chapter 36: The Underwater Temple (part 2)

"You're after the magic stone, aren't cha?" Asked the high priest as everyone'e ears suddenly stand up. "If you want it... how about playing a li'l game with me?

Everyone looked at him nervously as he went up to Noelle and Vanessa.

"It was a boob- squeezing game!" As the high said that Noelle responded by punching the high priest.

"Hey! You can't punch the high priest." Asta yelled as he thought that the high priest is some kind of big shot.

"why not? I'm a Royal!" Said Noelle with a proud expression on her face.

"I was kidding, Just kidding!" The high priest said while rubbing a side of his face.

"I'll show you that, in this world, there are some people you must not joke with." Said Noelle bringing out her magic.

"Hey!Gramps! We don't have time to dink around with you, alright? And how do you know about the magic stone anyways?" Asked Magna.

"How, how... I've got pretty good eye. What'll you do? You want the stone, right?" The high priest laughed and asked to the Black Bulls.

After hearings this Luck, Magna and Gauche grouped together and started to think of a plan.

"What do we do? Send him flying and steal it?" Asked Magna.

"Great! That old man look like he has tons of magic, I bet he'll be fun to fight." Said Luck.

Sounds fast, I like it. Want to kill him?" Asked Gauche.

"Uh, guys! Suse me!" I'm hearing a lot of dangerous talk over here. Magic knight can't do stuff like that!" Shouted Asta.

"Yes Asta is right!" said Rowan.

"See, even Rowan agrees."

"Why bother wasting the time, I can directly freez him!" Said Rowan.

"WHAT!?" Shouted Asta.

"I was joking..." Said Rowan and Asta take a sigh of Relief. "If he give the stone quickly." Said Rowan Asta again panicked.

"There's no way that the old man is noramal. I'll have to be careful not to get pulled into something sticky." said Finral trying to ignore everyone.

"*Yawn* I'm getting sleepy." Said Vanessa.

"Excuse me, where is the food?" Asked Charmy.

"And You people Aren't planning to work at all!" Shouted Asta.

"Aaaah... haven't you made up your minds yet? If you win the game, in addition to the Magic stone, I thought I'd gather the temple's most beautiful womans and hold a stylish banquet with the best food and drink..." Said the high priest.

Hearings this Finral, Vanessa and Charmy's eyes lit up. "ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO IT!" The three of them shouted in union.

"They're suddenly into this! Is that more important then the mission!?" Asta asked himself.

"ALL RIGHT! ILL DO ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING." As Asta shouted the words Yami kicked Asta's back.

"Hey, you dial it down." Yami looked Asta and said.

"Why!? I'm not doing anything wrong!" Yelled Asta.

"Guess we'll have to, All right Gramps. I'm a gaming expert. I'll take you on!" Said Yami while puffing a cigarette."What're we playing? Cards? Dice?"

Hearings Yami'd words the old man smirked.

"A WHITE-HOT... TEMPLE BATTLE ROYAL! WOO-HOOO!" The High priest laughed madly.

The Black Bulls started at the High Priest, no one expected for a battle royal to be the game they would have to play.

"Temple mages, c'mon out!" The High priest shouted as his grimoire opened.

"[Game Magic: Temple Shuffle]" As he casted his spell multiple portal like door started to open around him.

"What's that!?" Asked Asta.

"Are those Passages!?" Asked Magna.

From the portal the high priest summoned ten individuals that wore robe and mask of underwater creatures, each with load of mana.

"You called, High priest!?" Said one of the masked guy.

"Finally! Mages from outside who are able to come to the underwater temple." Said the second one.

"Ahh...! I can't wait!" Said the third one.

"Still... they don't look as I though as they would." Said the fourth one.

"Huh? What was that punk!?" Magna narrowed his eyebrows.

"The Magic is just rolling off these guys! Are they Underwater Temple worriers!?" Asked Finral.

"All right, Everyone ready!? Then let the game, BEGIN!" The high priest laughed madly.

"I'M NOT REA-" Before Asta can complete his sentence, everyone expect Yami and high priest, were sent to different areas.

"Test, test, test, can you all hear me? You have all been scattered to different area inside the temple. starting now, you shall face off against the temple mages, ten-on-ten. The rules are simple, If you knock out an opponent you win. The first team to wipe out the other or to have the most member remaining is the victor."

"Damn old man... I knew freezing you is the best choice." After hearings the voice, Rowan had one thing on his mind. When he get out of this game, he's going to beat the crap out of the high priest. Everything was just slapped into his face and he was just suppose to accept that? He'll no!

"You're my opponent? I must say I'm not really impressed." As Rowan turned around, he saw one of the temple mage walking toward him. "So it would seen that you have to fight against me. Please, try not to make my victory too easy to claim."

"Listen, I don't have time to play games! Give us the magic stone and we'll be on our way." Said Rowan.

Hearings the words the underwater mage merely laughed as he looked at Rowan before saying: "There is only one way to get out of this game and to get the magic stone. One team needs to win, that's all."

Rowan sighed and took out his grimoire."Fine then, I'll play along with your dumb game."

Meanwhile -

The high priest was in a room with Yami as multiple screen of mana were showing all the matches that were happening. As he poured some drink, Yami merely glared at him.

"Hey geezer, I hate being in sidelines let me play the damn game or I won't be a good guest." Said Yami.

"I'm afraid I can't I can't do that. You're simply too strong. the people outside the temple and I have been looking forward to this. We can't have fun if it end to quickly."

"WHA HAH..., You do have a good eyes. So you knew that, Huh, Gramps?"

"DWAH HA HA... Yes, yes I do!"

Soon Yami sat dowan as he started drinking with the high priest. He knew the old man geezer had an eye for fighting skill. Soon Yami's eyes landed on the screen that showed Rowan.

"My, it seem that the boy isn't so lucky. After all, he's facing one of our strongest worriers. Say, What ranks are your squad members." Asked the high priest to Yami.

Yami puffed another cigarette.

"They're all at the junior rank. But wouldn't understimate them for ther rank. Just sit back and watch."