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.