"Wayne, are you certain about this?"
All fifty destroyed fishing vessels were British ships, with the disappearances occurring in Icelandic waters where the Atlantic meets the Arctic.
Indeed, the British had long harboured an inexplicable obsession with Icelandic cod, and they still occasionally sneaked into Icelandic waters to fish.
This time, however, they encountered terrible misfortune – not caught by Icelandic patrols, but by Poseidon himself.
Fortunately, Poseidon disdained attacking ordinary mortals, merely summoning colossal waves to capsize all the fishing boats before departing. Subsequent search teams rescued survivors and were currently detained in Iceland, awaiting ransom payments from Britain.
Humphrey cared little about the bureaucratic disputes; his frustration was directed solely at Wayne accepting Poseidon's challenge to battle.
"Judging by my own moral standards, Poseidon undoubtedly has malicious intentions." Humphrey analysed for Wayne: "It's highly likely Zeus is also present, hiding in the shadows to ambush you."
"If they're utterly shameless, disregarding their divine dignity, even all the divine realms might join in."
"Uncle, you truly are the best."
Wayne gave a thumbs-up. "That's exactly what they're planning. I've received intelligence – thirteen beings are preparing to ambush me. Truly dishonourable."
"Then why did you agree?" Humphrey stared at him incredulously, as if his nephew had overnight turned into an idiot.
"Because this is the perfect opportunity," Wayne replied calmly. "If I were to attack each divine realm individually, the others would become vigilant, allowing some to escape. This allows me to capture them all in one net."
"Rest assured, when have you ever seen me attempt something I wasn't certain about?"
"Are you sure?" Humphrey remained somewhat worried. "According to what you said, you're all... Legends. In theory, you're all at the same level."
"The gap between Legends is greater than the difference between you and the most junior typist." Wayne used an analogy Humphrey could understand, finally reassuring him.
"By the way." Wayne suddenly remembered something. "Have coastal residents prepare, evacuate if possible."
"The duel location is hundreds of nautical miles away... Alright, I understand."
Seeing Wayne's serious expression, Humphrey didn't press further, his mind once again shaken by the destructive power involved."
Not wanting to disturb Wayne's preparations, Humphrey didn't stay long before preparing to leave.
Before departing, he somewhat awkwardly asked: "That... would your Hogwarts accept overage students?"
Wayne stared blankly, "Overage? How old?"
"My age," Humphrey said shamefacedly. "Not long ago, I had a Magic Riot and shattered the television at home."
Wayne was dumbfounded, struggling for a moment before suppressing laughter: "Hogwarts isn't accepting students anymore, but don't worry, we'll establish a senior university later."
Not long after Humphrey left, Dumbledore and Grindelwald were summoned by Wayne.
Before he could speak, Grindelwald took the lead and said, "What do you need from us? To hold off Zeus? The two of us should be able to occupy him for a while."
Dumbledore also nodded. "Lady Morgan can monitor the movements of Asgard. I don't think the other divine realms will intervene to help."
"No need, I've arranged everything," Wayne waved his hand. "You just need to appear in public view, keep the Aurors active, and prevent Tribe wizards from entering Europe."
The two old men exchanged glances, and finally Grindelwald said, "It seems you're planning to catch them all in one net."
"It's time to end this," Wayne smiled and nodded. "Let's strive to resolve all issues during this summer holiday so we can start the new term relaxed."
"That'll be my final year of student life - I can't let trivial matters disrupt my peaceful existence."
Wayne spoke with such seriousness that both Dumbledore and Grindelwald could feel his determination, which only made them feel more speechless.
Which year of his at Hogwarts could ever be described as peaceful?
...
Three days passed in a flash. Countries along the Atlantic coast had entered a state of military readiness, with most coastal city residents choosing to evacuate.
Poseidon had already demonstrated his disaster-like capabilities through two tsunamis. Seeing that Britain had begun evacuating civilians, other countries quickly followed suit.
At eight in the morning, satellite imagery revealed Poseidon appearing on the ocean surface. Because of the limited technology, observers could only see ten blurry dots rising above the ocean.
Another hour passed before Wayne finally arrived at the designated location, walking upon the waves.
Poseidon slowly opened his eyes, his sea-blue pupils calmly observing the young man:
"I thought you wouldn't dare to come, Lawrence."
Wayne examined Poseidon - his hair and beard were grey-white, but his complexion was ruddy and his build robust. Though standing upon the sea, he gave the impression of being an integral part of the ocean itself.
"I was the one who set the time and place - why wouldn't I come?" Wayne showed a faint smile. "Future history will permanently remember today, remember the day of Ragnarok."
Poseidon let out a cold laugh, opening his right hand as a golden trident materialised in his grasp.
"Gods are immortal. Don't think that just because you've been lucky enough to inherit some powerful inheritance, you stand on our level. I'll show you... what it means to be the God of the Sea."
As he spoke, the previously calm sea suddenly grew turbulent. Hundred-meter waves abruptly formed as if the ocean itself was roaring.
Facing the suddenly changing weather, Wayne remained unmoved, instead using the opportunity to examine Poseidon's trident, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
"This is it? I thought it would be a true divine artefact."
Having constantly heard the old dragon and Athena boasting about Olympus' heritage, he had expected a genuine divine artefact. But seeing the actual object, he realised it was merely a pseudo-divine artefact, akin to his own equipment.
"Come then, let me see how much of this pseudo-divine artefact's power you can wield." Wayne remained as steady as a mountain.
"You'll regret letting me make the first move," Poseidon said this, yet his actions showed no hesitation. A protective barrier shimmered around him, emitting a dazzling blue light.
Though he appeared contemptuous of Wayne, internally he took the young man extremely seriously - he understood perfectly well the power of the Heaven Divine Realm.
This challenge was one he had initiated himself. If he were truly outmatched, the other Legends would step in.
Streams of air flowed along Poseidon's protective barrier into the sea. The water's surface began spinning wildly, quickly forming a massive whirlpool several kilometres in diameter with Poseidon at its centre.
He didn't employ any probing attacks, instead he directly activated his Domain.
As the ruler of the seas, Poseidon's Domain was naturally ocean-related, though not merely composed of water elements. It contained a powerful devouring force - within the Domain's range, all living things would be torn to shreds by the violent whirlpool.
Wayne also felt a tremendous suction force, attempting to drag him down violently from the sky.
'Finally making your move.'
Wayne always preferred crushing enemies in the areas they took most pride in, making them understand they were no match, whether through cunning or direct confrontation. This time was no exception.
Bearing the legacy of the Tidecaller, Wayne possessed sea manipulation abilities no weaker than Poseidon's. Later, becoming the master of the Water Elemental Plane, though not currently within it, his affinity with water elements had surpassed all existence in the world.
Only if the true God of Water descended could they compete on equal terms.
Gripping the Void Staff, Wayne lifted it forcefully upward!
"Rise!"
Towering water columns erupted from the sea, transforming into roaring Sea Serpents that charged toward Poseidon.
"Challenging me for control of the sea?" Poseidon laughed in anger, raising his golden trident overhead. "Lawrence, what do you think a God of the Sea is!"
The whirlpool's rotation accelerated dramatically, its suction becoming even more terrifying. The Sea Serpents were involuntarily pulled downward, devoured by the vortex, but new ones continuously formed, relentlessly charging toward Poseidon.
Thud... thud... thud...
A series of dull impacts echoed from their clash, growing progressively louder until they resounded throughout heaven and earth.
Sapphire-blue tidal waves surged forth, using their massive forms to counterbalance Poseidon's whirlpool.
At this moment, billions of viewers worldwide watched with wide eyes, witnessing the turbulent scenes on their screens.
Even through the screen, they could feel the intimidating power of the endless waves. Coastal residents who understood tsunami forces knew particularly well what terrifying destruction those seemingly ordinary hundred-metre waves could unleash upon a city.
This was a wizard.
This was... a god?
Military leaders sat in silence within a large conference room. Faced with natural disasters of this magnitude, their thermal weapons seemed as laughable as toys.
...
Meanwhile, on the snowy plains of Russia.
Sakura and Tomoyo followed behind Nicolas, leaving a long trail of footprints in the snow.
"Mr Flamel, why have we come here?" Sakura asked after walking with Merlin for a while, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
"Shouldn't we be heading to the divine domain first, then to Takamagahara?"
"No rush," Nicolas chuckled cheerfully. "Even with the trump card Wayne provided, dealing with two divine domains and so many people won't be easy. Some are bound to slip through the net."
"Now is the time to bring out the weapon we've been preparing for two years."
"A weapon... could it be?" Tomoyo's mind worked faster, quickly realising something, her eyes lighting up.
"Correct." Nicolas suddenly stopped. "We're here."
The two women also halted, looking around in confusion.
There was nothing here - only a several-hundred-metre-high snow-capped mountain standing a few hundred metres ahead.
Nicolas Flamel produced a yellowed page. Though quite worn, he handled it as carefully as if holding the world's most precious gemstone.
"Now then, let me witness the power of the Netheril Empire's legendary arcane arts."
He gently released his magical power, and the parchment began to burn, transforming into a stream of light that vanished into the snowy mountain.
Immediately afterwards, the three witnessed a scene they would never forget.
As the earth trembled violently, the snow mountain began to rise slowly into the air, eventually rotating a full hundred and eighty degrees until its sharp peak became the base and its broad foundation became a platform.
Nicolas Flamel's eyes burned with fervour, his entire body trembling as he murmured uncontrollably.
"Netheril... Netheril!"