Journey to Become the Zenith

Rumors and Shadows

While all of this was unfolding beyond the city walls, a different kind of battle had already begun inside Fantom City’s Knight Academy.

Not a battle of swords.

A battle of whispers.

And the man who started it stood at the center of a small group of noble students, his lips curled in a smug smile.

Albion Saulon.

The young noble leaned casually against the marble railing of the academy courtyard, his expensive coat draped neatly across his shoulders. His eyes glimmered with quiet satisfaction as the rumors he planted began spreading through the academy like wildfire.

He raised his voice slightly so the nobles around him could hear.

”I’m telling you, that’s the truth.”

One of the young nobles frowned.

”You’re saying the reason Videl is that strong... is because of her weapon?”

Albion nodded slowly.

”Yes.”

His smile sharpened.

”That sword she carries.”

”It’s not ordinary.”

Several students leaned closer, curiosity flashing across their faces.

Albion continued smoothly.

”That weapon can absorb spells.”

A collective murmur spread across the group.

”What?”

”That’s impossible.”

”No weapon like that exists...”

Albion shrugged faintly.

”I saw it myself.”

His voice lowered slightly.

”She absorbed multiple spells during our duel.”

”Completely neutralized them.”

One of the nobles crossed his arms thoughtfully.

”If that’s true... that would explain everything.”

Another nodded quickly.

”Exactly. How could a commoner reach Master rank at such a young age?”

Albion’s smile widened.

”That’s what I thought too.”

He leaned forward slightly.

”Which is why I came to the only logical conclusion.”

”The weapon is enhancing her strength.”

The nobles exchanged uneasy looks.

If that was true...

Then the entire situation changed.

One of them asked quietly,

”And what about Victor?”

Albion’s eyes flickered slightly.

”Victor?”

He let out a soft laugh.

”Think about it.”

”He appeared out of nowhere.”

”Strong enough to humiliate me.”

”And he travels with a mysterious girl.”

His tone grew darker.

”Who’s to say he isn’t hiding a magical weapon too?”

Another student chimed in.

”And the girl with him?”

Albion shrugged.

”Maybe she has one as well.”

Silence fell over the group.

Then whispers began spreading.

Within minutes the rumor moved through the academy halls like a storm.

A magical weapon.

One that could absorb spells.

Possibly more than one.

Students gathered in corridors.

Speculating.

Arguing.

Questioning.

Within a few hours, nearly seventy percent of the academy students believed the rumor.

It simply made too much sense to them.

Of course a commoner couldn’t be that strong.

A magical weapon must be the reason.

Of course, not everyone believed it.

Some students shook their heads.

”That’s ridiculous.”

”It’s just Albion’s jealousy.”

”But even those skeptics couldn’t deny one thing.

If such a weapon truly existed...

It would be dangerous knowledge.

Far beyond something a group of academy students could handle.

And so...

Letters began leaving the academy.

Messages carried by messenger birds and enchanted seals.

Each letter addressed to powerful noble households.

Each message asking the same question.

What should we do about this weapon?

From a distance, Albion watched the chaos unfold.

His lips curled slowly upward.

Everything was moving exactly as he planned.

No matter how things ended...

He would benefit.

If the rumor turned out false?

Videl would still face suspicion.

If the rumor turned out true?

The noble houses would fight to claim the weapon.

Either way...

Videl would suffer.

And Victor...

Would be dragged into the storm as well.

Albion chuckled quietly to himself.

”Perfect.”

Meanwhile, inside the academy dormitory building...

Another group of students had also heard the rumors.

Niva burst through the hallway first.

”Did you hear that?!”

Behind her, Kira and Dira rushed after her.

”I heard it,” Kira said.

”But it sounds ridiculous.”

Dira frowned.

”Still... we should confirm it.”

The three quickly reached Videl’s dorm room door.

Niva knocked loudly.

”Videl! Are you inside?!”

Silence.

She knocked again.

”Hey! We need to talk!”

Still nothing.

Dira tried opening the door.

Locked.

Kira frowned.

”Where did she go?”

The hallway slowly filled with more students.

Everyone was looking for the same person.

Videl.

The ”man of the hour.”

But no matter where they searched...

She was nowhere to be found.

Eventually someone muttered,

”She probably ran away.”

Another student nodded.

”Of course she did.”

”Now that everyone knows about her magical weapon.”

The rumor began shifting again.

But before it could grow further—

A voice echoed down the hallway.

”Everyone calm down.”

One of the academy teachers stepped forward.

The students immediately fell silent.

The teacher cleared his throat.

”Videl has not fled.”

The students stared at him.

”She has received permission from the Principal.”

”To train inside a dungeon for the next three days.”

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.

Relief washed across many noble students’ faces.

Three days.

That meant they had time.

Time to hear back from their noble houses.

Time to decide how to deal with the situation.

And so the academy slowly returned to uneasy quiet.

But the rumor had already taken root.

Far away from the academy...

A carriage rolled steadily along the moonlit road toward the capital.

Inside the carriage sat two people.

One was a seasoned knight.

The other...

A young sword maiden.

Videl sat stiffly across from Mora, her posture straight and disciplined.

The carriage lantern swayed gently, casting warm light across the small space.

Mora studied the young woman in front of him.

She sat like a soldier awaiting orders.

He sighed.

Then he chuckled quietly.

”No need to be so stiff, kid.”

Videl blinked slightly.

Mora leaned back casually.

”I won’t bite you.”

Videl quickly lowered her head.

”I—I’m sorry about that, Sir...”

She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

”It’s just...”

Her eyes flickered with admiration.

”This is the first time I’ve seen a real knight.”

Mora raised an eyebrow.

Videl continued honestly.

”I’ve always dreamed of becoming one.”

”That’s why I joined the academy.”

Mora watched her quietly.

The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.

He nodded slowly.

”I see.”

Then his expression turned slightly more serious.

”Let me give you a piece of advice, kid.”

Videl looked up attentively.

”Don’t be fooled by the stories.”

His voice grew quieter.

”Knighthood isn’t as honorable as you think.”

Silence filled the carriage.

The wheels continued rolling along the road.

Videl lowered her gaze slightly.

Her thoughts churned.

The image of knights she held since childhood...

Shining armor.

Protectors of the weak.

Symbols of justice.

But Mora’s words carried the weight of someone who had seen the world.

Videl began thinking deeply about what he meant.

Across from her, Mora quietly watched the young woman.

Then he sighed to himself.

Such a good and honest kid.

His gaze softened slightly.

I hope she stays the same...

Even after learning the truth about what it really means to be a knight.