Just as he sorted out his thoughts and was about to reach an answer, the shrieking temporarily suppressed by the Clear-Mind Charm exploded in his mind again without warning.
Countless gray-black lines churned madly through his thoughts.
The ancient runes on the stone pillar began to twist and blur, as though they had come alive and were dancing mockingly before his eyes.
By the time he finally shook off that wave of dizziness, the five-minute time limit had quietly elapsed.
Humm-
The stone pillar gave a low hum.
All the ancient runes on it instantly melted into a deep, swirling starry sky.
Countless stellar trajectories formed an Astronomy calculation problem of the kind that gave him the worst headaches.
Cedric's expression grew somewhat grim.
Behind him, Adrian Pucey was in an even worse predicament.
"Oh, look at our great Mr. Pucey! Even walking in a straight line takes him this long to think through!"
The shadow behind him loudly mocked him in an extremely shrill, exaggerated imitation of his own voice.
"Is your brain just there to hold up your hat?"
Pucey's face turned a dark, liver-red. He clenched his fists but did not dare look back.
He could only quicken his pace, trying to shake off that irritating voice.
"Faster, faster! Just like a rat with its tail on fire! How pathetic!"
The shadow's voice followed him everywhere.
Pucey's breathing grew increasingly rapid. He stared fixedly at the black squares beneath his feet, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Finally, as one black square gave a slight sinking sensation, he stumbled.
"Ah!"
An exclamation filled with irritation and impatience escaped his lips.
The moment the sound left his mouth, he regretted it.
An invisible suction came from the nearest stone pillar beside him.
His cry turned into