I got to my feet and looked around but saw neither Blik nor the harsh and pompous Zer. Instead of the mountain plateau, a wild, unfriendly-looking forest expanded all around. As I looked at this colorful, impenetrable greenery, these walls of trees, the first thing that came to mind was jungle, the word and image I’d only seen in books.

The northern Perekat, where Trest was located, and probably the entire Perekat, including its far south, had no vegetation like that. No palms or lianas for us—only crooked birches and spruces in swampy lowlands, and permafrost high in the mountains. An officer once told me our land was so cold because the mountain ridge of the Broken Peak blocked the warm oceanic winds, keeping them off. But our temperate climate was not without its advantages: for example, we never had hurricanes.

Taking a good look of the place Zer called the Life Sphere, I knew somewhere deep inside me that it wasn’t real, just a vision I had in meditation, but still I struggled to comprehend this fact, so real it felt. I could see birds fluttering around, chirping in completely different voices than the familiar pigeons or sparrows. The birds were singing, calling to each other, or teasing each other, picking up the broken melodies of their brethren.

The hot and humid air, reminiscent of a good old bathhouse, filled my lungs. I had to take several deep breaths to get used to it and start breathing like normal.

“Wa-ah! U-ah!” a scream came from above, with small green leaves sprinkled down to my feet. Looking up, I saw a strange, short-haired animal swinging on the lianas, its gaze surprisingly intelligent.

“Wa-ah! U-u-ah!” the animal howled again, swinging the structure woven from branches and lianas, either out of boredom or to draw my attention.

“Whatcha want?” I grimaced, not expecting an answer.

The animal flashed its middle finger; on it, I spotted a small object resembling a ring. Turning to me its bright-red buttocks, the creature made a loud slap on these and leaped away into the thicket.

What the hell is going on? Is it inviting me to follow?

I called out to Zer who probably could tell me what to do next, but he was silent. I called again, but even after a minute of saying his name, I remained alone in the middle of a strange area.

“Damn,” I muttered. “He could’ve told me what to do. And he thinks he’s a teacher.”

Cursing the emperor, I picked up a stick and followed the departing animal. The creature looked intelligent; by observing it, I could figure out what to do next. Not the smartest plan, of course, but I didn’t seem to have much of a choice. Standing there and waiting wasn’t my style. And the brief vision of the ring urged me to catch up with the animal and try to find out where it had got it. Maybe this creature had discovered some treasures and if my luck smiled at me, I’d be able to thank Lara for all the good things she did for me.

Thinking these simple thoughts, I followed the animal, disturbing local insects and flocks of small birds that took flight upon hearing my steps.

The flow of time seemed to be altered in this place. According to my senses, about an hour passed before I heard a waterfall ahead and, half-drowned by its steady noise, the sounds of a fight. Welcoming this break from the monotony, I quickened my pace.

Soon the jungle remained behind. Approaching a fast mountain river, I witnessed an amazing spectacle. My idle fantasy of treasure seemed to materialize quite literally. Watching a boat with a big pile of gold and jewelry drift away toward the waterfall, I felt like I was in some absurd fairy tale.

Finally, I shifted my gaze from the boat toward the source of the sounds. It was the already familiar ape being pulled into the water by an unrealistically large lizard closing its jaws around the animal’s leg. The lizard’s jaws looked strong enough to tear the limb off, but that would allow the ape to escape, and the predator needed its whole body to devour.

Standing there with my stick, I watched the treasure-laden boat drift away. This gold would’ve sufficed for me, Lara, and even the entire Trest. Meanwhile, the ape’s chances were rapidly deteriorating. Finally, I yelled and ran to the fighting animals, swinging my stick and cursing myself for this stupid soft-heartedness that had already caused me a lot of problems, saying a silent goodbye to the departing treasure and yet again mentally apologizing to Lara. It seemed I’d never be able to thank her.

Why do people always delay such things, putting them off for later, thinking there will always be time?

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

A slap of cold wind on my face reminded me to focus. I raised my weapon to strike. The lizard didn’t seem to notice me, too busy pulling the ape into the water, but when the heavy stick hit its muzzle, I seemed to see anger and grudge flare up in its eyes. Its writhing body gave a shudder; the captive ape squealed.

Realizing that my attack had only enraged the reptile, I jabbed it in the eye, forcing my stick in as deep as possible. This blow was more effective. Gaping in pain, the beast rapidly twisted its body and snapped its jaws right in front of my face. I was ready for something like this and, jumping aside, instinctively extended my left hand, forgetting I had no shield in it.

For about a minute, the lizard stared at me, blinking its injured eye, while its injured prey escaped into the forest; then, backing step by step, it retreated into the water. Still trembling all over from the brief encounter, I had no desire to continue fighting an animal that strong. Seeing it backing away, I sighed with relief but kept a firm grip on my weapon until it was gone.

Finally, I stayed alone with my thoughts. The lost boat of treasures was certain to haunt my dreams for years on. Mourning this lost opportunity to become rich, I sat on a fallen tree, feeling the tension of the fight succumb gradually. Watching the turbulent river turning into a waterfall, I wondered: What would’ve happened had I chosen the boat?

My train of thought was interrupted by a rustle on the left. The ape I’d saved jumped off the branches, landing beside me. Its brown fur was speckled with blood, but otherwise it looked well and sound.

“Wa-ah! U-u-ah!” it said, waddling toward me with a funny gait.

“If only you knew the cost of your life,” I said sadly.

“Wa-ah?”

“Yeah, just what I mean,” I sighed and turned away to at least enjoy the beauty of the local scenery.

“Wa-ha! Huh!” The ape gave me a sudden, painful punch in the shoulder, then stared at me as though expecting something.

“Hey! Do you have any idea of gratitude? I just saved your life!” I protested and immediately got my forehead punched. “Stupid monkey!” I yelled at the animal that responded by kicking my knee.

Ah, you bastard! I sprung to my feet, grabbing my stick to give the impudent monkey a piece of my mind, but my swing missed. What the...? Aiming straight at the animal’s head, I was certain I’d hit, but it dodged and kicked me in the groin. With a wail of agony, I collapsed to my knees to the animal’s taunting laughter, but with the last of my strength, I tried to retaliate, aiming the stick at its stomach. Yet again, the ape slid aside, foreseeing my move, and froze in place, looking down at me like a victor.

“Ugh!” I gasped, and a new wave of pain hit me, mixed with humiliation.

“Uh-ah?” the creature asked.

“Go fu...” I groaned but couldn’t finish.

The ape clicked its tongue in a very human-like way and, shaking its head, stepped toward me. For some reason, I no longer sensed any harmful intent from it. I was still on my knees when the ape removed its ring and nodded at it, handing it to me, so I could finally see it clearly.

Made of copper, with a small green stone, the ring emitted a soft, mesmerizing light drawing me toward it.

“Are you giving this to me?” I stared at the animal in amazement.

It nodded. “Uh.”

“Hmm, thanks.”

Feeling stupid, I took the gift slowly and, still expecting a trick, put it on my middle finger. An instant flash of light blinded me, and I found myself back on the mountain plateau in a meditative pose.

What the...? Was it all just a dream?

I looked at my left hand. A wave of disappointment came over me: there was no ring. The only thing reminding me of the recent events was pain in my groin.

Looking back, I saw Zer and Blik silently observing me.

“I’m somehow unsurprised your Life Sphere appeared to have a baboon,” the emperor said.

“You could’ve prepared me for that, actually. That baboon, as you call it, really did a number on my private parts,” I grimaced, recalling the annoying monkey.

“That’s not the way it works. By the way, that annoying monkey rewarded you with the Ring of Agility. This gift is connecting you to the system of Life Spheres,” Zer explained patiently, watching my reaction.

“Wait. Were you there the whole time?”

“Yes, I was. But in that realm, I have neither voice nor freedom to act. I’m just an observer. You should be grateful the system didn’t consider my presence as a violation of rules; a punishment for that would’ve been brutal.”

“Hmm.” His explanation sounded reasonable, and since I had no idea how it all worked, I had to take his word for it. “Alright. Thanks, then, if you insist. But what about the ring? I don’t have it. And, by the way, what does it mean to be connected?”

“Oh, so you are an idiot,” Zer concluded. “No wonder you were met by a baboon. You’ve been spiritually marked with something that can’t be taken away. From this moment on, you have access to the true martial arts. But you need practice.”

“So, the monkey kicking me down there was part of my training?” I couldn’t resist adding sarcasm to my voice.

“No. Consider it a sign. A hint from the Sphere that your final trial will be to defeat those bandits in the village, including their leader, whom you kicked just the same way.”

“Wait! There were twelve of them! And their leader is something else.” Thinking about having to fight those bandits, I felt really uneasy.

“Agility beats strength. Even the system is hinting at that by giving you this ring.” Zer walked around me. “Stop whining. You’re lucky to have a better teacher than a monkey.”

“Oh! Who might that be, Your Majesty?” Blik looked up at his master with big, round eyes full of genuine curiosity.

“Ask that again, and I’ll invent a proper torture for your shadow,” the emperor snapped. “I’m talking about myself, you idiot. I’m the best teacher on this continent, the champion of six leagues. Your training begins tomorrow morning. Now sleep. The place of power will heal your wounds.”

“If you dream of a baboon, scream,” Blik added, lying down on the warm grass.

“Sure, I will,” I muttered, not appreciating the jester’s humor. But the idea of having rest in a place that pleasant appealed to me. In a short while, I was fast asleep.