Hilda stood calmly as she stared at her opponent for this match. This time, she will be fighting the captain on the first-year representatives of Mystic Gate. His name was Art and just a head taller than her.

She noticed his confidence stemming from his position as the team captain. Normally, team captains were positioned at the very last match but to ensure their victory, They positioned Art at the 3rd match to immediately fight Hilda.

"He's prepared for my Traceless Oscillation, but let's see how you can resist this."

As soon as the battle started, Art activated his Mana Shell together with another spell from his mana artifact.

So as soon as Hilda activated her Mana Shell and Traceless Oscillation, the opponent wasn't that affected. Art's Mana Shell only trembled for a bit before stabilizing again.

"How did he do that?!"

"Oh?! Someone could resist that first year's powerful spell!"

"This time, it was unlike those from Phoenix school who were struggling just to fend off Hilda's attack."

"Indeed, Art looks like he could still take several of those attacks."

Series of exclamations were heard in the audience area after Art displayed his amazing defense. It halted yet again Hilda's almost unstoppable one-hit victory.

Hilda nodded at this as she somewhat expected this outcome as well. After all, her attack had been completed analyzed by now by other academies. Especially Mystic Gate, who is in the forefront in Mana Artifact development for their student courses.

"This time, we won't let you win another round!"

Art was also happy as he resisted Hilda's attack.

'Senior Sheryl did a good job analyzing the spell. Since I'm constantly changing the natural frequency of the Mana Shell. I could somehow resist the skill Hilda was using.'

Art said in his mind as he thanked Sheryl for the plan she made yesterday night. There have been some plans in making changes in using Mana Shell, with the battle today, she could test her theory as she was somehow expecting that the 2nd year or even 3rd years from Leonhearts will use the same trick.

"Archon -- Water Bullet!"

"Piercing Fire Shot!"

Hilda used the standard magic spell of the artifact which is in the Archon series. The 2nd spell came from the exclusive Mana Spell coming from the Scourge Staff.

Art made a dodge on the attack instead of defending. He was aware of how Hilda's standard Grade 1 spell could easily destroy other's mana shells if not careful about it.

Art utilized a wind element magic spell to drag the fight with Hilda. He was using Prime and Enchant Series Magic.

After dodging a couple of attacks coming from Hilda. He felt it was now time to counter-attack.

"Enchant -- Wind Arrow!"

"Prime -- Wind Wave!"

He used 2 magic spells to try cornering Hilda, but she did something unexpected. Instead of dodging the attack or summoning defense spell, she prepared to counterattack.

'Do you think that my magic spell is comparable to others?'

Art felt offended that Hilda won't even bother defending on his attack. Although it was standard magic from Prime and Enchant Series, it was a spell summoned by him, the team captain and strongest on their team.

He sneered at the thought that Hilda was taking him lightly.

As soon as the magic spell landed, everyone expected that Hilda would have trouble stabilizing her Mana Shell with 2 magic spell landing solidly on it. But they were wrong, the 2 magic spell landed with a strong sound of collision but it did not destroy her Mana Shell.

Instead, it was Art's Mana Shell that was destroyed.

***

"Another Traceless Oscillation with such timing and precision, that magic is a trouble. But at least, we confirmed that only Hilda can use it and it exhausts her a bit whenever using the spell."

"That's true, there seems to be buffering time as well. As you saw, she was using another magic spell to attack before she uses again that particular spell."

Sheryl and one of her teammates were discussing the outcome of the 3rd battle.

"It seems that the outcome is inevitable."

"That's alright Sheryl. With you at our side, I believe that our 2nd-year combat magicians will have a high chance to win most of their battle this afternoon."

Sheryl only had a stoic expression on this flattery and was focused on analyzing the battle instead.

***

Their battle continued until the 5th match and as expected, Hilda never lost a fight. Because of this outcome, their team won the most fight and the conclusion for the first year battle was soon announced.

First Year's Battle Results

Leonhearts : 11 wins

Mystic Gate : 9 wins

Skywalker : 9 wins

Isolde : 6 wins

Honeysuckle : 6 wins

Odrexelt : 5 wins

Phoenix : 5 wins

Neon : 5 wins

Sacred Peak : 5 wins

Stoneheimer : 3 wins

Abuxorth : 3 wins

Eternal Fey : 3 wins

***

Everyone ate a bit for their lunch before the 2nd year's battle this afternoon. The Leonhearts Academy was especially in a festive mood as they celebrated their victory for the First Year's Division.

"Hilda and everyone, you did an amazing performance there. I hope you guys will still be the one participating for next year's competition."

"Hey, aren't you thinking too far ahead?"

"Haha. Anyway, the battle in Second Year's Division would start in one and a half hours so for the contestant, make sure you mind your food."

Some seniors were happily chatting with the first years as they congratulated Hilda's team on their amazing performance. They praised the other as well for using Blinding Fog effectively in the previous matches that easily gave them a win in some battles.

Hilda's team of five and the three mana technicians, Escanor, Alice, and Samantha ate together as they happily chatted about their experiences in the matches.

***

"Wallace, what do you think will be the outcome for this 2nd-year competition?"

Tracy asked Wallace suddenly as they ate together with Ross.

Wallace smiled wryly at this, their 2nd-year roster doesn't have absurdly strong combat magician like Hilda. But although that was the case, they were highly trained in battle and learned to utilized a wide range of magic.

"We have a chance, of course. You just have to trust them that they can also properly use the mana artifact you made for them."

Wallace answered after thinking a bit. He looked at his lunch, a seafood meal matched with cold drinks for the hot weather.

He did not make any more comments as he already did his best for the 2nd year. It must be remembered that he made a last-minute change during the Forging competition.

He created a mana artifact from the material they unexpectedly found. As for the outcome, it would be up to their combat magicians now.