The next morning.
"Set off!"
Noelle created a massive water sphere that wrapped around the entire Black Bulls squad, and the spinning orb began descending into the deep blue sea.
"So beautiful!"
"Wow! What kind of fish is that!?"
The underwater world was breathtakingly gorgeous. Even though Adam had already been here once before, he couldn't help but feel excited all over again.
But as they entered the Strong Magic Region, several powerful undersea whirlpools blocked their path.
"Noelle, you can do it!"
Noelle gritted her teeth and focused, maneuvering the water sphere through the narrow gaps between the whirlpools. The violent currents made the sphere spin wildly—Adam felt like throwing up.
"Come on! Just a little more!"
A dazzling white light suddenly appeared ahead. Noelle pushed the magic sphere forward in one final burst.
"Look! A magic barrier!" Noelle shouted.
A shimmering semicircular barrier lay before them, sealing off something beyond.
"How do we get in?" Asta asked, tilting his head.
"Obviously, with your anti-magic, kid!"
Yami grabbed Asta by the head and launched him like a baseball straight at the barrier.
"Ahhh!"
Asta, midair and panicking, swung his Demon-Slayer Sword and cleaved open a large gap in the barrier. The Bulls immediately charged in after him.
"I can't—ugh!"
Asta blinked. Suddenly, there was no more water around them.
White stone buildings, shaped like interlocking clouds, stood before their eyes.
"Charmy, lend me your cotton!"
"Okay!"
Charmy conjured a fluffy cotton carpet, and everyone hopped on, soaring toward the temple's center.
"It's humans!" Asta shouted.
The people here looked no different from those on the surface—ordinary civilians.
No mermaids. No fins. No tails.
"I thought there'd be mermaids!" Adam groaned, deeply disappointed. "What's the point of an Undersea Temple if everyone's still human!?"
"It's outsiders!"
A sea native shouted, and soon the Bulls were surrounded.
"It's been a long time since outsiders came here."
"Are you from the Magic Knights?"
"Your clothes look amazing!"
The friendly villagers crowded around, clearly fascinated by the newcomers and the Black Bull insignia on their robes.
"Where's the boss of this temple?" Yami asked bluntly.
"The High Priest? He's up those stairs," a middle-aged man pointed.
Everyone followed his finger to a towering double-cloud building at the center of the space.
"I'll take you there."
Adam followed the group, but he didn't relax. There were too many people here. His instincts screamed that something wasn't right.
Still, everything seemed friendly enough—just like visitors in Hage Village would be treated.
After climbing the long stairs, the guide stopped. "We're here. This is the High Priest's palace."
The huge doors opened automatically. The Bulls entered. Adam deliberately lingered at the back—things were going way too smoothly.
And if Trouble King Asta was involved, smooth never lasted long.
"Come back safely!"
The simple voices of the villagers behind them were oddly cheerful…
"Thanks!" Asta waved enthusiastically.
"If only you could come back alive!"
Bang!
The palace doors slammed shut instantly. Everyone inside froze, except Adam, who had already caught the tone in those last words.
"Dragon Blast!"
A surge of energy shot from Adam's hand and struck the door. Cracks spread—but it didn't break.
"He heard us!" the villagers outside panicked.
Adam turned back. "Not that strong… fine." He sprinted after the team.
"Adam! What are you doing!?"
The commotion caught everyone's attention. Asta yelled, "You can't just destroy people's doors before even meeting the owner!"
Adam sighed, patted Asta's head like a disappointed dad, and said, "When will you grow up, kid?"
"Don't give me that face!"
Asta exploded in anger. Ever since childhood, both he and Yuno had suffered under Adam's constant "big brother" attitude—even though they were the same age.
The rest of the Bulls stared, speechless.
"Let's move."
Yami waved them forward, looking calm but secretly suspicious. This kid… too damn mature.
"Hello? Anyone here?"
They reached a massive cavern—dark, silent, and definitely creepy.
"Oh crap, what's that!?"
Whoosh!
A giant monster fish lunged from behind! Gauche, Magna, and Luck reacted instantly, their combined attacks striking the beast. It burst into glowing particles and vanished.
"Oh, welcome to the Undersea Temple."
A frail, long-bearded old man stepped forward, his grin disturbingly wide.
"I'm the High Priest. You're here for the Magic Stone, right? If you want it, play a little game with me."
Before he could even finish, Adam strode forward, grabbed the old man's beard, and his eyes crackled with lightning.
"Hey, old man, stop wasting time. Hand over the Magic Stone, or I'll fry you where you stand."
Yami's face twitched. The others froze.
"…This brat just learned from me, huh."
"Stupid kid!"
Yami kicked Adam aside, stepped forward, and barked, "Alright, beardy. What kind of game? I'll show you how a real master plays."
Adam rolled his eyes. "Definitely not cards, I bet."
The High Priest promised rewards—fine food, strong drinks, and some "fun entertainment"—which immediately hyped up the Black Bulls.
The majority ruled, and the Bulls agreed to play.
"Then let's play Temple Royale! Yeah!"
The old man gleefully rolled on the ground like a child. Adam facepalmed hard.
"Come out!"
Whoosh whoosh!
Masked figures appeared—each wearing ocean-creature masks.
"Finally, foreign mages to fight!"
"The fish just talked!" Asta shouted, eyes wide.
"Let the game begin!"
Water surged up from the ground, swallowing everyone. Adam immediately transformed into a small fish, flowing along with the current.
The High Priest's voice echoed:
"I've scattered you across the temple. You'll face ten of my priests in a 10 vs. 10 duel. Whichever team wipes out the other first—wins!"
Adam landed in a tranquil lake, still in fish form. His jade pendant began to glow again.
"Hah. I thought someone had stolen you already," he muttered, grinning. "Let's get stronger, baby."
…Wait.
"There are eleven of us. So, who's missing?"
Meanwhile, up above, Captain Yami sat cross-legged beside the old High Priest, a feast spread before them.
They were drinking, laughing, and watching the battles unfold on a magic screen.