Or: Get a 2 slot Naja, get him to 3 slots easily, then he is abeast at that level as a meatshield at the mage. Ride the firebug, have naja follow you after bonding, then recall to the crazy mage (Not the flaming mage by the way!). Invisi quickly, and manage to see Naja to the mage. After all is settled and safe, then unride the firebeetle, and see it to the mage. It will gain. Try to do that when there are only frew pple at the mage.
OR:
If there are like 3-10 pple at the mage, not all is lost : Screw it all, and go to Eodon: Riding beetle again. Park Naja in a safe area in Village and "all stay". Then get balsy and go to the nasty area in the local forest, and lure out the mean old dino, get him in the village, and have the townsguard attack him. While he is killing the guard, go get your Naja, and turn consume on, attack the dino. Wait for the townguard to die. Keep the naja on the dino. When all safe and nice, unride the firebuggie, and seek him/her onto the dino. It will work. Keep healing the meatshield Naja : Consume, heals, bandaids. Always run the masteries to gain skills.
And by the way: Dogs also work great, skilled to level 3-4 will really help with self heals. Its just that najas are immune to poisons and any spells.
Hope this helps..