In just a span of a few days, Kaz had completely recovered from his depression. His energetic and positive energy radiated once again, making Lance astonished at Kaz's pure and innocent attitude.
For the sake of Kaz's recovery, Lance gave him his personal time and space. He did not disturb him when he was going through the motions, which was a huge factor for Kaz's quick recovery.
While they were eating their breakfast, Kaz asked Lance with a little excitement in his voice, "Sir Lance, am I in the Kingdom domain?"
Lance almost coughed out the food in his mouth. His hand grabbed the cup of water near his plate and placed it on his mouth. After drinking the water, he cleared his voice and replied, "Indeed, but I believe I haven't introduced you yet about this world. How did you know about this?"
"My friend, Lev, met a cat-like creature named Glib, and he said that he was from this world," Kaz placed the spoon and fork in his plate and continued, "When I visited him, strange things happened, and later that day, he orientated me about this world."
Lance's eyes widened in shock. He could not believe what he just heard!
"Glib? Frederel's sycophant? I thought they perished when the Fallen Kingdom fell. What was he doing in the Reality?"
"I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but Glib said that he was on a top-secret mission, ordered by the King," Kaz replied with uncertainty.
"I see," Lance stroked his short brownish-yellow beard while he was deep in his thoughts.
"Speaking of sycophant, do you have one?" Kaz smiled.
Lance chuckled, his long blonde hair with a shade of black swayed. "It's a difficult task to contract a sycophant, only once you reach a certain level can you contract one. Luckily for you, I'm a high ranked Knight."
From the table, a raccoon materialized on the surface, lying comfortably. It had beautiful magical stripes in his body and it emitted blue luminescent light.
"His name is Dmirill, a spirit-type raccoon," Lance gently caressed Dmirill's head.
"Wow, I want to have one too!" Kaz happily exclaimed.
"If you want to have one, then be a Knight," Lance smirked as he smoothly proposed to him the idea, "Join the academy, climb the ranks, and fend off the danger that lurks in the dark."
The way Lance offered the idea was so enticing, Kaz paused for a moment to give it some thought.
"What rank can I contract a sycophant? Vindicator?" Kaz smoothly moved the plate aside and rested his hands on the table.
"I'm really surprised by the knowledge that you have about this world," Lance took a fruit on a basket and gave it to Dmirill. "High-rank Vindicators can contract a powerful sycophant, but there are also cases where they contract a weak one to have a higher chance of success.
"But having a weak sycophant doesn't mean they will always remain weak. With experience, they become stronger and there's a chance that they can evolve."
Kaz was amazed at everything Lance said. He remembered what Glib said: there are rare sycophants in this world. "How can I join the Defenders of Fate?"
"You really are full of surprises," Lance laughed. He never thought that Kaz would also know about the Defenders of Fate. "Before joining in one, I, Grand Knight Lance, will personally teach you first more about this world and some basic swordsmanship. It may take years, but this is for your sake. Never tell anyone that you are a Peregrius, understand?"
"Peregrius? What is that? And why can't I tell anyone about it?" Kaz grabbed a fruit and took a bite.
"Peregrius is what we call the people who transmigrated here from Reality. The reason why you can't tell anyone about it is that, lately, people who call themselves Peregrius are silently being targeted by the shadows," Lance answered with seriousness in his tone.
"Shadows?"
"Shadows of Darkness. They were the reason why the Fallen Kingdom perished 15 years ago, along with the King and countless lives."
Kaz gasped. He now understood that the Kingdom that Glib was talking about had already fallen. It was sad to think that Glib was trying his best to prevent such tragedy, but he didn't know that it had already happened.
"I understand," Kaz placed the fruit down and his eyes looked at Lance, burning with determination.
"Good. Now then," Lance stood up and went to a corner where a cabinet that was filled with books silently slept.
"Let's begin the class, shall we?"
.....
In a dark and gloomy cave, Lev was stretching his aching muscles. He could not see any progress of outrunning the Jäger, but he saw progress on his stamina.
Of course, he knew that progress takes time, so he patiently endured all the life-threatening chases. Thankfully, the Jäger pitied Lev, he slowed down his pace whenever Lev was about to pick a herb off the ground and after picking, he would increase his speed and give off a murderous aura.
Lev's picking skills while running was still unrefined, he needed more time for his body to get used to the correct motions of quickly bending his back and grabbing the herb without losing speed.
But what if Lev could not complete such a difficult task? If he couldn't outrun the wolf, then what should he do? He stared on the dancing fire while his mind kept thinking of possible solutions.
A predator and a prey, I'm the latter in this task… But how could a prey outrun the predator? Let it keep chasing me until it will tire out? Nah, this wolf could chase me for a whole day… What if I run in an absurd way? Will that work? I'll try it out tomorrow… Lev scratched his head and yawned. All the thinking made his mind weak and sleepy.
"Mister Ezio, how can I outrun this Jäger?" Lev looked at Ezio who was slowly stirring the cauldron.
Ezio knew that he gave him a difficult task, so he didn't bother giving him a tip:
"Use your environment to your advantage."
It was a tip, alright, but Lev couldn't understand the meaning behind it. For him, Ezio's answer was too broad and vague.
Lev sighed. Ezio's answer was simple yet difficult to understand.
All he could do was to think of a solution before the restricted time. Now that Lev thought of it, apart from training his muscles, Ezio always engaged his critical thinking skills.
Is he trying to low-key teach me on how to survive on my own? I mean that was what I really wanted, but isn't this too hardcore? Lev lampooned.
After finishing their dinner, Lev went back on his sleeping spot and lay down. He slowly closed his Ash-grey eyes and went to sleep.
A few hours later, Lev found himself standing alone in the darkness. It was the same darkness that he remembered when he was running away from something.
And out of the darkness, a familiar voice shouted:
"Lev!"
He turned around to search for the person who was calling him but the pitch black curtain blocked his view.
"Lev."
Another voice came out, but this time it was weaker, as if it was fading.
When Lev finally woke up from his dream, the light outside the cave greeted him. It was another day to live.