Like a Fish in Boiling Water

The three mages called out to the Black Pearl from a considerable distance away.

Although their tone carried goodwill, they had no intention of approaching. Instead, they kept a relatively safe distance from the Black Pearl—close enough to attack, far enough to retreat.

Though the Black Pearl looked impressive and nothing like a pirate ship, the three mages were not fooled by appearances.

After all, superficial things could be disguised. In comparison, the near absence of crew on the Black Pearl's deck was far more suspicious.

And that was indeed the case. If the Black Pearl had not been a magical artifact, Adam and Gabriel alone could not have kept such a large ship operating.

"No hostile intent?"

Gabriel murmured,

"What a shame. I do..."

With a flick of his hand, more than a dozen thin streams of water suddenly shot skyward, weaving into a net that enveloped the three mages.

"WHAT?!"

Though the three mages had remained on guard, neither of the two men before them had taken out a Grimoire. The sudden assault still caught them off guard.

Azure wind blades and columns of water surged forth together, but against the sheer number and speed of the water streams, some inevitably slipped through. One of the mages deliberately took a hit.

The ring of wind holding him aloft was scattered by the water, and the mage plunged straight into the sea.

"Damn it, is someone hiding underwater? Those two on the ship are just decoys to draw our attention!"

The wind mage was somewhat older. He swiftly came up with what he believed was the situation, his expression darkening, though he showed little concern for his companion.

One of them used wind magic, one used water magic, and the one who had deliberately fallen into the sea used