Outside the active array, the Durmstrang students watched with progressively growing unease and uncertainty.
They clearly observed the protective barrier surrounding the trapped Hogwarts and Kunlun contestants, shimmering with obvious resilience against the relentless assault of manifested sword energy.
"What exactly are they doing?" a Durmstrang student muttered with obvious confusion, frowning deeply. "That protective charm... it's actually holding up against absolutely everything."
Krum stood with his muscular arms crossed, his weathered expression remaining coldly confident. "It's genuinely impressive defensive work," he admitted somewhat grudgingly, "but I absolutely don't believe it will last indefinitely. This formation is specifically designed for sustained endurance warfare. Eventually, their protective shell will crack under accumulated strain."
He watched the barrier intently, which rippled like disturbed water under each concentrated sword strike. Even so, it held remarkably firm.
Meanwhile, hidden carefully in the Forbidden Forest's shadowed concealment, the Beauxbatons students observed the spectacular display unfolding with rapt attention.
"My god," one of the French students breathed with genuine awe. "Is this what they've been hiding in reserve? That barrier proves absolutely terrifying. I'm genuinely glad we didn't rush in earlier for premature engagement."
Fleur nodded slowly with analytical appreciation. "Indeed. I thought the golden cards we obtained were powerful, but this... this represents something else entirely. We should maintain patient observation. Let them systematically exhaust themselves—and whatever resources they retain."
The other girls agreed readily. For now, Beauxbatons chose deliberate patience over aggressive action.
Back inside the formation's confines, the Hogwarts and Kunlun students successfully reached the barrier's perimeter edge.
The sword energy attacks dramatically intensified in response, striking the protective purple barrier with increasingly ferocious concentrated power.
Sharp cracks of violent energy collision echoed repeatedly across the sealed arena, the barrier flashing with dangerous instability at every sustained impact.
Harry Potter glanced at the shimmering protective wall with obvious flickering worry in his eyes. "It's holding successfully," he murmured with controlled uncertainty, "but barely."
Penelope Clearwater stood beside him, her focused gaze fixed on the shimmering barrier. "Don't worry unnecessarily," she stated, her voice carrying absolute firm conviction. "This is Erwin's design. Anything he creates is absolute in reliability. The card promised ten minutes of guaranteed protection, and I trust that promise completely."
Harry nodded understanding. He trusted it too—he was simply being appropriately cautious.
They pressed forward methodically, moving through the formation's designated safe zone until they stood directly at the barrier's edge.
Across the energy divide, Krum and the Durmstrang students visibly tensed with growing concern.
"They're attempting to exit the formation," Krum observed, his brow furrowing with obvious worry.
"No," a more observant Durmstrang student corrected sharply. "They're attempting to break it completely. Look—she's holding something significant."
Sunny Finch stood positioned at the very edge of the formation boundary, the distinctive golden card gleaming prominently in her raised hand.
She glanced back toward where Durmstrang watched with obvious trepidation, a knowing smirk playing across her features.
"Don't bother hoping," she called out clearly, her voice carrying easily over the sustained clash of violent magic. "This is a foundational array directly from Kunlun's sacred archives. Everything inside is automatically designated as a target for the sword energy—there are no blind spots whatsoever."
She turned to Charlotte, who stood beside her with eyes narrowed in focused analytical study.
"This array is genuinely fascinating," Charlotte murmured thoughtfully, studying the complex flow of channeled energy with obvious intellectual appreciation. "It's not merely a trap—it's a genuine weapon system. If utilized correctly with proper tactical support, it could absolutely dominate an entire battlefield."
Charlotte felt a familiar pang of competitive drive. Her master, Erwin, possessed strength she constantly strived to match through dedicated training.
In her developing worldview, only two fundamental types of people existed in Erwin's sphere: allies and enemies.
But even among allies, clear hierarchy mattered tremendously.
Charlotte's thoughtful gaze drifted briefly to Sunny Finch. She understood with absolute certainty that Erwin held this particular girl in exceptionally high regard—far higher than virtually anyone else.
Initially, Charlotte had dismissed persistent rumors of romantic involvement as ridiculous nonsense. Erwin simply wasn't the type to be distracted by such considerations.
He remained far too focused on his grand overarching plan, moving with increasing visible urgency over the past two years.
But observing this array—the way Sunny Finch held the golden card with absolute confidence, the obvious trust in her tactical stance—Charlotte finally comprehended the deeper truth.
Sunny Finch wasn't just a companion; she represented a crucial piece in Erwin's strategic planning.
"Ready?" Charlotte asked quietly, her voice dropping to low, focused tone.
Sunny nodded decisively. "Let's finish this."
She raised the precious golden card high, the etched inscription glowing with concentrated magical power building toward release.
The card represented the critical key—Fiendfyre Pathfinder, an absolute attack specifically designed to tear through even the strongest defensive barriers.
The horrified Durmstrang students watched with mounting dread.
"She's actually going to break the array!" someone shouted with obvious panic.
Krum's fists clenched unconsciously with visible tension. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath with desperate hope.
"Hold positions," he commanded, though his voice carried noticeable tightness. "Wait until the barrier actually cracks. If the formation breaks completely, we strike immediately with everything remaining."
In the concealing forest, the Beauxbatons girls leaned forward with unconscious tension, hearts pounding with anticipation.
"Do you think her card will successfully work?" one whispered urgently.
The girl beside her held her breath. "If it does... everything changes completely."
Back at the formation's edge, Sunny Finch decisively slammed the golden card against the purple barrier with concentrated force.
A absolutely blinding flash of brilliant light erupted violently, and the air itself seemed to literally scream with released magical energy.