The new morning in Undine seemed tranquil beneath the ocean’s depths. Yet, for Akira and his team, that tranquility was merely the calm before a monumental challenge. They gathered at the edge of the glass domes where Mirelle awaited them. Joining her were a group of Undine mages, assembled and prepared for their mission.
The mages’ appearances were as varied as they were extraordinary. Some had shimmering fishtails of vibrant colors, while others resembled majestic manatees. There were also sleek, muscular hammerhead-like mages wielding razor-sharp spears, and squid-like figures armed with long, blade-like weapons.
“Our mage team is ready,” Mirelle announced, raising her glowing staff, its blue and orange crystals casting a radiant light. “These are the best warriors Undine has to offer. Though Atlantino is rife with danger, this time… we will not fail.”
A ripple of quiet applause from the Undine mages signaled their determination. As the group swam beyond the safety of the glass domes, the water, once calm, began to stir unnaturally. The aura of chaos grew stronger with each passing moment.
It wasn’t long before they encountered their first threat—a swarm of bladefish. These small, razor-edged fish moved with blinding speed, forming a deadly mass. Any who ventured too close would find themselves slashed as if by countless blades.
“Stay sharp!” Mirelle shouted as she raised her staff, conjuring a swirling vortex of water. The spinning currents pulled the bladefish into its grasp, their frenzied movements seeming frozen within the whirlpool’s force.
“They can’t move against the current!” one of the Undine mages called out. With synchronized precision, the team unleashed a barrage of magical attacks, swiftly obliterating the once-deadly swarm.
“That was just a warm-up,” Draco remarked, his eyes fixed ahead. “Whatever’s waiting next will be far worse.”
Moments later, they were confronted by a pack of electric eels. These creatures darted through the water, releasing jolts of electricity that even penetrated their aquatic surroundings. Some mages, caught off guard, were shocked and forced to retreat.
“They’re too fast!” one mage cried out. Mirelle tried to summon another water vortex, but the eels’ agility allowed them to evade her magic effortlessly.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
“We need a new strategy,” Akira said firmly, his mind racing. A memory from his school days in the human world surfaced, sparking an idea. He swam over to Mirelle.
“Can you create a hollow ice tube above us?” he asked. “Then pull water into it while creating a vacuum inside. The water’s pressure will force the eels up, where we can attack them more easily.”
Mirelle blinked, intrigued but uncertain, before nodding. “I’ll try.”
With a focused incantation, she raised her staff and formed a massive ice tube. The swirling water she summoned was sucked into the hollow structure, creating a powerful vacuum. The electric eels, caught in the current, were dragged into the tube as if by an enormous pump. Some shocked one another inside the confined space, while others were launched into the air, becoming easy targets for the mages waiting below.
“Incredible!” one Undine mage exclaimed. “This plan actually works!”
Mirelle glanced at Akira, a smile of admiration on her lips. “It was his idea… I just made it happen.”
The Undine mages began murmuring their approval, their gazes toward Akira now filled with newfound respect.
After eliminating the electric eels, the team arrived at a strangely silent area. The stillness was shattered by the appearance of a Megalodon—a massive shark-like creature fused with crocodilian traits. Its armored body, razor-sharp teeth, and predatory gaze exuded menace.
“This is the beast that’s taken more of my comrades than the Kraken itself,” Mirelle said, her voice heavy with a mix of grief and anger. “It’s not just big; it’s cunning and deadly.”
The team quickly regrouped, knowing the creature would hesitate to attack them as a unit. The Megalodon circled them slowly, watching, waiting for someone to break formation. Then, in a sudden burst of speed, it lunged forward, creating a shockwave that nearly scattered the group.
“We need to bait it!” Akira shouted. Turning to Draco, he asked, “Can you make something incredibly light?”
“Easy,” Draco replied confidently.
Akira devised a plan to use himself as bait. Swimming away from the group, he caught the Megalodon’s attention. The enormous creature didn’t hesitate, surging toward him with terrifying speed.
“Come on…” Akira muttered, activating his Starblade technique underwater. Empowered by Leviathan’s blessing, he unleashed a wave of energy that struck the Megalodon, momentarily stunning it. Seizing the opportunity, Draco cast a gravity spell, drastically reducing the creature’s weight.
The result was surreal—the massive predator, once a formidable force of nature, floated helplessly upward like a balloon. As it drifted toward the surface, the Undine mages bombarded it with relentless attacks until it was finally subdued.
Cheers erupted from the Undine team as they celebrated their victory. Yue, who had been supporting the team with healing spells and energy restoration, offered a quiet smile. However, a small part of her couldn’t help but feel overshadowed by Mirelle’s exceptional abilities. She began to wonder if she was contributing enough to the team.
“Our next stop is the Kraken’s Triangle,” Mirelle announced gravely, pointing toward a deep trench surrounded by swirling black mist. “The Kraken has claimed that area as its territory… and no one who’s ventured there has ever returned alive.”
The team gazed at the ominous shadows in the distance, the mist swirling like a living entity. The pressure in the water seemed to grow heavier with each step—or stroke—they took toward the most fearsome foe standing between them and Atlantino.