116 Hector

Hector's claim wasn't an empty words. He had observed the automaton's ability and learned their limit from the other three representatives.

"Although their ability to adapt was incomparable to what I've seen, their critical thinking couldn't be compared to a brain-boosted Magician." Hector smiled as he grabbed a short staff from the shelf assigned to their stage.

The staff was designed in a dark color and inlaid with a marking of a mythical beast from the northern continent, a winged dragon.

As he stepped on the stage, the Magic Formation activated and blocked all the noises coming from the outside. Hector then focused his sight on the copper automaton at the other side of the stage.

The 15 minutes timer had also started as soon as he entered the stage.

Hector activated his Mana Shell and cast an exclusive Mana Spell of the artifact.

"Eight-Fold Roar!"

The attack was made of eight Mana Bombs exploding as the same time. It was a bit difficult to control due to its number but Hector was someone who specialized in multicasting so it wasn't too hard for him.

The automaton that charged to him was thrown off by several meters. It then released a high-speed mana burst after landing on the ground. The attack wasn't made or converted to an element like what normally magicians used.

It seems that because Hector attacked using mana-based spells and not elemental, the automaton had also attacked using a formless Mana.

This was actually a bit scarier than a mana-based attack coming from a real magician. The automaton's attack was so precise aside from its response that was extremely quick. It even felt that its movement was actually faster when it had fought Avery.

"Hmph..." Hector smirked at this as everything was still under his control.

'Just like what I thought. So this is your weakness.' The man thought as he believed that he grasped the automaton's strengths and weaknesses.

As soon as the automaton released its attack, it was suddenly seen unmoving from its location where it landed.

The audience only noticed that the automaton's leg was actually petrified.

During the recent fights, Hector noticed that the automaton's program was extremely arrogant as if it was belittling them. He had noticed that these lifeless puppet was programmed to respond depending on the level of ability that the magician was exerting. If the magician was casting elemental spell, the automaton would try to return something similar with an improved version.

If the magician was only using enhancements spells, it would also try to use enhancements  spells with a higher level, just like how it tried to fight Avery with four-layered movement speed buff and others.

To test his theory he cast an exclusive spell of the staff which was purely made of Mana while also secretly casting another Grade 2 Magic Spell that was structured within the staff.

***

Before Hector fought the automaton, everyone in the arena was excited to see the next battle because they expected that it would also be an intense fight.

That's right, only Avery's stage doesn't look that intense but the battle was still thrilling due to their fast movements.

"Look, Hector from Zairus has decided to select our signature Mana Artifact. It is such an honor. This classic Red Dragon Staff that was always being sold in multiple countries had originated here in our small country. The staff contains the passion of our 4th generation era Magic Engineers and was improved by the latter years." The announcer provided a bit of introduction in Hector's chosen Mana Artifact.

"That's true. The staff was one of the Mana Artifacts that was mostly being used by beginner combat magicians and had helped many of them to have a stable foundation in terms of using Mana-Based attacks."

"A popular Mana Artifact known by many beginners. How about the others?"

"Let's see, there's Cranium Smasher, Azure Thorn Whip, and looking at our home team's selection... eh?" The two planned to introduce each of the Mana artifacts but was surprised upon finding out the weapon that Zarif, from their Montego's team, had selected another inappropriate weapon.

"Why? Why did they select another Vampiric Staff? Haven't they learned from Kadeen's experience? Or were the others not watching as their leader struggle fighting that automaton using that Vampiric Staff?"

"I couldn't understand. It was just a bit weird. They surely have a better choice. Just what are they thinking?"

"Is it still a part of the plan?"

The announcers could only shake their heads at they take a quick glance at the side where their home team was resting and overviewing the fight.

As soon as the battle started, they saw the overwhelming power that the Cranium Smasher was releasing as the magician tried beat the automaton into a pulp. The magician was a female one and as she held the large hammer like it was nothing,  the crowd had cheered for her to destroy the automaton. Before, they felt that the automaton was too strong but now, it seems it could only try to dodge the magician's attack that was empowered by the hammer.

It seems there was a limit of power where the automaton could take damage head on. The automaton then also tried to fight the magician using multiple strengthening buff and soon gain an upper hand as there wasn't any unnecessary movement like before in the first round. It was as if it's graceful movement was copied from Avery's actions a while ago.

The automaton was then covered by Mana that was utilizing its speed and strength. It focus a lot of its strength in its every punch making the female magician frown as it felt that they have equal strength. If that was the case, she'll be fully exhausted within the next 13 more minutes.

Soon the audience stopped their eyes on Hector's stage. The battle hadn't look so intense compared to the three. It seems that the Zairus students would always like to finish their round with an anticlimactic way.

"Wow! Such a quick cast from Hector. That Eight-Fold Roar spell would normally be released by beginner combat magician within 30 seconds. But the student only used a short 8 seconds. Isn't that too amazing?"

After Hector successfully thrown the automaton, he didn't give them a chance to fully stabilized itself and make a comeback. Although it tried to counterattack with high precision, it was only the automaton's attempt to have a breather and distract Hector from following up.

Unfortunately, Hector didn't mind the mana-based attack. All he was thinking was that once this automaton had shifted its mode of attack to elemental-based magic spells, it would be too troublesome for him.

Now that it hadn't change its programmed command yet, he had to grab the chance. He had to defeat it now.

Soon the audience saw the automaton lose its balance and fell to the ground.

The Eight-Fold Roar was found to be Hector's distraction and the real attack came from his another Grade 2 Magic Spell, Weak Petrification. It successfully landed to automaton's leg.

"Hah, I understand now. This Hector was really talented in multicasting. I forgot that one of the special traits of that staff which was always being ignored was the intensive 4th gen background of the whole mana artifact. After all, it has one of the best brain-boosting magic structure during its era." One of the announcers said. The brain-boosting magic structure within the staff couldn't be normally handled by standard magicians and only those with solid foundation in multicasting can properly utilize the brain-boost power of the staff.

***

Wallace had been watching the battle since the start and was impressed by his senior's brilliance. He had already seen his battle before in TMAC and it seems that he further improved himself during the month prior to this competition.

Wallace had been trying to see how magicians would battle even before as he had very limited battle experience for himself. His retrieval of the Cube had only provided him a little battle experience using magic. As he mostly used his Amplified Assault Armor and his Silver Orbs magic structures aside from the bombs and Fervor Timepiece.

The most that he did before in space was control a mech remotely and fight the enemies. Though it improved his reaction speed,  he wanted to learn and have a mock battle and test his prowess in fighting using magic to those within his level.

He would like to also find the best fighting method using magic that wasn't his creations. This way, he would easily adapt himself for the sake of his future plans.

"Wallace, You might want to ready yourself. Yumi already found out that you're here." Lucian said as he approached him.

'Eh? That was fast?' Wallace thought as he felt that they should've rested in Linshamn City first but then he suddenly remembered that he rode a public bus and the Lucent Force probably have their own means of travel.

"Alright, I'll meet with her." Wallace could only say as he was readying himself to reason out with Yumi.

"Ah, also. Your substitute seems to be unhappy that he'll be replaced just because you arrived." Lucian smiled and added before leading the way to Yumi's group.