Journey to Become the Zenith

The Test of the Queen

”Your Majesty I Am Videl A Simple Student Of The Knight Academy In Fantom City.”

Videl spoke up, her words cutting clean through the throne room’s hush - calm, measured, nothing sharp. Down went her chin, just a fraction, following old rules without thinking. Quiet dignity held more weight than loud demands ever could.

Stillness filled the great room, just for a breath. Then nothing moved.

Then -

A shadow of movement crossed the dais as Queen Amara tilted just a touch ahead, her red gaze tracing the girl standing below. The silence held without pressure, simply watching.

”Do not be so humble,” the Queen said calmly.

Floating across the room, her words curled around corners - not loud, never rushed, but impossible to ignore. Each syllable settled like dust in sunlight, gentle on the surface, heavy beneath.

”It only makes you appear more arrogant.”

A quiet grin tugged at one edge of her mouth.

”We already know who you are.”

A faint edge crept into her red eyes.

”You are the youngest person in the kingdom’s history to achieve the rank of Master in swordsmanship.”

A ripple of quiet tension spread through the hall.

Hidden guards along the walls listened closely.

Amara continued,

”This achievement pleases us greatly.”

Her gaze softened slightly as she looked down at Videl.

”For you... and all young warriors like you... are the future of this kingdom.”

Videl lowered her head slightly deeper.

”Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty.”

Amara watched her reaction carefully.

Calm... respectful... disciplined.

The Queen’s sharp eyes missed nothing.

From the moment Videl entered the throne room, Amara had been observing her closely.

The young knight’s posture alone revealed years of harsh training.

Even while kneeling, her back remained perfectly straight.

Her shoulders were relaxed but ready.

Her breathing was controlled.

Every movement was efficient.

When Videl finally raised her head again—

Amara’s gaze moved slowly over her.

The hood and mask hid much of her appearance.

But they could not hide the presence of the body beneath.

Videl was tall for a woman.

Her long blonde hair was tucked beneath the cloak, though a few strands had escaped and rested along her neck.

Her blue sapphire eyes were clear and unwavering.

And her physique...

It was unmistakable.

The fitted clothing beneath the cloak revealed the toned lines of a warrior who had trained relentlessly.

Her shoulders were lean but powerful.

Her waist was narrow.

Her hips flared slightly with natural feminine curves that balanced her athletic build.

Her long legs were strong and well-shaped from countless hours of sword practice.

Even the way she stood revealed discipline.

Not stiff.

Not arrogant.

Simply confident.

This girl has fought real battles, Amara thought.

Her gaze shifted subtly as she sensed something else.

Mana.

Videl’s mana flowed through her body in a quiet but steady stream.

Clean.

Refined.

Powerful for someone so young.

Interesting...

Amara leaned back against the throne slightly.

”Now that we are better acquainted...”

A soft hush followed her words inside the room. The air carried each sound like a ripple across still water. Quiet tones lingered where silence had been before.

”...we wish to see the skill of this newly appointed Master swordswoman.”

The moment her voice began, up stood the Queen from the throne.

Out of stillness came a force too strong to ignore. A single movement filled the space like weight.

Floating up from the chair, Amara still managed to loom. Her height stretched past nearly every knight in sight - not just taller, but built like stone shaped by war itself. Strength clung to her frame, earned through bloodied ground underfoot instead of orders shouted from behind lines.

The silver imperial robe shifted smoothly around her body as she stood, the rich fabric catching the light of the chamber. As it settled, it revealed subtle hints of the powerful curves beneath.

Her breasts lifted confidently beneath the structured royal garment, the firm lines of the attire shaping her figure while doing little to conceal its fullness. Her presence radiated a rare balance—feminine beauty intertwined with unmistakable martial strength.

The long robe flowed down over her hips and legs as she stepped forward with measured grace.

Videl watched silently.

She’s huge...

Her eyes drifted for a brief moment before she forced herself to look away.

Her breasts are huge...

Videl knew her own body well. Years of sword training had shaped her into a lean, athletic woman. Her muscles were toned but not bulky, her movements sharp and efficient. Her chest was modest—a balanced C-cup that suited her warrior’s frame perfectly.

But the woman standing before her...

Queen Amara’s figure existed on an entirely different scale.

The structured imperial robe hugged the Queen’s powerful body, and even through the thick royal fabric the outline of her full E-cup breasts was impossible to miss. They pressed proudly against the silver cloth—heavy and soft in shape, yet carried with regal composure.

For a brief moment, a strange thought slipped into Videl’s mind.

...They’re enormous. E-cup, easily.

A faint warmth crept across her cheeks beneath the mask.

If mine were that big... would Victor like them more?

The thought appeared so suddenly it nearly made her flinch.

She immediately scolded herself.

What am I even thinking right now...

Still... she couldn’t deny what her eyes had already seen.

Amara’s tall frame made the proportions look almost perfectly natural. Her broad shoulders, narrow waist, and wide hips balanced her powerful curves so well that nothing about her figure felt excessive or awkward.

Instead—

It simply suited her.

As if everything about the Queen had been shaped to radiate strength, beauty, and authority all at once.

Videl quietly steadied her thoughts.

Focus.

This was not the time to compare bodies with a monarch.

Yet one thing she couldn’t deny...

Standing before Queen Amara—whose beauty carried both overwhelming power and magnetic femininity—

Almost any woman might feel a little self-conscious.

And Videl was no exception.

From Videl’s perspective, the Queen felt like a mountain rising before her.

The pressure in the room grew heavier.

Mora immediately stood and stepped aside respectfully, clearing a path for the Queen.

Amara walked forward with measured steps until she stood directly before Videl.

”Stand, young knight.”

Her voice was calm but carried absolute authority.

”Let this Queen look at you properly.”

Videl obeyed immediately.

She rose smoothly to her feet.

For the first time—

She and the Queen stood face to face.

Even though Videl herself was tall, she still had to tilt her head slightly upward to meet Amara’s eyes.

The Queen circled her slowly.

Inspecting.

Judging.

Evaluating.

Her sharp gaze examined Videl’s posture, shoulders, arms, and stance.

The muscles along Videl’s body told a clear story.

They were not the soft muscles of someone blessed with natural talent alone.

They were the hardened muscles of someone who had trained relentlessly.

Every line of her body spoke of discipline.

Of sweat.

Of countless hours with a sword in hand.

Amara’s expression slowly changed.

A faint look of approval appeared in her eyes.

So this is the girl Mora spoke of...

Most so-called prodigies she had met relied entirely on their natural gifts.

They believed their talent alone would carry them to greatness.

But Videl...

Was different.

Her talent was real.

But her body told the truth.

She had worked harder than most.

Amara smiled faintly.

”Good.”

Her voice held genuine satisfaction.

”Very good.”

Then she spoke again.

”Young knight, this Queen has a test for you.”

Videl felt her heartbeat quicken slightly.

But she remained calm.

”Are you willing to take it?”

For a brief moment—

Videl hesitated internally.

What kind of test...?

Refusing a monarch was dangerous.

Yet accepting blindly was risky.

Still...

There was no real choice.

She lowered her head respectfully.

”I am willing, Your Majesty.”

Amara’s smile widened slightly.

The resolve in Videl’s eyes pleased her greatly.

”Do not worry.”

Her tone softened a little.

”This test is not difficult.”

”And if you succeed...”

Her crimson eyes gleamed faintly.

”I will reward you handsomely.”

She turned slightly toward Mora.

”Mora.”

The knight stepped forward immediately.

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

”Bring two swords.”

Amara gestured lightly.

”They must be identical.”

”Same weight.”

”Same length.”

Then she added calmly—

”And bring the heaviest swords you can find.”

Mora bowed.

”As you command.”

He turned and left the throne room immediately.

The massive doors closed behind him with a dull echo.

Amara returned her attention to Videl.

”While we wait...”

Her voice carried a curious tone.

”...tell us something.”

She folded her arms lightly.

”Who taught you swordsmanship?”