Chapter 34: Old Friend

Donfin's Familiar returned to his original form as Donfin took a deep breath. "Finally over. Linfel, why didn't you warn us about them?"

"I told you," Linfel spoke. "I can only sense them up to ten meters or so, and they were underground, where it is even harder to perceive. They were way over ten meters below the ground."

"He is right," Milia spoke for him. "Those were Para Vines. They hide deep underground and use the vibrations to detect their targets while waiting in ambush."

She then looked around. "Still, they are only Level One Magic Beasts. We could say we were quite lucky already. Most likely, the Para Vines, who always work in groups, scared any Level Two Magic Beast away. They are pretty annoying when acting in mobs, after all."

Miranda ignored than and entered the ten-meter range of the Purple Flag. "Who cares?! We got the last flag! Hahaha!"

"Fuck!" Donfin cursed. Miranda still kept her attention on the flag and was now the first one to approach it. It will be mentioned in her end results.

*Zup!*

Suddenly, Miranda's Collar shined with Magic Energy before a bubble was created around her. Following that, she was pulled towards the skies. It was obvious Miranda didn't activate her collar, which meant she completed the exam.

Of course, Donfin didn't waste time and approached the Flag as well. In the next second, he was also enveloped by the same bubble of Magic Energy from his collar and taken away.

"Wait for me!" Connor obviously wouldn't lose this chance and quickly entered the Flag's range. He never expected he would be one of the first students to complete this Field Exam. Just like the two before, his collar also activated as he was brought away with Tratil.

Milia didn't mind that. Her overall score among the Rank A Students was at the very top. Even if she didn't participate in the next few field exams, she wouldn't be sent to Rank B Classes. Being the first didn't change anything for her at the moment.

She then looked at Alvin, Linfel, and Felia. "Aren't you in a hurry to take the flag?"

Alvin shook his head. "To be honest, I would have been happy if I had reached even 50% of the way. Let alone reach the end and be one of the first ten students. I don't mind if the others went away first." He walked slowly to the Flag, thinking about everything that happened so far.

Milia faintly smiled and followed him. Obviously, Nori, Felia, and Linfel did the same.

However, just as they were about to enter the Flag's range, Linfel's expression changed. He didn't say anything as he touched Alvin and connected to him. Just like that, he took Alvin's control once again before turning to Milia. Finally, their Magic Energy exploded as they shot forward at full speed.

*Bang!*

Milia was taken aback and tried to react. However, she didn't expect that tackle from Alvin and only had time to connect to Nori. Just as she was about to push Alvin away from her...

*Boom!*

The ground where she had been staying a second ago burst, sending dirt everywhere and stones everywhere. Her expression changed, understanding that Alvin had just saved her once again. But, above all, she was scared of the fact she didn't notice the enemy approaching.

From the ground, a green-colored serpent with a bone helmet emerged, looking at Alvin and Milia.

"Felia!" Alvin turned back, shouting with worry. He was also surprised by Linfel's sudden movement. However, he heard through that weird communication in his mind Linfel saying something had targeted them.

"Master!" Felia appeared right after, in the opposite direction Alvin and Milia fell to. She wasn't the primary target of the serpent, so her core was only hit by the debris.

Alvin sighed in relief as Linfel controlled his body to get up. 'Alvin, it is that guy.'

Only then did Alvin pay attention to the Magic Beast that appeared. Obviously, it was the Level Four Serpent. "W-Why is it here?!"

Milia quickly got away from Alvin while holding Nori in his Sword Form. "It doesn't matter! Use your co-!"

*Bang!*

*Crash!*

Before Milia could even finish her words, the serpent moved like lightning, sweeping its tail and hitting Milia head-on. Milia barely had the time to put Nori between her and the attack before being sent flying and crashing against the wall of the Dark Canyon. She instantly broke several bones and fell to the ground. Even Nori in his Sword Form seemed to have cracked, forcing him to return to his Core Form. The crack in the sword then changed into a crack on his core instead.

The Serpent could tell that Milia's Magic Energy was much stronger than Alvin's, so it took it as its primary target by instinct.

*Hisssssss...*

It didn't stop there. Its body coiled like a spring before shooting forward. Its mouth opened, intending to swallow Milia whole. Milia raised her head just in time to see the mouth reaching her head. She closed her eyes.

*CLANG!*

Yet, the death she expected to come didn't arrive. She opened her eyes again, just in time to see a Wall of Earth between her and the serpent Magic Beast. At the same time, Alvin was there, holding it as blood flowed from all his muscles.

Yet, what shocked Milia the most was the vision of Linfel and Felia. Felia was in her gloves form, connected to Alvin... and so was Linfel, although his form hadn't changed. Linfel had once again connected to Alvin and Felia at the same time.

Yet, the one controlling his body this time wasn't Linfel. It was Alvin himself. When the Magic Beast attacked Milia, Felia ran to Alvins' side. Linfel then prepared to use the collar to get away from her. However, to his surprise, the always-scared Alvin made the first move, using his and Felia's Magic Energy to reach Milia before the Serpent could follow with its attack.

Linfel's connection truly made a huge difference. Although their magic Energy was still at the Yellow Level, the amount Alvin could bring out at once with Linfel's Help made up for the quality.

However, that Wall of Earth only lasted a second before breaking and sending Alvin flying just like Milia did a moment ago.

"Milia, now!" Yet, as soon as they were sent flying, Alvin shouted at her.

His Magic Energy circulated frenetically as a powerful blast of wind happened behind him and Milia. That blast acted as a cushion, preventing them from crashing with too much force against the wall. Linfel acted again!

Milia, quick to grasp Alvin's plan, immediately activated her collar. The Magic Energy within surged, forming a protective bubble that propelled her upwards. Alvin, equally swift, was enveloped by the same bubble, lifting him from the ground.

They gravely underestimated the Level Four Magic Beast, a creature of immense power. Before they could even ascend a single meter, the Serpent's tail lashed out with incredible speed, striking both of them simultaneously. The force of the blow sent them hurtling into the ground and then the wall. The Bubble of Magic Energy, their last line of defense, shattered instantly. The collars' power vanished, leaving them vulnerable.

*Hisssss!*

The serpent didn't stop there as it sprung in their direction once again. It was a Magic Beast hunting its prey. It didn't know the meaning of holding back. Milia saw the beast's mouth opening. Instinctively, she held Nori's core close to her chest, shouting in her mind. 'ALVIN!'

*Zush!*

In the next instant, the bloodied body of Alvin appeared once again, making Milia's emotions stir and a tear come out. This time, however, Red Magic Energy flowed through his meridians. Linfel had always been able to create Red Magic Energy with Yellow Magic Energy. It's just that he couldn't store much of it due to his level. That said, he kept it safe in his core, just in case he needed it at some point.

Yet, he couldn't control Alvin's body at the moment as Alvin's strong emotions made it impossible to intervene. When Alvin saw that Milia was about to be killed, he simply moved on his own. Linfel then saw himself forced to utilize that Red Magic Energy and give it all to Alvin for one last struggle. That was the only reason Alvin, injured as he was, managed to get in front of Milia when the attack arrived.

'Sigh... I guess I shouldn't have provoked this guy back in the pond. Oh well, it wasn't a bad run,' thought Linfel, prepared to die with Alvin and Felia. There was no way they could hold this thing down as they had utilized all their magic energy again.

"Hmph! Acting tough in my territory? Know your place!" However, in that last second, a ray of Blue Light came from the skies, crashing against the serpent's skull like a meteor!

*BOOM!*

*Hisssssss!*

The bone helmet of the serpent was pressed against the ground. It struggled with all its might to get free, but the leg pressing its head didn't budge. Finally, the attacker's eyes turned cold as he increased the pressure.

*Crack! Splash!*

His leg went through the bone helmet, breaking through the enormous serpent's head and smashing its brain. Blood began to gush out while the serpent's body still moved. It was already that, but just like a snake, its cells were still alive and would continue to move for a while before settling down.

*Bang!*

The man pulled his leg out of the serpent's head and kicked it away, making it crash against the wall in the distance. "Just why the hell am I paying those idiots? This is an Academy Testing Ground! And yet, they didn't notice there was a Level Four Magic Beast here. If I don't get a few heads fired this time, my name is not Xalafel."

Sure enough, their savior was none other than Xalafel, a Level Five Magus and the academy's principal!

*Tud!*

However, neither Alvin nor Milia had the chance to talk to the man. They quickly lost to their injuries and fell to the ground, unconscious. Felia and Linfel also had their connection with Alvin canceled. Felia was completely empty and couldn't even float anymore. As for Linfel, he still had a little bit of Yellow Magic Energy, so he was the only one to get up and assume his Familiar Form. "Now, that was scary..."

Xalafel was surprised to see that Linfel still had Magic Energy to move around. However, he saw the state that Milia and Alvin found themselves in. "We can talk later. I'll bring these two out to receive treatment first."

"Ah!" Linfel quickly remembered something. "Just a second!" He quickly used the remaining of his Magic Energy to carry Milia and Alvin's body within the Purple Flag's range. Thanks to that, Alvin and Milia were now considered to have completed the exam as well. "Alright, we can go now."

Xalafel didn't know what to say. Those two were almost dead, but the Familiar thought more about the exam. However, he shook his head and quickly took Alvin and Milia's bodies with him. Of course, he also brought Felia, Linfel, and Nori away.

As they took flight, Linfel looked back in the serpent's body direction. Different from the other Magic Beasts they killed before, he could feel that the source of Magic Energy of the dead serpent didn't disappear. "How come that thing still has Magic Energy?"

As Xalafel flew up, he spoke. "Level Three Magic Beasts are able to condense a Magic Core, just like Maguses do at the age of twelve. From there onwards, their magic Energy is stored inside the Core instead of being spread around their bodies." Xalafel then waved his hand, causing a gust of wind to hit the serpent's head. In the next second, a Magic Core flew out and was caught by his hand. "Here, take it."

Linfel was surprised to receive that. The concentration of Magic Energy inside was truly enormous. However, Xalafel warned. "It can't be used for training since it is contaminated with the Magic Beast's Energy. However, it can be used as a source of energy for other things. You might get a good price from this. Consider it an apology for missing that Level Four Magic Beast in the examination area."

Linfel felt ecstatic, though. Contaminated? That was not a problem at all. It's just that Linfel was also kind of sad. The Magic Energy inside was also at Level Four, Green Color Magic. He still couldn't absorb it. 'I will keep it for later when I reach Level Three,' he thought to himself.

Xalafel didn't know what Linfel was thinking, but he didn't care either. Even though he didn't show it, he was over the moon. 'Truly, truly impressive. Alvin, this old man has great plans for you.'