The Champions from the other schools warmed up while repeatedly glancing toward Hogwarts and Zhang Xiao.
Everyone else was in shorts and short sleeves. Why did their equipment look so sophisticated?
Before they could dwell on it, a streak of light burst across the sky. The competition had begun!
Almost simultaneously, they drew their wands, hurriedly cast Bubble-Head Charms on themselves, and jumped into the sea.
Splash after splash sent water flying. Just then, a dozen or so round silver spheres flew up as well.
They plunged into the water, then scattered to follow each team of Champions.
These silver spheres were broadcasting devices for the Magical Projection. What Muggles could not yet accomplish came naturally to wizards.
Yet space and the deep sea, places beyond the reach of wizards, had been reached by Muggles through their steady, painstaking efforts.
Perhaps... neither Muggles nor wizards had ever considered just how well they complemented each other.
Sunlight filtered through the surface, casting dappled patterns that seemed to drape the deep blue ocean in a thin veil of gold.
Zhang Xiao secured his goggles over his face and slipped lightly into the water, his graceful dive raising only a small splash as he entered.
The clamor around his ears gradually faded, replaced by the gentle flow of water and the clear echo of his own heartbeat.
The sea just beneath the surface was breathtakingly beautiful, like a world out of a dream.
But lowering his head was like gazing into an abyss. They were already far out in the Atlantic Ocean, and the dark waters seemed ready to swallow them all.
He glanced at the Champions entering the water around him. They were still in the shallows, where a Bubble-Head Charm was sufficient. Clearly, everyone had made suitable preparations.
Once in