Journey to Become the Zenith

The Weight of Gratitude

Night finally gave way to dawn.

The darkness that had covered the academy throughout the night slowly retreated as golden sunlight rose beyond the horizon. Soft rays filtered through the windows of the dormitories, illuminating the quiet halls that were gradually coming back to life.

Students began waking up one after another.

Doors opened.

Footsteps echoed through the corridors.

The peaceful silence of dawn slowly transformed into the familiar bustle of academy life.

Inside one of the female dormitories, Videl opened her eyes.

For a brief moment, she stared at the ceiling.

The events of yesterday quickly resurfaced in her mind.

Victor.

The missing nobles.

The attack.

Aria.

Everything seemed to have happened so quickly.

Beside another bed, Aria had already woken up.

The black-haired girl quietly folded her blanket before glancing toward Videl.

”Good morning, Master.”

Videl immediately sighed.

”We’re starting the day with that again?”

Aria smiled innocently.

”Of course.”

Videl shook her head helplessly.

A short while later, both women changed into fresh clothes for the new day.

Videl wore her usual academy attire while Aria wore a simple but elegant outfit that suited her gentle appearance.

After reuniting with Aria, Videl wanted to go to her class and also wanted to know whether the students’ missing relatives had returned.

The two girls left the dormitory together.

Morning sunlight filled the corridors.

Students walked back and forth carrying books and training equipment.

Several people greeted Videl as she passed.

”Morning, Videl.”

”Good morning.”

”Welcome back.”

Videl smiled and greeted them back.

However, before she could walk very far, a group of students suddenly blocked her path.

Videl blinked.

”Huh?”

The group standing before her consisted of several noble students from different classes.

Their expressions were unusually emotional.

Some looked relieved.

Others looked grateful.

A few even appeared as though they had not slept all night.

Videl immediately felt her stomach tighten.

She already knew why they were here.

They had probably come regarding their missing relatives.

A guilty feeling appeared inside her chest.

She had failed.

She found nothing.

Not a single clue.

Videl lowered her head slightly.

”I...”

She wanted to apologize.

She wanted to explain.

But before she could say anything—

One of the female students suddenly rushed forward.

”Thank you!”

The girl threw her arms around Videl.

”Thank you, thank you for saving my father!”

Videl froze.

”Huh?”

The female student’s eyes were already red.

”He returned this morning!”

”My father returned!”

The girl looked as though she wanted to cry.

Videl stood completely confused.

Before she could react further, Aria silently stepped between them.

The black-haired girl maintained a polite smile while subtly creating distance between the emotional student and Videl.

The female student reluctantly stepped back.

The other students quickly bowed their heads.

”Thank you, Videl.”

”We owe you.”

”My brother returned safely.”

”My uncle came back too.”

”Our family thought we would never see him again.”

One student clenched his fists.

”You kept your promise.”

Another nodded.

”Everyone has been talking about it.”

Videl could only stare.

”...”

The gratitude directed toward her felt strangely heavy.

Because she knew she hadn’t actually done anything.

At least not directly.

Then suddenly—

Victor’s face appeared in her mind.

That lazy smile.

That annoyingly calm expression.

And those parting words.

”Videl, you better go back to your school. I’m sure the people you are looking for will show up a bit later.”

Videl’s eyes widened slightly.

”...Victor.”

Everything suddenly made sense.

The people had returned.

Exactly as he predicted.

Again.

Just like always.

The answers appeared before she could even ask the questions.

The problems disappeared before she could solve them.

And somewhere behind it all—

Victor had already moved.

’Once again Victor was the one who dealt with my problem.’

Videl lowered her eyes.

A complicated feeling emerged inside her chest.

Relief.

Gratitude.

Admiration.

And frustration.

’Once again he showed just how large the difference in our ability is.’

The realization stung more than she wanted to admit.

She worked hard.

She trained constantly.

Yet somehow Victor always seemed several steps ahead.

Like he could see a completely different world.

Videl forced a smile.

”I’m glad everyone returned safely.”

The students smiled.

One male student nodded.

”My mother hasn’t stopped praising you.”

Another laughed.

”My father said if you ever need help, our family owes you one.”

Videl awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck.

”Really, I didn’t do much.”

The students immediately disagreed.

”You helped.”

”You tried.”

”You risked yourself.”

”That’s enough.”

Aria watched quietly from the side.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

The more she watched Videl, the more she understood why Victor trusted her so much.

Videl cared.

Even when she failed.

Even when she doubted herself.

She still cared.

Before the conversation could continue further, another voice interrupted.

”Videl!”

Everyone turned.

One of the academy staff members was approaching quickly.

The man stopped before them and gave a respectful nod.

”Videl, it’s great that you’ve returned.”

Videl immediately felt trouble coming.

The staff member continued.

”The principal has been waiting for you in his office.”

The surrounding students immediately exchanged looks.

”Oh?”

”The principal?”

”What happened?”

The staff member smiled awkwardly.

”I suggest you go there immediately.”

Videl sighed.

Of course.

The moment one problem ended, another appeared.

’It’s just one thing after another.’

She thanked the students before finally leaving with Aria.

The two girls walked through the academy grounds.

Morning classes had already begun.

The sound of instructors lecturing echoed from nearby buildings.

Training fields were filled with students.

The smell of fresh grass drifted through the air.

As they walked, Aria glanced at Videl.

”You seem popular.”

Videl laughed.

”Trust me, I’m not.”

”You are.”

”No.”

”You are.”

Videl rolled her eyes.

Aria giggled.

Soon they arrived at the administration building.

The atmosphere here was much quieter.

The halls were almost empty.

After reaching the principal’s office, Videl knocked lightly.

”Come in.”

A familiar voice answered.

Videl pushed open the door.

The moment she entered, her eyes immediately moved across the room.

Max was waiting inside his office.

The principal sat calmly behind his desk.

However—

He wasn’t alone.

Standing before him was a young woman around her late teens.

She wore a red robe.

An emblem was embroidered upon her chest.

A sword crossing an axe.

The symbol immediately caught Videl’s attention.

The woman stood with perfect posture.

Confident.

Disciplined.

Strong.

Her presence felt completely different from ordinary academy students.

Even Aria instinctively became alert.

The mysterious woman slowly turned toward the door.

At the same time—

When Videl entered the room accompanied by Aria, she immediately noticed the new face.