Ezio collected and filled the empty cauldron with mysterious plants, herbs, rocks, and crystals. He stopped talking about the history of The Kingdom when he reached part where the shadows attacked.
Lev probed Ezio, "What happened next?"
"I'll leave the rest of the story for another day. Right now, let's return back to the cave."
The two lonely souls didn't encounter a beast, it was because when Ezio noticed some fresh pawprints or some fur that was stuck on the bushes, he avoided that place and changed direction to a safer route.
Now that they were back on the river, Lev couldn't help but ask Ezio on how they would enter the cave.
"By climbing the cliff," Ezio seriously replied.
Lev was baffled by what Ezio said. He couldn't climb that cliff! There was no chance of him climbing those rocks, it was just too hard.
"That is how you will enter that cave from now on. You are not allowed to use the other entrance behind the waterfall, if you do, then don't bother showing up to me."
Ezio threatened Lev before leaving towards the waterfall.
The rocks looked a bit jagged, it was climbable but Lev wasn't sure if he could do it.
"I won't know if I won't give it a try," He hardly swam against the wild waters of the river and held onto the cliff so that he won't get drowned away by the river. He started to climb his way against the rocks and not even 5 meters high, he slipped and plummeted down the river.
Dusk broke, Lev was still down on the river, trying to climb the cliff. He tried countless times but he couldn't accomplish climbing the cliff. His highest climb was about one-fourth of the height of the cliff. That was it.
After a few more attempts, Ezio decided to throw a rope down the cliff. Lev grabbed the rope and thankfully, he successfully climbed his way back up.
Drenched with tiredness, Lev's sweat was washed away by the water that dripped down on his clothes.
"Wake up early in the morning and start climbing the cliff again," Ezio instructed Lev.
Again? Lev couldn't believe what he was saying. What was the point of climbing the cliff? Lev inwardly despised Ezio, but he needed his protection if he wanted to survive this place.
He removed his upper clothes and placed it beside the lit campfire. He noticed that there was already cooked meat waiting for him.
"When did you—" Lev was confused by the food that was in front of him.
Ezio glanced at him before sitting down beside the fire and started pounding the herbs.
"I already finished hunting and cooking while you were down there."
Lev felt that he was just a burden for Ezio. In fact, he was actually, but he couldn't blame himself because Ezio knew that this would happen when he accepted Lev as his squire.
"I'm sorry if I'm just a burden," Lev sincerely apologized.
"Just do what I command you to do."
Lev slightly bowed his head before saying in a low voice, "I will try my best not to disappoint you."
After finishing his meal, Lev searched for a comfortable spot and closed his eyes before slowly drifting away to a dark place. When Lev opened his eyes, he could see that he was running, running away from someone, when suddenly scary faces and skulls appeared from the darkness and started attacking him.
Lev jolted up and quickly scanned his surroundings when he saw crystal green rocks around him, he sighed a relief.
It was just a nightmare... Lev relaxed his mind.
Lev slept topless that night, the cold that the cave brought was eliminated by the campfire that brought warmth to his body and to his clothes.
He reached out to check his clothes if they were dry. It was, so he decided to don his clothes and started to walk towards the entrance of the cave.
There was no sign of Ezio, but the Jäger was still there on the entrance sleeping comfortably.
Maybe he's just out hunting or collecting some herbs... Lev softly mumbled.
The sun was already rising and it was time for Lev to do what he was told to do. He stared down the cliff and sighed.
Lev still didn't know the reason behind why Ezio was ordering Lev to climb the cliff instead of entering the cave on a much safer route.
The sound of the rushing river made him think for a while before he removed his jacket but he left the sweater on to at least face the cold water that the river brought to his body.
After doing so, Lev closed his eyes and started breathing. Meanwhile, he recalled everything that Ezio did. He wanted to do it properly this time, otherwise, he would face such agonizing pain again.
He spread his arms sidewards and jumped off. Chest out, body slightly arched on front and arms spread sidewards. It was not a perfect position but at least he managed to complete it. Next problem was transitioning his body to a diving position, he let gravity do its job as he successfully transitioned his body to a diving position, arms straight pointing at the river.
Splash!
This time, the water didn't feel like concrete but more like a liquid jelly that enveloped him. After emerging out of the water, he swam towards the shore.
The satisfaction he felt on accomplishing a good dive motivated him to accomplish his next job. He swam across the raging river again and started climbing the jagged rocks.
After several hours...
Lev was lying on the river shore, panting. The motivation that he felt earlier was completely replaced by frustration. This was not good. Clearly, there was zero progress.
I should change my goal from reaching the cave down to reaching the halfway point of the cliff. He needed to lower his standards if he wanted to improve.
Again, he swam across the river. He focused on grabbing the rocks and firmly placing his hands on it while slowly advancing. He could feel his shoulders burning and his back aching. But still, he slowly advanced. When he was close to the halfway point, he could feel his heart beating. The excitement he felt made him lose his focus for a second which resulted in his right arm and left leg to slip.
Lev fell down the river again and swam across the shore. This time he was less frustrated and happier. He could see a small improvement.
Slow progress is still progress. It was quite draining for Lev to continuously focus on where to grab and where to place his feet.
He slowly progressed up, when finally, he completed the climb. It took him a whole day to successfully climb the cliff once. His whole body was exhausted but he felt happy.
The burning firewood caught his attention, Ezio was already cooking dinner. Lev took off his sweater and sat beside the warm and cozy fire.
"I've finally completed the task," Lev's voice sounded proud.
"I see."
Lev was disappointed by Ezio's comment. He was expecting that he would congratulate him and would start to teach him how to defend himself.
On the boiling food, Ezio poured a small portion of yellow potion in it.
"What is that yellow liquid?" Lev looked closer at the liquid and he could see that there was like crystal dust in it.
"It's a revitalizing elixir."
Revitalizing elixir? So it's like a healing potion, huh? Lev silently judged. If Lev knew how to make a revitalizing elixir then maybe he could make one for himself whenever he felt weak and exhausted.
"Can you teach me how to make one?"
"I'll teach you how to make one of you fully complete my next task."
Lev was thrilled when he heard that. He contained his joy and asked with full of respect, "What will be my next task?"
Ezio mixed the food with a stick and grabbed the wooden bowl and scooped it. He handed it out to Lev and answered:
"Within 2 months, you should consecutively climb the cliff one hundred times."