Jerome

Jerome (ジェローム Jerōmu) is a member of the Avatar cult.

Appearance
Jerome is a tall man with a typically neutral expression. He has orange eyes and unkempt, shoulder-length blonde hair, which causes one of his fellow cultists to refer to him as "scruffy". For attire, Jerome dons a metal breastplate over dark pants; over this he wears an open, long, grey coat with black shoulder covers.

Personality
Jerome comes across as a very serious individual, being both incredibly dedicated to his cult's beliefs and mistrusting of anyone who could get in the way of such plans. Jerome has shown great foresight, not only monitoring and wanting to prepare for enemy actions, but also researching and keeping notes on fellow cult members that he will be working alongside.

Avatar arc
Jerome appears at his cult's headquarters, sitting at a table with the other members as their leader and priest Arlock declares that, in light of the Balam Alliance falling, it is their cults time to rise and wipe the land of those who do not follow Zeref. After the meeting, Jerome approaches Arlock to express his concerns about the Magic Council, as he believes they have been monitored for some time and wonders if they should proceed with their plans. Briar joins the conversation, calling him "Scruffy", and comments that they should just remove the threat before they begin, though Arlock dismisses the two from his quarters, not wishing to discuss the matter in the middle of his prayers.

Outside in the hallway, the other members of Avatar continue the conversation, though Jerome concludes that the Council itself isn't the worry, rather how they found out about their location and plans. From a corner, Gray smirks and openly questions if they all suspect him; Jerome replies that he has made sure to keep tabs on the Ice-Make Mage and knows Gray's family and mentor were murdered by Demons from Zeref's Books. The other members all find this surprising and conclude that if such fact is true, then Gray is suspect, for he would have a hatred for Zeref. Jerome also adds that, since joining, Gray has done nothing to confirm his faith. Gray replies that Jerome has some of his facts wrong, and, when Jerome once again questions his motives, Gray flat out tells him his plans: he wants only the Book of E.N.D., and will use them all as a means to obtain it. As the ex-Fairy Tail Mage walks off, Jerome watches him with mistrusting eyes. Jerome then comments to Briar that he does like "Scruffy".

Jerome, along with the other Avatar members, is alarmed when he hears a stranger call out Gray's name. After Natsu tries to fight back after he is captured by Avatar, Jerome holds his sword to Lucy's head, telling him not to move. During the sacrifice ceremony, Jerome expresses his suspicions over Gray choosing to stay behind, but Briar puts his mind at ease, along with offering a new nickname, saying that whether Gray betrays them now or not is irrelevant.

Jerome and his comrades later go to Malba City to participate in Operation Purify, and is shocked to see many monks of the cult be easily swept away by an unknown force and his feelings then turn to sheer wrath when he finds out that Gray and his past friends are the ones standing in their way. He then mistakes another force hitting them from the back for the Council, when it is in fact just one rider on a stallion. Jerome acknowledges that Erza must be pretty good if she can take on an entire army, but states he can purify her with his sword. After she fells a large group of soldiers, Jerome goes in for a sneak attack, striking her suddenly but she blocks the attack with her sword. Calling her a beautiful knight, Jerome watches as her sword corrodes away. He then launches into a flurry of attacks that destroy her many swords. He explains that his sword corrodes anything it touches but Erza explains that she defeated him without him even realizing it as Jerome falls to the ground, defeated. As Natsu finishes off Ikusa-Tsunagi, Jerome lies on the ground shocked that Avatar's army was defeated. Jerome is then taken away by the Custody Enforcement Unit, and looks on, amazed, at the power of Gray's friends.

Equipment
Dark Sword (暗黒剣 Ankoku Ken): Jerome uses this Magical sword that is said to hold forbidden Black Magic inside it. Anything the blade of the sword touches is instantly corroded.

Quotes

 * (To himself): "For a lone rider to throw us into chaos... speaks volumes on their skill. However... I shall purify them with the forbidden black magic of my sword and cut them to size."
 * (To Erza Scarlet): "I won't let you get in the way of my purification plans!!