You’re right, it makes no sense that a primary, low-damage attack would have such a lengthy setup. A slow windup on a weak attack isn't just jarring—it also takes away from the fluidity that’s essential for the Mage class, especially since it makes positioning yourself mid-combat feel clunky. Sure, the three-hit combo option is there, but if it doesn't consistently work and doesn't make combat feel smoother, it’s hardly a fix.
Your suggestion to make the Mage’s standard attack align with how it works in Inquisition is spot-on. That faster, more responsive attack style would make it way more enjoyable. Hopefully, the devs will take this into account and address this. Whether it’s an unintended bug or simply a design oversight.