Climbing The Everest...Eh...Cliff!

A wild cliff appears! Wait, isn't it too early for that? Aren't those usually at the end of chapters? Right, it's the other kind. The one that is super steep.

"Partner, wake me up when we get up there."

So much for the help.

[Disciple, do you have a suggestion on how to climb there?]

"This bear has no idea and is waiting for teacher's wisdom!"

That was worth a try.

[We just need to somehow get footholds and…]

"Of course, I forgot about your awesome magic teacher."

So did I, to be honest. I am not even sure I want to try it. A lapse in attention and …. oh god. This would be bad.

Then again, I am used to using plant magic at the last second. All thanks to the training with the ghost. I should be able to at least save my own hide.

What about my companion? Meh, he should be fine since he is extremely strong. I will vines to appear as footholds.

[Alright with this it should be fine. Let's go.]

*STEP*

This is easier than it seems at first. It doesn't take that much mana either.

"T-that, teacher, I'll just remain down here."

He has only climbed a tiny portion. He is shaking. Looking at the ground with longing.

[Why are you so apprehensive?]

"That, I dislike being here. It isn't natural!"

[Acrophobia?]

"What is that teacher?"

[When one fears height.]

"Then yes teacher! I'm worried I'll be way too visible up here!"

That…is not what it means.

[Too visible?]

"Ever since teacher told me about how much of a target, I would be climbing Yggdrasil I *Gulp*…"

I still need him to introduce me to whoever is at the top.

[Oh? Does that mean you don't even believe in me?]

"AH! That's true! What do I have to fear if teacher is with me! HAHAHAHAHA"

Aaaand he's climbing. Fast. I'd say this bear has potential in the discipline. Both as a participant and as a professional motivator. I can already picture a middle-aged man that starts the climbing sport to stay in shape. Just chilling, climbing at his slow pace.

Then suddenly a motherfucking bear on his ass right below! I am ready to bet the guy would break records right there. You know with the adrenaline. Ah, whatever. I start following not to be left behind.

I keep the footholds coming. I really need to make sure I don't activate any creation magic by mistake. Could you imagine all the plant footholds gaining a voice? A cacophony of: step on me daddy! It would be both hilarious and seriously a pain.

I kinda feel like doing it to someone at some point. Their choice would be to suffer the annoying lines or death. Could get a net ready in case the prank target chooses the second option. Still, right now I really can't.

We are sneaking up. The closer to the top we get the less we talk. We are total ninjas. Just sad that he's a brown bear. The black would have been fitting. Then again, can't ask someone to change race eh.

Well, I could always dye his fur. I look at him attentively. He shudders slightly. How did he know my thoughts?! Is this some kind of sixth sense?

*WHOOSH*

Okay, probably just the cold wind. We've been going for a while and we are not even there yet. Will we run out of oxygen soon? I know this is something that is extremely harsh when mountain climbing. The higher you go the lower the concentration of oxygen.

This is something that always impressed me. The professionals training for months to be able to handle the atmosphere up there. Only to be passed by locals that are used to it and have no gear haha. Still, it requires will, time and dedication. Wouldn't have been something I would have done.

Not because I was lazy, but because I had plants to take care of. Okay, no. Definitely the former reason. Still kinda funny how plants were the official reason holding me back. Now plants are literally supporting my ascension.

Life is unpredictable at times. Well, that and the whole transmigration thingy. I'm still not sure what happened to me. I do have the feeling someone in this vast world will have the answers I am looking for. That is if there are answers.

Until now even back on earth we never truly had all the answers. Science helps us understand the world, but we cannot truly be sure. For all we know, aliens are a thing and every couple million years they terraform our planet for giggles.

I'm joking. Well, maybe aliens exist. I mean ...multiverse! If this isn't proof then I don't know what is. Maybe just an elaborate prank too. I truly don't know.

In silence, we keep climbing. Until finally we reach the top. We look at each other. There doesn't seem to be anything there.

He gives me a look that says… It's early to be here. Actually... He clearly isn't here. Yeah, that sounds more like it. So what now?

There is a big nest made of trees… Not branches. Legit tree trunks. Apparently carved by sharp claws. Whatever resides here is big and deadly.

I'm pretty sure I know what it is. Then again, last time I said that I got a goldfish instead of a siren. So no expectation here. I gesture to my partner.

He understands my meaning. He gets to work. He starts making us a temporary base. One that will not only keep us warm but also hide us. I don't especially care about the cold with this body of mine.

I wonder how extreme of temperatures I can actually handle. Not that I want to actively test it out. I have only one life.

This bear is truly a master of his craft. Before I know it, he is already done. I enter what feels like a cozy hut, yet doesn't look out of place and blends in the surroundings. I feel like if I ever want to start hunting I can ask him for help.

We could be steps away from an animal and it wouldn't notice us.

How long will we even need to wait?

That's when I hear something.

The flapping of wings.

That's our target.

Showtime!