The underwater temple's inhabitants weren't hostile; they were welcoming.
"Wow! Visitors from the surface!"
"How rare!"
"Everyone, we have visitors!"
"That cloak… aren't you Magic Knights?!"
"Ten years since our last visitors!"
"Tell us about the surface world!"
Amidst the welcoming crowd, Asta exclaimed, "I thought it would be dangerous like the Magic Palace!"
Yami took a drag of his cigarette. "Well, imagination and reality differ!"
Vanessa, dealing with the enthusiastic crowd, said, "Let's find someone who knows about the magic stones!"
Yami, in his typical boss-like manner, said, "Then, call this temple's boss out!"
The inhabitants, unafraid, mimicked Yami. "You mean the High Priest."
Another enthusiastically guided them. "To find the High Priest, just climb the stairs over there."
The casual disclosure of such important information made one wonder about the inhabitants' naiveté.
But their enthusiasm didn't fool Drake; he sensed they weren't as friendly as they seemed. It felt like children pouring hot water on an anthill—pure, innocent malice.
Did they not realize they were leading the Black Bulls to the most dangerous part of the temple? Perhaps they didn't think it was wrong.
It didn't matter to the Black Bulls. The magic stones were here; there was no turning back.
Drake paused… something was wrong. Shouldn't they cautiously gather information and strategize? Why did he want to charge in? Had he been assimilated by the Black Bulls?
Before Drake could speak, the temple's large, shell-encrusted stone door opened. A figure was visible within.
Suddenly, a huge creature emerged—eel-like but with an anglerfish-like head. A monster.
"AAAAAH!" Asta and Noelle screamed, but others reacted faster.
Fireballs, lightning, and beams struck the creature, knocking it down.
"What's that big, ugly thing?" Magna, Luck, and Gauche asked simultaneously.
"Hohoho! Interesting people have arrived!"
The figure from before approached, revealing an old man with long hair, eyebrows, and beard, his mustache giving him a somewhat lecherous look.
"Welcome to the underwater temple. I am the High Priest," he introduced himself.
Charmy, drooling over the defeated monster, noticed it disintegrating into bite-sized pieces.
"Interesting, monster drops materials!" Drake, knowing the High Priest's magic, guessed.
The corpse vanished before Charmy could eat it.
The High Priest said proudly, "That's my magic!"
The High Priest's magic was Game Magic, allowing him to set game rules within a designated area. Everyone, including the High Priest, had to follow them.
This magic involved rules and was illogical; various magic abilities could be used within the area, such as traps, spatial magic, or even creation magic, as seen with the monster. His powerful magic placed him far above a typical senior Magic Knight.
Unfortunately, as the name suggested, the High Priest treated everything as a game. Perhaps this was why he had Game Magic. But this attitude prevented him from becoming truly strong.
"You're after the magic stones! Want to play a game?"
The High Priest approached Vanessa and Noelle, his lecherous look intensifying.
"A massage game!"
After being punched by Noelle, the High Priest became slightly more serious.
Magna said impatiently, "Old man! We don't have time for games. Why do you know about the magic stones?"
The High Priest said mysteriously, "Hohoho! My eyesight is excellent! You want the magic stones, don't you?"
"Should we just beat him up and take them?"
"That's the fastest way. Kill him?"
"Great! That old man looks strong; a fight would be fun."
Asta stopped the violent trio. "What are you talking about?! Magic Knights don't do that!"
Meanwhile, the lazy trio were nearly completely relaxed.
Finral: "That old man's not ordinary; let's avoid trouble."
Vanessa: "Yawn… I'm sleepy."
Charmy: "Where do we eat?"
High Priest: "Win the game, and besides the magic stones, I'll host a feast. There will be the temple's most beautiful women, fine wine, and delicious food."
Lazy trio: "Let's play!"
With their enthusiasm ignited, Yami said, "Fine, old man. I'll be your opponent. Cards or dice?"
The High Priest smiled, raising his hand. "The game is… Temple Battle Royale!"
The group was confused.
"Game Magic: Underwater Temple Reformation!"
The High Priest opened his Grimoire; magical energy surged; nine openings appeared behind him.
"Temple Mages, come on!"
Nine figures appeared, standing behind the High Priest. They wore robes like his but with various sea creature masks. Their magic power was strong, at the senior Magic Knight level.
The High Priest excitedly announced, "Alright, let's begin!"
Water enveloped everyone. Drake didn't sense danger and let it happen.
After the water receded, Drake found himself in a cavern, hearing the High Priest's voice.
"The rules are simple: you'll face nine temple mages. There are ten of you; consider it a bonus. Knock your opponent unconscious to win; forfeits also count as wins. The team with the most remaining members after an hour wins. You can fight one-on-one or team up. But I'll use interference magic, so be careful!"
Drake stretched his wrists, sensing his surroundings.
"So fast!"
Four magical energies vanished; four battles had already ended. Drake wasn't worried about Black Bulls members being among the defeated.
"That scent? My opponent has appeared!" Drake muttered, his gaze falling on a figure emerging from a passage.
The figure wore a hammerhead shark mask; he was the strongest temple mage.
"Looks like I hit the jackpot!" Drake exclaimed.
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