Journey to Become the Zenith

The Ten Pillars of Skyfall

Videl, who had collapsed unconscious after her final strike, was carefully carried away by the palace attendants and sent to one of the private recovery chambers inside Skyfall Castle.

The corridors of the castle were quiet as the attendants moved swiftly but gently. Torches flickered along the marble walls, casting warm golden light over the unconscious young knight as she was carried on a stretcher.

The room chosen for her was one usually reserved for injured royal knights—quiet, warm, and heavily guarded.

Soft curtains hung beside tall windows, letting in the pale light of evening. The scent of healing herbs lingered in the air.

Healers had already begun examining her condition.

One elderly healer carefully lifted Videl’s arm while another checked the pulse at her neck.

”She pushed herself beyond her limits,” one murmured.

Another nodded slowly.

”Every drop of mana drained... and still she forced her body to move.”

Her body had not suffered any fatal damage, but the extreme strain of draining every drop of mana had left her completely exhausted.

Her muscles had torn slightly under the pressure of the Queen’s blows, and her arms were swollen from absorbing the terrifying impact of Amara’s strikes.

Even so—

There was something remarkable about her condition.

”She should not have been able to stand after the second strike,” one healer whispered in disbelief.

Another healer glanced at Videl’s toned arms and shoulders, feeling the density of her muscles beneath the bandages.

”This girl... trains like a madwoman.”

Still—

The healers could not hide the amazement in their expressions.

A seventeen-year-old knight had survived three attacks from the Queen of Skyfall Kingdom.

That alone was enough to become legend.

------

Back in the throne room, the massive doors slowly closed.

The echo of the shutting doors rolled through the vast chamber before fading into silence.

Queen Amara returned to her throne.

Her movements were calm and composed, but the thin line of blood still visible across her cheek had not yet been cleaned.

The enormous blade she had used moments earlier was placed beside her once more.

The hall was quiet again.

But only for a moment.

From the shadows of the pillars...

From the ceiling rafters...

From hidden passages within the walls...

Ten figures stepped forward.

They appeared almost like ghosts emerging from darkness.

One by one, they approached the throne and knelt.

These were not ordinary knights.

These were the Ten Pillars of Skyfall—the strongest warriors and strategists serving the crown.

One of them had an injured arm.

A thin line of blood still trickled down his sleeve.

He had been unable to fully dodge Videl’s final attack and had been struck by the edge of her strike when it pierced the roof.

Despite the injury—

The man showed no anger.

No resentment.

Not even irritation.

He simply knelt calmly with the others, his wounded arm resting naturally at his side.

A teenager had injured him.

Yet his expression remained completely indifferent.

The ten powerful individuals waited patiently for the Queen to speak.

Amara leaned slightly forward on her throne.

Her silver hair flowed down her back like liquid moonlight.

Her crimson eyes studied the kneeling figures before her with quiet curiosity.

Her voice, soft and magnetic as ever, broke the silence.

”So... what do you think of the girl?”

For a brief moment no one spoke.

Then—

The man positioned on the far left spoke first.

”She was impulsive.”

His voice was calm and analytical.

”She relied heavily on instinct during the final strike. Had Your Majesty not shifted slightly, that attack could have turned reckless.”

A woman beside him spoke next, her eyes still thoughtful.

”She has the potential to become one of the strongest humans to ever live.”

Several of the others glanced at her, but she continued calmly.

”Her body control... her timing... her instincts under pressure. These are not things that can be taught easily.”

Another man spoke next, his tone carrying genuine interest.

”Her swordsmanship was something I have never seen before.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

”It was the very basic movements of swordsmanship... but executed with such precision that it looked almost beautiful.”

His eyes gleamed slightly.

”The creator of that style must have gazed into the very depths of swordsmanship itself.”

A fourth voice followed, colder and less impressed.

”Aside from the last strike she made to Your Majesty... she was mediocre.”

A faint scoff escaped him.

”Just a better piece of trash among the pile of trash the younger generation produces.”

The room remained silent for a moment before another warrior spoke.

”She has the burning passion of a true warrior.”

His eyes were sharp.

”The moment she realized death was coming... she smiled.”

Several of the Pillars nodded faintly.

Another man leaned slightly forward.

”She has such an immense amount of mana hidden within her... yet she only used simple bodily enhancement spells.”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully.

”That was a waste.”

He glanced at the throne.

”Though I suppose Your Majesty wanted to test her swordsmanship. I would like to reassess her once I see what other spells she knows.”

Another voice followed.

”For her age, she is a good fighter.”

He spoke calmly.

”One that we could use in the war against those foolish invaders from the Blackthorn Kingdom.”

A woman beside him smiled faintly.

”Her face is quite cute.”

Several of the Pillars glanced at her with annoyance.

But she continued casually.

”Her abilities are appropriate... and her potential is unlimited.”

She tilted her head slightly toward the Queen.

”It might be a good idea if she became Your Majesty’s disciple.”

Another voice spoke, softer but filled with memory.

”I saw the same fire in her eyes... that Your Majesty once had.”

The throne room grew quiet again.

Then—

A colder voice spoke.

”I don’t like her.”

The speaker’s eyes were sharp.

”She is powerful... but also naive.”

He folded his arms.

”A young warrior who can be convinced easily.”

His voice was blunt.

”It is possible her allegiances could change if she were tricked.”

He looked directly at the throne.

”Better to kill her now than risk releasing a potential enemy.”

The final Pillar spoke last.

”I believe she could become the hero this kingdom needs.”

Silence followed.

Hearing the thoughts of the ten most powerful people in the kingdom, Queen Amara went into deep thought.

Her crimson eyes lowered slightly.

Her fingers gently tapped the armrest of the throne.

Inside her mind—

Another thought surfaced.

Victor.

The boy who trained this girl.

A boy younger than her... yet capable of teaching a seventeen-year-old master swordsman.

Her gaze slowly lifted again.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Interesting...

Finally she spoke.

”We have heard the thoughts of you ten.”

Her voice was calm but decisive.

”Listening to your thoughts... We have decided to trust this young knight as a potential for the future.”

Her crimson eyes sharpened slightly.

”We will place someone to monitor her.”

A pause followed.

”And help her... if she is about to stray from the right path.”

Her hand rested calmly on the throne.

”That is all. You are dismissed.”

The Ten Pillars bowed.

Like shadows dissolving into darkness—

They disappeared once more into the hidden passages of the throne room.

Soon the chamber was silent again.

Queen Amara remained alone.

She leaned back slightly against the throne.

Her fingers brushed the thin cut on her cheek.

A faint smile appeared.

Then she thought of the name again.

Victor...

The mysterious boy who had trained that young knight.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with curiosity.

”Victor... is it?”

She whispered softly.

”We suppose we should meet him as well.”

Her smile deepened slightly.

”But it must be done... incognito.”

The Queen of Skyfall Kingdom gazed toward the shattered roof above.

Sunlight still poured through the hole Videl had created.

”To see what kind of interesting man... he truly is.”