Level differences mattered significantly. Each level increased base attributes, expanded mana reserves, and enhanced the effectiveness of skills.
A level twenty fire mage with a specialized class would naturally output more damage than a level nineteen generalist, even if the generalist had higher-quality skills. Because a mage at level 20, didn't only gain one attribute point to every attribute, but he was also given 5 allocatable attribute points that he could freely use on Mana.
Not to mention the possibility of Kael evolving his own skills through the lives accumulated, and the hidden talent that he had. For all Moon knew, Kael could also have a talent related to increasing damage output.
"Are you done watching from the bushes? If you don't reveal yourself... I'll turn you to ashes alongside that bush."
Moon's eyes widened as Kael's voice carried clearly across the distance, cutting through the sounds of battle without any apparent effort.
