The ball of light expanded violently in midair, then suddenly exploded amid the crowd's terrified screams!
There was no deafening blast, only a silent yet incomparably dazzling golden burst of light!
Countless fine, dangerous Time Particles, like dandelion seeds scattered by a gale or a golden downpour flowing upstream, sprayed down upon the gathered crowd below!
"No—!"
"Get out of the way!"
"Protego!"
Cries of alarm, screams, and the hurried flashes of Protection Spells erupted at once!
The judges, who had been orderly and imposing just moments ago, instantly fell into indescribable chaos and panic! Everyone desperately dodged and defended themselves, terrified that even a single speck of golden dust might touch them!
Yet at that moment, everyone discovered that even defensive magic such as the Shield Charm had no effect whatsoever on the golden powder. On the contrary, it seemed to draw the stuff's interest.
Only wind—or rather, air currents—and purely physical defenses could block it.
With a flick of his Wand, Fontana summoned a whirlwind around himself and Lila. He looked up at the cascade of gold, and at last, a faint gleam appeared in his ever-grave eyes.
Just then, Fontana heard Lila's voice.
"Don't let him escape in the confusion, sir."
"Don't worry. He can't run."
Fontana spoke calmly. Spreading his arms like a symphony conductor, he made a broad, forceful sweep—
Billions of fine golden streams were forcibly drawn together from every direction—from beside frightened faces, from between flying strands of hair, from the tips of waving Wands, even from dust motes about to touch the ground!
Like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, the glowing dust surged madly toward Fontana, finally gathering at the tip of his Wand and forming another fist-sized ball of light.
The chaotic scene fell silent once more. Everyone turned