Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

"Prepare to dive!"

Professor Whitaker's instruction caused all the participants on the diving platforms to tense up.

Immediately, they imbued mana into the one-time artifact that they had gotten from the Mana Vortex Magi prior to participating in the first trial.

Unlike the other people around him, Adam was still calm and relaxed. He gazed at the small, blue fish scale in his hand that was inscribed with the spell model of Alter Spell.

He had created this consumable artifact last night. With an expectant smile on his face, he imbued the fish scale with his pure mana. The scale greedily devoured his mana as it shone with an aqualine light.

As the rest of the contestants were Mana Liquefaction Magi, they wouldn't be able to bring out the true potential of the artifacts in their hands because they were Grade 3.

Adam, however, would naturally be able to use his artifact to its full capacity, allowing him to stay underwater for a longer period of time.

Even as he infused his mana into the artifact, the mana signature radiating from him did not change one bit. They exhibited the exact fluctuations expected of an ordinary Mana Liquefaction Magus.

Such was the deadly brilliance of the Devil of Secrets' mana suppression technique.

After the scale-looking artifact was activated, it dissipated into tiny droplets of water that surrounded Adam—or rather, Merlin—in a mystical manner.

The sides of his neck began to writhe unnaturally, as though something beneath the skin was struggling to emerge. Within moments, the skin split open into delicate gills.

Simultaneously, a thin membrane stretched between his fingers, connecting them with translucent webbing that shimmered faintly in the morning light.

The bones in his hands cracked and shifted subtly to accommodate the new structure, giving his fingers a longer, more tapered appearance suited for swift movement through water.

His entire form was gradually becoming something more suited to the depths. He soon became a creature not quite human, yet not quite beast either.

The participants had gone through similar transformations as well. However, the pain they experienced was far more unbearable than Adam showed.

In truth, Adam endured the same torment, but he was far more accustomed to it after being subjected to countless sessions of torture during his physique enhancement advancements.

Within a minute or so, all the participants had successfully completed their aquatic transformation.

It was at that moment that Professor Whitaker brought her hand down and loudly declared, "Begin!"

Without waiting a moment longer, several participants leapt off the diving boards and plunged into the depths of Marian Lake. Others, however, lingered at the edge of the board, staring down at the lake in hesitation and dread.

Professor Whitaker's ominous warning echoed in their heads:

Beware… the maze is not unguarded.

Adam patiently waited on the diving board, his gaze scanning the other diving platforms. He first made sure that his friends and students dove into the lake first, and only then was he ready to dive in as well.

Calmly approaching the edge of the board, he came upon the towering, sturdy figure of Michael Isaac. The man stood frozen, hesitating to make the dive.

The youth with the coppery-red hair walked toward him and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Chop-chop, big man. The number of keys is limited. You better get your hands on one before someone else does," he said with a toothy grin.

With that said, he leapt from the board, spun gracefully through the air, and dove into the depths of Marian Lake.

Michael watched Adam…no, Merlin… disappear deep into the lake, leaving behind only a cascade of ripples trembling across the surface.

He took several deep breaths, replaying Adam's words in his mind. The number of keys was limited, and he had to claim one before the others did.

I can do this! I can do this…

With a final breath, he pinched his nose and jumped off the diving board, plunging into the cold, murky depths below.

***

Adam broke through the surface of the lake with barely a splash. As he plunged into the cold water, the noise from above faded instantly, replaced by a deep, eerie stillness.

The chill wrapped around his body, but his transformation had already taken effect. Gills opened along his neck, and the webbing between his fingers let him glide smoothly through the water.

It was a surreal experience for him. Everywhere he looked, it was gradually turning darker and darker.

At first, his vision was blurry. Light filtered in from above in scattered and scarce beams, distorted by the rippling surface. But his eyes quickly adjusted. His pupils shifted, and he was able to adjust to the darkness.

Soon, the shapes around him came into focus…

He could see the silhouettes of coral structures further in the depths of the lake. They rose from the lakebed like twisted towers, thick with swaying underwater plants.

Adam was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, That's not a maze…

That's a whole damn town!

The deeper he went, the darker it became. Colors faded, replaced by murky green and deep blue tones.

But thanks to Alter Self, he was able to see everything clearly. He was even able to breathe fine, almost as if… he was truly a creature of the deep.

Around him, he saw the shadowy humanoid figures of several participants swimming towards the depths, trying their best to reach the magical key first.

Thanks to his Sphere of Resonance, he could clearly distinguish who was who. It was this ability that allowed him to track the exact locations of his friends and studetns.

He made sure to always remain a step behind them, prepared for any unexpected situation that may arise.

But till now, everything seemed normal…

As he swam deeper and deeper, he was able to see faint glows from bioluminescent algae lining parts of the maze, casting a dim, eerie light.

Suddenly, Adam's eyes narrowed. Through the Sphere or Resonance, he was able to sense the presence of something… or rather someone.

Strange shadows moved in the distance.

Fish?

Adam thought, his face gradually darkening.

…No, it's something else!

Dozens of these shadowy figures emerged from the distance, swimming towards the contestants at rapid speeds.

Just when Adam was able to confirm the identities of these creatures… he heard it.

A faint melody, soft and distant.

It was a siren's song.