First Real Contact

Linfel's group spent another twenty or so minutes on the move, following the currents of Magic Energy that only Linfel could perceive. Yet, they didn't find a single Magic Beast since the last group, which made them think. "Could it be that all Magic Beasts are only present in the Flag Locations?"

"No," Linfel quickly shook his head. "At the start of the exam, it would make sense. However, I'm sure things won't be as easy the deeper we go."

"Why?" Everyone asked back.

Linfel then pointed to the students of Classes A and B right behind them. "They easily got rid of the Magic Beasts in the last Flag. Now, the flag is pretty much safe for anyone who gets close after us. Would it be a test if you never found any Magic Beasts?"

"So that's how it is..." Everyone had to agree with Linfel, including the Maguses and Familiars behind. They were traveling quite close, so unless Linfel and the others purposely tried to hide their voices, everyone could hear.

Suddenly, Linfel dashed to the side. At the same time, his Magic Energy circulated around his body as the air heated it. Linfel raised his hand, and a Fire Spear took form in seconds. "Go!"

The Fire Spear shot forward at high speeds, hitting a wall not far from Linfel.

*Boom!*

A huge hole appeared on it. However, the thing that caught everyone's attention the most was the purple liquid coming out. A second later, the wall crumbled as a Magic Beast fell from it, leaving a gap in the wall itself. The beast looked more like a fish, although it had horns. Countless teeth in a round mouth could be seen. No doubt something used to drill into the earth.

*Brummmm!*

The walls and even the earth around trembled as several more of these weird magic Beast jumped out, shot in everyone's direction. 

Alvin and Connor were scared of their wits. However, they still were Maguses who received proper training in the Academy, so they still acted. Felia and Tratil quickly changed form, attaching themselves to their Masters.

Alvin then punched the ground, causing a small wall of earth to appear between him and the Magic Beast flying in his direction.

*Zush!*

Yet, before the Magic Beast even came in contact with the Earth Wall, a powerful gust of wind hit Alvin's body, sending him flying.

*Bang!*

*Crumble!*

It was then that Alvin noticed the Magic Beast passing right through his Earth Wall, falling on the ground and drilling into it straight away. That made him look at his own chest, thinking the hole on the wall he had created wouldn't be the only hole that Magic Beast opened.

Obviously, Alvin was saved, and the one who saved him was Linfel, who appeared on his side a moment later. "Not too bad. Your Master Familiar Connection was very fast, and your reaction and skill speed were even more so. However, you panicked way too easily. These might be Low-Level Magic Beasts, but they are obviously Earth Proficient. They drilled into these walls to hide from their prey. Do you think that little bit of Earth you built would have stopped it from reaching you? You need to think more carefully and control your emotions."

Alvin was breathing heavily, listening to Linfel. Sure enough, Linfel wasn't lying when he said Horan trained him a lot. Linfel was definitely experienced in combats.

*Bang!*

It was then that Connor passed flying by them. He also tried to defend against the Magic Beast attack, but he was luckier. He used a Wind technique to create a blast of wind between him and that weird Earth Fish. Nonetheless, he was still hit on the shoulder, and blood began to come out.

Another Wind Current suddenly appeared behind Connor, dampening his fall to the ground. Linfel acted once again. "Connor, your reaction wasn't as fast as Alvin, but your Magic Energy deployment wasn't too bad. It made up for the slow reaction. Don't worry, you only got a scratch. Next time, don't just stay still and hope your Magic Skill will work. Move your body as well. That Wind Blast you used should have been more than enough to separate you from the Magic Beast if you had used it sideways while moving your body in the opposite direction."

Connor, Alvin, Tratil, and Felia were surprised by all of Linfel's input. "A-Alright!"

Linfel suddenly looked to the earth below and warned. "Here they come! Don't worry. If things get dangerous, I'll intervene. Think carefully. These Magic Beasts are not as strong as your two pairs of Magus and Familiar. You can take them down. Now, jump back!"

Alvin and Connor didn't waste time and immediately jumped away. In the next moment, another four of those weird Earth Fishes shot from underground, missing their targets.

Alvin's interlaced bracelet connected to rings by little chains, which was Felia's form during their connection, shined with an Earthy Glow as Alvin controlled his Magic Energy around his body to dash forward. The Earth Fishes had just missed their mark, and they were now in midair. Alvin didn't lose that chance and attacked the belly of one of those fishes. 

His first transformed into a speartip made of Earth, hitting the belly of the Magic Beast!

*Splash!*

Purple Blood gushed out as the fist went halfway through the Magic Beast's body. It died instantly.

Connor also reacted faster this time. Wind Gathered in front of him before three blades made of air shot forward, all hitting the same spot Alvin did but against another of the Magic Beasts. The first blade opened a wound; the second penetrated it to reach the organs, and the last finally destroyed everything inside near the area it penetrated. More Purple Blood rained down and another magic Beast was dead.

Alvin and Connor didn't let their guard down this time. They quickly looked around, searching for the other two Earth Fishes that had jumped out of the ground previously. However, they only had time to see those two other Fishes trapped inside what seemed to be a sphere of water before Linfe spoke.

"Freeze!"

The two spheres of water then slowly transformed into ice, also freezing the trapped Earth Fishes inside. They struggled to try to escape that prison, but Linfel's Magic Energy made it impossible for them to find any way to propel them out of there. Half a minute later, the two spheres of water fell, breaking upon contact with the ground, and so did the two Magic Beasts inside.