In the crystal ball, Will was already approaching the final area.
The water here was darker still, with almost no light to be seen. Only the small metal ball that served as the "target" gave off a faint glow in the depths, like a sunken flashlight.
But Will did not rush toward it.
He could sense something in this area.
Sure enough, after he descended another few feet, an enormous dark shape slowly rose from the bottom.
It was a Fish Monster—a large aquatic creature Professor McGonagall had created using Transfiguration, then enchanted with a simple Motion Charm to simulate a potential threat to the champions.
It resembled a merperson, with arms and a tail, but was far more brutish than a real one. Its arms were thick, its tail powerful, and its eyes glowed an eerie green in the darkness.
The Fish Monster lunged at him.
Instead of retreating, Will moved to meet it.
He dodged its first charge and, in the instant they passed each other, cast a Shrinking Charm on the creature.
"Reducio!"
The Fish Monster rapidly shrank from eight feet long to just two. It swam past him like an ordinary fish, circled twice in confusion, then hid among the aquatic plants.
Will continued descending and finally reached the metal ball.
He reached out and took firm hold of it.
"Perfect!" Professor McGonagall's voice was full of satisfaction. "Look at that! Will completed the entire training course in under twenty minutes without a single mistake! That is how a champion should perform!"
On the bank, Harry and Cedric exchanged a glance. Both felt a little pressure now.
Will began ascending, his movements still calm and unhurried. As his head broke the surface, the Bubble-Head Charm dispersed automatically. He drew a deep breath, then swam toward the