Hah. This trial is quite easy...
Because of my Master's footwork, I was able to regain my balance the moment I land onto a new platform and even if I fall down from the platform, I still have the chance to recover as I can just kick the air and do a double jump.
This is truly a powerful technique, My Master's footwork is the best! Hooray!
Upon seeing me getting closer and closer towards it, I could see the monkey's expression growing more and more anxious as it realized that there is a chance that I can catch it.
I was a few inches behind its back now, any more I could grab its nape or even its hair as I start to reach out with my left hand, but I halted it as soon as I 'felt' something off behind me.
I hastily jerked my head in that direction and when I did, I saw Lucius stumbling and falling down the platform.
"Fuck"
I cursed aloud as I forgot about the Monkey and dashed with all of my strength towards Lucius. I kicked the air with all my might as I zoomed through the air and tried to catch Lucius.....I felt the hot air ripping through my face as I dashed with all my might in midair.
A meter.....centimeter....inches....
With gritted teeth, I successfully caught Lucius in my hand....but he was not fully safe as his left palm was submerged into the lava and was burnt causing him to cry out in pain.
And...it also seems like I will also suffer the same fate as him.
I managed catch him yes, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't also burn in the lava. I only knew how to glide and do a one step in midair, But I am still unable to fly in the air like my master...
So the ending? Me and Lucius will fall in the pool of lava anyway and die.
BUT WHO DECIDED THAT?
With gritted teeth, I tried to buy us more time by throwing Lucius up in the air to delay his bath on the lava. I must say, he was heavy.
After the guy was thrown in midair, I then hastily drew out the stiletto from my arsenal and threw it in the air.
As it was thrown in the air, I then activated its enchantment which allowed me to teleport into it.
The Lava touched the skin on my back making me feel its burning pain, but I did manage to save myself from fully dipping and buy another time for me before I fall.
Not minding the burning pain in my back, I gritted my teeth and shouted at Lucius who seems out of it.
"SAVE YOURSELF YOU FUCKER!"
He must have been snapped awake by my voice as the guy soon shot his eyes wide open and hastily moved his unburnt hand and stabbed his spear on the wall of the cave as he delayed his fall.
The spear took its sweet little time before it was fully ledged on the wall and when the distance to the lava was only a few meters away now, did Lucius' spear was fully ledged. And Lucius? He was hanging on his spear, holding onto it like it was his dear life. I mean, it was.
And while that thing was happening, I also did not took my sweet time watching the guy. While he was busy saving himself from having a hot lava for a bath, I glided through the air to the walls of the cave and did the same as what Lucius did, but except it was with Flesh Eater.
I landed on top of Flesh Eater wedged onto the wall. Surprisingly, despite its thin appearance...it can support me. Old man Roel's swords sure are high quality.
Heaving deep breaths, I shouted through this heat and asked Lucius if he was okay.
"YOU OKAY??"
"I AM! THANKS FOR SAVING ME! I THOUGHT I WAS GONER!"
"RIGHT! YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL!"
I chuckled as we both heaved a sigh of relief.
We saved ourselves from death. Although there is a burning pain in our bodies, with Lucius' being his right hand....and mine, my back. It was a small sacrifice for our lives.
After catching my breath, I looked at the Fire Monkey getting away from the distance as it fully disappeared from our eyes.
Haaa....it seems like we lost this one. There are no longer platforms left.
Then as if it was reading my mind, some voice resounded in my heads and considering Lucius' reaction...it seems like he also heard it.
[ You Lost ]
Like some sort of a higher Entity talking in our head, I heard that voice before my vision start to shift and become blurry and the next thing that I knew....
I was back to the starting passage. Beside me, Lucius was also just waking up.
"What happened?"
"Was that a dream?"
"I don't think so...."
I replied as I felt the burning pain in my back and also saw the burnt flesh on Lucius' hand.
"I don't think it was a dream"
I added which made the whole atmosphere become extremely heavy. The two of us then start to just sit there as the whole cave was filled with silence, before I opened my mouth to ask.
"Can you still keep up to challenge it?"
"I don't think I can, right now....I might need a long time to recover"
Glancing at his hand that he raised and seeing the burnt flesh on it, I sighed. It makes sense that he cannot continue right now, It would be really ridiculous and stupid if he just keep going despite his injuries....it might even cost him his life.
I know that he is a warrior at heart too, one that never gives up even infront of any challenges. But bravery and stupidity are two different things.
One must also learn their limits, only then will they be able to keep going. They must also take a break and accept that they cannot just keep going, lest they endanger themselves or the lives of those around them.
"How many days will you need?"
Sighing and getting up from the ground as I stretch and feel the pain accumulating on the burnt flesh on my back, I winced.
"It might take at least 3 weeks....."
Hearing the guy's response, I ruled it that he is entirely hopeless in this operation, at this point he is just a deadweight. But I still need him.....as my personal doctor.
Sighing, I looked away from Lucius and just stared at the passages.
"I can actually challenge the speed trial alone but that would mean your opportunity to become stronger will disappear...."
Looking back into Lucius' eyes, I saw his jewelled blue eyes twinkle in delight as he smiled and stared back at me. Strange, he should be discouraged.
"That's alright, I know that I am inferior to you when it comes to footwork. The trial that we just challenged proved it. I might just be a deadweight to you, so you can challenge it alone, and don't worry about me not getting stronger....It is just my incompetence that is why I am unable to get that opportunity of strength"
He replied with a smile as he picked up his spear and then got up from the ground.
"I will try to recover myself with the herbs that I gathered and maybe also train my footwork"
Hearing him say that, I just stood infront of him silently. I watched him slowly turn his back on me as he settle on a corner to meditate.
A few second...
Then a few minutes after.
I clicked my tongue and scratched the back of my head.
"Fuck. I was planning to gatekeep it because I don't trust you, but seeing you act so trustworthy makes me want to give you some help."
I muttered which caught Lucius' attention and turn to look at me with the expression of wonder.
"Listen...just like how the Perception passage help us develop the Danger Sense, I actually noticed that this trial just now is trying to teach us something aside from speed."
Upon hearing my words, Lucius listened carefully.
"It's about Precision"