It wasn''t that Linfel was stronger than the Level Five Magus and Familiarbo. He definitely held the advantage against those at Level Four but a great margin, but a Level Five duo should be more or less within his capabilities when connected to Alvin.


    However, the absolute advantage of Linfel''s group was no doubt their levels. Other Maguses and Familiars would more than likely underestimate his group. Alvin had always been a scared cat and only recently he began to change. Still, that experience made it a lot easier to pretend to be scared. The guy almost deserved an Oscar.


    On their way to the central part of the Forest, their group stopped to fight the Magic Beasts that were part of the contracts they took earlier. The days that followed seemed to take forever. Obviously, Linfel kept the restrictions so they could get a better control over their Magic Energy.


    Then, it finally came the time for their group to face a Level Five Magic Beast, the Gray Spiked Wolf. This Magic Best didn''t really use any Magic Energy attacks. All of it was gathered in its body and fortified it as the wolf grew up. That made them even more fearsome than most of the Level Five Magic Beasts in this forest.


    *Bang!*


    Alvin''s Earth Wall was easily broken by a spike shot from the wolf. In the next instant, the wolf jumped over rubble, pouncing at Alvin''s neck. Once again, Alvin acted as the vanguard for th fight. Linfel also allowed everyone to use all their Magic Channels this time.


    Alvin jumped back, but his speed was nowhere near as fast as the wolf, so it caught up to him in a sh. However, the moment the wolf was about tond a bite, Linfel''s Magic Energy condensed in between Alvin and the Wolf, creating another burst of air.


    Alvin was sent tumbling down in one direction while the wolf went on another. The difference was that the wolf recovered his bnce much faster.


    *Zash!*


    He wasn''t alone, though. Even though he recovered his Bnce, Milia was already at hisnding point, shing out as soon as he was about to touch the ground. Her me Sword came down, fire spread and the attack was bound to hit the wolf at point-nk distance.


    Yet, the wolf hasn''t reached Level Five for nothing. The moment Milia''s attack was about tond, various of the spikes on the wolf''s body turned in Milia''s direction.


    *chut, chut, chut...*


    The spikes, which had easily destroyed Alvin''s Earth Wall, were all aimed perfectly against Milia''s Sword, Nori.*


    *ng!*


    The power behind the spikes not only forced Milia''s sword back but shooting them also helped the wolf to change his direction in mid-air,nding a few meters away. The wolf didn''t waste time and pounced at Milia, more spikes shooting from his body.


    *ng, ng, ng...*


    Milia''s Sword shed as fast as she could, but each strike of a spike made her hand numb. The difference in level was just too high. It was already incredible shested a few seconds against it, but it definitely wouldst more than that.


    Good thing she wasn''t alone. Those exchanges now gave Alvin and Linfel time to recover. Alvin came running as his Earth Spike Fist aimed at the Wofl''s open spot. It wasn''t like the wolf could shoot those Spike forever. Each one he used was a spot open in his body, and it would take a few days to recover.


    The wolf once again saw itself forced to change targets. Its ws moved like lightning, rotating his body to increase the force of the attack.


    *Bang!*


    *Crumble!*


    Alvin was more resistant than Milia, but because he threw himself head-on, the force of the attacks he received was much higher. His Eart Spike fists were destroyed by the impact, and he saw himself at the mercy of the Spikes that followed the opening in his defense.


    *Ptch, ptch, ptch!*


    Alvin tried to dodge the gray wolf''s spikes, but he was still too slowpared to the wolf, and three spikesnded on his leg, abdomen, and shoulder. All he could do was prevent them from hitting a vital organ.


    The wolf obviously followed, but its instincts immediately made it stop. Then, from behind Alvin, Linfel''s core appeared. This time, not only one de of Lightning was summoned, but ten of them at the same time. ''As expected of a Magic Beast that survived to Level Five. It truly knows when to force the issue and when not. Too bad, though.


    You are looking in the wrong direction.''


    *Zush, zush, zush!*


    The wolf had Linfel, Milia, Alvin, and Nori in his sights, so it didn''t pay attention to his back. From behind the tree, three Lightning des appeared out of nowhere. To make sure the Wolf wouldn''t notice them, Linfel even shot his own Lightning des, forcing the wolf to pay attention to them. When it dodged the attack, the three Lightning desnded on its blind spot.


    *swish, swish, swish!*


    *Roar!*


    Linfel''s hidden Lightning des pierced through several of the spikes and went deep into the wolf''s body. Lightning and Soul Power quickly spread. The Soul Power made the wolf''s reaction''s slow, and the Lightning caused havoc in his body.


    *sh!*


    Yet, the finishing blow didn''te from Linfel, but Milia and Nori instead. With that little opening, shended her me Sword on the open without spikes, piercing all the way into the Wolf''s Heart before jumping back.


    The Gray Spiked Wolf coughed and turned around, trying to flee. Unfortunately, the damage in his body, especially his heart, was too great. It only managed to move a few meters before it was too much for it to resist.


    *Tud!*


    *grrr...*


    It fell to the ground, trying to get up. But soon, its vision went ck, and its body stopped moving forever.


    "Alvin!" Milia ignored the fallen wolf and quickly run to Alvin''s side. He was pierced by the wolf''s spikes, which were quite big.


    Linfel didn''t seem as worried, though. "Not bad, Alvin. I had my Lightning des ready to counter the spikes if you didn''t move away in time. However, you did move and avoided fatal damage. Never give up. That''s how you do it."


    *Arrgh...*


    "Ca-Can you just... heal me up already?" Alvin wasn''t in the mood to receivepliments, though.


    Linfel nodded and used his Magic Energy to remove all three spikes at once. However, his Magic Energy also prevented any blood froming out as the healing process immediately started. "Milia, go take the wolf''s core. We need to leave before more Magic Beastse after the smell of blood."


    As Linfel healed Alvin, he also used his Magic Energy to lift his body and move away from the scene. Milia did as Linfel told. Not only that, she also collected a few of spikes that seemed the hardest, which she had seen a contract for. A few momentster, their group was gone from there.


    *Roar!*


    *Awuuu!*


    Linfel''s words were correct. Even after gaining some distance, they soon heard the sound of other Magic Beasts from their backs. No doubt, Magic Beasts began to fight over the wolf''s carcass. Linfel''s group only stopped one hourter, and Linfel focused on healing Alvinpletely. "Alright, guess this is it."


    Alvin got up, seeing that not even a scar was left behind. "Sigh... that one was close. Linfel, I hope you aren''t nning to fight another Level Five Beast so soon."


    Milia and Nori agreed. Even they were at their limit, and one misstep could have ended with those spikes inside their body or core instead.


    Linfel pondered a bit and decided to call it quits there. "Alright, this should be enough for our first time out. Besides, the Magic Control test is approaching, and if we want to use Magic Energy to increase our level, we must pass that test first. Let''s return to the city."