No worries, physical entity, right? Although I don't know any large-scale physical magic, there just so happens to be a simple one that I've learned before - "Light Shield"!

Reed mentioned before that the spell she uses to constrain gases referenced the principles of "Light Shield", since this mid-level spell was developed specifically for defending against physical attacks.

It requires six shields - above, below, left, right, front and back.

Luckily, the "Light Sheet" wasn't completely useless. With them, the moving target not only shrank in size but its speed was also significantly reduced. I quickly summoned six shields and boxed them in like a cage.

The good thing about these shields made of light elements is that in a translucent state, you can see the situation behind them.

The target barely escaped from the "Light Sheet"'s grip before its speed immediately recovered, only to ram straight into the surface of the "Light Shield", leaving a huge dent. But ultimately it bounced back onto another shield.

Mid-level magic really can't withstand much...

Although this was expected, I still grimaced and added another layer on the outside.

After sending out 12 mid-level spells continuously, the light element in my body was nearly depleted.

Fortunately, the random bouncing against the shield walls was equally damaging to the target itself, and each shield could still withstand a few seconds since it wouldn't always hit the same dented spot.

Replenishing the "Light Shield" consumed much less than throwing dozens of spells at once, so before long I had recovered, then opened up the "lid" a little and threw in a few more "Light Puppet".

Suddenly I had a ridiculous feeling that this whole "adding ingredients" process was like cooking something, except the quality of this "shield pot" was a bit lacking...

Maintaining this approach wasn't bad either. Although each "Light Puppet" consumed energy of 2-3 Purifications, the target being "cooked" inside gave me a chance to recover and recast. Especially when multiple puppets were stacked, the effect was surprisingly good - the basketball-sized target slowly became more and more immobilized until it could barely move at all in the viscous light element "congee".

Finally the "Light Shield" became less damaged, to the point where I could remove the outer "pot" entirely after the target came to a complete stop.

By now, light element consumption had returned to the same rate as the first stage. Time for "Lost Paradise Blast" to make its encore!

Unexpectedly, under the wrapping of "Light Puppet" the blast's power also seemed somewhat reduced.

After a few tests I finally figured it out - it wasn't just the "Light Sanctum", it appeared the light element itself had a certain effect of lowering magic power, which also explained why angels could be immune to magic to a certain degree.

But this didn't impact my plan, because unlike the "Light Sanctum", the "Light Puppet" were mobile. I could just control them to expose a small part of the target and blast that, the effect would still be great.

In comparison, Phoebe's giant magic was not as useful as my "magic puppet congee". At least she hadn't researched any other more effective methods. Although the high-tier spells had considerable effect each time, she had to recite and summon the giant all over again after each one. So who would win was still up in the air!

After a period of back and forth, the gap between me and Phoebe was shrinking. When both our targets shrank down to just pellet size, the moment that would decide everything finally arrived.

I calculated the casting duration of "Lost Paradise Blast" - at the beginning, the light element still needed to pause halfway to reroute in my body, but by now I had practiced so much I could do it with my eyes closed.

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My latest record was 10 seconds!

Based on experience, the "target" would need at least 3 more hits to annihilate, plus recovery time, so around 40 seconds total. Meanwhile, Phoebe was still chanting...

Although this should be her final giant spell, victory wouldn't come immediately after casting it.

So there was still a chance!

But right after I unleashed the first blast 10 seconds later, another "Lost Paradise Blast" simultaneously rained down on Phoebe's target.

She didn't use the giant spell?!

I miscalculated! Phoebe wasn't stupid. At the critical moment, she would adapt too. And her magic power far exceeded mine - she only needed two hits to settle it, so this was her final blow.

But her luck was good, actually landing a direct hit on the moving target. Looks like she had staked everything on this one strike too.

But the surprises didn't end there. Right when I thought Phoebe would have to chant again after that one blast, the second "Blast" followed seamlessly, without even pausing before firing off.

Now that was true "instant cast"! Much faster than mine.

Why didn't she need to chant suddenly?

I was baffled as I watched Phoebe's "Dark Element Target" completely disappear. But now wasn't the time to ponder it, the match was still going!

I hurriedly refocused and concentrated on preparing my magic. After two attacks, the "Dark Element Target" on my side finally ended its duty as well.

"Phew!" I collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily for breath.

In my haste, I had cast the final blow before my light element fully recovered. The feeling of being nearly depleted was awful like my whole body would crack and fall apart.

But according to my judgment, that last shot only took around 5 seconds, It was truly an extraordinary performance! Unfortunately, if I could have reached that speed earlier, perhaps I could have surpassed Phoebe.

I nodded satisfactorily, resting for a good while before catching my breath. I quickly looked back to check on the other participants, only to find that Cecilia the 8-winged angel had finished the match at some point, leaving only the last 6-winged angel still casting...

Not bad! At least I didn't come in last, looked like 3rd or 4th place was possible, maybe even 2nd if I got lucky. But I didn't forget there was another 8-winged angel in the second group.

Now to see how they performed. Glancing over, it seemed like someone had already stopped over there.

"What was going on with Phoebe earlier?"

I turned and puzzledly asked the assistant referee, now that the competition had ended I could finally slowly inquire about this.

According to the rules, you shouldn't be allowed to bring any magic amplification devices or anything that reduces chanting time. Phoebe suddenly decreasing her chanting time from nearly half a minute down to none was very abnormal!

"I don't know either. If she used any tools we should have been able to see it. But don't worry! The chief referee will definitely get to the bottom of this."

Even the assistant referee didn't know? I thought it was some unknown method, since Phoebe wouldn't be stupid enough to break the rules in front of everyone, especially with another assistant referee watching her.

"So what exactly was my time?"

While waiting for the other participants, I boredly inquired about my own score.

"10 minutes 56 seconds."

The assistant referee smiled slightly and softly reported a number.

"..."

I suddenly realized there was no point in just knowing my own score! Other than confirming Phoebe was faster than me, I'd have to wait for the times of the other participants before determining the order.

But I didn't want to shamelessly ask other referees, so I could only go practice "Lost Paradise Blast" in the open space a few more times.

Not bad at all, new magic is so refreshing! Especially high tier magic, it really gets better the more you use it. After consolidating a few times, I could now steadily keep the time at around 5 seconds.

"The rumors really are true, this batch of new born angels are too freakish!"

The assistant referee looked at me behind enviously and said.

"Uh..."

I scratched my head, not sure how to respond. Maybe my elemental control really was stronger like Aetina said? But even so I hadn't achieved true instant cast, given I clearly witnessed Phoebe instantly cast two high tier spells.

"The competition is officially over!"

Suddenly the chief referee's voice rang out from above. I could see the second group's members flying over this way.

Once everyone gathered together again, all the timekeepers began reporting results to the chief referee.

"How was your match?" Aria asked concernedly as she landed beside me.

"10 minutes 56 seconds! Don't worry, definitely won't come in last!" I responded honestly and optimistically, giving my estimate.

"Should be able to get 4th or 5th place, 3rd if I'm lucky."

"Wow, awesome! Pretty good! As expected of the freshman prodigy!" She immediately praised upon hearing it.

"It was alright actually, I didn't expect to be so fast either, maybe I just found the right method." I said a bit embarrassed.

"What about you, how do you feel you did?"

Of course I should return the courtesy and ask her as well.

"No good. Didn't perform well, only next time will tell, who knows how many years until then..." Aria had a dejected look.

The time for announcing results soon arrived.

"First place: Phoebe, 10 minutes 38 seconds."

As expected, Phoebe had the shortest time. Worthy of being last year's champion.

"Second place: Feliciana, 10 minutes 56 seconds."

"Eh?!?!"

I was so shocked my mouth hung wide open. Turns out I didn't just make top 3 but got second place!

So it turns out Cecilia finished after me! That means I got really lucky - if I had been a bit slower she definitely would have surpassed me.