Underwater currents washed through the murky sea, carrying away the sediment and gradually revealing the silhouettes of the two stone giants.
The spectators swallowed nervously as they watched the screen. Unlike Zhang Xiao, they could not feel the feedback from his spells. All they could do was wait.
When the currents finally swept the sediment away, the spectators could not help gasping.
A tremendous collective gasp rose from the viewing stands:
"Wow-"
Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes as well. Huge slash marks scarred the chests of both giants.
Sectumsempra, with its faint trace of dark magic, was overwhelmingly powerful. Even the unknown metal that made up the statues had been cut open by Sectumsempra in his full release state.
Yet even a spell like that had been stopped by a pale gold layer of translucent crystal inside the stone giants' chests.
Through the crystal, he could see the colossi's intricate internal machinery and their cores, shimmering with flowing light.
Nicolas Flamel, who had hidden alone in his room to watch because of his social anxiety, suddenly widened his eyes. He leaned forward, trying to get a clearer look.
Finally, he simply pulled out a controller and flew the Alchemy Orb closer for a close-up.
The staff scrambled to regain control, but the Alchemy Orb refused to respond, flitting up and down through the water of its own accord.
"What is it, Nick?"
Perenelle smiled as she looked at her husband, who had suddenly become much more animated.
Nicolas Flamel said softly, "It looks like a lost alchemical technique. I've seen it on some excavated alchemical artifacts, but nothing remotely this intricate.
"How exactly do they power such enormous colossi and still make them move so quickly-and, most importantly..."
His aged face was filled with wonder, as though he had discovered