at Ken's irreverence. They had been together just days ago at Hakobe Mountain. Ken's visit this time was entirely his own choice, and she had invited him—without knowing the chaos that would follow. Guilt gnawed at her.
At that moment, with no other option, she allowed herself to give in. In a flash of magic, her armor faded, replaced by a simple yet elegant long dress. Gently, she nestled herself into Ken's embrace.
"I should have stopped you from coming here," she whispered, her voice thick with regret.
Ken's reassuring smile remained. "It's not too late now. Didn't I tell you? None of us will die."
"You fool," Erza muttered softly.
A thunderous roar echoed above as the Magic Elf Power finally descended, bathing the Tower of Paradise in a bright, blinding light.
As the power enveloped them, Erza looked up at Ken, her eyes searching for something unspoken. His lips moved, as if he had something to say, but the words never reached her.
...
Erza's vision gradually cleared.
When her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was still at the top of the ruined tower, still cradled in Ken's arms.
"What's going on?" she whispered, confusion flooding her mind.
Jellal stood opposite them, but his expression had changed. No longer ferocious, he looked only shocked, his voice trembling with disbelief. "How... how is this possible?"
Ken spoke calmly, his voice steady in the face of the mounting tension. "According to your plan, the arrival of the Magic Elf Power wasn't supposed to kill anyone here. It was meant to activate the dark ritual, and for that, you needed us as living sacrifices."
"But something's wrong. Even with the Magic Elf Power here, the ritual hasn't begun, has it?"
Jellal's bloodshot eyes locked onto Ken, fury rising within him. "What did you do?!"
Ken shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in his eye. "When you and Erza were fighting, I found the device meant to channel the Magic Elf Power. I'll admit, your plan was thorough. My earlier damage barely impacted it. Even when I found the device, I couldn't destroy it immediately."
He paused, then delivered his devastating conclusion. "Fortunately, I managed to destroy the magic conversion system. Without it, even if you receive the Magic Elf Power, you can't turn it into energy to fuel your dark ritual."
Each word Ken spoke hit Jellal like a physical blow, unraveling his years of scheming. His face twisted with frustration.
Erza, still in Ken's arms, looked up at him. "So... you knew we wouldn't die?"
"Yes," Ken replied simply.
A blush crept onto Erza's cheeks as she gently pushed Ken away and began re-equipping her armor. He could tell from her flushed face that she wasn't sure whether to be angry or embarrassed.
"How shameless," she muttered, her voice tinged with both exasperation and amusement.
Ken cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, toothless or not, let's just wait and see. The battle's not over yet."
Suddenly, Jellal's anger exploded. Magic power, tainted with overwhelming resentment, erupted from him like a storm.
"If you dare to destroy the Tower of Paradise, you will stay here—forever—as living sacrifices! No matter what it takes!"
But in that instant, a figure appeared behind Jellal—an identical clone, dressed in formal attire, radiating a quiet, imposing power.
Erza's eyes widened in realization. "That's the thought-body Siegrain left by Jellal in the Council…"
Ken immediately understood. Jellal had regained his full strength. The return of his missing body meant he could now tap into a whole new level of power.
With bloodlust in his eyes, Siegrain, the clone, took swift steps and leaped directly onto the tower's peak.
The moment his figure disappeared from Ken's view, Jellal's magic exploded again—this time, far more terrifying than before.
"He's... using his thought-body as a conduit for the Magic Elf Power!" Ken realized, the gravity of the situation hitting him.
In a desperate gambit, Jellal had absorbed an immense amount of magical energy, pushing his power to new heights. At his peak, only the strongest of the Ten Saints could stand a chance against him.
Erza's heart raced in fear as she sensed the surge in Jellal's magic.
Ken clenched his fists. "In this state, he'll burn out quickly. We still have a chance."
Jellal seemed to know this too, and with a violent surge of power, he charged at them.
"Defend yourself!" Ken shouted. "Steel Skin!"
Jellal's speed and strength had increased exponentially, and his arms released twin bursts of magical energy. Ken was able to resist the blows, but Erza was pushed to the brink. Her diamond armor cracked under the pressure.
A sickening sound echoed as the armor shattered, leaving her exposed.
Without hesitation, Ken jumped in front of her, taking the full brunt of Jellal's magic, his body battered by the force.
"The Cave Dragon's Shield!!"
The brown dragon-slayer shield exploded into place, taking the hit. But as the shield protected Erza, the impact still sent her sprawling, severely injured.
"Ridiculous!" Jellal snarled, watching Erza fall.
Ken stood firm, shielding her with his own body. "Ken..." Erza whispered, pain lacing her voice.
"Can we still fight?" she asked, determination flickering in her eyes.
Ken nodded, gritting his teeth. "Of course."
Erza took a deep breath, and with a flick of her hand, activated her disguise magic. Within moments, she was no longer clad in armor. Her upper body was only wrapped in bandages, her legs covered in flame-patterned bloomers.
In her hands, the Demon Sword Benizakura gleamed with deadly intent.
Ken's eyes lit up with joy. "The Clothes of a Pure Heart..."
He knew that this was a transformation beyond mere armor. Erza had shed her insecurities, embracing the pure heart within her. This was a leap in her power, an evolution of strength.
Ken remembered all too well the countless battles where Erza had turned the tide with the Clothes of a Pure Heart and the Demon Blade Benizakura.
Together, they would stand against the coming storm.
(Next Chapter: The Final Battle at the Tower of Paradise)