I felt my heart stop for a second, looking at the leader of the pack of long-tailed scrapers. It was at least twice the size of the other, it also lager scales. Creeping forward; globs of yellow spit dripping from their fangs. as they crept forward, releasing chittering-hissing sounds, testing us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alfred pull the silver-fish from his spatial focus. It was the wake-up call I needed, panic wouldn’t serve me here, I needed to be focused and calm.

Letting out a calming breath, I said, “I can use..” But before I can continue, a chorus of shrieks came from behind the pack of vermin. Ten more long-toothed and barbed tailed monsters joined the pack in front of us. As they shoved their bodies into the street. Scraping their scaly hide against one another, causing a grating sound to ring out.

Returning the silver-fish to his spatial focus. Alfred said, “There are too many for the silver-fish to be useful, in an enclosed space like this. I can definitely stun them maybe more, but a warning, block your ears as best as you can.”

Having no time to ask what he was talking about, as I saw a look of understanding cross Madison’s face. As she covered her ears, backing away from Alfred. Deciding it would be prudent to follow her lead. Covering my ears, I followed her back a few feet from Alfred. I could sense Alfred's mana start to vibrate. As his mana started vibrating faster and faster, spreading away from his body, in quick-silver like waves. Alfred’s body flashed with silver light matching his mana. I couldn’t see his face, but I could see the leader of the pack of long-tailed scrapers. Pausing it’s jerky gait forwards, tilting its head down submissively.

Before I could wonder further what Alfred was doing, I felt it. His mana bathed the street around us in a silver glow. Causing the very air to vibrate in sync with his manas pulsating. With the hair on my arms raised up as the only warning, I had. A deep bellow rang out, as a sonic wave flew from Alfred slamming into the pack of vermin. They flew back smashing into one another, scuttling around in a frenzy. As six of the smaller long-tailed scrapers, lay broken on the street. Bleeding from whatever magic Alfred had used. Crawling over their fallen companions, making their way towards us.

I haven’t done this intentionally before, but I know my talent allows me to manipulate mana. Stepping forward to stand beside Alfred, with my ears still ringing from the blast. Feeling for the mana still in the air, pulling it towards me. Working to compress it down into something more solid. Using my awareness to invasion an orb in front of me. I felt the mana I was drawing on start to sputter, fighting my pull. Going for a different method, I tried copying what Alfred did to create that sonic wave. Feeling the mana in my awareness begin to vibrate, I thought I had succeeded. But the mana just floated around me vibrating, nothing else was happening.

As what was left of the pack of long-tailed scrapers, filled with bloodlust. Started racing towards us. Out of options and feeling panicked, I pushed the mana with my awareness towards the incoming pack. Trying to envision what I wanted to happen when I felt the tingle of static burst across my senses. My vision going white, as arcs of lightning tore through the air. Striking the pack of vermin, chunks of charred flesh and twitching limbs strewn everywhere.

Coming over and poking my shoulder, gesturing at the demolished street around us. Madison said, “You had some nerve to say I was over the top. Then you go and release a lightning storm”

Thinking about something I read in one of the books Mancin lent me. Awkwardly shrugging my shoulders, I said. “That’s not fair it’s not like I had time to practice unstructured magic. Before Eden turned this infestation into a test.”

Outside of the south slum, along its border in the west end. Stood four men in long dark hooded-robes, looking over at the slums as a cacophony of sound came from within.

One robed man said, “Should we be worried? The test has barely started, and there seems to be a lot more. Intense fighting than there should be at this point.”

Another robed man said, “I’m sure it’s fine. You know how kids are, trying to prove their worth.”

In a husky-burnt sounding voice, the third man said, “I agree, mana and youth make a volatile mix.”

Pausing looking off into space, Madison said, “Do you guys hear that?”

Tilting my head to the side, focusing on my hearing. The sound of rushing footsteps and metal hitting stone rang out down one of the side streets to our right. Facing towards where I heard the sound coming from. Getting into a better position for battle, Alfred said, “Yes, it sounds like five maybe seven people for of which are wearing heavy armor.”

Looking at him doubtfully, I said, “How can you be so sure?”

But before Alfred could respond, a group of people came rushing out of the side streets. My body tensed at the long-pole arms at their sides, heavy-looking blades poised to attack.