Journey to Become the Zenith

The Day the Road Opened

Few people still talked about it - three winters past, when the Red Bear struck, then the odd gathering in the village hall soon after.

Fog hung low between the rows of crops near Kanal Village, light creeping slowly past timber frames and uneven ground. Where the path widened, most folks stood close together without speaking much.

A goodbye took place today.

A long way down the pavement, a trio of young men waited. Beside the asphalt, figures paused under fading light. Not far past the curb line, movement stopped. Three faces turned toward approaching sound.

A girl stood there, hair like sunlight, wearing armor that cost little but looked cared for. At her side hung a short blade, simple and worn. Bright eyes - blue as deep water - shone, though they flickered with unease.

Videl.

A tall figure stood apart - one with dark hair, nearly black under the light. His face held clean lines, like something carved with care. Golden eyes stayed steady, never blinking too soon. At his waist, blades found their home, strapped tight in worn leather sheaths.

Victor.

A figure stood at the back, young, her dark hair pulled into a high tail. Over one shoulder sat a quiver, silent. Her face stayed calm, though her hands gripped the bag strap like it might slip away.

Lane.

Today was the day they would leave Kanal Village.

Videl would attend the Knight Academy.

Victor would register as an adventurer.

Lane would follow Victor.

At the edge of the crowd, Skyla stood beside the village well, her long black hair fluttering in the breeze. Her green eyes glistened faintly.

She was smiling.

But only on the surface.

She wanted to go too.

More than anyone.

But she couldn’t.

When Victor had declared he would become an adventurer, many villagers tried to stop him. The village elder finally agreed—on one condition.

Victor must defeat every man in the village.

One by one.

Victor had laughed and said something outrageous.

”Why not all at once?”

Fury erupted.

Dozens attacked him together.

He subdued them all without injury.

After that, even the stubborn elders could no longer object.

Though many still believed Videl’s Awakening made her stronger.

Later, Lane and Skyla both asked to take the test.

Lane passed easily.

Skyla failed.

She had always laughed too much.

Trained less.

Chased Victor instead of chasing strength.

Now she understood the cost.

Regret bit deep.

At the front of the crowd, Anna clung tightly to Victor.

Tears soaked his shoulder.

”Victor... if things get difficult, you can always come back. No matter what, this is your home. Mommy will always be waiting for you.”

She cried longer before finally letting go.

Leon stepped forward and handed Victor a heavy pouch.

”I know it isn’t much, but you’ll need it to register at the Adventurers’ Guild and rent an inn. I know you’ll become great. Next time you come back, bring home a wife—no, wives.”

He winked slyly at Lane and Videl.

Victor felt something tight and painful in his chest.

He wasn’t used to emotional farewells.

Without thinking, he hugged both his parents.

”Don’t worry. I’ll become the best. I’ll always send money. And when I return, not just one—I’ll bring back a bunch of wives.”

Three arrows whistled past his head.

Victor jumped.

”What the hell are you all doing?!”

Lane lowered her bow calmly.

”My hand slipped.”

Skyla smiled sweetly.

”I was just showing my skill.”

Videl coughed lightly.

”I was checking the string.”

The three exchanged sharp glances.

They had grown into rivals.

Each knew the others’ feelings.

Victor, fully aware, felt a headache forming.

If another girl joins the team, this will be a disaster.

The villagers burst into laughter.

Even Anna wiped her tears, smiling.

Videl finished saying goodbye to her parents.

Then Skyla stepped forward.

Her cheerful smile finally vanished.

She stood in front of Victor.

Close.

Too close.

For once, she didn’t joke.

She hugged him suddenly.

Tight.

Her body trembled.

She wanted to say everything.

That she loved him.

That she wanted him to stay.

That she was afraid of being left behind.

But she swallowed it all.

She didn’t want to become his shackle.

So she only whispered, where only he could hear.

”I’ll grow strong.”

Victor hugged her back gently and rubbed her back.

”Mm. I’ll come for you soon. Train with what I taught you.”

She nodded fiercely, holding him tighter before stepping away.

Lane and Videl watched quietly.

They allowed her this moment.

Videl clenched her fists.

He shines... wherever he stands.

I won’t fall behind him.

Skyla forced herself to step back.

”I will always be waiting here for you guys.”

Victor understood there was more she wanted to say.

But if he heard it, he might not leave.

So he said instead,

”Don’t worry. I’ll be back. No—we’ll be back. And we’ll take you with us.”

Lane and Videl stepped closer, forming a small circle.

Victor felt warmth fill his chest.

He embraced it.

The four childhood friends formed a group huddle.

”So this is it,” Videl said emotionally. ”The start of our own adventure.”

”I’ll write you every week, sis,” Lane said softly.

”Just be safe,” Skyla said through tears. ”And keep these two idiots safe.”

Victor laughed.

”Who’s taking care of who? Shouldn’t you ask me to protect these two babies?”

They all laughed together.

Then they turned.

The three walked down the road.

Their silhouettes slowly fading.

Skyla fell to her knees.

”Why... why couldn’t I do it...?”

Her cry echoed across the village.

This marked the day legends started their grand, epic adventure.