The list of names who will be participating in the competition was now posted in several bulletins spread throughout the academy.

A crowd composed of students in Combat Magician class and Mana Technician class were busily discussing the news about the participants for the upcoming TMAC in front of the bulletin just outside the cafeteria.

A group of four 2nd year students who were in the lower section in the class were commenting about the decision of the academy for the competition.

"No changes on the 3rd year roster for combat magicians?"

An average looking male student commented on the result.

"True, they're still the same team who participated in last year TMAC."

The opposite female added as she confirms that they were indeed the same team.

"Well, since they did well as a second-year student before, they might get better results this year."

A different male student with ash brown hair commented. They were clearly expecting some changes on the roster at first since the haven't reached the top last year.

"I just hope that we place at least 2nd rank in the overall score at the competition."

The last female student said as she voiced out her hope for her academy.

The other three nodded at this because last year, the overall score result for the Leonhearts academy only allowed them to reach the 4th place in the twelve magic academies competition.

This time a first-year student in Sun Class - Combat Magicians neared them and asked about the competition. She noticed that the four were wearing 2nd-year uniform and has an emblem that identifies them as a student in Sun Class. She couldn't find anyone she knew near the bulletin posted so she approached the 4 higher year student to ask some questions.

"Excuse me, seniors. I'm Hilda Calem, a first-year student in Sun Class - Section 2."

Upon hearing her introduction, they immediately sized her up as they just saw her name in the bulletin. She has short, dark-brown hair reaching her shoulder and wears a pink hair-band over her head. She wore a shy expression as she approached and introduced herself.

"Oh, I've seen your name on the list of participants!"

"Indeed, Hilda Calem. But you are from section 2? That's unusual."

"Well, maybe she has a lot of potential."

"True, even if she's not from section 1, as long as she's good then that should be fine."

Hilda felt even more embarrassed as they were discussing something about her, she just really want to ask something.

"Uhmm. Yes, seniors, I'm selected as a participant. I just want to ask where is the training room where we should be heading?"

She politely asked since she wasn't aware of its location.

Hilda actually felt quite nervous when she saw her name on the list of the participants for the competition. Not only that, for the 5 participants selected for the 1st year division, she was the only one in Section 2 that was selected as the other 4 were classmates in Section 1.

Apparently, the competition requires 15 combat magician students, since there should be 5 students each year. It is unlike the mana technicians which only needed 3 participants each class year. So 9 students from Moon Class will be participating.

"Oh, so that's it. The training room would normally be used by 2nd and 3rd-year students so it's normal you aren't aware."

"Well, Section 1 in the first year should also be using that."

"You don't have to say that."

The four students helped Hilda locate the training room. It was still early so she plans to visit the library after confirming it.

***

Wallace is currently in the cafeteria with his classmates Gilbert, Ericka, and Kazimir.

"I really can't believe that you were selected. It feels like there was a conspiracy or bribery that has occurred."

It was Ericka who joked. She was really surprised upon seeing Wallace as a participant in their 2nd-year team. He will be joined by Tracy and Ross.

"So, it is why you were recently active in our class. You have been preparing for this since the start, don't you?"

Gilbert interrogated Wallace who was casually eating his lunch. Kazimir is beside him and only nodded at this, he had been a man of few words since before.

"I just got lucky. I wonder what happened to Mark. He didn't attend today's class and had not been selected."

"Indeed, it must be awful."

Wallace didn't explain himself as to how he was chosen since it may take too long. His classmates will know it soon anyway. He instead diverted the topic to Mark since he was actually expecting that this son of prime minister would actually be selected due to his sturdy foundation in artifact forging.

"I wonder what happened."

It was the question they all want to ask. Mark Halevey had participated in last year's competition, after all, so they were curious about it. But that's all since it was normal for the academy head to select different participants as long as they qualify in certain criteria anyway.

Wallace headed to the library as there's still some time before the meeting. Also, he would be busy at the student council since he will be assigned some tasks relating to TMAC after the meeting at Training Room A.

As he neared the library, he activated his divine sense as a habit before entering. He was constantly practicing the usage of this ability since he found it helpful for observation forging, and combat.

Upon activating it, it actually warned him about a powerful magician nearing him. Wallace turned his head back and noticed a 1st-year female student approaching him or maybe walking in the same direction as him.

This powerful mana felt the same with a few instructors in the academy. Her level of strength is definitely not low.

But her sensitivity on detection isn't that good since she hasn't noticed that Wallace had grasped her strength in a matter of seconds when he activated divine sense. A few times when he tested it for instructors, they will feel something has tried to examine them. Although of course, they couldn't locate where it is coming from.

After Wallace confirmed this, he entered the library to pass over his time as he needed it to check the notifications from the Pathfinder.

[ Congratulations User! You have made yourself known a little in your Academy due to being selected as a participant.

You will now receive your rewards. ]

[ Your mana affinity has increased. ]

[ You have received x2 Mystery Box. ]

"Ohhh... this is great. My affinity increased yet again!"

Wallace felt good as he felt some more changes in his body. He then checked out the 2 mystery boxes and decided to open it now.

"I hope I could get something better than the last time."