User blog comment:Sting Eucliffe/Ten Wizard Saints/@comment-4047931-20120712175324/@comment-904888-20120713014128

Given how stubborn and dark Magic Council was depicted in the past, and the damage that Jellal has done to them (even though none of it was under his control), I highly doubt Jellal could be redeemable in their eyes short of his sacrifice. Even if Ultear admits to the council that she was the one responsible, they would at the very best pardon him, but would very unlikley ever give him the Wizard saint rank back again. Besides, Ultear have no evidence to support her claims, so council might be inclined to believe Jellal is pulling the strings.

And then there is the whole Milliana and Kagura affair to consider with Jellal, so the only conceivable ending that would solve all of these affairs satisfactorily is that he sacrifices himself to save them. Otherwise I probably would find them too far fetched.