Journey to Become the Zenith

The Road She Chose

After convincing Amura, Videl had finished packing for her trip.

The quiet dorm room carried a strange stillness tonight. Moonlight spilled through the window, painting pale silver lines across the wooden floor while the distant sounds of students talking outside slowly faded deeper into the night.

Videl adjusted the straps of her travel bag one final time before placing it beside the bed.

Her long blonde hair swayed softly behind her as she moved, and her sapphire-blue eyes reflected the dim lantern light flickering near the table. The fitted white full-sleeve shirt clung naturally against her athletic figure while the black leather pants emphasized the strength hidden beneath her beauty. Her toned stomach rose and fell slowly as she exhaled.

The room smelled faintly of steel oil, parchment, and cold night air.

Amura sat quietly near the edge of the bed in her human form, her long steel-colored hair cascading down her shoulders like flowing silver threads. The elegant silver robe she wore parted slightly along both thighs as she crossed her legs gracefully.

Unlike earlier, she no longer tried to stop Videl.

Because she already understood.

Once Videl made up her mind about something... changing it was nearly impossible.

Still, concern lingered inside Amura’s eyes.

Videl carefully checked everything once more.

A map.

Medicine.

Water.

Dry food.

Extra clothes.

Small utility knives.

The Long Sword resting beside her bed.

Her movements remained calm, but Amura could sense the tension buried beneath that calmness. Videl herself probably did not realize how tightly her fingers kept clenching whenever she thought about the missing nobles.

Or perhaps...

She was thinking about Victor again.

Amura silently observed her master for a moment before speaking softly.

”You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”

Videl paused briefly.

Then a helpless smile appeared on her face.

”...Is it that obvious?”

”To me? Yes.”

Videl laughed quietly under her breath, though the sound carried exhaustion more than amusement.

She looked toward the window.

The moon hung high above Fantom City.

Cold.

Silent.

Watching.

”I wanted to see him before leaving,” she admitted softly. ”Even just once.”

Amura lowered her gaze slightly.

The way Videl spoke Victor’s name was different from everyone else.

There was trust in it.

Dependence.

Warmth.

The kind that could not be hidden anymore.

Videl picked up the Long Sword and secured it behind her waist before standing fully.

Niva—and the others had already tried persuading her not to go, but Videl had already made up her mind.

She needed to do what she could, and this was the best option.

Whether the nobles were dead or not, she would find out.

If they were alive, she would bring them back to their families.

If they were dead, she would bury their bodies properly and tell the others the truth.

Even if the truth created hatred toward her.

Even if people blamed her.

Even if things became troublesome afterward.

She still believed that was what needed to be done.

Because someone had to face reality.

Someone had to go.

And right now—

that someone was her.

Videl slowly tightened the strap around her shoulder and walked toward the door.

”...Let’s go.”

Amura quietly stood and dissolved into silver light, returning to the Long Sword.

The moment Videl stepped outside her dormitory building, cold evening wind brushed against her face.

The academy grounds were quieter than usual tonight.

Lanterns glowed softly along the stone paths while distant leaves rustled beneath the wind. A few students walking far away lowered their voices after noticing her.

Whispers followed.

Pity.

Suspicion.

Fear.

Videl ignored all of it and continued walking.

Her boots echoed softly against the stone pathway as she approached the academy exit.

But just before she could leave—

she stopped.

Three familiar figures stood waiting near the gates beneath the dim lantern light.

Niva.

Kira.

Dira.

For a moment, Videl simply stared at them silently.

Niva crossed her arms tightly beneath her chest, her long crimson hair moving wildly under the wind while irritation filled her red eyes.

Kira stood quietly beside her, silver-white hair glowing softly under the moonlight. Though she tried maintaining a composed expression, worry was clearly visible within her purple eyes.

Meanwhile Dira looked the most restless among them, constantly shifting where she stood while biting her lower lip anxiously.

”...You guys,” Videl muttered softly.

Niva immediately walked toward her.

”You’re seriously going?”

Videl nodded calmly.

”Yes.”

Niva clicked her tongue in frustration.

”Damn it, Videl... why are you always like this?”

Videl tilted her head slightly.

”Like what?”

”Like...” Niva stopped herself midway before sighing heavily. ”Like you’re willing to throw yourself into danger for everyone else.”

Videl smiled faintly.

”That sounds more like Victor than me.”

The moment Victor’s name was mentioned, all three girls became briefly silent.

Because none of them could deny it.

That terrifyingly handsome black-haired man with golden eyes had influenced all of them more than they realized.

Especially Videl.

Kira stepped forward quietly.

”This isn’t just some random mission anymore,” she said carefully. ”There’s clearly something happening behind the scenes. Noble factions are involved now.”

”And that’s exactly why I have to go,” Videl replied immediately.

Dira frowned.

”You don’t even know what’s waiting for you out there.”

”I know.”

”Then why?”

Videl looked toward the dark road beyond the academy gates.

For a brief moment, her sapphire eyes reflected loneliness.

”...Because if I don’t go, I’ll regret it.”

The wind blew harder.

Her blonde hair danced wildly around her face.

”I can’t just ignore those families after seeing them cry like that.”

Niva clenched her fists.

”And what if this really is a trap?”

Videl remained silent for several seconds.

Then—

”Then I’ll deal with it when it comes.”

”That’s not an answer,” Niva snapped.

”It’s the only one I have.”

The atmosphere became heavy.

None of them were stupid.

They all understood Videl’s decision already.

She wasn’t leaving because she believed she could save everyone.

She was leaving because she could not live with herself if she did nothing.

That was simply the kind of person she was.

Kira suddenly sighed softly.

”You really won’t change your mind?”

Videl slowly shook her head.

”No.”

Dira groaned loudly and grabbed her own hair.

”You’re impossible...”

Despite her words, however, her eyes carried obvious concern.

Videl smiled apologetically.

”Sorry.”

”That doesn’t help!”

A faint laugh escaped Videl’s lips.

For a brief moment, the tension eased slightly.

Niva stared at her for several seconds before suddenly pulling out a small pouch and throwing it toward her.

Videl caught it instinctively.

The sound of coins clinked softly inside.

”...What’s this?”

”Money.”

”I still have some left from Victor and the Principal—”

”Take it anyway,” Niva interrupted firmly.

Videl immediately tried handing it back.

”No, really, I’m fine.”

Kira stepped forward this time and gently pushed Videl’s hand back.

”Keep it.”

Dira nodded quickly.

”You might need supplies later.”

Videl hesitated.

”These are silver coins...”

”So?” Niva replied bluntly. ”You think we’re going to let our friend leave with almost nothing?”

Friend.

The word caused something warm to flicker inside Videl’s chest.

For a moment, she genuinely didn’t know what to say.

Kira smiled softly.

”We can’t go with you.”

Her expression dimmed slightly afterward.

”Our families won’t allow us to get involved in something connected to noble factions.”

”There’s probably something deeper happening behind this whole situation,” Dira added quietly.

Niva looked away irritably.

”Honestly, if it were only our problem, I’d still go anyway...”

”But?” Videl asked gently.

Niva clenched her jaw briefly.

”...Our families come first.”

No one spoke after that.

Because they all understood.

This world was never simple.

People carried responsibilities beyond themselves.

Videl looked at the silver pouch again before finally sighing softly.

”...You guys really won’t give up unless I take it, huh?”

”Correct,” Niva answered instantly.

Dira nodded repeatedly.

Kira simply smiled.

Videl eventually laughed helplessly before carefully storing the pouch inside her bag.

”Thank you.”

The sincerity in her voice caused the three girls to relax slightly.

For a while, none of them spoke.

The cold wind continued blowing across the academy entrance while moonlight illuminated the quiet road ahead.

Then Niva suddenly stepped closer and grabbed Videl’s shoulder firmly.

”Come back alive.”

The joking tone she usually carried was completely gone now.

Kira lowered her gaze slightly before adding softly,

”And if things become too dangerous... run.”

Dira forced a grin.

”Yeah. Leave the heroic stuff to Victor for once.”

At that, Videl smiled unconsciously.

”...I’ll try.”

But all three girls immediately realized something.

That answer itself already meant—

she would still throw herself into danger if necessary.

Niva groaned loudly again.

”You really are hopeless.”

”Maybe,” Videl admitted softly.

Then—

without dragging things out further—

she turned around.

The moonlight illuminated her departing figure as she walked beyond the academy gates.

Her long blonde hair swayed behind her while the Long Sword rested silently against her back.

Niva, Kira, and Dira remained standing there quietly, watching her disappear further into the dark road ahead.

None of them spoke.

Because deep down—

they all had the same feeling.

This journey...

would change something forever.

Videl accepted the money in the end, seeing as they wouldn’t give up until he took the money. After receiving the money, Videl quickly left and headed to the path the nobles used on their way back home.